Arm chair, c. 1930
…and now for something completely different. Recently I was offered, and gratefully accepted, two chairs which had belonged to my grandparents and which date back to around 1930. They no longer suited my aunt’s needs, and my father, keen to see them stay in the family if they were wanted, offered them to me (with refurbishment thrown in). Not an offer to refuse – particularly when I too had a sentimental attachment to the chairs. After all, I remember them from my grandparents’ home and I do love to have around me things that have some meaning. Readers of this blog know that I love gums and so will not be surprised that the fabric I chose for the new upholstery is called Gumleaf. I am thrilled with it – it’s soft but distinctive – and adds another layer of meaning to the chairs for me!
My father remembers sitting in these chairs and smoking a fat cigar with his dad (some many years after 1930 I hasten to add) – and I think chairs like this were sometimes called smoking chairs. I’m not quite sure what “like this” means other than perhaps that such chairs are very comfortable to sit and relax in. These ones can even be reclined.
You may wonder, though, why I am writing all this? Well, it’s because while some might see them as smoking chairs, I reckon others could very well see them as reading chairs. Not only is this one comfortable, but it has nice wide armrests for that cup of coffee (or whatever takes our fancy) that we like to imbibe while reading. But, more importantly, though you can’t see this easily in the photo, under the armrests are deep open pockets in which it is possible to stow a few books from the TBR pile. They were only delivered last week and, with Christmas around the corner, I have little time to read but, come the new year, I think I will have a new favourite place to read…
Whispering Gums 
Oh, that is *gorgeous* I absolutely love the material, particularly the colour. And boy, it does look like the perfect chair for cosying up with a good book!
Thanks kimbofo … I love the fabric too though for colour I had wanted more green than blue. The green fabric though was a funny green so I went with this one. It is a pretty colour I know and nice and light for that darkish room (not that you can tell from the photo).
We too, chez Tim & Lisa, have Nana chairs from the 1930s, which more fashionable members of the family did not want. Recovered, they suit perfectly our decorating style (comfy 1930s, not hard edge art deco) and are very comfortable indeed. I have one in the library, and two in the sitting room. Wish ours had the little pockets like yours do though…
LOL Lisa, counting these 2 we have 8 chairs in the loungeroom. All are hand-me-downs except the cheap little Freedom 2-seater we bought once – it’s a pretty simple one. I like them more than most modern chunky furniture. Our family room chairs came from another home too.
I dislike modern furniture too. It is rarely comfortable, and it all looks the same.
Recycling rules! My son has my pair of 1970 Tessas, which were originally my sister’s!
Gorgeous chair Sue, you must be thrilled. I don’t have any family heirloom furniture but I do have two chairs of a 3 piece suite (50s I think) that an ex-flatmate (can’t really remember which one now, there were so many) left behind in a share house in Glebe many years ago. I finally got them recovered a few years ago. They look fab and are actually very comfortable..
Yes, I am rather. They’ve come up really nicely. My aunt will be here for Christmas – I hope she’s pleased with them as I know it was hard for her to let them go – they really didn’t suit her needs but they’d been in her home all her life basically. Some of our old chairs are left behind ones – from a house we once bought as a rental, from the unit Len bought (about the time I met him) from a woman moving into a nursing home, and from a house my parents bought. Some of these are more 1960s-70s chairs but comfortable. It’s lovely getting old chairs recovered isn’t it/
Looks wonderful – and glad to see they got to you in time for Christmas! Have you sent the next lot off yet?
They came the Friday after you left AND no, the rest not taken away so that will mean not until after 10 January. Not totally happy. But, I am thrilled with how they’ve come out…started to get nervous as time wore on as you know.
I had no idea they were such an interesting shape. I truly feel they ought to be occupied by a Count Somebody with a cigar in his mouth arranging my marriage to a Lord Someone-or-rather. (Yes, it’s all about me.)
They are a gorgeous shape aren’t they/ Very distinctive which is why they are so memorable. And, they are comfortable even though a little lower to the ground than some chairs. When you get back I’ll see if I can find a Count!
I really think you ought to start looking now.I’m 22 already – time’s a ticking!
Oh so old!! Anyhow, I’ll see what I can do in the time you’re away! Off to see Sherlock Holmes today.
I’m practically a lost cause. And enjoy! Glad to see you finally taking me up on a recommendation. I may never truly forgive you for failing to see Up. I may also stop hijacking your blog with this conversation.