I think blue would make them look more country/farmhouse.

If you don’t want to replace them all, maybe just the two end chairs to something more traditional. I like mixing and matching chairs.

Patricia, we know you hate labels, but they really do help in describing a style someone likes. They can be useful that way, otherwise everyone is just guessing since we’re all strangers on a message board.

Thank you! I have thought of replacing the two end chairs. I appreciate your advice and for being nice about it!

Another idea is seat cushions in the Grand Mill style. Would be very charming. :)

Not suggesting these specifically, just an idea of style:

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/kelly-clarkson-home-avignon-upholstered-arm-chair-w003317709.html?piid=535332506

And cushions that coordinate for the other chairs.

ETA: Even better — look for vintage chairs locally.

Good advice. Thanks for all you ideas!

Maybe use some padding and upholstry to make them look more like the one above. I am not mean but I am honest if that offends you I am sorry .

Your original comment offered no help to me. You were just commenting to criticize. I posted to hopefully receive some ideas.

This is what I was thinking. I know it’s not the same chair but thought if I used a nice navy I could maybe achieve a similar look. I like the idea of getting two new end chairs!

What do you think Jinx?

I like the navy … and cushions could bring in the style you’re wanting. Might be worth a try! I do still think it’s a more country/farmhouse style, though.

I think you could easily sell a couple of the chairs locally, if you decide on two other end chairs (or you may want to use them somewhere else or keep for extras).

Or paint the chairs and bring in the other style, in other ways. That style is all about mixing and matching.

Yes good advice! Also, I love the vintage/ antique look and wish I’d don’t that when I purchased these chairs! Thanks for being constructive with your comments! You’ve helped me get some ideas ☺️

Yes I would not get these chairs today! We were redoing our entire house (floors, kitchen, etc) and I had to make decisions quickly- totally regret it now 😭 but it’s not in budget to replace them at this time, so just trying to live with them for the time being but also trying to make them a little better. The rest of my house is more traditional. I’m also toying with the idea of painting the buffet table.

I like the chairs, you’ve done a really nice job in there. I think a few tweaks here and there (of the GM style) will look great, and be fun to play around with. :)

I don't know what grand millennial is..I like the chairs, but I like farmhouse. I think what you have going looks nice.

ok. I googled it. I didn't realize that look was called grand millennial, but I do like it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=grandmillennial+style&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS879US879&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjDpPjs4On4AhWXDEQIHfhBBVEQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1536&bih=754&dpr=1.25

navy or black

Have you looked at any local consignment shops for chairs? Your room looks very nice but I understand getting the bug for change. We all go through it.

Thanks Anna! I have looked at the local antique stores around me. Unfortunately the look I want is pricey and my husband would absolutely kill me if I bought new chairs - the ones pictured were bought less than two years ago. I appreciate your help! Paint and cushions are probably my best option for the time being 😌

This is what I wish I had going…

This is what I thought I could do to my sideboard.

Paint can do wonders! But keep scouring Estate Sales, consignment/Craigslist free and Goodwill. you never know what you’ll find one day. We Grands are downsizing 🙂

I looked up what the term meant and what I am getting from it is that it is eclectic with some old school touches rather than being minimalist.

Maybe that is why I have in my place which was recented remodeled and redecorated :-) I have vintage pieces which I reupholstered with modern fabrics; vintage and new furniture; Chinese Deco rugs :-)

Not sure why your chairs couldn't work - maybe painted black or lacquered black and then get some kind of pad in a fabric that works. Although I remain confused as to whether upholstery is supposed to be granny chintz or more opulent looking.

I hope it sticks around, because when I need a smaller home hopefully someone will cherish the furniture I have in my two 'granny' rooms and in other spots around the house. Some of which I 'upcycled' from my parents basement and even hauling day finds.

I didn’t mean to cause controversy with the term grand millennial! 😂 if you google it, it is a lot of vintage and antiques mixed with pops of color (for me blues and greens). If I had it to do over again, I would’ve gotten vintage chairs but I fell into the “farmhouse” trend in my earlier days. Now that I’m past the age of 40, my mother and grandmother’s styles are resonating with me- I’ve always loved a timeless look. Thank you for all the nice, helpful comments. I will never understand the need to make comments that do not help in any way and come across as ugly. I labeled my style so people would know the look I was going for. It does not put me in a “box”. It is timeless and classic. Anyways, thanks guys!

Anna… I love estate sales! I’ve gone antiquing too many times this month! I’m attaching a find from FB marketplace That I bought 4 days ago!!!! 😂

@User I think almost all of us have fallen prey to following trends when we bought out first adult furniture in our 20's.

I came of age in the late 1970's when "earth tones" were the rage and my first couch had earth tone stripes. It was Schumacher fabric in the then current Parsons style and very high quality since my mother commissioned it from her upholsterer which meant that it lasted for a decade in which I absolutely loathed it - I hated it from the moment it was delivered. At least I didn't have a flotaki rug or an arc light.

The couch could would have lasted longer but I couldn't deal with it a moment longer.

Helen, that is so funny. Yes, I’ve heard my mom talk about that time period and how she loathed certain things! It stinks when you spend a lot of money on something and then don’t like it. I’m trying not to do that anymore 😂

Beautiful piece, Lindsay! What a find!

The older I get, the more I’m loving stained wood and traditional with mixing in some other styles.

Helen, where is that couch, I want it. :D

Don't ask me what I bought for a dining room "suite" when I got married...but I will give you a hint:

A King could have been crowned while seated in the host chair.

How about chair pads? Spray the chairs a high gloss navy blue.

I love that so much! Thanks for making me laugh. I read all your comments to my husband and he was even laughing! This is my first day on the Houzz app and I love it!!! Thanks for making it so pleasant and fun ladies!

@Patricia Colwell Consulting, Grand millennial is a new name for ”granny chic”, which has been kind of popular for the last couple of years. Its nice to mix older pieces into your home. Chintz and more classic patterns are popular. Post the after for your dining area when its finished.

Judianna, I was thinking high gloss! Here is a pic of my daughter’s room I recently redid. Got the bed frame from a local seller for $75! Sprayed it a pretty blue! Now I’m on the hunt for more Henry Link Bali Hai (along with everyone else 😂)

Lindsay, where did you get the sideboard? It is an oldie but goodie (Jacobean in style) and I bet you could do something with it, as well.

I know you want a change, but your room, as is, is very charming. I might just add chair pads and change out your dishes,etc.

I can't copy photos from etsy...but this idea...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/883814295/blue-and-white-porcelain-pattern-cotton?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-home_and_living-kitchen_and_dining-linens-table_linens-table_runners&utm_custom1=k_CjwKCAjwq5-WBhB7EiwAl-HEkruIF2_N1nxfuhIJYIZlEQRBXtG0eAh4l_ORhm6XisEoXCzbxObUNRoCvY4QAvD_BwE_k&utm_content=go_12570712527_123240196287_507439092374_pla-308550192915_c__883814295_144138035&utm_custom2=12570712527&gclid=CjwKCAjwq5-WBhB7EiwAl-HEkruIF2_N1nxfuhIJYIZlEQRBXtG0eAh4l_ORhm6XisEoXCzbxObUNRoCvY4QAvD_BwE

I love that! Thanks for sharing. I need to get on Etsy more often. I got the sideboard from Scott’s antique market about 7-8 years ago. I do love it. The dishes were a Mother’s Day gift I picked out this year, so they’re staying! 😂 love blue and white!!

I'd say, "British Granny grabbed her chintz and moved to Paris." Its a style from back in the day, IMO; I've seen variations on it in many a French chateau; usually done with toile fabrics and often matching wallpapers, sometimes tapestries. This is just updated for millennials today with more daring mix/match variations; pretty and can be very pricey!

Lindsay

love the secretary desk. i have one that belonged to my parents and i treasure it. Mine is an old mahogany piece that i filled with my blue and white pottery.

@decoenthusiaste I’m not that fancy and I don’t have that pocketbook. I guess I’m incorporating small touches. I like to think that I’m slowly curating a home 💞💙

Sorry new to this. I don’t yet know how to tag people on the houzz app!

@ Lindsay S. You did it!

Some fancier, more traditional window treatments like drapes or Roman shades would also alter the rustic feel, I think...

I had to look up what that meant as well.

What about doing chair back covers?

Thanks everyone. I love my window treatments but I appreciate your help!

The most grand mill aspect is how offended LS was at Patricia’s honest, simple and impartial comment that changing the color of the chairs will not change the style.

I say freshen up the white paint and add some gold trim. Then either do a boxed cushion or create fixed cushion seats by wrapping the seats with fabric after adding a layer of foam and fiberfill.

You could even paint the cross pieces completely gold and add a medallion at the center

Here's some similar work on chairs a lot more ornate but you get the idea

https://thepainteddrawer.com/2016/02/antiquewhiteandgold/

Hi LS I received a message from another user to come to your thread and see if I could offer some assistance. I have not read through each of the comments due to a limited amount of time to do so on my part, However I did get to your photo of the navy chairs around a white table. So thus far my question is this. Grand Millineal is not the style of that inspiration photo you shared. That is a modern farmhouse style. SO before movimng on which one are you trying to achieve? With your existing chairs the only type of paint that may bring them closer to the Grand mIllineal look is to have them lacquered professionally, the seat bottom upholstered and adding a great fabric inspired pillow with a great flat trim to the back. If you were to do that it would get you closer but still would have a distinictive country vibe due to the X back on the chair. Also if you were to do all those things you would be spending more on your existing chairs than you would if you were to source new chairs. GM doesnt limit itself to a Chinese Chippendale chair and bamboo. That style would be difficult to pick up for a song currently due to its popularity but others would not. Also which form of GM are you inspired by? Coastal GM? Grandma GM? Tradiational GM? all things to consider. If your heart is set on the Chinese Chippendale style chair I would try to get to a Ballard Design outlet center on a weekend. They always have them on the floor there and usually run 50% off during the weekends. You won't get 4-6 of the same color but you will get them for a great price and then can paint them. Also these on Birch Lane are some of the least expensive versions out there https://www.birchlane.com/Birch-Lane™--Janae-Cross-Back-Side-Chair-X111659226-L168-K~B000285454.html?refid=GX433453121207-B000285454_593188138&device=c&ptid=1068218427322&network=g&ireid=209925791&targetid=aud-1644963994469:pla-1068218427322&PiID%5B%5D=593188138&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzqSWBhDPARIsAK38LY_C01HsFU3gcl5eWuzHF85BMfaDevC_zQsUsxIxk44zMv6nyasmWN8aAs3vEALw_wcB&piid=584891105

Best of luck!

Thanks for the nice helpful comments. The rude comments have made me second guess posting at all. I do appreciate all the constructive comments, though!

@ L. S. - Just ignore as the rude posts seem to come from the same few people.

When I was remodeling and posting for advice, I got mean spirited posts and they were from the same people for the most part.

I hadn't asked for input on style and yet people would decide that it was appropriate to completely villify my taste level

I had never heard of the term before. As I posted, I find it ironic in some ways because my newly remodeled condo essentially is decorated in that style. Some traditional, some modern - I even had some Art Deco pieces done when I found inspiration photos I loved on the internet and I couldn't find a Chinese Deco rug in the color, pattern and size I wanted so I had it custom made. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Some of the new pieces I got were actually "inspired" by a vintage piece like my "bird" side table

The coffee table was just placed there digitally to give me an idea of what it was going to look like. I have two contemporary chairs in blue leather that will go under the window but I am waiting for delivery

Dining table was done by a local furniture maker based on a photo of an old Art Deco table I fell in love with. Chairs are from a local store called The Mod Shop and the back of the dining area is the same cabinet style that extends into my kitchen.

@User you just have to learn to laugh at the predictability of certain posters being rude and trying to pass it off as ”just being honest.” The rest of us do! As if anyone cares that some random ”pro” hates labels, hates quartz, hates niches, and a continual flow of other things she hates;. Doesn’t matter what she hates; it’s not her house or her money, IMO, lol.

I was going to suggest slipcovers over the backs on the order of what Debi posted, but in a less counrty style/fabric. These are reasonably priced at Target, so shop around. Good luck!https://www.target.com/p/farmhouse-basketweave-dining-room-chair-slipcover-oatmeal-sure-fit/-/A-53697548

I think painting a pretty blue will make them even more farmhouse and I’m not fond of navy. Consider as well when/if you want to sell, it will be tougher.

I’d paint the seat white for a less farmhouse feel and if you like, have cushions made using a fabric that would complement a newly painted 😊 side board. Add brass hardware and a brass chandelier and I think you will be much closer to GM.

I love your room just as it is, but I understand wanting a change. I think whichever color you might paint the chairs could be enhanced if it ties in to a beautiful , vivid rug with lots of personality. I don’t really see this room as country, but just unique and interesting.

I meant to say your daughter’s room is just lovely! You did a great job with that,L.S.