Saturday, February 19, 2011

Shiny Chic

Rock and roll patent leather


Ever since I was a little girl I have loved patent leather. Of course it started with those first pairs of Mary Jane shoes in white and black and once in red. As I got to be a bigger girl, I loved black patent leather pumps, red lipstick, and navy polka dot dresses. Then I segued into black patent leather rocker style. And now I love patent leather as upholstery.




I first saw a white patent leather chair at perch. nearly three years ago HERE
I was a "civilian" not yet working there. I borrowed a pair for a photo shoot. They were beyond my means, but I never forgot them.


Visual Vamp dance studio with white patent leather bench


I recently covered a bench with white patent leather. It was a bargain bench, Chris Madden HERE and very cute as it was. But I just thought it would be great in white patent in our newly refreshed dance studio. The patent leather is actually vinyl that I got at Fabric.com HERE
I painted the legs white.


French form chairs look great in patent leather



So in honor of patent leather, I give you the ultimate patent leather furniture round up!


Traditional setting with patent leather chairs


Patent leather seems to work in both traditional and modern settings. Really.

Jonathan Adler ottoman in patent leather used as a coffee table



Patent leather is comfortable to sit on, though I wouldn't sit on it with a bare bottom ha ha, or even in shorts or a short skirt (with bare legs). The new vinyl products available today are so soft, and easy to work with.



Clean up is a snap, just wipe it off with a damp cloth. If you have ever dreamed of having white furniture, patent or faux leather is the way to go. I did my vintage camel back couch in a soft faux
white pebble grain leather three years ago, and I am still loving it. It is soft and comfortable, and still looks white and clean, and Cholo and I lay on it all the time! I also did my breakfast room chairs int he same fabric, and again, not a spill has blemished them one little bit.

Cute white parsons chairs at Overstock HERE



Do any of you use patent leather? Other than in a cute purse or pair of shoes?


Patent leather daybed

There are some very cute child size pieces in patent leather, and I would think that patent would be a great fabric choice for kids. What do you say Moms?

Child size pink patent leather chairs at Overstock HERE


So what do you think? Is this patent leather round up getting you in the mood to try it?



LOVE this green patent leather headboard


A classic French style kitchen with patent leather stools



Patent as we often think of it - retro and fun!


A little trashy but fun - Nicky Hilton's bedroom circa 2008


Vintage chairs redone with patent leather seats - Just fabulous!


White patent leather wing chairs - GLAM!


Baroque furniture wears patent leather very well

19 comments:

Renae Moore said...

Valorie!
You gots me to thinkin'! I do love this and have a new client that this could possibly work with! Great shots, will keep in my files.
xoxo

Sketch42 said...

I think there is company at the gift show that makes almost all of the chairs you featured... I forgot the name... But I know they also rent em out for parties.

Unknown said...

I guess there will be no end to this everlasting trend!
Sounds like an oxymoron!
Well, anyway, all your examples are gorgeous!

xoxo victoria

my favorite and my best- MFAMB to you said...

i can't stop staring at the day bed in the first pic.
it's stunning.

i like the look of patent leather but come high summer in georgia my sweaty dripping ass would be tossing them out the window.

Nita Stacy said...

I'm kind of feeling that headboard....

Rashon Carraway said...

Black patent leather has always been a favorite of mine.

Mr. Goodwill Hunting

Unknown said...

I'm seeing patent in a whole new light!!! That white bench in your dance studio (how fabulous to have a dance studio!) is perfection.

Enjoy dancing the weekend away!
xoxo Elizabeth

BECKY MAY said...

Beautiful post - I love interior design! Lovely iamges!

The Flower Girl

thebohemiangoods.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Wow I've never seen anything like it! I would love to try this with my Queen Anne dining chairs. That way I wouldn't have to put towels over the chairs every time my little girls sit down to eat! :)

Design Junkie said...

Love it! I've use a Valtekz patent in black on a black faux bamboo bench for a guest bath. Spiffy.

Sylvie said...

Love the lamps and spread in that photo of the green patent leather headboard too. Great post!

Amy Chalmers said...

Love the patent leather with the traditional or antique frames.

Sabina said...

Love all of it and I need those yellow chairs in the traditional setting at my house.

courteneykay said...

I heart that black sofa in the Elle decor photo!

nanne said...

when i was little, we had black patent leather shoes/purse after labor day...white after easter....back then, i really thought it was called "patting" leather--and i would sit in church trying to unobtrusively pat my new purse b/c it was so shiney and soft...lol!!

nanne in indiana by way of alabama

WendyB said...

Black patent leather furniture? I want! It's so sexy.

helen tilston said...

Love the look for an occasional chair or a sofa. How does it feel to sit for extended periods on patent leather?

Dane said...

Oh you've inspired me! I have a bench at the table in the kitchen for the kids to sit on that I've been wanting to recover but I'd not seen anything I liked. Till you did this wonderful round up!

Now I'm thinking the green patent leather (faux it is for the kids after all) would look fab! Or maybey a patent croc? Oh the options!

Totally excited to go hunting for patent now =)

*bisous*
Dane

Acanthus and Acorn said...

You are so right, the smell and feel of white patent leather shoes is something stored with a smile in my memory.

I love the frech all black chair and the chairs in the Met Home dining room are spectactular. But, in all likelihood other than a stool, bech or ottoman, I don't think I'd want it.