Can you keep a secret? I mean, really, like not tell ANYONE? Cuz it looks like I may have committed a crime and I have to get it off my chest. Can I trust you?
Oh geez, put the phone down, I’m just talking about a design crime. And no jury in the world would convict me after it sees the evidence! I’ll leave it up to you.
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I present to you Exhibit One:
An unassuming chair that had seen better days, but with fine lines and a proud lineage.
Suspecting a design icon in the rough, Ms. Palooza purchased this chair for the (what should probably also be criminal!) low price of $7.00 and spirited it away to a location she refers to as Craft Purgatory. Ominous, no?
Her internet research turned up a very similar specimen, designated as a Saarinen office chair by Knoll.
However, the chair in her possession bore a brand name of Virco and had only four casters, not five. Additionally, when Ms. Palooza viciously tore into the chair with a screwdriver and pliers, this is what she found:
The chair literally fell apart in her hands and spewed ancient upholstery foam debris (see second picture above) throughout her house. After a halfhearted attempt at DIY upholstery, Ms. Palooza had it professionally reupholstered and now it looks like this!
Here endeth the Perry Mason (yes, I am 67 years old) bit.
So I bought this chair at a thrift store and it was disgusting. I tell myself it’s a Saarinen knockoff so I can sleep at night, but I know there are design purists out there who are probably crying, “Sacrilege!” In any case, I think it looks great! i’d love to hear what you think, even if it involves design prison!
Thanks for stopping by!
I love it! The bright fabric is wonderful! You are found NOT GUILTY of a design crime.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Looks great! Just think what would have happened had you not rescued it from the store!
I would love to have this as my office work chair… I would be the envy of the office. It is beautiful no matter the brand … who needs a Saarinen when you can have this beauty for a song??
Hey there! Saw you featured on Better After. You chair looks AH-MAY-ZING! Way to go! I love furniture makeovers! My blog, ThriftDiving is about taking thrift store goodies and transforming them. I think it takes a special person (um, CREATIVE person!) to see the beauty in ugly things 🙂
Serena
http://www.ThriftDiving.com
Thanks, Serena – I’m going to your site now! I only wish I could say I had done the reupholstering on this one myself, but that’s one skill I have yet to master. We can’t be good at everything, right? 🙂
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that red floral fabric! Any idea on the designer or where I can buy it?
I didn’t have any left over so I’m not sure of the designer or company, but I bought mine at Home Fabrics and Rugs in Henderson, Nevada. I didn’t see it for sale on their website, but it looks like they have several store locations, mostly in the West. Good luck – if I come across any other info, I’ll post it!
Update! On Better After, The German Girl says you can find it on http://www.fabric.com if you look for Richloom Indoor/Outdoor Wilder Cabana Item Number UJ-288!
BONUS – I just checked and it’s on sale!!! :O)
I found this fabric in the upholstery fabric at Joann Fabrics, the fabric is by Richloom,
Richloom Wilder – Cabana
54″ wide, 100% spun polyester, outdoor performance fabric, color cabana, Repeats: 27″ horz & 27″ vert
$12.99yd
Awesome, thanks!