Hand Painted Vintage Chairs

This school year, I volunteered to design the auction project for The Lady's Montessori elementary class. After complaining about the auction projects for the past few years, my dear friend Estelle challenged me to put my money where my mouth was. I took her up on the challenge...and immediately regretted it. 

If you've ever looked at auction project ideas on the Internets, you know that is it a sea of beaded wind chimes, photos of children's hands or bodies in various poses and handmade garden step stones. I was determined to find something new. Something unique. 

I found inspiration in a painted fabric chair. 

I found this beauty on Pinterest. As far as I can tell, it is from the "Sea of Shoes" blog, although I cannot find it there now.

A pair of fabulous vintage chairs were in order. 
These Craig's List beauties were just the ticket. 
Low wide seats, high dramatic backs. 
Perfect for kids and adults alike. 

I'll detail the DIY blow by blow in a separate post.
Here's the finished product.
It was so much better than I dreamed it would be. 

Chair Number One.

Detail of the seat art.

Each child signed the chair.

Chair Number Two.

Complimenting the botanical theme of the chairs, a Maria Montessori quote
graced the back of the second chair:
"The land is where our roots are. The children must be taught to feel and live
in harmony with the Earth."

The chairs were a big hit with the children, teachers and Alcuin School staff. The parents at the auction liked them too...the pair sold for $1500. A great success! I secretly hoped they would be donated back to the school, but I understand they've gone to a good home. 

Much creative energy went into these chairs. The children, of course. And four fantastic women, Christy, Melissa, Jackie and Jenn, added their expertise and improved the final result immeasurably. 

It's fabulous to see a design inspiration come to successful fruition through collaboration.