I an not a huge fan of Thonet's hairpin bentwood chairs (though I do own some bentwood chairs I'm hoping are long-lost Eames creations). However, I have found some fabulous up-cycled ones lately.
This one is painted in Benjamin Moore semi-gloss white and reupholstered in a yellow jute. I shot this at GasLamp Antique Mall in Nashville. Doesn't it look so light and modern? The woman who owns the booth has a website, aflairforvintagedecor.com, and she specializes in Hollywood Regency furniture.
This one was done by the blogger for twolittledickybirdsblog.com. She used the Florence Broadhurst "Japanese Floral" fabric (love it), and stained the wood. It looks so rich and elegant. It's amazing to see the contrast between this chair and the one above, how one can create two completely different styles from the same silhouette.
I might try my hand at upholstering some bentwood chairs in Thomas Paul for Duralee's fabric Plume. I found eight such chairs for $300 at a rummage store nearby recently.
I also think Kravet's Teablossom fabric would be stylish.
