Decorating Inspiration | Slipcovers + Seat Skirts for Dining Room Chairs

I have a list of decorating/home updating projects for 2014.  Some are carry-overs from 2013 (downstairs powder room, new family room sofa), others have been on the list since we moved in  (Andrew's BR, Jimmy's office).  When it comes to decorating, I need to feel inspired and motivated (oh yeah, and money too), so sometimes my intended plans get pushed back or my style changes ever so slightly and it makes me reconsider my original ideas.  When you know you are going to be living in your home for a long while there is less of a rush.  I like to enjoy the process, not feel pressured to make decisions or purchases until I'm sure.  So while I have more pressing decorating needs, I continue to  tweak rooms that I thought were more finished, if anything in the home is ever really finished.

My dining room is a great example.  I loved it when I posted it here after working with Holly to freshen it up.  But with time the red check valance started to feel too heavy, so I exchanged it for lighter linen drapes.  Next was the table, I found a beautiful antique harvest table at auction (when I was looking for something else) and jumped on it. Last fall I replaced the toile pillows with a luscious gray velvet with pretty pleated trim.  I still love the toile but I was craving a more neutral and un-fussy palette in the dining room.  While I love beautiful fabrics and patterns (they are my weakness and more often than not, make a space) the one room that they can be tricky in is the dining room, especially if you use the room daily like we do.  Busy patterns on drapes or upholstery can limit the options for napkins and tablecloths, even flower arrangements, and the room can feel too busy very quickly (with mine there is also a lot of art and blue and white transferware competing for attention).  The most recent change were the chairs.  The black Windsor reproductions were 16 years old and in need of some repair.  Before we decided to fix them, I started looking at some other options.  I came across 4 antique chairs on Craigslist that were calling my name.  I put in an offer and it was promptly rejected.  I waited another 6 weeks and noticed they were still there, so I made my original offer again and it was accepted!  When it's meant to be, it will be.  Patience is key to building a home or room that evolves over time.  So hard sometimes, though!!

^^wonderful patina, a very pretty shape to the back, and those claw feet in the front! ^^

^^When we are having a party, I love how they will mix with the ladderbacks and slipcovered Parson chair.  Our table seats 8, a little cozy, but I do adore a full table!^^

The chair seats were covered in a heavy, outdated, turquoise fabric.  I removed this immediately (grrr, there were so many staple and nails, it was a tedious task) and replaced it with a natural linen I had on hand.  My plan is to have slips made for the seats in an oatmeal linen.  Eventually, I will probably recover the attached seats again (I only used a few staples and NO nails, so it will be a snap!) in something a little more interesting, maybe a stripe or check or toile (like this one that Holly introduced me to for something else and I didn't use it, but I still think about it!!) for those occasions that I want something a little more fun. (What was I saying earlier about limiting pattern in the dining room?  A girl full of contradictions.  Welcome to my madness.  Beware of taking my advice! Ha. :)) As for the slips, here is some inspiration.

^^ I'd only cover the seat, not the back, but I like the tailored look of these with the corner pleats^^

^^ so simple with dainty banding and buttons ^^

^^ I keep coming back to these, love them ^^

^^How many times have I posted this DR on my blog?! These slips are a favorite too^^

^^ this chair shape most closely resembles ours, I love the idea of box pleats and banding too^^

^^ ignore the bed, but check out chair on the left, I love the mass of pleats^^

Stay tuned... I keep changing my mind, but I will settle on something soon.. I'd like this room to be finished.  Ha ha.  Just kidding, tweak, tweak, tweak, that's the name of the game....