Monday, February 10, 2014

Grandpa's Chair

Grandpa was kind of a big deal in his day, or so the family legend says.
He played football for St. Mary's in 1942 and could have played professional football but instead went on to open his own flower business in San Francisco.
I was always a little afraid of him--he was a big man and he reminded me of The Godfather!
So when I ended up with his chair, there was no way I was going to get rid of it!

This is Grandpa's chair.
For years, it was in my in-law's formal living room, mixing company with a huge Persian rug, a beige sofa and more castle themed furniture.
  I refer to it as "the throne."

Now that my mother-in-law is in a retirement home, there is no longer room for the "throne," so it ended up in our garage along with everything else.

It even comes with an ottoman.
 But no one in the family wants this chair, especially me!  It just doesn't fit into our decor, yet its sentimental value has kept me from taking it to Goodwill.

Until daughter Ashley saw its potential.
"I want Grandpa's chair" she said.
We both agreed it needed reupholstering, particularly in a green velvet.
"Oh, and can it have nailheads too?"

Now Grandpa's chair is right at home in her San Francisco apartment.
It has just the right amount of funkiness and goes perfect with her dark wood paneled living room. 

The chair sets the mood and inspires her to search for accessories like paisley pillows, antlers, vintage maps and prints.
She has Grandma's vintage typewriter already lovingly displayed on the mantel.

The ottoman also got a new look.  I added the nailheads just around the legs only.
A Pottery Barn kilim rug, handed down from me anchors the room and doesn't cover up too much of the dark wood floor.

It is such a darling little apartment and the perfect new home for her Grandpa's chair!

This was the last photo taken of Ashley and her Grandpa, circa 1989
I'd like to think he would be happy and proud that his granddaughter wanted his chair and I'm happy it gets to stay in the family.

I'm joining Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday and Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday.

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25 comments:

Alycia Nichols said...

Oh, how incredibly touching! Just a beautiful tribute to Grandpa's memory!!! The chair really looks right at home in front of those great shutters. (I've been wanting shutters in our kitchen for a long time.) It's terrific, too, that the chair gets to share space in the same room as Grandma's typewriter. Good eye, Ashley! Enjoy it!

Kim Just Kim said...

Sweet story, lovely chair!

Kim Just Kim said...

Sweet story, lovely chair!

Marlis said...

smart girl!!! I would have driven from Texas to pick it up.. LOL. Seriously, it is a really great chair. so glad that it has a new home. The new covers do it justice!! xo marlis

gme said...

I love this chair! The green velvet is perfect but, before I scanned on down, I just knew you were going to show it covered in leopard print....:)

Sammy said...

OMW, cool story, handsome man and beautiful chair!

AntiqueChase said...

Oh, I just love this post!!! Fantastic!! So glad his memory is alive with that chair! It looks fantastic!!
marcy

Elizabeth "Libby" Day said...

I love tradition and keeping this treasure while making it perfect for her was such a great thing to do. What a keepsake and conversation piece.

Victoria said...

Such a happy ending, Delores, and it looks lovely in Ashley's room.

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Delores that chair looks great in your daughters apt!! LOVE the green fabric!!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I love the chair and I really like the green velvet. It looks fabulous in her apartment and I bet it is comfortable too. Hugs, Marty

Terri~terrileeauthor said...

I'm sure he would be happy. And Ashley will be happy that she made room for it. I love pieces of family history lovingly tucked into our decor. Great job.

Pamela said...

It turned out gorgeous and truly a piece you will forever treasure.

Carolyn@Sweet Chaos Home said...

Oh, I love that! Eventually, everything finds its rightful place, and this chair looks fab in your daughter's apartment. Love it in the green velvet!!

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

What a great story Delores! So glad that your daughter was able to keep it in the family!

Kathysue said...

Thank God you did not get rid of it or donate it. It looks amazing in Ashley's apartment and I am sure Grandpa is smiling down on her and you for giving it new life. Whew, you had me scared there for a minute.
xo Kathysue

Katherine said...

The chair looks wonderful in this fabric, it highlights the warmth of the wood. How sweet that Ashley can sit with her hands on the wooden arms and know that her Grandfather did just the same so long ago.

Sue Malizia said...

It turned out great and your daughter will always cherish it... until the day comes she passes it on to the next person in your family who sees its beauty and potential again. :-)

Sue Malizia said...

It turned out great and your daughter will always cherish it... until the day comes she passes it on to the next person in your family who sees its beauty and potential again. :-)

The Victorian Girl said...

What a beautiful chair! I'm so glad some of the "younger generation" appreciate family heirlooms. I was totally shocked and very happy when my daughter asked for her grandparents' Duncan Phyfe dining room set. She reupholstered the chair sets and it just looks beautiful in their dining room.

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Carol S. said...

Love this story. When you first showed a grandpa pic, I thought wow, her husband sure looks like her grandpa?! His side lol! The chair fits perfectly in that corner. Would love to see more! From football to flowers, sounds like the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

Love the chair in the green velvet! The chair looks gorgeous! So glad it stayed in the family!

cindy hattersley design said...

It looks great now! The nailheads add just the right amount of sass! You turned a clunker into a winner!

shiree segerstrom said...

Great story Delores. Love the chair's new fabric. My grandfather made my son Christian an oak dresser and while it's not stylish like your chair, we cherish it nonetheless! Best regards, Shiree at Joy of Nesting

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