I look at statement pieces as if they're art. It's a bit like framing an oil or print- it the frame and mat work with the art, the finished result will work wherever it lands.
If it lived at my house, I would probably cover the seat in needlepoint or a tapestry fabric. Then I'd make a plain heavy linen slipcover for the seat with a short box pleated skirt for the summer and add a couple interesting toss pillows.
Try washing it with a furniture soap to restore the wood luster before deciding to paint. If you decide to keep it dark, try a cream damask or a beige linen look fabric.
That's a real deal antique. But I can't nail down the period and it's making me cranky. The urn-shaped back pieces say Sheraton, the cabriole leg is definitely not, and the swirled arms nod to empire. Maybe it's like a 1910s-1930s repro where they would have combined styles... Hm, I don't know without seeing its construction. Whatever you do, it'd be nice if you left its finish alone. And yes, after all that blathering, I do like it just for itself
That's a real deal antique. But I can't nail down the period and it's making me cranky. The urn-shaped back pieces say Sheraton, the cabriole leg is definitely not, and the swirled arms nod to empire. Maybe it's like a 1910s-1930s repro where they would have combined styles... Hm, I don't know without seeing its construction. Whatever you do, it'd be nice if you left its finish alone. And yes, after all that blathering, I do like it just for itself
Agreed.
They have an almost Queen Anne feel to them with the cabriole leg and the urn shaped back panels. But the arm is more Empire than the goose-neck one would see with Queen Anne.