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Monday, July 22, 2013

I DID WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE IN THE FIRST PLACE {CHIANG MAI DRAGON}


I couldn't let it go.  As hard as I worked on them and as much as I liked the back of my dining room chairs, I couldn't stop thinking about the Chiang Mai Dragon fabric.  So, for Mother's Day and our Anniversary (and it probably needs to carry over to my birthday too!), I received 2 yards of this gloriously colorful bright fabric.  A very kind designer friend offered to order it for me at her price, but it was still crazy expensive.  Thus, several occasions worth of gifts!  And I wouldn't trade it for anything! 


If you're new here, this is what they looked like before.  Pretty, colorful, bold and good, but I compromised and didn't use what I REALLY wanted. 


How about a complete before, during, after and really after?


I did actually have someone else upholster the backs this time because I thought they would look more professional. But when I realized she did it exactly the way I did them originally, I wish I would have just done them myself.  At least I know I was on the right track for the next upholstery job!


I have enough left over for a couple of pillows, I just haven't gotten around to making those yet.  I had several options of how to lay the fabric out.  I tried the dragon centered in the middle, that's the part that's the most colorful, but it just didn't feel right to have that big reptile taking over the back of my dining room chairs.  So, he got the boot but might make an appearance on the pillows.


By the way, before I started reading design blogs a few years ago I'd never heard of Chiang Mai Dragon, but when I discovered it I caught the fever!  The colors and bold design are just unmatched in any other fabric...believe me, I searched long and hard for an alternative.

Did you notice anything else that's different?  I did it again.  I ordered a rug.  For my Entryway. 


When I ordered the striped rug, I knew all along that I might move it to my bedroom.  Well, over the Fourth, RugsUSA had another awesome 75% off sale and I jumped on it.  I ordered this one, which is a little bit of a twist on a traditional chevron.  The pattern is not quite as asymmetrical as I thought it would be from the website photo.  My girl says it makes her dizzy, and I agree a little bit.  I love it, it's not going anywhere, but if you're considering a rug like this and something like that might bother you, it might be better in a spot where there will be some furniture layered on it to somewhat break up the pattern.   


OK, if you've been around a while, I'm sure you're tired of posts about my chairs and my Entry, so I promise I'm done (except for ONE more post on my LAST project before my Dining Room is FINISHED!!, but that's not really about the chairs or the entry).  :)  Moving on to other things!

* * * * * * * * * * 

Oh yes, I almost blocked it all out and forgot, but thank you all for your sweet concern about our little flood last week!  We got new pad and the carpet re-installed on Tuesday, the cleaners came that afternoon, and after a few days we got everything moved back in.  Even in the midst of the headache, it does feel great to have everything clean and organized in those rooms now!  I put in a few late-nights, but everything was ready for the baby shower yesterday and I hope everyone had a great time.  I've got some cute pictures to show you later this week!

Would you like to comment?

  1. They are gorgeous! Your room looks like it belongs in a magazine. :)

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  2. Nope. I'm NOT tired of post about your gorgeous chairs and entry way.
    I love both fabrics actually and the rug looks so unbelievably good! ♥

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  3. NO WAY!! Oh my goodness, what a statement they make! I remember you being obsessed waaay back, so excited that you get to enjoy it everyday, my chic friend!

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  4. It's just the MOST gorgeous pattern. And it looks fantastic on your chairs!

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  5. Spectacular!!!!!!!!!! I love it on the chairs - and I'm glad you got what you really really wanted!!! They are gorgeous Jennifer!!! (PS I caught the fever too….my latest purchase :)

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  6. I thought the old version looked great, but now they look crazy fantastic! Love that fabric.

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  7. perfect! even though the colors are again bold, i feel like it's toned down and more sophisticated.

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  8. I love that dragon fabric too. Looks fantastic! Glad everything came together for the shower!

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  9. Yes, this fabric is perfect. I see why you couldn't let it go :) Glad you got everything cleaned up from the flood!

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  10. I'm also obsessed with this fabric...I got a couple yards for a combo of mother's day and my birthday last year. Totally worth it, too! It looks amazing on your chair and sometimes we have to sit on our frugal side and go for what we really want no matter the cost. There is no rationalizing it except that nothing else would live up to it! ;) Glad you bit the bullet and went for it! Looks beautiful!

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  11. I've always loved that fabric too and it looks great on your chairs!

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  12. Hi, Jennifer! (Yes, I'm ACTUALLY on Blogger!) You can do no wrong. Your home is bright, cheery, well-designed and stunning as always. Love the chairs. Can't believe the upholsterer used the same techniques. Aren't you a smart girl? ;)

    I noticed your rug right away. Love it. Maybe b/c I haven't been by in a while? I've spotted that one before, but considering my four ginormous chevron curtains (studio and living/playroom), I don't dare do any more bold chevron. [sobbing]

    Sorry to hear about your flood! Never good. Glad everything is back to "normal". I'll try to catch up on some of your other posts (but three months is a loooong time! ;)

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  13. Hey Jennifer!

    I LOVE absolutely everything about your interior design! Bright, colorful and lively! I look to your blog for inspiration for my own designs! Thanks for sharing!

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  14. I could never tire of your style!!! I love it!

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  15. That fabric is absolutely gorgeous! I'm swooning!
    Leslie
    House on the Way

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  16. Great purchase on the fabric and wonderful looking chairs.

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  18. I love that fabric! It is so striking against your emerald cabinet!!

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  19. Oh the fabric really is fantastic. The chairs are stunning. I would love it if you would link up to my Inspire Me party that is ongoing. http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/07/174th-inspire-me-tuesday.html Hugs, Marty

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  20. I found you via Savvy Southern Style, and you had me at the bright color! You have great style. I am now following your blog.

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  21. Very pretty! I loved the first fabric too though. Both are so colorful and full of great pattern. I have found a fabric that I absolutely LOVE before and can relate to that feeling of not being able to let it go. Great choices, your home is so beautiful!

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  22. The chairs, new fabric and the lamps...love love love!
    -Katie@mydiyhabits

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  23. Sweet mercy! Those are fantastic! LOVE IT!

    XO,
    Krista
    www.goodwillglam.blogspot.com

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  24. I love those chairs! I loved the first fabric too - were you able to save it to use for something else? A tote bag in that would be amazing! With grommets and roping for handles :) and I'm not tired of seeing your chairs - please show those pillows when you get them done.

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  25. Hey, Jennifer! I love that fabric! Your chairs looks awesome. And so does the entry hall. I love how you use color. No fear! :) Your home looks amazing!

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  26. This rug style is quite different, from where you purchased it?

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  27. I love the dragon fabric. (I am a girl with a dragon tattoo) I also loved the other fabric as well. The whole room looks fantastic. Great job!

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  28. Such a fun post with all kinds of pretty! LOVE LOVE LOVE that fabric! I do the same thing and then kick myself! The other was nice, but this is perfect! And the rug...love it! What a deal at 75% off! XO, Aimee

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  29. Found your site through Its Overflowing. Love your style. I am your newest follower.
    Sarah

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  30. I have the exact same chairs!!! I got them on Craig's List and had to keep them in the garage until my upholsterer came to get them. They SMELLED HORRID!!!!!! I have thought about using them at the ends of the DR table, but they are too low. Did you put in extra padding? I noticed yours are on casters, did you add those?
    Great job, and I love the subtle (but oh-so-amazing) change in fabric!
    Blessings!
    Holly

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    1. Hi Holly! That's crazy! I'm amazed that I've seen them pop up all over the country here and there since I bought mine. Yes, I put an extra layer of padding in the seat, and I could have even put a little more. I left the seat smooth rather than tufting it like it originally was. Mine are still a little low, but we can just sit on the pillow in the chair if we need to.

      Yes, I added the casters also. My DR is carpeted, and I wanted the chairs to move in and out easily. I measured the front legs and bought some cup casters off of ebay, and then painted them to match the gold. For the back legs that are a different shape, I used caster wheels with a screw-on flat plate that I just picked up at Lowes. I painted the metal part of those gold, too.

      Are yours re-done yet? I'd love for you to add a link if so!

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  31. Wow! Your chairs look fabulous! Found you through It's Overflowing... Can't wait to explore your blog some more!

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  32. What amazing statement pieces! Love that fabric, too!! Sometimes you just can't settle for less than what you really want! You'll treasures those for years to come! :)

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  33. Amaaaaaaazing!!!! I love love love them. Your home gets better and better! So happy to be able to peek into it everyday:)

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  34. Love your chairs.. Love them to bits. You did an awesome job

    xx http://pineconeshelf.com

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  35. What fabric did you use for your cording on these chairs? They look amazing.

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    1. Thanks Trish! That's just a zebra-print upholstery fabric that we made into a double-welt trim.

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