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norcalwinegal oh - and I really love orange!

Tres McKinney Design Consider having the chair painted orange and then finding a fun fabric.

decoenthusiaste The lyre lends itself to a musical theme. Paint it black or ivory, so you won't have to paint it again when you tire of orange. You can change the seat out and reupholster easily with orange or anything else that suits your fancy at the moment.

Dove Cochrane I love the harp back, what a fabulous chair. This fabric is from Bassett, it's called confetti. It has just about every color you mentioned. Although, not really any orange, more red.

Aja Mazin You are going to paint the wood of the chair?

norcalwinegal Hi -
The desk and chair are the only furniture in the room. It is a small office off the main living area. I am not sure about painting a family antique.... love the ikat idea.

Dove Cochrane I was wondering the same; if there is a vote, I vote to preserve the history and respect the finish - if you paint it, you can never get the original finish back. (just my personal opinion / discard at will)

Aja Mazin I like plaids!

Dove Cochrane Oh and PS
I keep meaning to suggest that you add some padding to the seat and perhaps a small pillow for your lower back out of the same fabric.

cypress Ikat or a Zebra print would be great!

Manon Floreat I know you said you were mot interested in bright fresh colors, but I can't help but offer up recovering what you have with bright turquoise or green and putting a zebra print seat cushion on top. A little unexpected and quirky fun.

Manon Floreat Cypress, we were thinking along the same lines! I think zebra would be really fun.

norcalwinegal I AM very interested in bright fresh colors - I love the idea of a little freshness to mix with the old and the new.

norcalwinegal My husband also just mentioned I should add some color to the windows, so maybe the same fabric as the chair? or complimentary colors?

Aja Mazin Zebra need not be confined to black and white.

Aja Mazin Roman shades.

broszko I personally think it's a crime to paint old wood, my sister would disagree. Perhaps you should consider what feeling you want to experience when you go into this space. Experts, not me, tell us that specific colors can bring about specific feelings in all of us. I also heard once that one should look into their closet and see what colors they tend to love to help them make color choices.

norcalwinegal Does anyone have a suggestion on where to get Roman shades?

bhelmore Lots of padding needed on the seat for comfort and the wow, plush factor with any fabric you choose.

norcalwinegal broszko - most of my closet and my house are classic colors like grey and brown with a touch of cream and black. This is the one room I hoped to make bright and colorful. I am looking at some bright fabrics and definitely will add padding to the seat and probably a pillow for the back.
Thank you everyone for your input it is much appreciated!

designcanuck How about this fabric?
UNIKKO Lime Upholstery Fabric by Marimekko

or this one...

"Festival" '50s Fabrics Collection
Modern Upholstery Fabric design by Other Metro Textile Arts

How about blue?
Rasymatto Blue fabric by Marimekko

norcalwinegal Love Marimekko and the big flowers - would the the large pattern work on a antique chair?

designcanuck A large pattern can work on an antique chair.

Are you considering painting it white?

You can always mix old and new, antique and modern to create a unique conversation piece. BE BOLD!!!

Do yo have photoshop? Try modifying the photo for a visual.

anthip Please do not paint that chair. I'm not a fan of painting wooden furniture (except in certain situations) but I really cannot abide the painting of antiques. Especially ones that are as fine as your chair seems to be. I agree that a funky fabric is the way to go. Your seat pad doesn't have to be the same fabric as the back cushion either.

norcalwinegal OK - I am sold, so Bold I go,
I do not think I will not paint the chair due to the family history, future generations, etc ...
I will mix the fabric for the seat and the pillow. I will post when I finish, but don't hold your breath as it may take me a month or so!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you all for your wonderful advice!