4 Men 1 Lady

a lifestyle blog about the persuit of bringing beauty to a house full of men.

Vintage Library Chairs.

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I’m smitten with my vintage tulip table that I recently acquired from a Vintage shop.

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 While I’m still in the process of planning out the re-finishing process I’m already on to what kind of chairs to pair the table with.

Our current table is traditional wood farm house table (still for sale by the way) which I paired with some very modern white chairs.

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I love the mix of traditional and modern.  My style tends to be eclectic (although I hate that term.  I once saw a space filled with 80’s neon and traditional furniture which they called “eclectic”.  The space was so awful that it ruined the”eclectic” term for me forever).  Anyhow, I love the juxtaposition of different styles, colors and finishes coming together…eclectic.

This time I have my eye on some vintage library wood chairs.

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 To say I’m on the “hunt” is putting it mildly.  I am O-B-S-E-S-S-E-D with these chairs.  I kid you not, I’ve actually dreamed about them twice in the last 2 weeks.  Our neighborhood elementary school has them sitting in the foyer and I swoon over them every time I’m at the school.  Every time I’m at the school I profess my love for them to which I get the strangest looks, as I should, but I know would be the perfect pairing to my tulip table.

I’ve searched high and low for 5 of these babies.  Etsy and Ebay have a few in the $250. range EACH.  I could buy them new but then what’s the fun in that?  The worn arms and faded seats have a story and give them character (like lots of naughty children waiting to see the principal kind of character).

The law of attraction brought me to a Barnes and Noble bookstore the other day while I was waiting for my sons soccer practice.  I turned from the magazines and behold…

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A whole row of these vintage beauties.  My heart began to palpitate. I immediately took out my camera and shamelessly snapped a picture (the poor guy at the end of the row obviously thought I was crazy).  After that I made a B-line to the manager and nonchalantly asked how I could get my hands on some of those chairs.  After a lecture on how those chairs came from the early 1900’s and how lucky the store was to have inherited them that conversation came up fruitless.   So now it’s back to the drawing board.  In the meantime here’s some pretty tulip table / wood dining chair pairings that I’ll be swooning over…

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Anyone got a few vintage library chairs kicking around that they’d like to sell?

Don’t forget to enter our giveaway for a $100. gift card to ACE Hardware here.

Comments

  1. Don’t forget about Craigslist! A few years ago, I scored a set of four of them for $150. LOVE them!

  2. If you have any library’s that are going through renovations most of the time they will be getting new furniture, same for schools. I work for an Architect and on occasion when we demo a building or renovate we sell the furniture to make money for the client and divert it from a landfill.

    I would check with library’s or other schools they might be willing to sell!!

  3. Try the surplus auction/sale for the various county governments surrounding where you live – they generally produce a list of items for sale prior to the auction. They usually come out of libraries and county schools. You can generally source the individual who will coordinate the effort – send them a photo of what you’re looking for and they can help you. Don’t give up – you can find these chairs and usually from places where they have recently been budgeted to do updates to their school / library. If A-N-Y-O-N-E can find them, it is Michelle!!!

  4. Michelle—
    I bought 8 of those EXACT chairs at RC Willey two or three years ago. I about died when I saw them in the dining room section, surrounded by all the other tacky tacky things in the store (I was there shopping for a new dryer 🙂 They had 4 at the store and they looked on their computer and found 4 more at their outlet store on Redwood Road. I raced out there and bought them that day–they were so inexpensive! RC Willey didn’t appreciate them! They are fantastic chairs–incredibly comfortable and well built. I use 5 of them around a round walnut pedestal table–they get daily use by my 3 teenage boys and still look new. I know it’s a long shot, but try finding them there at their big store on 21st South. By the way– how many chairs are you looking for?
    ~ Carolyn

  5. I have ten of these chairs–I pick them up on Craigslist (usually damaged), from the local university’s property control building (they put things on sale to the public every Wednesday), but mostly at antique shops. Even though they aren’t technically antique, they are often available. If you want them inexpensively, though, it probably will be necessary to buy a damaged one or two that need rehab. They are actually called a “courthouse armchair” or “juror’s chair” or “banker’s chair” where I live. Pottery Barn used to sell them. There’s a set of five on eBay right now (“Vintage Taylor Chair Company Banker’s Chairs)–the current bid is $52 for the lot (but they are in Concord, California and only for local pick-up). Hope that helps.

  6. i just purchased 4 of the same chairs and another 4 of the chairs in your second inspiration photo, all 8 solid wood, for $10 (yes,
    ten) each at a university surplus sale. It’s held weekly and there are new chairs almost every time I go (and lots of other great stuff: overhead projectors, maps, library shelves, etc). I’m a few states away, but you might try the U or some of the other schools nearby. Good luck!

  7. Hey!! I have 2 or 3 of these chairs sitting in storage, but I live in West lafayette indiana. My father n law gave them to me, he works at Purdue. I would totally just give to you if you were closer. I don’t know of there is any schools close to you, but we have a specific salvage store that Purdue takes everything to sell. Good Luck

  8. I have one of these vintage library chairs and you’re right to be in love, they’re awesome!!! I wouldn’t part with mine for anything!!! My father in law got it at a school auction (sadly several schools closed at once in our area) and I can’t believe he thought I’d only want one! I treasure it though and got two huge sets of lockers too, one I use as a pantry:) good luck on your hunt, I bet it’s just a matter of time before you find the ones you’ll be able to call your own!

  10. Have you tried your local university? The University of Washington has a surplus equipment department that they open to the public once a week, and I’m always finding incredible furniture there. Maybe something like that exists close to you?

  11. i love your farmhouse table!! Did you get rid of it? Where did you first purchase it?..

      • Yay! I hope it works out! Let me know if it needs a temporary home until you can pick it up. I would be happy to help!

  13. Oh my goodness it is lovely! I have been looking and looking myself for this table. Good for you, it will look perfect in your home. Congrats on your find!

  14. I just had to say I’m sad that you are selling the farmhouse table. I remember what you went through staining that guy.

  15. Hi Michelle. Are you still looking for those library chairs? I am about to post five of them on Craigs List for $150 each.

It is nice to meet you!

Hey there! I’m Michelle; I’m an Passionate DIY’er and in constant pursuit of how to bring beauty to my house full of men (3 boys + 1 hubby). Stick around and see what I’ve got up my hard-working sleaves!

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