Pair of Vintage Open-Arm Chairs

Friends, I benefited from my own auction tips last week. Last Monday afternoon--despite nursing a bad cough and cold--I drove to an auction preview and left an absentee bid on a pair of upholstered arm chairs for the living room. In their current state, they weren't pretty; but my reasonable bid was enough to bring them home (I got them for $130!). Their open-arm style was calling my name even if their fabric left a lot to be desired.

Let's start musing inspiration for the transformation of these cool chairs, shall we?

When I saw the chairs' open-arm style, I instantly recalled a similar pair that Meg Lonergan rescued from the trash heap. Seeing what Meg did, I knew I had to leave a bid.

(via LeSueur Interior Design)

A little internet research yielded several similar chairs in solid upholstery that have sold on 1st Dibs and V&M. That means I've got some expensive inspiration (and taste, for that matter)...

(one / two / three)

The chairs will flank the fireplace, but they will look infinitely better dressed up in some new fabric.
As of now, I'm leaning towards reupholstering these in a solid...right? A print might be too busy.

I'm ready rip that skirt off and swap the current back cushion for a box cushion (without buttons). Now, wouldn't those changes go a long way to modernize the chairs? 

These chairs are prime example of why I love auctions: you never know what kind of great stuff can come up for sale. And $130 for a couple of chairs isn't bad, if you ask me.

Stay tuned for their (eventual) new look!