So here's a funny story. If you've been reading along for the past few weeks you know the whole devastation I suffered over losing a perfect, vintage, replica Eames recliner. If you haven't read that tale yet, do so first. We all wait here.
That chair will haunt me for the rest of my days and it's the second thing to haunt me from the Christie Antique show. The first was a painting of a somewhat miserable looking elderly woman on a black background.
It's a lesson in shopping. If you get the butterflies in your belly, just buy it. In a month you won't worry about the money and in a year you won't even remember how much it cost. It's also a lesson in whether or not the saying "It wasn't meant to be" is true or not.
I mean, that's what everyone was saying to me after I went back to buy my chair only to find out it had been sold.
"It wasn't meant to be."
"You'll find a better one."
"It wasn't meant to be yours."
WHERE WAS THIS SUPPOSED CHAIR THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MEANT FOR ME?? I mean, ACK!
I've had alerts on Craiglist, Google, Ebay, Kijiji and Chairish for the past 3 years to notify me if my dream chair surfaces for sale anywhere.
It did once. A Plycraft replica of the Eames chair with a built in footrest. The holy grail of iconic, mid century, moulded plywood, reclining chairs based on the Eames original ... with a twist. It showed up in Rochester, New York for around $400. I called the seller immediately, told her it was worth more than than that and offered her $600. I set up a time the next morning for me to make the roughly 3 hour drive across the border. Then of course there would be 3 hours of driving back.
She called me the next morning and left a message saying she had lots of interest in the chair and she wanted me to give her my highest offer on it. I said no. What if I made my 3 hour drive and she told me someone else had offered even more money? What if I got there and she already sold it? I wasn't getting into some bidding war with someone who had proven they'd go back on their word.
Since then my notifications have only brought in some sad looking fakes and a couple of people who saw my post on wanting the Plycraft recliner with built in footrest thinking I'd be willing to pay anything for it. I am not. I'm willing to pay a fair price.
Then a couple of weeks ago, just a few days after the Christie Antique show situation I got a notification. There was an Eames replica lounge chair and ottoman for sale. It was just in Toronto, an hour away. I clicked on the email to take a closer look a the chair.
It was the same style as the chair I saw at Christie's.
It was the same colour. The same condition. The same price.
It was the same chair. I shit you not.
I looked like I've been drugged. Don't I look like I've been drugged?
It turns out the guy who bought the chair got it home and decided it was too small for him. After a few back and forth emails about the hilarity of him selling the chair from Christie's and me mourning the loss of the chair at Christie's he not only sold it to me, he delivered it.
I am the size of a very large groundhog, so the chair fits me perfectly.
It is easily the most perfect vintage replica I have ever seen. The proportions and size are the exact same as the original Eames (which is much smaller than most replicas). The finishes are the same, as is the construction.
Notice the green crocodile suitcases I bought at the show as a consolation prize for losing my chair. They go well with it.
The only dead giveaway that this is a copy is the fact that it's upholstered in dark brown, not black leather.
There's only one problem with the chair. Now I have to redo my entire living room around it. I wish I could say I'm just joking but I'm not.
These are the things I still like in my living room. My saddle and saddle stand, the white painted canvas, my lucite table with wood under it. The end.
So I don't need to change much else. Just new rugs, a new coffee table, another chair, a new couch, a side table and artwork.
I've already put notifications on Craigslist, Ebay, Chairish and Kijiji.
As he was leaving, Serge, who sold me the chair, looked back at it in my living a room and said, "You know I thought after so many years of searching that this chair was meant for me but now I understand t was meant for you. Enjoy it."
I will. Just as soon as I replace every other piece of furniture in my living room. Ack.
Maybe this chair wasn't meant for me. Double Ack.
Marilyn
Well sometimes karmas a bitch and then sometimes she’s just really cool. Great story and an even greater ending. Really happy for you Karen
Arlene Stopps
Funny, funny,funy!
Great story!
So glad it came back to you!
It probllaby just looks fantastic in your house so just wait til you get used to the new look! Perfect!
Lynne H
I LOVE life's 'magical moments' like this!
Makes you believe there really is some grand design!
:)
Cathy
Score!
Nicole
Wait, did you say you need ANOTHER chair now? Please say you're not thinking it also should be an Eames, because there's lucky, and then there's downright nutty. :)
So happy for you and your new acquisition! One of these days I'll make it to the Brimfield Fair (which is the New England equivalent of Christie's... except the name doesn't conjure up the image of cookies for me; Mr. Christie, you make good cookies).
Kim C
Crazy!! Now you have a great story to go with your fabulous chair.
Diane
When I saw the title of this post, I said NO WAY! It can't possibly be THE chair!!
I am thrilled for you and you do look perfect in the chair.
Susan
I was already smiling at 'Remember that chair'? I love happy endings. Lets hope a black leather one doesn't come around now. Or do we???
Elissa Rioux
Dreams really do come true! Happy it was yours.
Lez
Unbelievable story Karen! Fabulous news!
I also love your suitcases. The name "Kevin {something}" intrigues me. If it is an unusual surname, you may be able to trace him, & find out the history of the case & its travels!
It's always great to learn the history & story of your antiques, as it adds to the 'intrigue' factor!
Case in point; (excuse the pun!) your gorgeous chair! :)
Karen
I Googled his name last night and couldn't come up with any possibilities that made sense. Unless it belongs to a new young opera singer by the same name. ~ karen!
Heather
Sounds like fodder for a romantic comedy. Even the name "Serge" works!
Your chair is beautiful and it suits you. Congratulations! I have a feeling you're going to have fun redecorating and we're all going to love what you do.
Monica
I agree, you should stay in touch with Serge. Maybe fate had more on hand for you than the chair. ;)
That said, don't redecorate the whole room! You crazy minx! Just live with it for a bit. I think this is a knee jerk reaction that is just you finding it hard to live with your own happiness.
Karen
No, lol. I've never been happy with the living room anyway. And I only liked my couch for about the first year. So ... here we go! ~ karen
Brenda
Yep...I agree! I was just wondering if Serge was single. Because if that chair brought them together it would make a cute story!!!
Marna
Awesome! You look great in it! It is beautiful. :)
Linda Bryant
So happy for you! All good things come to those who wait....
Emie
WOW!!! Just, WOW!!!
Anne Faught
Oh! It WAS meant for you. It is meant for you. Give it a little time in the space. Then decide. You already didn't like your couch much........
It's a wonderful tale of lust fulfilled in a round about fashion. I am still lusting after the tramp art framed mirror I did not grab immediately at the thrift store............ Maybe I'll find it in a yard sale this summer...
Karen
"Maybe I’ll find it in a yard sale this summer…" that's what I've been hoping for the past decade or so, lol. And yes, I hate my couch. ~ karen!
Kim
YIPPEEEEEEEEE!
just goes to show we were all right. I love it. Truth be told, more than the other one you want. Shhhh. I said nothing.
Now I just need to find the same chair for me. In cream. 😘😍
Karen
I still like the other one based on the fact it doesn't have a footstool. The footstool takes up a LOT of room. But yes, the construction of this one is MUCH better. ~ karen!
K
Well. You are redoing the room anyway. 😆😆
Which. Btw. I legit understand. I’ll often buy a new piece of furniture/art and be like “oh no. What have i done? The whole room needs to change!” 😂😂😂
But eventually it does and works out perfectly. If it something you love it all comes together in the end. And if you experience is anything like mine, in the next while you’ll find more wonderful items that work with your chair and make it feel like it’s home in your house.
Karen
LOL. Most people can understand the horror of bringing something new home only to realize it's turned into a 3 day redecorating event to accommodate it. ~ karen!
Kristin Conley
Love it!
Now all you need is some 'Horseman's Onestep'.
It will work on your saddle too!
Karen
Ooooo. I've never used that but I see it's made by Absorbine. Does it smell like Absorbine? I would actually love that, lol. I'll take a look at my local tack shop for it. Which also doubles as my chicken feed store. ~ karen!
nancy w
Omg I am so happy for you!!!! Chair chair chair chair the chair!!!!
RachelSD
Karen, you look damn good in that chair.
Bonus points for an even more awesome story than you could have ever hoped for to accompany your new (old) chair.
Well done, Serge, well done.
judy
Wowzer! You were made for that chair. You now look like a Lady who has nothing more to do than relax and bask in her luck and her genius. I don't know if i would decorate around it,let it be-a little back to the past moment with your more modern pieces. It really does take pride of place in the room,on the order of your Grand Lady. She looks out from her past with a story to tell-her dress,her wealth and social standing and I wondered if a little bit of sadness in her expression. Course you are the design maven and I am a 78 year old lady wishing I could get to sleep. On my third mattress by mail after my mattress was drowned by a burst attic pipe back in January. Can't bring myself to buy the durn t-pedic. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$!
Karen
I'm redoing the room to work the chair in. With the height and darkness of the chair other things in the room have to change. People think eclectic rooms mean just throwing anything you like in them but there's a tiny bit more to it than that (not a lot more .. but still). Don't you worry. ~ karen!