My daybed is back from the upholsterer and it’s time for an update. As much as I wanted to make the suzani kilim work as an upholstery treatment, I heeded the advice of commenter Catherine who observed that the silk painting and kilim were at odds: “One must demure to the other,” she stated. “Once you choose a winner, I think you’ll find your wall colour choice much more straightforward.” In the end, the painting won out; I find it romantic and wanted to rescue it from its ignominious limbo at the back of my clothes closet.
Do you believe in decorating portents? Apparently I do. Back in July I ordered a range of fabric samples from mid-century specialist, Winterbeachmodern.com. When my first choice was sold out from under me, I went back to the well for more options and while I was mulling things over I headed to Dunnville for my post about Time Capsule. On the drive home, I passed a country barn with a sign out front promising “Antiques and Uniques” and that’s where I unearthed a dusty pair of lemon yellow ceramic lamps for the unbelievable price of $5 for the pair. (The lamps aren’t as tall as the ones they replaced so I jacked them up on some coordinating books.)
I let the lamps seal the deal on which fabric to choose for the daybed, a Maharam/Kvadrat’s Messenger pattern in Canary yellow ($103 for 10.25 yards). It so happens there’s yellow in the painting on the lower bird’s wings so the choice wasn’t completely out of the blue. Similarly, the bird’s grey neck and breast helped cement the wall colour choice, Farrow & Ball’s Charleston Gray.
And that brings me to the rug. My friend Doreen is going through some life changes and was moving most of her possessions into storage for what will likely be many months. She kindly agreed to loan me a gorgeous silk/wool Persian carpet until she finds a place to settle. With gray, black and madder red, the rug works quite well with the rest of the scheme.
Back when I was deciding whether to part with my Louis XV sofa, I observed that my new daybed, the Robsjohn-Gibbings chair and Indian coffee table would feel like they actually belonged in the same room together. And I think they do.
Every time I come into the space, the sunny yellow makes me smile. The room is lighter, brighter and the sofa is so much more comfortable to stretch out on while I’m watching TV (the Louis couldn’t accommodate my 6′ 1″ frame). And the best part is that the sale of the sofa and the suzani more than covered the cost of the daybed and re-upholstery (details to follow).
August 21st, 2011 at 10:27 am
Chris,
You’ve done a great job. The yellow lamps are delicious and the complementary magazine holders are a nice touch.
August 21st, 2011 at 10:47 am
Love the new look! Especially love the hit of yellow in the magazine storage bins.
The lamps were a great find! Obviously they were meant to send you down this lovely yellow path.
August 21st, 2011 at 10:59 am
Good morning, I started reading the article and discovered I really like the yellow. The chair on the left doesn’t work for me, I’d go with a shadow one or one of those cool rocking chairs with steel frame…Lois of great job, well done CHRIS
August 21st, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Lois, I agree the chair you mention is not ideal. My project for my upcoming upholstery class is a pair of MCM club chairs that are going to absolutely sing in the space. At least I hope they will. Wish me luck.
August 21st, 2011 at 2:34 pm
I LOVE the yellow on the daybed! As I always say…life is too short for beige!
Can’t wait to see the refurbished club chairs!
August 21st, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Love it….not over decorated. I am looking forward to viewing the “new” chairs that you will be recovering.
August 21st, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Love the yellow and the matching details. One thing though the pillows are too stiff and the stripe doesn’t work for me: it’s too shabby chic, outdoor looking. I would go for nice soft, silk down cushions that are inviting and contrast the stark line of the sofa. Colours: shades of orange and perhaps some blue as in the carpet and in the birds.
August 21st, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Although not identical, I love how the brass feet on the day bed echo the spider table. A darker gray hue on the wall behind and a more substantial frame treatment in a matt black on the wonderful bird painting would make the yellow pop, the painting sizzle and the chrome on the shelves simmer ever so subtly. I agree that the pillows need some thought – like 2 or 3 long rectangular, (to fit the lumbar) shapes with perhaps some light grey, dark olive and yellow in the mix and although it’s a tad trite, an awesome throw would tie it all up.
August 21st, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Fresh and clean and a little bit streamlined, I’m a fan!
Also looking forward to your next reupholstered pieces. I’m still dying to take a class.
August 22nd, 2011 at 7:00 am
wow love the yellow daybed! and of course those unbelievable lamps … what a find! i want to take that class with you too. just not sure if work schedule will permit me for a 3 month commitment!
August 22nd, 2011 at 9:24 am
Chris, the room looks beautiful. I love the combination of yellow and red. It’s bright and fresh. Very nice!
August 22nd, 2011 at 4:11 pm
WOW! Really love this look compared to past iterations.
August 23rd, 2011 at 4:58 pm
$5.00 for those lamps? See it really is worth the drive to Dunnville, and i forgive you for picking up such great bargains in my backyard (so long as you tell me which barn). Room looks great.
August 25th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
Love those LAMPS!
August 26th, 2011 at 8:01 am
Jay, the barn wasn’t far out of town on Highway 3, look for the sign promising “Antiques and Uniques”
September 3rd, 2011 at 12:09 pm
I do love the chair on the right, the view from the back is gorgeous. Do you have another home slated for it after the club chairs join in? The other mention I’ll make is how you managed to add so much storage with those fabulous shelves.
And was this antique place east or west of Dunnville on Hwy 3? I may be paying Time Capsule a visit this weekend ….
September 4th, 2011 at 8:37 am
Paula, I don’t suppose I’m responding in time but the antiques barn is east of Dunnville. I hope you have as much luck as I did. Please say hi to Jay at Time Capsule for me and tell him stylenorth sent you.