This French chair makeover has to be one of my all time favorites!

Almost nine months ago, I found a pair of fabulous 19th c. Louis XVI French gilt wood chairs at one of my favorite monthly estate sales. I knew immediately that they would be perfect for a French Chair Makeover!

I love anything made of antique gilded wood and when I saw the chairs sitting outside on a porch area, I knew I had to have them.

They were upholstered in very old burnt orange and olive green cut velvet fabric. I’m a big fan of cut velvet fabric, but not so much the burnt orange color. Plus the fabric was very worn and all of the nailhead trim was covered in rust.

You’ve heard the old saying, “the bones are good”? Well, the bones of this pair of chairs were fabulous with gorgeous carvings in the wood and original chippy gilt, so I knew they had to come home with me.

You can see more of the “before” pictures HERE.

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I’ve had every intention of giving them a much needed makeover since the day that I brought them home, but I never seemed to get around to tackling them. 

Finally, a couple of months ago, I did some research on cut velvet fabric and found a pattern and color that I fell in love with. I ordered the fabric and gimp trim and once it arrived, I began the very tedious process of removing the thousands (not really, but it sure felt like it!) of rusty tacks.

This was such a long process and very rough on the hands. It definitely pays to have the proper tools. 

I finished them a few days ago, and here is what they look like today after their much needed makeover!

The chairs have such a great look and shape, and I am in love with the fabric that I found.

It’s a cut velvet fabric with a dark gray background and a coral pattern in gorgeous turquoise blue. 

I love they way they turned out, and the coral pattern fabric gives them a modern, updated look. 

I moved them around the house to get a feel for how they would look, first placing them in the living room, one on each side of the antique lyre harp game table that belonged to my precious mother in law, Evelyn.

Louis XVI chairs are one of my favorites of the three Louis styles.

They are easily recognized if you know what to look for.

Louis XVI chairs have clean lines, geometric shapes, and straight legs. The upholstered backs can be round, rectangular, or shield shaped as you see in this pair.

Decorative carvings will reflect classic motifs such as scrolls, fluting, and ribbon details, and armrests will meet the front edge of the seat, often ending in a graceful scroll. 

If you would like to see all the different style of the Louis chairs, click HERE.

The gilt wood has seen a lot of love over the last century, as can be seen in some flaking and chipping to the finish which is perfect to me.

I love pieces that show their history and tell a story.

 

These chairs would make wonderful, one of a kind, captains chairs at a dining table.

I moved them into the dining room and tried them out at each end of the table. 

I love the look, however they just don’t work with my set of Karges dining chairs.

I originally bought the chairs to makeover and resell in our antique booth, and after reupholstering them, I am so tempted to keep them. I mean, I can always find a place for them!

But I have decided that I will sell them because I have two more sets of Louis chairs waiting for a makeover in the garage! 

I know, I know, I have a chair problem, but after talking to many of you, I know that I’m not the only one!

Cheers, Cindy