Frankly, the only fabric shown above I would even consider would be the red toile. I think the others don't have much universal appeal. I think the toile would look best with the chest painted white - kind of a French country kind of look that would fit the theme of your booth.
Dee

I had kind First purchased fabric # 2 and intended to use it, but overall I had kind of narrowed it in my own mind to the red toile OR the blue and white fabric, then I found #1 today and I liked how soft and subtle the pattern was (the pic doesn't really do it justice)

If you're wavering between #1 and #2 and it has to be one of those, I would pick #1, since blue is becoming more popular. I'm not sure what color the chest would look best with that pattern, maybe the original pine since blue is often used in country settings. But I couldn't fit those colors into any room in my house and I think that may ring true for a lot of your customers. And, I think everyone here just wants you to make a great success of your venture!
Dee

given the look you want I would pick the red toile or the blue and white and paint the piece white in a satin or matte and then distress it.

thanks dee :) I appreciate your kind words. I have soooooo many other pieces of upholstery fabric, many more that are much more neutral than any of these, but I didn't present them, as I thought maybe they would be too ordinary. IF that would help, and you would like me to submit another sampling of these, I can.

i'd use 1 or 2. probably 1.

To me the chest has a very 1980's vibe to it, so most of the fabrics don't feel right except for the first one. Is it pine, as mentioned? It looks more like oak on my monitor.

Personally, I would look for a black and white toile, paint the chest white, and change out to black iron handles (not knobs). If you measure the spread of the two places where the handles attach at each end, I am betting you can find something on line to fit.

I would paint the chest white and use the red & white. I think the chest might also look cute painted a pretty lime green.

I like fabrice #2 and the red toile. Is the darker color in #2 a purple or brown? If it's brown, it's probably the most neutral of the fabrics.

Laurie

Creamy white with the red toile. It will sell fast.

I honestly dont know what it's made of,most likely oak, it doesn't look like pine to me. I do know it's cedar inside. The color of #2 is a deep dakr purple color and appears to have a dark brownish tone to it.

I think that buying pulls of this size is going to be $$$ and I have searched for them online. Average price is $7 and up, for a 4 1/2 inch pull. that's really going to take a bite out of my profits since I will likely sell this bench for $100-$150. (that is the price of other cedar chests in the store and some are painted white, others are natural wood looking. Since I have already purchased a bunch of knobs, I'll at least try them and see how they look. I'll post pics when I get that far for opinions :)

I considered offering a custom choice of fabrics, but the problem I see with that is that while it's being displayed it wont have as much visual appeal. the seat area is removable but I think it can be affixed more permanently.

That chest as it is now is a 1980s Retro Deco. I would try to do the Shabby Chic thing by emphasizing the "Art Deco" or "Art Moderne" clean lines it echos.

Or maybe go for the clean lined look put together with a William-Morris style design fabric. To pull this off you would have to stain the wood to the oak tone that was popular during that era. Most people wanting this look are interested in originals not a copied look though.

I would paint it and use a Chintz for the upholstery. Chintz was the rage in the 1930s and 1940s. I would leave the wood handles on it and paint them the same as the chest is painted. I've seen this done with painted furniture that has wooden handles. The handles on this piece make it unique and give it it's personality.

You want the piece to look quirky and unique - not 'blah' like some ready made Shabby Chic knock-off from Walmart. You don't want it to appeal to broad tastes - you want it to appeal to those who have a passion for Shabby Chic.

Of the above fabrics I would choose the Red Toile if it has to be one of those.

see this is why I ask you guys :) dilly, the first 2 pics you posted did not come through. I do have some waverly fabric that has a floral print like the last pic you posted.

would this work better?

{{!gwi}}

or this one, much more "country like"
{{!gwi}}

or this one, much more funky
{{!gwi}}

I"VE GOT MORE to choose from, so maybe I'm just not hitting it with the choices above.

Since you're going for the shabby look, and there are other benches in the place, make yours stand out a bit. I'd add some small ball or bun feet to the bottom. Then I'd remove the old knobs, fill in the holes and drill a new hole and add crystal or sparkly new knobs. Or don't add any knobs at all.

I'd also do a chintz fabric, as that is VERY SC and is also proposed to be coming back into trend now.

My personal fave for your fabrics is #2, but not with the white paint. You could even consider making the top tufted or add buttons for interest. I did that with my old cedar chest. I've recovered it about a million times now, but haven't changed the wood. It's a dark mahogany stain and I like it, but I have changed out the knobs. Mine is more of a traditional style, but yours could be very cute with a little effort.

Is Shabby Chic popular in your area?
Personally, I'd show it with a plain muslin cover, and change out the pulls. The more time and money you spend on making it saleworthy, the more you have to charge for it.

Yes -- a simple, plain but elegant linen (or even burlap) cover.
Paint it white or black or go for another very fashionable color -- try pale gray (matte) -- with simple metal pulls.

Go for the HOT look -- Swedish or Belgium Country. So the simple linen or even nice burlap cover would be appropriate with the chalky white or pale gray color.

For ideas -- check out the blog "Cote de Texas"

Here is a link that might be useful: Cote de Texas blog

"dilly, the first 2 pics you posted did not come through"

Hmmm. I am seeing them. Maybe a browser issue? I don't know what else to do. I am not very computer literate.

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One thing to remember with the cedar chest that you have, is not to paint the cedar lining, but you knew that already I assume. I have seen cedar chests at Goodwill where they painted them inside and out and I don't know why.

Shabby Chic can evolve. And there is Coastal Shabby Chic, Funky Shabby Chic, Girly Shabby Chic. You can go in many directions with it. Try for you own signature style. You don't want to just copy the famous original Shabby chic that is now seen everywhere and is rather defunct.

Choose furniture with a unique silhouette. Add an unexpected fabric keeping the piece fresh and casual, and 'everyday'. Heavy brocade upholstery is out. Chintz brings it together.

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This below would make people say "Ooooh, I saw that at Target! That's nice." and keep walking. Or "That is sooooo Rachel Ashwell." or "That is soooo Mary Englebert." pointing and walking on by.

People are saturated with Shabby Chic that makes rooms look like Cabbage Rose Soup.

{{!gwi}}

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This would hold more interest for the chest.

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It's the juxtaposition of formal elements with casual........

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You may not need to redo everything you find in a print before you sell it. Color and texture are key elements that bring Shabby Chic together.

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Below linked is Bella Cottage which finds vintage items and re-dos them to a Shabby Chic style. Note that the pieces all have painted handles whether they are metal or wood. Otherwise crystal knobs are used.

{{!gwi}}

http://www.thebellacottage.com/product_search.php?search=antique

Here is a link that might be useful: Bella Cottage