One night we were talking about our collection of 7 mismatched Thonet bentwood chairs that we had started over a year ago. It was decision time for the formal dining. We’ve been sitting on projects in there for far too long. We pulled up pinterest (since it’s 2012 and that’s what you do).
I loved everything about these color blocked curtains. We had already decided we wanted the echino fabric. We hadn’t bought it yet, so we could change our mind.
This was on my board dedicated to bentwood. (I know I’m slightly obsessed.) I loved how the legs were dipped. Of course the ombre desk is awesome and a diy project in our future.
Nick said why don’t we just color block the bentwoods. Genuis. This is why I love this man. We set off to find 5 more chairs to get our plan in action (read about our score here).
We decided to play off the magenta bird in the echino fabric and block it with cream color. The hot pink is from Disney Color by Behr called Invitation to a Princess. The cream is Sherwin Williams Pacer White. The main color as black suede (left over from here and here). All were mixed as Behr Premium Plus Ultra.
I color blocked 8, yes 8, bentwoods. I will share the process later, but I couldn’t wait to show how awesome they turned out. It’s so dramatic for such a classic, iconic chair. What do you think?
Sidenote: So I have 1 extra bentwood in the style above and 4 in what we call the era style. I’m sure you’re wondering what I am going to do with those. Simple. I am going to hoard them. The 1 I didn’t paint is actually tagged as a Jacob & Josef Kohn Mundus Bentwood. The eras are just too classic for me to part with. I have no other plans for them other than hoarding. Although I do use an era for my sewing table right now.
*Update: Read about the process here.
Awesome job Amber!! Can’t wait to see what the formal dining looks like all together!
Thanks! I can’t wait either! I need to make my drapes and figure out what fabric to use for the wingbacks. I’m not going to lie I’m really giddy about it!
Love them! I can’t wait to see more pics!
I can’t wait to see them with the drapes. Now if I could only find a buffet…and a new rug. Okay well there’s still a lot left to pull the room together but couldn’t be happier with how the bentwoods turned out.
YAY!!! They turned out great!!
Thanks dude! We tried to keep them a secret, but there are no secrets in JPAN
These chairs are just awesome!!
Thanks! I am obsessed with the shape of bentwoods. They are such beautiful chairs without the color blocking, but I do love how they turned out!
I LOVE these. You see these chairs all the time, so it’s awesome to see a facelift on them. I’m gunna have to prowl through your blog to see the whole thing put together now! (I’m also jealous because my husband doesn’t let me have pink furniture anymore)
I am still wired to want to buy every bentwood I see. It’s becoming a problem. I think the Christmas tablescape is the latest picture of the dining room. It still isn’t finished. Not surprising since we don’t seem to want to focus on a space long enough to complete it. It’s an ADD thing.
http://www.willscasa.com/2012/11/dare-to-diy-christmas-tablescape/
I just purchased a bentwood from a lady on Craigslist. The chair is missing the seat, but the rim is labeled “J & J Kohn” and “Holesov.” Is it a sin if I try to repair/update this chair? It seems like it’s an old original.
I don’t think it’s a sin, but I also color blocked 8 vintage chairs! I think repairing it is the best thing you can do. You can google the manufacturer, and if you feel comfortable painting it then do it. I didn’t paint our labeled bentwood because I had enough for that project without painting it. Good luck!
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