Decorating Double Parlor Making it Yours (MiY) The Victorian House

Making it Yours 12: The Lincoln and Dhurrie Armchairs

I asked last week which would be more helpful to see in a new edition of my Making it Yours series: the Lincoln Upholstered Armchair from Pottery Barn or the Dhurrie Chair from Anthropologie. Basically it’s a blank slate vs. a statement piece. It was pretty even at first, but the dhurrie chair did win out in the end.

Lincoln and Dhurrie Chairs

A few comments suggested doing both, which sounded like a fun challenge! I typically split the series into three designs, showing a piece as the owner’s life and decorating taste changes, and I’m going to stick with that format here again. Rather than do six posts between the two chairs, I’ll create a short narrative and present two options per post. It’s a good exercise in obtaining a similar design through different pieces, and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I have been while working on it.

And in related news: I bought two of those dang Lincoln chairs, which I wasn’t planning on when I posted about them last week. I had been considering them for the house, as I’ve been perpetually on the lookout for a pair of matching chairs for the back parlor. At more than $2000 with tax and delivery for two of them though, I was far from rushing to make a purchase. Then two things happened. First, I noticed that American Express was running a sale on a bunch of their Membership Rewards points gift cards, which included instant e-gift certificates to Pottery Barn. Second: I saw the chair marked down about 35% off as a floor model at the Oakbrook PB when I was out that way over the weekend. I hadn’t cashed in my Amex points in a long time so I had enough to buy the floor model outright with some leftover to buy the matching chair at retail, but I still wasn’t sold. Then the sales associate mentioned that some of the other stores in the area might have theirs marked down as a floor model too. She called the Lincoln Park location, confirmed that they also had one, and that solidified the deal. After using my free gift certificates, they ended up costing only $180 each. That’s like them being on sale for 85% off! I brought one chair home with me that day, and we got the other one yesterday.

Lincoln Pottery Barn Chairs

So now I have extra incentive to see how much mileage I can get out of them in different design scenarios!

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  • Susie
    August 13, 2014 at 11:15 am

    So glad you’re doing both chairs for the next making it yours! Love the chairs in your house too. Where is that painting from?

  • Tina
    August 13, 2014 at 11:26 am

    The chairs look great!

    Can I ask about about the Venice painting above the fireplace? I’ve been searching for one (and similar styles) for years! If you happened to buy it on ebay, what search terms did you use? I scroll through A LOT of crap.

    Thanks,

    Tina

    • Making it Lovely
      August 13, 2014 at 11:44 am

      I saw it in a local shop. Brandon’s not crazy about it, so I don’t know if it’s staying or not. I bought it more for the size and colors and general style than for the subject matter. It was $85 and it’s huge (3’x4′), but B thinks I overpaid. ;)

      • Tina
        August 13, 2014 at 1:12 pm

        That is funny. If you ever decide to pitch it, I’d buy it off of you. I live in Lincoln Square, so you wouldn’t even need to ship it. :)

        BTW, I am glad that you’re doing the green chair. I’m always afraid to spend money on patterns because I tend to get bored.

      • Making it Lovely
        August 13, 2014 at 1:20 pm

        You have first dibs on it!

      • Marcee ... ILLINOIS
        August 17, 2014 at 7:23 pm

        No! For sure you did not over spend on this painting. I love it! It’s wonderful and has the perfect amount of mystery + beautiful colors. Everyone views artwork through their own eyes. For sure you would never have a problem selling.

  • Chelsea T
    August 13, 2014 at 11:37 am

    I am just LOVING that vignette. So much good things, the tribal rug, sophisticated chairs, black walls, pink and blue.

    • Making it Lovely
      August 13, 2014 at 11:48 am

      The rug was one of the two I brought back from Marrakech! I feel like the room needs a little editing and some adjustments still, but I like where it’s heading so far.

  • Danielle
    August 13, 2014 at 11:39 am

    Love, love, LOVE the chairs in there!!! It is like they bring out the walls and small details in the room. Great choice! And I can’t wait for the series!

  • Maddie
    August 13, 2014 at 11:40 am

    I’m dying for that black dala horse. My aunt lived in Sweden when I was a baby and brought me back my own dala horse, and I’ve recently been looking hard for affordable modern options. Source for it?

    • Making it Lovely
      August 13, 2014 at 11:52 am

      It’s my mother-in-law’s, and it was from IKEA — years ago. They came out with a few different versions of them, and she bought that black wooly sheep-like one, a traditional orange horse, and a white one with black glasses and typography symbols.

  • Emmie {Blue 11 Interiors}
    August 13, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    Wow, what great timing! Don’t you love it when deals like this present themselves? Can’t wait to see what you do with them in your series!

    • Making it Lovely
      August 13, 2014 at 4:16 pm

      I think every armchair I’ve ever bought has been a floor model!

  • Michelle
    August 13, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    I’m looking forward to this next Making it Yours series. I have two boring neutral chairs in my living room (along with a neutral couch) myself. Yes throw pillows have helped but…

  • Liz
    August 13, 2014 at 4:13 pm

    I misread at first and thought you just dropped $2000 on those chairs like it was nothing! Sounds like you got a good deal though.

    • Making it Lovely
      August 13, 2014 at 4:18 pm

      Oh, no, not at all! That’s what they would have cost, but they broke down to $180 each. I edited the post to make it more clear in case it was confusing to anyone else, too.

  • Jess
    August 13, 2014 at 6:49 pm

    Huzzah!! Such a sweet victory to get something you’ve been lusting after for such an amazing deal!! Love that!

  • Sarah
    August 14, 2014 at 3:31 am

    $180 for those it’s a steal!
    Lucky you :)

  • Janine
    August 14, 2014 at 8:47 am

    I love the way your house is shaping up! Those chairs are really fun. :)

  • Making it Yours 12A: Lincoln and Dhurrie Armchairs | Making it Lovely
    August 14, 2014 at 3:52 pm

    […] have the first two of our designs up from this edition of Making it Yours today! I’m decorating around both the Lincoln and Dhurrie chairs, showing how each can be […]

  • Jeen-Marie
    August 14, 2014 at 9:58 pm

    LOVING this something fierce!

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