in with the mcm. Swatches

hoping everyone had a lovely weekend. It poured buckets here yesterday which i would normally love but i got rained out of Alameda - the huge once-a-month flea market and i was really looking forward to going.

I have been working on finding the right fabric for my mcm chair. I got a call from the upholsterer on friday saying they are just waiting on me for the fabrics. gulp. exciting but now i feel under pressure.

So far ive found a variety of light and dark heavy duty cotton/denim twill. I love this fabric. im just not sure its exactly what i want. though i am really loving that faint sort of houndstooth pattern.

Im going to check out another fabric store today.

in with the mcm. To Welt or not to Welt.

So yesterday i found an upholsterer to work on my chair. Its the cutest place. a couple started it in 1968 and they are still hard at work in their little studio. they also got a kick out of me bringing in the chair (i think because its come back around again) but they knew exactly what it should look like. BUT. then the question. what type of fabric and TO WELT OR NOT TO WELT.

the above two photos show chairs with similar frames and without welted pillows. I like the very tailored and clean look of them. I also love the patterned fabric (and the mouiller lamp in the second photo) but its not really my style.

the chairs in this grouping all have welted pillows. I am really digging the blue grey fabric with the teak colored frame. i think it makes a really elegant combination. I have also been thinking about a wheat colored cushion or a cream.

image: apartment therapy, design sponge, last two images doorsixteen

In with the Mid Century Modern.

a little story for your tuesday. I spent my saturday strolling around the Hayes Valley neighborhood of san francisco. darling by all accounts and filled with little shops full of treats and treasures. A particular favorite of mine is a store which sells its own handmade line of soaps and lotions and all manner of potions - but tucked in among these things is a stunning, and i do mean stunning collection of mid-century modern furniture and pottery. drool. it really is the only interaction i can have with these pieces & their very cool price tags of 1200 or more. Fast forward and as i leave the store and round the corner what do i spy in the back of a salvage truck?! this.

plucked from the depths of a dark (and spider filled basement) was this not so ancient but oh so beautiful treasure. and so i loaded it on my back (spiders and all) and carried it to the nearest friends house where i left it for 20minutes so i could go get my car and drive it home. With a little more love (it need to be tightened up in a few places but thats it!!) and a new cushion and strapping (provided by my local upholsterer) I will be the proud new mamma of a MCM chair.

excited? YES YES YES.

suggestions on cushions material/color for me would be appreciated.

take a seat

yesterday while making my thrift store rounds i spied this perfect chair in the drop-off pile on the side of the building. "Perfect" i thought, "exactly what ive been wanting" - and so off i went into the thrift store - on the way out i passed it again - still upside down in a pile with a bunch of old office rolling chairs - thinking they would never sell it to me out of the pile i just walked on by. but then 2 block away i turned around - "i at least have to ask" - and what do you know - the guy was all to happy to give it to me! After a very small charitable donation i am now the proud new owner of this "exactly what i wanted chair" .... i think it will look amazing with this pillow too!