Double Parlor Home Library The Victorian House

Pink Skirted Library Chairs

Home Library with Pink Chairs | Making it Lovely

I had thought that the round Dawson table made its way here sometime in the past year, but looking back through my archives I see that it arrived mid-2015. So I’ve been looking for chairs for the library for a year and a half. (I mean, it’s not like I would wake up everyday and search, but on and off for sure.)

Then I came across these Nate Berkus skirted slipper chairs at Target. I had been thinking of going with a skirted chair, but most were a bit more than I was hoping to spend. Restoration Hardware has beautiful options. Ballard Designs offered several, including with an interesting camelback design. Even IKEA’s skirted Parsons chair was a contender, with or without a new slipcover, though the shape wasn’t interesting enough to persuade me.

I Photoshopped the new Target chairs into my mockup file, thought about it for a day or two, then placed my order. (You’ve seen this mockup before, with different options. These lights and sconces, and now chairs, have all been made reality.)

Library Mockup | Making it Lovely

Of course, in between ordering the chairs and waiting for them to arrive, a new contender entered the ring.

West Elm, 2017

SO PRETTY. But really, I’ve gone down the road of those metallic legs before. That was my biggest dislike with these temporary chairs in the space. Still, very tempting, West Elm!

West Elm, 2017

Anyway. I mentioned on Instagram that I chose these chairs for several reasons:

  1. the right shade of pink (blush, on the peachy side)
  2. skirted, to break up the leggy furniture and all of the wood in the room
  3. slipcovered (hello, three messy children)
  4. the right size and scale, and the back has an interesting details
  5. they fit my budget (I cashed out credit card points to buy them)

Home Library with Rolling Ladder | Making it Lovely

I’m always thinking I should sell the striped sofa because it’s too big for the space, but I do love it. There are other changes I’d like to see in the room, but I’m open to serendipity and taking my time.

Done!

The library has come together in stages, with each step moving us further along.

To Do!

Eventually. The rug and curtains need to work in the larger context of the home, so I’m taking my time there.

  • add a large rug (9×12 or 10×14)
  • brass curtain rods (custom for the curved windows?)
  • add two pairs of pinch-pleat curtains and a roman shade
  • sturdier chair with the secretary desk
  • custom bench cushion (for below the window, unless we just accept that it will always be covered in books)

The library needs window treatments and a rug. | Making it Lovely

p.s. That table was cleared off after photos, and immediately covered in Legos. The books, vase with flowers, and ginger jar are pretty, but the kids love playing in the library and I give them space to spread out with breakables moved elsewhere.

Library Table | Making it Lovely

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  • Alana
    January 9, 2017 at 1:28 pm

    Oh, I ADORE those chairs. I love that you’re relaxing back into the signature soft pink. That color and the lines of the chairs are so pretty in that setting.

  • Kelsey Giltner
    January 9, 2017 at 2:22 pm

    I love the pink chairs against the black and white sofa, that sofa kills me every time I see it. Total envy!

  • Kelly
    January 9, 2017 at 3:50 pm

    So nice! I definitely would find a cushion for that seat, though I’m a huge fan of window seats so my opinion could be biased ;)

  • Arli
    January 9, 2017 at 4:06 pm

    I loooove them! So much so, that I immediately went to the Target site to see if they come in a color that would work in my dining room. You say they are slip covered, but is the slip actually removable (for cleaning)? The website is silent except to say “spot clean”, which makes me think the slip is not removable.

  • Ally
    January 9, 2017 at 5:53 pm

    The last shot is so beautiful, feels like a proper library/bookstore. :)

  • JLBB
    January 10, 2017 at 8:17 am

    So beautiful! Excellent craftsmanship + lots of books + pink = my kind of room. :)

  • Caitlin Dreger
    January 10, 2017 at 10:46 am

    I love the way the room has come together. If you ever deciede to sell that vintage striped sofa, let this fellow Oak Park-er know! I’ll buy it!

  • Judy Strepelis
    January 11, 2017 at 9:32 am

    Nicole,of course I love the chairs,your entire house,your darling children,handsome hubby and you design genius. Not too much? AnyHoo Take a look at the domino page,I got it for a heads up about target items but I was impressed with a credenza the tenth line down-I wondered if you could do that affect on your foyer cabinet? With your artistic ability it might be interesting and you could break it down into method for the rest of us.

  • Kim
    January 11, 2017 at 7:56 pm

    Please share your rug source!

  • Mr. Grant
    January 14, 2017 at 2:55 am

    Wow! Those chairs are absolutely wonderful. I love them to bits specially the chair with metallic legs. Looks so perfect on that equally lovely space. Thanks for sharing this. Very inspiring.

  • Laurel
    January 14, 2017 at 11:37 pm

    I love the chairs! They’re so perfect for the front parlor! I think you definitely made the right choice. I’m excited about your design plan and seeing how your space evolves. I’m feel you on the window seat / book bench. I too have the problem of collecting tons of books. I say go for it and embrace the idea of it always being covered in books! I read Hilary Clinton’s book Living History a while ago and she writes about Jackie Kennedy’s home and how it was covered in books which filled the house, but looked very styled. That depiction has always stuck with me, so now when I run out of bookshelf space I just find a new place to stick ’em!

  • Katie | FashionFrugality.com
    January 15, 2017 at 11:52 am

    These look gorgeous! Such a pretty shade and nice details. Target always comes in with a win! :)

  • Jessica
    January 15, 2017 at 7:57 pm

    Those chairs, in my opinion, are staples in those rooms. They are very impressive and I would love to incorporate them into my living room.

  • katwachter80
    January 17, 2017 at 7:14 am

    Yes to Target chairs, and yes to that sofa! If you ever sell it, I will be so sad.

  • Peggi
    January 18, 2017 at 5:43 am

    Those chairs are perfect! You’ve made so much progress on the house; it’s inspiring and beautiful. I trust your judgement about the striped sofa’s size, but it looks so fab in there. Sniff. (BTW, the new site is lovely, and I’m glad the sledding chickens are still there.)

  • Emily
    January 24, 2017 at 1:39 pm

    These chairs are beautiful! I have been eyeing them for awhile at target. Do the slipcovers come off easily? And does the chair/fabric seem fairly durable? I have a little girl and am worried about durability here. :)

  • Constance
    March 20, 2017 at 3:31 pm

    Those are lovely! Going down a side-road, we recently purchased the ceiling light fixture that’s in both of the West Elm stock pics in this post for our living room. IT’S GORGEOUS. I cannot recommend it enough. Showstopper in the best way.

  • karen
    March 22, 2017 at 5:20 pm

    love the chairs and the tassels.

  • A Look Back at 2017 - Making it Lovely
    January 5, 2018 at 12:02 pm

    […] inside, the library came together a bit more, first with seating around the table and later with matching rugs between the double […]