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Help! which of these 3 CL options would you choose?

10 years ago

I just refinished our dining room table and it's glorious! i'm on the hunt for 8 very solid quality matching chairs to refinish next. i want chairs that will last the lifetime of the house!

i'm going for kind of a french eclectic look and i'll be chalk painting them white with a medium-dark gray fabric for the seat. i was hoping for something with lots of curves and detail because the table is a giant rectangular block of solid wood. very heavy. here's the table:

so i have 3 different options open at the moment on craiglist.

1) HENKEL HARRIS - STEAL OF THE CENTURY: 8 matching, very solid very good condition Henkel Harris chairs for $250 total for the set. Insane, right? they don't have the curves i wanted, but i've seen this style refinished and they're lovely and the quality is outstanding!

{{!gwi}}

2) DREXEL - i love the curves and the scale of the chairs. however, she's insisting that the table come with and i don't want to lug it the hour drive home, nor do i want to bother reselling it. but at $725 for 8 chairs plus the table, it too is a great buy. so downsides here are the long drive and the annoying glass table. has anyone ever used a glass table in a craft room? i tend to use tools, so it would render the table useless when i bring the hammer out. :)

{{!gwi}}

3) THOMASVILLE - i'll call it vintage thomasville which ups the quality factor but still probably not in the same league as drexel and henkel harris. really interesting shape on these chairs though. the downside is she is selling an entire dining set. 9' table plus a giant beast of a buffet with credenza. she wants $1000 for the whole set, which is a great buy if i needed all those pieces. my sister in law needs a table, so if she wants in, we could try to convince this woman to sell just the table and chairs separately. i'm under no circumstances moving their hutch though, so this set of chairs is no guarantee.

{{!gwi}}

so, i feel like the henkel harris chairs are what i SHOULD get because quality is at the top of my criteria list. and it's a great buy. i just wonder if i'm going to long for curves once i have them sitting here looking at me ready for paint.

please weigh in!!

UPDATED: this is my inspiration photo for for the buffet/sideboard, and why i describe my dining room vision as french eclectic. so with that also in mind... cast your vote! :)

This post was edited by maggiepie11 on Mon, Aug 5, 13 at 10:30

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Comments (34)

palimpsest
10 years ago
The first set of chairs is English through and through so I don't think you will be getting the look you want.

The second set of chairs is probably the most appropriate.
maggiepie11
Original Author
10 years ago
updated original post instead!

This post was edited by maggiepie11 on Mon, Aug 5, 13 at 10:30
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funkyart
10 years ago
I dont care for the drexel set-- I see where you want to go but I think you can find a better chair style if you have the time to be patient. I really kind of like the thomasville style.. and while not in the same league as the other two, they should be pretty solid. I think they'd look great with the finish you want to apply.. and an added plus for me is that they won't look like everyone else's rustic french country.

Are they all an hr away? I'd sit in them before I'd get too serious about any one.
User
10 years ago
I think the third set of chairs goes best with the table. IMO, the first two won't look eclectic with the table, just mismatched. The third set has the curves you want but they are flat, which echoes the flat planks of the table, and the scale is also better. The others share absolutely no attributes with the table--- style, feel, period, weight, etc.

I am assuming you plan to refinish or paint anything you buy, right?
maggiepie11
Original Author
10 years ago
thanks for the opinions. keep them coming!

kswl, yes, i'll be painting the chairs no matter which ones i buy.

i hadn't considered that the drexel chairs didn't suit my table or room in any way because i was so taken with how unusual they are, but i see that now. i think the drexel ones are out.

that said, i think the henkel harris ones could be paired with any table with the right finish because they're so simple. and i kind of feel like if i'm going ornate with the buffet, maybe the simple shape of the chairs would be a good thing? but then i'm so drawn to curves. my biggest impediment in decorating is trying to exercise restraint. when i go shopping i'm drawn to the craziest piece in the room, the biggest, the brightest color... however, i'm not the type to enjoy a house full of all of those things. so restraint is key! haha
palimpsest
10 years ago
Are you sure what you really want is French then, in terms of authentic shape of the chair? The first chair is English, the last is French but it's gothic, really. The second may be too elaborate for what you want, but out of the three it's the most French in shape (although the rest of the set isn't particularly).

Cabriole instead of spade foot, but similar antique French chair.

This post was edited by palimpsest on Mon, Aug 5, 13 at 11:19
nosoccermom
10 years ago
I like the second set best if you're going for French but would choose a more modern fabric.

I googled French farm table and white chairs (below). Depending on what overall look you're going for, you may like some simpler or more modern chairs.

Here is a link that might be useful: farm table and white chairs
My3dogs ME zone 5A
10 years ago
Sounds like the Henkels are a sure thing, if they aren't sold by the time you make contact. With paint and new fabric on the seats, they may satisfy you. :-) I don't like the style with your table, though.

The Drexels are out because of the table, which would have made a craft table until you said 'hammer'! It would also be VERY hard to transport as that glass must be incredibly heavy. I do love the style of the chairs, though.

Thomasville chairs don't go cheap, as you can see from the eBay link below for 6 of them. The style of these is cute for your table, but whether your sister wants the table, and whether the seller will separate is a big if. IMO, they are the best style for your table, and would blend best with them. I would do them in a white wash, not as solidly covered as the buffet.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thomasville Furniture Fredericksburg Dining Chairs Set
jan_in_wisconsin
10 years ago
Just wanted to say that your table is gorgeous, and I love your vision. I think I understand what you are going for. I have similar tastes.

I am drawn to set 2, of the choices you listed, but I am not a designer, just someone who likes mixing french and english country styles with rustic and distressed pieces.

I love the fact that you will be painting the chairs and buffet. The buffet idea is fabulous too, by the way.
palimpsest
10 years ago
Its more likely you want a provincial ladder back chair than chair #2
Rory (Zone 6b)
10 years ago
I like the third set best with your table.
rafor
10 years ago
The 3rd set, but Pal's suggestion is even better!

This post was edited by rafor on Mon, Aug 5, 13 at 11:41
nosoccermom
10 years ago
Something like this?
maggiepie11
Original Author
10 years ago
oh dear, i seem to have misguided everyone... or maybe i'm misguided in my head. haha either way, i'm sorry for the wild goose chase.

i don't know the proper definitions or classifications of different styles or genres of furniture if you will... i don't know how to discern the qualities of the period etc. and i'm not necessarily interested in learning. i know i said french and maybe i should have excluded entirely and only posted a pic of the table and the buffet.

i will stick by eclectic though for all the reasons described above. i like what i like, whether it's french or english or tanzanian. :)
i like all 3 of these chairs, and quality is very important to me.

the other factor is that our dining room is part of a wide open great room including the kitchen and family room and the other spaces won't be as ornate.

UPDATES: OMG, 2 minutes ago, the drexel chair lady FINALLY agreed to sell the chairs separately now that i talked myself out of them. haha and my sister in law said no on the table so thomasville chairs are out. :(
Holly- Kay
10 years ago
I am going for a French farmhouse type look. I love the traditional ladder back chairs but the Thomasville set doesn't do it. The second chair is definitely French provincial and what I would choose. I didn't have the patience to wait for the right thing to come up on CL so I ordered Ethan Allen from their Maison collection but I went with the Renee wheat back chair rather than the ladder back because I didn't care for the lines on the EA ladder back, and I loved the legs and the back on the Renee chair. I love the ladder back that Pal posted!

I love French country because of the rustic plus elegant look. I tend to like a mix of styles and I think the blend of rustic elegant in FFH is why I like it so much. It definitely is not very in vogue now as the pages on Houzz is limited compared to many other styles.
lazydaisynot
10 years ago
Of the three choices, I prefer #2. You'd have to figure out what to do with the glass table, but $750 for a set of very pretty and solid chairs is a pretty good deal in my neck of the woods. I like the curvy chair with the straightforward table. My preference is for thing not to "match".

I'm not fond of the flat plane of #3's back, but that's just personal preference.
yayagal
10 years ago
Definitely the first, will you be doing a finish to match the table?
Olychick
10 years ago
At those prices, now that you can get the chairs separately, I'd buy both #1 and #2, bring them home (if they are comfy) and try them out then sell the losers (all of them and start over if you have to).
My3dogs ME zone 5A
10 years ago
Go GRAB the Drexels, now!
maggiepie11
Original Author
10 years ago
haha done! i just claimed the drexels - 8 chairs for $600!!! i'm picking up late this afternoon. if the henkel harris guy gets back to me i might get those too and see how both sets look and feel sitting in my foyer waiting for paint. :)

so excited!! what a whirlwind. you had all convinced me of each of the 3 sets at one point. hahaha

here's how my inspiration board is shaping up! now looking at it photoshopped white it seems obvious.
nosoccermom
10 years ago
Nice! What kind of fabric are you thinking?
maggiepie11
Original Author
10 years ago
well, again, restraint is my challenge here because i love the agony of choosing fabrics. :)

i'm aiming to TRY to keep it as simple as can be - dark grey linen. what do you think?

also, while we're on the topic of color sort of... the inspiration buffet is aqua, but i've been toying with a very muted lilac color - kind of like "emile" by annie sloan but maybe toned down with some light gray mixed into it. however, the coffered ceiling is going to be a muted deep teal i think so i feel like the aqua is a better fit. it's just so cliche and that's what's bugging me.

is this purple a terrible idea? also, the kitchen backsplash is going to be aqua tile.
jan_in_wisconsin
10 years ago
Oh, good for you! I am so happy for you! I really like the lilac color, but I'm not sure it is the best match with the teal. You could do a neutral paris gray and incorporate some teal or turquoise in the accents you use on the buffet, such as candles, lamps, etc.
nosoccermom
10 years ago
I really like the aqua. Would you go with Provence, Duck Egg Blue, or Louis Blue as a starting point?
The other option might be Cece Caldwell. I've never used it but saw them last weekend and liked several of their colors.
bullydosmom
10 years ago
I did a chair with Emile, I think your idea of toning it down with gray is a good idea. It would be beautiful. Although I must say I'm really in love with duck egg blue.
busybee3
10 years ago
i have hh dining room, so am partial probably, but i would definitely go with them... they're sturdy and comfortable! i also think i like the plainer style with the table, especially if you get a more ornate sideboard, but really would have to see both finished and with table before i would know for sure.... you absolutely cannot beat 250 for 8 chairs!
yayagal
10 years ago
It's going to be gorgeous, what a buy!!!!!!!
amykath
10 years ago
I was going to say the second option. Looks like you got them! Very exciting! Love your choices for the room and look forward to seeing the pics to come!
cheryleb
10 years ago
I haven't read the other responses yet so they wouldn't influence my opinion.

My first choice would be the first set. Although not as ornate as the second, they do have curves in the center piece of the back and the legs are curved and carved for detail. I find that shape of leg to be quite feminine. My second choice would be the second set and if you love them, it would be worth ditching the unwanted table. You would have to drive there to get the chairs anyway so no extra trip (if you have a truck).

They are all lovely and I am a touch green with envy of all the gorgeous finds on CL. It isn't popular in mid-Canada so I have to live vicariously through others. :)
maggiepie11
Original Author
10 years ago
yay! just a quick update - i have the chairs in my possession. a successful CL adventure it was. i know i sound like yoda but i'm really excited!

and nosoccermom - i make my own paint. if i go aqua i'd probably aim for pretty close to that inspiration piece. duckegg is probably not enough pop for me for this piece, and louis is too blue. maybe 50/50 of those two colors in terms of ASCP.

now the question is, will i be able to hold myself back from going out to get white paint after dinner tonight? :)

thanks for all your input everyone. this was a fun, instant gratification post and i know these chairs are going to be amazing! they're lined up like soldiers in my foyer/workshop. hehe
nosoccermom
10 years ago
maggiepie,
smart move to mix your own paint! I'm looking forward to seeing what the DR will look like. Please post pictures.
anele_gw
10 years ago
Did you get the buffet? If not, I would reconsider. I would pick something to bridge the gap between the chairs and table a little more. Just a thought!
maggiepie11
Original Author
10 years ago
anele, i haven't got the buffet yet, but it'll be difficult to convince me not to use that buffet as inspiration because i'm in love and love isn't always rational. :)

what did you have in mind?

also, to paint a bigger picture, this dining room is open to the kitchen and family room, and the family room will have a large fireplace covered floor to ceiling in an old european style dressed fieldstone, large casual comfy sofas... the kitchen will be what i'm dubbing "farm glam" - white shaker style cabinets, black chunky hardware/pulls, large white cast iron sink, chrome finish on farm-style plumbing and light fixtures, shiny aqua backsplash from ann sacks, curvy stainless vent hood with chrome accents. as you can tell, i'm really comfortable with all my individual items not being the obvious choice or matchy matchy. :) i'm sure it's a peeve of plenty of folks on this board to not keep within a period or genre or architectural integrity, but it makes me happy.

(i'd post pics, but we just broke ground, so all i've got to show you is a pile of dirt!)
AnitaRn
10 years ago
I love the look you are going with! It is similar to my vision. We close on our place in two days, and I can't wait to get started. My style also leads to a modern farmhouse with a touch of bling. Please continue with the pictures! I love your table, you did an excellent job.

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