Early last fall, during a spin through the Salvation Army around the corner from our old city diggs, I picked up four of these 1970s modern chrome chairs. I loved the lines, but the padding was like dry rot and the fabric a filthy microsuede that just screamed Office Park.

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So to spruce them up, I headed over to Calico Corners in Mamaroneck, New York. As a magainze editor, I loved using Calico fabrics, especially when I was on a deadline. They're quick, reasonably priced, and their selection of patterns and colors is fantastic! My old friend Jan Jessup in particular was always so helpful. 

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Now the way I see it, these chairs could have gone the way of Office Park once again had I chosen a gray flannel or something similar, so to keep that from happening, this mod makeover was all about color! Within minutes of walking in, I found this trellis pattern in a parrot green I loved! There was something great, too, about the play of geometry between chair and fabric: both are rectilinear in a cool, complementary way.

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But why stop there? Bring on the color—and pattern! Even though it was a set of four, I was pretty sure I wanted to split them up. So whatever fabric I chose for the second two could definitely be different, but they should still all work together. After a couple of spins around the showroom, I spotted this summery floral.  

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It's a traditional pattern updated with fun, vivid colors. And for $17.99/yard, I have to say—that's a lot of bang for your buck!

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The greens I thought looked great. Plus, there was something nice about the motifs of the two patterns together: birds, flowers, and trellis. How cool would all four chairs look gathered around, say, a white Saarinen table with a big drum shade?

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And so with that, my work was done!! A big thank you to Natalie Ferrara and all the super helpful staff over at Calico Corners in Mamaroneck.

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Flash forward a few weeks and voilà! How fresh, young, and hip are these? They're stylish side chairs flanking a console and the perfect perch for all those thank you's. And while the fabric is a traditional pattern, the colors make it feel modern and chic!

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Speaking of chic, check out the trellis chair! I love the play of pattern between wallpaper and fabric. It's a little counterintuitive, but I like it! And who doesn't need a chair in the bathroom for all those pretty pedicures?

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So the next time you find hidden treasure at the flea market, the Salvation Army, or even your own attic, cover it in something fantastic from Calico Corners. It's a great way of making a piece truly your own. And aren't those the best kind anyway?