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.
Carol Hogan
I've come to believe that things turn out the way they should be.
Rktrixy
We need to know more about this Serge, aka the Chair Fairy-godfather. How is it he came to love that chair, too? Now that he doesn't have it, what is he sitting in? What is he looking for to replace it. Perhaps a setee? I suggest a furniture swap!
Bonnie G.
Talk about serendipity….. then there's Serge! This could be the impetus to a Russian spy novel (sans the current US political climate). That chair is definitely in it's correct home. Enjoy!
Bev
What a great story and such a beautiful chair. It really was meant to be.
Love your smile on your face. Happiness is a new chair.
Maryanne
Congratulations!! You look fantastic and comfortable in it. It was meant to be :)
Sonja
Yippee!
good for you!
Leeuna
I'm so happy you finally got your chair. And you look beautiful sitting in it. How very nice of Serge to bring it to you. You Canadians are such nice people!
Karen
We really are. :) ~ karen!
Mary W
Congrats and I love brown more than black. Oh - and you looked terrific sitting in it!
Brenda
Love it! It was meant to be after all. And I can see why you are crazy in love with the chair.
Kimberly M
What a beautiful love story!
Sarah Baranek
We had original Eames chairs on 5th Av, NYC. They were BROWN leather, not black. And they were, in fact, original -- you could order them anyway you wanted back then.
Just sayin'.
Karen
Brown? Or caramel? The caramel colour is my favourite actually, but from any research I've done they say brown (a very dark brown like mine) wasn't an option. ~ karen!
Heather
Fandamntastic! So happy for you, Karen! Enjoy your chair and all of the re-decorating shopping!
Trish Kinnee
I love it -- the story and the chair! My daughter loved anything Eames and tried to get me to buy an expensive and replica. Ah. No.
FYI, she did inform me the other day that The Henry Ford near Detroit has an Eames exhibit. We are an hour north of that right across from good old Sarnia, so we'll do it!
That is YOUR chair!
jaine kunst
No, that chair was DEFINITELY meant for you! And so what if you need to do your living room over. We will all be along for the journey and it will look better than ever.
Very good advice about shopping...if it gives your belly butterflies, buy it. I still mourn a red handbag I walked away from 12 years ago.
Enjoy your fabulous chair, Karen. What a great story!
Katie C.
I'm not ashamed to admit that I got goosebumps and a little teary with joy when reading this. I'm so happy you finally got your chair!
Now I can't wait to see what you get to go with it.
Suzannelh
Hot diggety damn.
Enjoy!
And maybe reupholster the couch, that’s slam dunk easy.
Karen
The fabric on it is actually perfect, lol! It's the shape, size and comfort of it that I don't like. :/ ~ karen!
Ev Wilcox
Yay! You look great in that chair! Have fun with the next pat! Oh, and thanks to Serge, who must be a decent human! well done both of you!
Jody
I am so happy you got the itch scratched. What's itching you now? The rest of your livingroom?
Karen
Yeeeeep. ~ karen!
Maureen Spencer
Karen, your patience and determination paid off! I’m really happy for you!! That is one amazing story!
We will all look forward to your re-decorating project.
Next Christie Antique Sale is only 3 months away!😆
Claire Bickley
If this was a romcom, you and Serge ...