Mixing It Up at the Dining Room Table

Wingback Chairs used as Hostess Chairs at Dining Table (images on my pinterest board with sources associated) - link

I have noticed that there is a decorating trend to mix and match seating options at the dining room table.  It is not just about using 4-8 of the same chairs. Often there are upholstered pieces at the ends; settees and benches on the sides; and, variations in basic chairs. Although my photographs did not particularly capture it well, this was the strategy used at the Southern Living House in Senoia, Georgia last fall - link to my posting on my visit. I also am working with a client to find just the right settee/loveseat to use at her square dining room table in upstate New York.

One of the tricks to this approach is look for pieces that work with the height of the table. It is most comfortable for diners to be sitting at the right height for the table and this measurement is perhaps the most critical for choosing non-conventional pieces.  Here is a guide for seating height.

Standard-height dining tables and chairs are the most common. The measurement for a standard dining chair is between 16 and 17 inches for a 26-1/2-inch table and 18 inches for a table 28 to 30 inches tall.

Read more: The Standard Height for a Dining Room Chair | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_6784692_standard-height-dining-room-chair.html#ixzz2NEidPeN6

Great Looking Settee Sofa at this Table (although the seating height looks a little low to me) -  source

Two Wing Back Chairs Work Perfectly at this Small Table source. 

Matching but Unconventional Wing Backs at the Table - source 

Love the Look - Not so Sure About Comfort - source 

Colorful and Cheerful - source

 I have a number of pieces in my inventory that I think might work very well for this type of mixed seating approach. I do not tend to have benches but do carry wing back chairs, hostess chairs, and settees that might all work with a dining room table. All are available on eBay or Etsy (and some may be on One King's Lane soon).

What do you think of this decorating trend - love it or not?

Chaise Lounges or Chaise Longues - I Love Them

Graceful Chaise Lounge - source

One of my favorite chair styles is the chaise lounge (although my research suggests I may be spelling it incorrectly).

Chaise lounges" is actually an Americanization of the French phrase "chaise longue" (pronounced shayz long), meaning, appropriately, "long chair." source

The chaise lounge has a long history - most experts seem to agree that the versions we see today originated in the 16th century.

The chaise lounge enjoys a long history spanning many cultures. It has been a symbol of luxury and comfort from the days of Cleopatra to today. And it was a favorite in both French rococo and early 20th century design for its structural beauty and ornament delights. source

My favorite style of chaise lounges are the ones with exposed legs and french-inspired curves. The cushions are often down or down blend and the woodwork can be natural or painted.  These types of chaises are hard to find at a reasonable price since they are so appealing and fit into so many eclectic style options,

Sources - my pinterest board - link

Another version often seen is the one-armed chaise lounge which works best placed next to or close to a wall since it can be accessed from only one direction. I am not as fond of this style but it can work in many settings.

Sources - my pinterest board - link

I have a chaise lounge in my bedroom sitting area that is my overall favorite place in the house to read (and nap).  It is probably the most worn piece of furniture in my home. I looked over the chaise lounges I have refurbished and sold over the past several years (my current photo file only goes back to 2010) and found some wonderful pieces that I remember so well. I noticed that I do less than 4-5 chaise lounges per year - they do take up a lot of storage space and, because of the size, are more costly to ship than regular chairs.

I have my own criteria for the chaise lounges I buy to refurbish and find there are a lot of really ugly chaises out there:

1.  Piece must be compact proportionately - not oversized or sloppy looking.
2.  Piece must be well-constructed and structurally sound.
3.  Piece must have a well-tailored (or tailorable) design.
4.  In the case of exposed woodwork, it must be elegant and in good shape.

Here are some of my prior year beauties!

My favorite in this group is the blue check French style - the woodwork was in great condition and the size just right.   

this was a good year for unusual chaise lounges - I particularly liked the top one which was vintage and had interesting wooden details. There are two one-armed examples in this group. 

The top chaise lounge was the most interesting of this group (just sold).  I refinished the woodwork using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (ASCP) in Cream. 

I am nostalgic for these lovely pieces and hope to find more interesting examples to refurbish soon.