I suppose it depends to some extent on what your back entry is like. If it is a "mud" room, maybe not so well. But if it is a room like many others, just in the back of the house and you use it for going in and out of doors, then it might work well. It looks easy enough to reupholster the piece, and a more casual fabric might make it work very well. Anyway, it's a cool piece, and the price is right. You can use it somewhere else later, if you find something better for the back entry.

Jan
Post a pic of the area you intend to use it. I agree it's a cool piece but I do think it needs some fun fabric and possibly paint

Okay, here is the area I intend to use it:

I'd like to place it between the powder room and laundry room doorways (left wall in picture). That wall space is about 56" wide, and the bench is 48" wide. I measured, and there will still be over 3' of walking space in front of it.

The seller said the fabric is in excellent condition, so I hate to remove it if I don't have to. What about a small pillow (or pillows) or something on it?

It looks perfect to me. I don't think it is too formal.

I like it okay, but I admit it doesn't look like what I've seen of your style. I suppose it could lean toward French Country, but your style seems to be a bit cleaner. The color looks good for the area.
Dee

Cindyloo - Thanks, I really like it too. It's so unique, and just the kind of piece that makes me smile when I see it. I'm not sure of the style of it.

If it is too formal for your taste, you could paint it a bright color and recover it with a bright fun print. Painting over stain won't damage it. It can always be stripped if you change your mind. A furniture guy once told me that you can paint over stain, but if you first paint something and then try to strip it, you never get all the paint completely out.

My style leans traditional/French Country/clean. I don't have anything contemporary/geometric/bright in my home. I love warm colors (especially BM historical) and mixes of wood finishes; a collected look.

The seller said the fabric is not ripped or stained at all, so I hate to replace it if I don't have to. Also, I'm not sure I could do it myself. How complicated is it to reupholster?

If I replace the fabric and/or paint, do you have any suggestions? Again, I'd want it to be in keeping with the rest of my decor.

I do think it is too formal for the space. I can see why you like it, but I would paint it or reupholster it for that use. Where I am, the labor alone would probably be $500. But that's metro NYC CT.

I think the bigger issue is size and vantage point. It looks wide for the hallway. Have you measured. I also think the side view isnt as nice as head on. But it is a cool piece .. any other spot for it?

I don't really have another place for it. Sigh . . . well, maybe it's back to the drawing board. I do like it, but it may not be cut out for that spot.

I'd put it there without hesitation, and I'd walk past it every day and smile to myself about how brilliant and creative I am and how much I LOVE it!

Really, it's not like it's in a room where it becomes a focal point or it has to blend with a roomful of other things. It's in an *empty* hallway for Pete's sake! As far as I can tell, it doesn't really have to "go" with anything else at all. As long as the size of it doesn't interfere with ingress/egress, if you love it, buy it!

Oh, and if you paint it, I will personally come and take it away from you.

"I like old pieces a lot, and this one is no exception!" - If you think you will regret not getting it you know what to do.

"It's so unique, and just the kind of piece that makes me smile when I see it." - Best reason to buy it!

"I do like it, but it may not be cut out for that spot." - Don't second guess yourself and don't let others tell you how you should decorate.

"What about a small pillow (or pillows) or something on it?" - Good idea! Maybe a print to coordinate with an adjoining room.

Everyone has good points here. The hallway is around 61" wide, and this bench is 24" deep. So there would be 3 feet of open walking area in front of it. Is that enough? I think that's the usual standard, right?

I'd get it in a heartbeat, try it in your spot and if you love it there, then it IS perfect. If you decide it's not quite right, then I'd sell it for $250 or more! I think with a simpler style mirror or piece of art above it, you would have a really remarkable little spot in your home.

I could not agree more with Luckygal and Olychick! If you really like it, GO GET IT....NOW! It's hard to find a unique piece like this; one that has so much charm and character - especially at such a steal! You definitely won't find something like it at Pottery Barn, or ANY of those stores that carry all the latest trends. This is just simply a GORGEOUS, one-of-a-kind piece and you won't see one like it sitting in every home you visit!! (BTW, I have nothing against PB, I just happen to like unusual, older (often antique) items, too!)

Oh, and I absolutely, positively would NOT dare touch it with a paint brush! In fact, I wouldn't make any alterations to it at all. But with this particular piece, it is strictly a personal preference because I truly love it just exactly the way it is. I think it would look just fine like it is in your home, as long as it fits in the space like you want it to. If it doesn't, I would put it somewhere else, save it for another spot in another house, or, as someone else suggested, sell it for twice the price!!

Bottom line, if it is still available and YOU love it, GO FOR IT, GIRLFRIEND!! If you decide you don't want it, get it for me. âº

Good luck! Let us know what you decide.

~ADDY~

Ditto...I'd buy it as well. Keep us posted!

Given the dimensions I posted, do you think it will fit well?

I think it would fit. And even if you end up not liking it in the HW, I'm sure you'll find another spot for it. You could end up re-decorating your whole house around the setee! lol.

Stop worrying and go get it. NOW.

YES!!

I think the fit will be fine. Really, though, despite lots of measuring, I've bought pieces that weren't quite right, so I think the only way to tell is to buy it and put it there and find out.

It is a little formal for that spot, but I sure wouldn't paint that wood. A more casual fabric may make the difference,tho. Another thought, check the springs. Even though people won't be sitting on it for any length of time, the springs will give way if not freshly tied up.

Thanks, guys. The seller says it has hardly been used; that it's been in an attic for a long time - oooh, just a little gem in hiding.

I'd rather not paint or reupholster if I don't have to. It's hard to see the fabric detail/sheen in the photo. If I were to reupholster it (now or later), how difficult is that? Would I need to hire a pro or could I do it myself?

I have hubby measuring and considering on this right now.

Will there be kids/teens using it? If so, make sure it is sturdy enough to hold up. I'm envisioning them sitting on the arms, flopping down on it, etc. I think that's why we so often end up with chunkier, more utilitarian things in mud rooms.

it looks like the color would go perfectly in your mudroom area!!
i say, 'so what!!!' if it's more formal than what one would USUALLY put in a mudroom! it's good to be unique, imo!!! and, it is really a nice bench and it's awesome if it's in such good shape! you can't beat the price either!

36" is plenty to walk through comfortably, imo!

I think it is a lovely bench and dirt cheap. But I think it may be too big. Call me a party pooper but you are asking for advice and that's mine.

The aisle width recommended is, I think, 48" ideally, but at least 42".
You could always use tape on the floor to get a sense of it, but I fear it may look as though you are in the midst of moving furniture and left it there. I also don't like the fact that you can't really see it head on from anywhere, which is how it looks best. You won't be able to back up enough to see it.

That said my general sense is, if i really loved anything, and it was only 125, i would buy it no matter what. I have an armoire in my mudroom because I thought build ins looked too modern. But 9 out of 10 people would say it's too big.

I am shutting up now.

that's not a "formal" piece! That's sort of a "farm house Victorian"....fits in with pressed back oak chairs and big square kitchen tables!
It would look great in your hall and be useful as well. Please don't paint it!! It looks to me as if it may have a lot of old shellac on it, in which case you could clean it up with shellac thinner and bring out the oak.
Yeah the upholstery is a little blah....but a cushion and perhaps a knitted throw would help a lot!
Get it quick before it's gone!!
Linda C

Jan, if your style is country french I don't think that will work. The settee you bought is something of a parlor piece.

Thanks all! I purchased the settee. It really is charming to me, and it is in perfect condition - seriously. It's like it has been preserved or something. Apparently, it belonged to the seller's father, who had it for a very long time, but never used it, and then the seller also stored it.

It is more petite than I thought it might be, and it fits alright in the space. The fabric is not especially ornate in style or sheen. It's a golden floral print, which matches the SW Blonde paint color in our hallway well.

In doing some research, I learned that it seems to be an American Victorian style sofa bench, dating back to the late 1800s. Similar ones online are priced much higher than $125. They are listing for $500 - $1,200 if in very good condition or reupholstered.

I realize this piece is unique and even more so in the location I want it. I'm going to try it there, and if it doesn't feel right, I can always sell it.

The fabric is in perfect condition and actually matches our hallway, so I don't want to reupholster it. The wood is also in excellent shape, so I will not paint it either.

To those who encouraged me that it's alright to step outside the norm, thank you. Even if I decide not to keep it, I'm becoming more comfortable with mixing styles a bit.

I'm late to this thread, but so pleased that the settee is now yours! It's an absolutely charming piece (and a great deal) and I think your space is just crying out for it. Enjoy! :-)

Auntjen - Never too late! I'm glad you like it. I have a nice custom-framed picture of a field with a barn in the distance that would look nice back there. I would like to add a runner rug, some sort of narrow drawer storage in the back corner for mittens, hats, and gloves, and I'm not sure what else. The ceiling mounted light fixtures (2) could be replaced with some kind of hanging lantern style lighting, possibly. My MO seems to be that when I don't know what to do, I do nothing, and thus the forever bare hallway. The adjoining kitchen is a brick red color, and I have black painted furniture around the house too, so I think adding red and black colors in the hall would work. And, maybe some shade of green or something to contrast with the heat of the warm shades.

So glad you got it! Would love to see a picture of it in place! Pretty please?

Good for you!

Your plans sound really nice, so I'm anxious to see pics of it in that spot.

I also tend to do nothing when I don't have an idea or a plan, so I understand your hesitation about all of it. Really, though, it sounds wonderful!

Okay, here are the pictures:

I'm thinking of hanging this picture above the bench:

The settee is a VERY nice piece. I think it looks just fine there, as long as the closet doors (I presume) can swing outward and clear bench.

The pic would look great above it. I kinda like the juxtaposition of the the rustic frame and print with the settee's femininity. I just want to say one thing about the settee: IMHO it would look even better with a different fabric. That fabric looks a bit retro or old ladyish, as opposed to looking "Victorian". If that makes any sense. Not sure what it is...maybe the fabric doesn't look opulent enough for that style of bench....I'm not a fabric or antiques person whatsoever so I am probably wrong. But if it were mine I would reupholster in something else. Maybe something a little darker and not quite so girly. (Actually if it were mine I would do something funky, like animal print or a deep jade/teal velvet. Not that you're asking;)

Seriously great buy regardless. And I think the size is fine:)

Looks great! So glad you got it. If it were me, I wouldn't worry about changing the fabric. Looks like it is in fabulous condition.

Thanks, guys.

Tiny - Yes,the closet doors can easily open and close with clearance. I don't know a whole lot about the history of antiques either. I would like to keep the look on the casual side, and thus, the framed print. If the room were a person, I'd like it to be like a beauty queen with minimal makeup, dressed in jeans and a floral, ruffled, button-down shirt, hair blowing in the wind; natural beuaty vs. made-up, over-the-top blinginess. Funny, that I can describe it that way better than in terms of my decorating tastes. The fabric is in perfect condition, so I really hate to remove it. Maybe I could add some small accent pillows?

mary_lu - Thanks, and glad you stopped back to see.

Love the setee, but not so much the frame/print with it. I would do some wall mounted lighting, maybe sconces to enhance the lighting in the hall. The artwork, something in the feel of the period of that piece. The frame and print read more of a country, very informal to me. However, art is personal tho, and if you're in love with the way it looks, that is all that matters. Nice score.

Jan, I love things that are unexpected and this is ideal! I bought a very similar bench, perfect condition, new upholstery. I haven't placed it yet but I know the right situation will come along for something I love so much! I didn't care for the picture you displayed but when you get it all together, you'll know what looks right!

I like the bench in that spot! I don't see a thing wrong with that fabric, so I'd leave it alone. You can always add pillows if you need more color.

I'm not loving that print with it, though. The dominant colors in it and the frame style isn't doing much for the setee, so I'd keep looking.

I'm glad you bought it!

Glad to hear you bought the settee! It brings you joy and that's the most important thing. I think your plans of adding a runner, bureau and swmapping out the light fixture are spot on. As for the barn picture, I love that as well but not above the settee. I'd look for a more rustic piece for your hats & mittens bureau and put the barn pic above that. Since it seems the fabric is in great condition and you like it, I would scotchguard (with the spray) since it seems this is the bench you'd sit on when coming from outdoors and taking on/off outerwear.

So glad you bought this piece and I like your analogy. I think small solid accent pillows would work but would hide the cutwork. However for comfort they may be necessary. I certainly wouldn't reupholster until that fabric wears out or you tire of it.

I think the art works well as that settee might have been in a farmhouse with such a view. I also think that the juxtaposition of the more rustic pic and frame with the formal settee is wonderful and the colors go well with the upholstery fabric, the stained wood, and the walls.

The best decorated rooms IMO are those which have the unexpected rather than the 'safe' and sometimes boring choices. I like your choices and look forward to seeing what else you do in your decor. Have the confidence to do what looks right to you.

I like the artwork with it. Id love to see it reupholstered in something unexpected like a big ivory taupe plaid! If you want to do throw pillows, you must try etsy!

I am so glad you got it, too! It's beautiful.

Frankly, for $125 you could have considered it disposable. I hope, though, it might become an heirloom for you.

I think the fabric is sweet. :) Someone had a lovely soul.

Thanks, all. I appreciate your thoughts and input. It was just one of those things I came upon and wasn't exactly looking for, but thought I should go for the opportunity. I'm looking for a rug and a narrow bureau, as well as some wall accents (possibly incorporating shades of red from the adjoining kitchen, black, and/or green), but I like things clean and not too cluttered.

Chiming in late to say you should get it and then I saw that you did :) It looks nice in the hallway and I love its graceful shape.

I can tell the fabric is in great condition but I think it could use some contrast with your walls and floor - maybe red pillows to pull in other colors in your house?

Congrats on your CL score!

So glad you got it...it's charming & you can do so much with it! (and I love the Blonde paint, too!)