Hi Everyone!
Happy Monday loves!! You guys. This past couple months has been EPIC for me on the treasure hunting front. I’m not quite sure what stars have aligned and are sending me good juju but I’m loving every second of it. I’ve acquired some really great pieces recently and this weekend I took some time to do a bit of rearranging after my most recent scores. I’d already been slowly adding spring touches to the bungalow here and here, and I figured it was time to give the living room a proper Spring spruce up, and incorporate a few of my latest finds.
If you follow me on IG you know I happened upon the deal of the century and snagged a pair of mid century chairs for $40.
Once I got them home, I wasn’t convinced. To be honest, I really didn’t like them at all. Now let me clarify something..the chairs themselves are great. They are in seriously AMAZING vintage condition. Original fabric, not a blemish in sight, AND they have the original purchase tags still in tact on them. They are a complete dream if mid century furniture is your thing.
What drew me to them are the clean, classic lines and the scale of the chairs. What falls short for me, quite literally, is their size, and color. They are quintessential MCM, and these babies are sooo short. They’re comfy, but feel way too low to the ground for my liking. I was having buyers remorse so I decided to do some rearranging, shop my house, and see if I could find a way to make em work. Id also scored an amazing Milo Baughman inspired burlwood coffee table over the weekend and I wanted to see how it felt in the space as well.
You guys. This table!! I so beyond love it. Yall know how much I love burlwood and have been really wanting to add some to the mix somehow. And when you can snag something for FREE its damned good reason (and a no commitment way) to try it out. The table was originally 22″ tall and much too high for a coffee table, so I simply shaved off 4″ with the circular saw and brought it down to a comfortable 18″. I probably coulda gone down another 1 or 2 inches, but I like my coffee tables on the higher side, and 18″ is pretty standard coffee table height.
I love the size, the color, and the surface space! The bamboo coffee table was pretty, but this is FABULOUS and by far much more me! There is some wear and tear on the table top, and a small knick along one of the edges, but I think it adds to the beauty and character of it, plus once I styled the top the blemishes were barely noticeable.
The verdict is still out on the chairs. I do like them much more now with the new set up, and after layering on some textiles, but I’m still not sure they’ll stay. Naomi thinks they need to be reupholstered like yesterday, and if I do decide to keep them that will happen fairly soon. I’m also considering keeping just one and nixing the other. I’m looking for an Eames style lounger for the corner next to the fireplace, so the chair that’s currently there will go anyway once I find one.
I think overall, though, I’ve learned I’m just not much of a MCM chair gal. I think they are beautiful, and stylistically they are wonderful, but they aren’t for me. I think what the room needs now is something with a bit less upholstery. Id love something with more wood, open arms, caning, just something to help balance out the heaviness of the coffee table and the big beige beast. I’m keeping my eyes open and hoping my luck hasn’t run out!
Until next time loves….
Xo-Shavonda
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
Well I do think the room looks beautiful and that new coffee table is really gorgeous. I like the chairs, but I’m kind of in the same boat as you. MCM is so BIG right now and there’s part of me that wants to like it but a lot of times it just isn’t me. I think you’re smart to live with them for awhile, and I bet if decide to go in another direction you’ll be able to turn a little profit on them anyway 🙂
Shavonda says
Its good to know Im not alone Jen. I totally appreciate the beauty and quality of MCM, but its for sure not gonna be something that is a major part of our home. Although I do love a good MCM credenza or dresser. And yes, I can make a killer profit off these babies!
Claire Brody says
FREE???? omg. That table is insane and that fact that you got it for free is out of control!!! I’ve never been so jealous of a thrift find. I love the chairs, but can’t wait to see what you decide!
Shavonda says
Right!! Everytime I walk in the room it makes me smile from cheek to cheek knowing the deal on got on it. Plus it really is just plain pretty:)
Brynne@TheGatheredHome says
That table is perfect for your room! I totally understand about the chairs – I am all about snatching up the great Craigslist steals, but then letting them pass on to someone else if they aren’t exactly right! It takes time to find the perfect fit on a budget – my little philosophy of “gathering” 🙂
Shavonda says
It totally does. And my very much ok with handing them over to someone who will love and enjoy them. That’s what its all about.
Kimberly Duran says
Ahhh that table is AMAZING!! Love love love it – what a score! I’ve got heart eyed emojis going on ALL over the place. Le sigh. As for the chairs – I think I agree! They are gorgeous in their own right but there’s a whole lotta that brown vibe going on. I am similar – I do love mid century but I can’t have too much of it in my home – just the odd piece here or there. I’m wondering if perhaps reupholstering them in a bolder colour or pattern might be enough to sway you to keep them? Or perhaps sell them as a pair and take the moola to find something you truly love? xxx
Shavonda says
Thank you love! Im leaning more towards the latter!
Amy says
I love the coffee table it is beautiful! Enjoy your IG
Shavonda says
Hi Amy!! Thank you so much:) Yaay for Instafam!
kayla says
I kind of agree with You. The chairs throw the room off a little more than it should be. I would save up for an eames lounger and then get another chair to complement the other side. You run the risk of too many orange/yellow tones in your room keeping them in there With the coffee table. Maybe keep them for the future, just in case? It’s soooo hard to find a pair of chairs, you never know when you would need the other.
Shavonda says
I completely agree! Id love either a vintage bergere chair, or something wicker. And man is it ever hard to find a pair, especially in good condition. Thanks so much for your thoughts:)
Darcel says
I think this living room now looks like you! Before it was beautiful, but now with the table it’s awesome. I like the chairs, but you’ve gotta live with them, not me. Do you think since you’re not entirely pleased with your sofa at the moment that could be throwing off your vibe? LOL, the line from that Kendrick Lamar song just popped in my head …. sofa don’t kill my vibe. 🙂 Good luck with finding new chairs. Be blessed.
Shavonda says
Thank you love. It definitely feels much more like me. And the big beige beast is absolutely throwing me off! Im sure once I get a new sofa things will fall into place, but I think even with a sofa I loved Id still be on the fence about the chairs. And now Ill have that song stuck in my head for the rest of the day!! 🙂
Erin says
Okay- that coffee table is amazing. And you nonchalantly used a saw to cut it down?!?! You must share more about that and how you got it cut completely level. The chairs do look better with the new table but it’s hard to tell if the scale is right from pictures.
Shavonda says
It was actually really easy. The table is hollow on the inside and shaped like a cube without a bottom. Because it was already level and even I just measured 18 inches from the top all the way around and use a straight edge to mark my cut line. Then I turned it on its side and made the cut all the way around. It was really easy and it was actually my first time ever using a circular saw. I have a small hand held version from Rockwell Tools and it was perfect for this.
Gretchen says
oh wow–that table! what an amazing find!
Shavonda says
Thank you Gretchen:)
Julia@Cuckoo4Design says
That table!!!! It really is phenomenal! And I do really like the chairs too. Maybe you should give Naomi her wish of reupholstering them because then you could add some of your fabulous love for color. I can so see it.
Shavonda says
I can too love! Thank you so much. Im still in awe over the fact that it was free. One mans trash….
cassie says
i totally agree with you on your thoughts about the chairs and that table has GOT to stay! it’s amazing!!! the room looks beautiful, and can’t wait to see what chairs you end up with!
Shavonda says
The table is DEFINITELY staying my friend. And yes, You totally get where Im coming from:)