The Best Seat in the House

Has this ever happened to you?

You go into a store for a magazine and come out with a gigantic clock?

Yep, been there, done that!

But this time it was so worth it. 

We'd just strolled down Santa Fe Drive in Denver, had lunch at a Mexican restaurant,
peeked into a few gallery windows, and popped into an antique shop on the corner . . . 

just to look around, mind you.

 I wanted to see if they might have the little white enamel pitcher I'd been looking for.

A bell tinkled and a friendly voice welcomed us as we opened the door. 

"Hello!" he said. 

At first we thought it was the shop owner and we responded with friendly hello's 

but didn't see anyone around.

"Hello!" the voice said again. This time we looked around and spotted a pretty gray parrot in a big cage eyeing us. We said hello to him and he immediately responded with a cheery "Hello!" 

Such a lovely welcome.

So, we were looking around, about ready to leave, when I saw a Bergere armchair 

in the back of the store. It looked a bit shabby but so inviting.

I dragged it over to a desk about the size of mine at home and sat down.

The deep seat was sooo comfortable.  A few stains marked the tapestry but it had a lovely design 

on the back, seat and padded arms. So pretty and a steal on sale for $29. Sold!

If I didn't like it, I could always put it in my next yard sale.
And oh yes, I saw this exact same chair in an antique store recently for $112!

As we left the store, we heard a little voice send us off with a cheery "Hello!"

I couldn't wait to get this chair home and try it out at my desk.
By the way, I purchased this desk when it was painted five different primary colors.
Sanding and painting it white revealed a gorgeous piece of furniture.

Ah. The chair was the perfect size. I could sink into it. Lean back into it. Rest my arms on it. 

It was the most comfortable chair I'd ever sat in. 

I was sure my productivity would soar in this wonderful chair. 

Initially, I was going to paint the dark wood white to match my desk 

but the more I looked at it, the more I liked the contrast.

One of my favorite quotes is from the Impecunious Collector's Guide to American Antiques.
John T. Kirk advises, "Buy it ratty and leave it alone."
Gotta love that!

 I did very carefully clean the tapestry with Woolite Upholstery cleaner but left the stains and worn spots alone. I liked the stories this chair told with its scars and splatters of blue paint.

This chair . . . I knew it was meant to be.
And the stains? What stains? That's just patina!
And so much better than an enamel pitcher!
Hello!

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