Summer Dining

Industrial Dining Chairs.

As a Pinterest connoisseur (slash can't look away), I've been obsessing over cool looking dining chairs lately.  I'm sick of the whole Chinese Chippendale chair, or the upholstered chair with a different fabric on the back and the front.  Not to say that those aren't great looking but I"m looking for something more right now.  Something out of the ordinary.

Lynn Morgan Design used these blue grey wicker chairs in a beach setting. 

From Elle Decor, I've always loved French Bistro chairs in any form; dining and bar. They are beautifully constructed but casual and comfortable.

Look at these Macintosh inspired dining chairs in this Marrakesh interior.  They are super beautiful chairs but possibly uncomfortable.

Carrier and Company designed this soft light-filled dining room and used a French Linen fabric on the chairs.

This is a peaceful looking breakfast table in a Hollywood Hills Home.  These woven chairs look comfortable and beautiful.  Nate Berkus. 

Might I have an obsession with woven chairs?  Probably.  Designed by Edwina Hunt.

I LOVE these chairs and I actually selected the side chair version for a client at my previous job at house in the Hamptons.  This Sea Island house is by Bunny Williams.

I can't wait to have my own dining room (I don't have one now), and to pick out chairs for our new home.  Whenever that is.  I think comfort is an important factor and so I'd prefer to sit in it before buying.  Also, you have to think practically.  If you have fabric, will it hide stains?  Will it be seasonally versatile?  The pictures above are mostly from summer homes so they have a less formal quality, but I prefer that actually. Which one is your favorite?  

Alicia B.

On the Hunt...

I'm in full blown new apartment decorating mode (when I'm not at school, work or packing) and my latest focus is bar stools! I have a real kitchen, finally, and need bar stools. Sounds simple right? Have you ever looked for bar stools, though? Not so easy; there are some TRULY unattractive bar stools out there. Above, is a stock photo of my new kitchen--let's be clear, I would NEVER choose those stools, but that's the basic look of my kitchen. Take a look at my top picks.

BAHA. Totally kidding. How do you look yourself in the eye selling that chair?? Okay, let's get serious.

I LOVE these from Pottery Barn--they have a beautiful rustic quality and the stain is very rich and nice. The only problem? I want them to have backs on them.

Same issue with these. I love them and they remind me of those stools from art class with an industrial quality, right? No backs though...so a no-go.


Then, I saw THESE French Bistro chairs in House Beautiful and fell in love. Unforch they're about 200 dollars each...I'll have to scout out some on ebay or something. Any suggestions on where to find these for a good price?

Here they are in backless version. I still love them. This is truly one of my favorite kitchens--designed by Nancy Boszhardt.

I also stumbled upon these, Breuer Counter Stools, which took me down memory lane. A family friend had these in their kitchen growing up and I'm oddly drawn to them. Nostalgia, probably. I remember them being very comfortable, though.

So as you can see, it's slim pickins for attractive bar/counter stools. I mean if you want pay $500 for that guitar stool above, I judge you, and please seek help. For everybody else, please help! Any good suggestions? Sources that I'm not aware of? After this hurdle, I have to work on carpets.


Alicia B.