A New Chair for My Home Office

Welcome to the 396th Metamorphosis Monday.

I’ve had several different desk chairs here in my home office over the years. The last one I purchased was this one from Pottery Barn. This is actually my second one of these. The first one I literally wore out. Well, sort of.

What happened was the first few weeks/months I had it, I didn’t realize that each time I pushed back away from the desk and spun around in the chair to get up, the back edge of one side was slightly rubbing again the right edge of the desk.

That’s one thing that’s kind of tricky about the Pottery Barn Bedford corner desk, it kind of wraps itself around you since it has wings coming out on either side. By the time I realized what was happening, it was too late and there was a small tear right through the upholstery on the back edge. It never unraveled or anything so I continued to use it. It was barely noticeable unless you went looking for it.

The next thing that happened to that chair occurred after I put new rollers on it. One day while retrieving something from the floor, as I stood back up and sat down, the new wheels were so “speedy” the chair flew backwards out from under me. I landed right on my tailbone and pretty sure I cracked it, though I never had it x-rayed. It’s taken many, many months, but it’s almost healed now.

During the months that was going on, I couldn’t sit in a normal way, even using  a cushion didn’t help. So, without realizing what I was doing, I would sit with one leg up underneath me, the same way you might sit casually on a sofa. That took the pressure off the area I had broken. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize the buckle on my sandal was rubbing/shredding a spot on the chair seat.

By this point I’d had the chair a few years and it was starting to lose its fluffiness in the seat anyway, so it was time to replace it. I looked online and couldn’t find anything I liked better, so I ordered the same chair again. As much as I sit here and work, read, craft, work puzzles, watch movies, etc… I’ve come to the conclusion that whatever chair I buy, I’m probably going to have to replace it every few years.

When I ordered this chair the second time, I was able to catch it on sale. I just noticed it’s on sale again now here: Desk Chair

Pottery Barn Office with Bedford Furniture

 

This weekend I stopped into Marshall’s to see what they have in for fall. While there I spied this guy. Ummm, I sat in it and it felt pretty good. The price was really good, too: $149. I was super tempted since I know it’s just a matter of time before I’ll have to replace my office chair again, but I passed it up.

White Upholstered Desk Chair for Home Office

 

I kept thinking about it though, just couldn’t get it out of my head. I loved how it looked! So yesterday I drove the short distance back to Marshall’s and brought it home to see it here in the office. I’m not sure yet if it’s staying. It sits very different from my other chair. Very glad that it doesn’t have arms like THIS chair or I never would have even considered it.

Pottery Barn Office Furniture for Home Office

 

It is pretty, but chairs are like shoes. They can be very beautiful and very uncomfortable at the same time. So, I’m going to try this guy today and if he doesn’t feel like a good fit, he’s going back, despite his handsome looks!

The style of this chair is a contemporary twist on a traditional design. Do they call that transitional? The nailhead trim gives it a traditional feel, yet the nailheads are spread way out, something I don’t normally see on a strictly traditional chair. It also hints at a wingback style with the way the sides are designed.

White Desk Chair, Nailhead Accent

 

It has a sassy, playful side, too. There’s a silver metallic thread woven through its otherwise, business-like upholstery. It’s subtle, but you do notice it. I really like that! If it were too, too traditional in style, it would never work with the sleek lines of the Pottery Barn Bedford desk furniture.

White Desk Chair with Nailhead Accent

 

But loving how it looks isn’t enough, it has to sit well, too. Today will be the test to determine if this new chair stays or goes. I don’t want this to be the Louboutin of chairs–beautiful, but too painful to actually wear, or in this case, sit. 🙂

White Upholstered Desk Chair for Home Office

 

Metamorphosis Monday

Metamorphosis Monday is a party that’s all about Before and Afters. If you are participating in Met Monday, please link up using the “permalink” to your MM post and not your general blog address.

To get your permalink, click on your post name, then just copy and paste the address that shows up in the address bar at the top of your blog, into the “url” box for InLinkz.

In order to link up, you’ll need to include a link in your MM post back to the party so the other participants will have an opportunity to receive visits from your wonderful blog readers.

Please observe these few rules:

Only link up Before and After posts that are home, gardening, crafting, painting, sewing, cooking or DIY related.

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Do not link up a post that was just linked up last week since readers would have already seen that post.

*If a post is sponsored or a product was provided at no charge, it will be stated in post. Some links may be affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. *



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Comments

  1. It is pretty. Love the nail head trim. But you’re right. Pretty isn’t important if it’s not comfortable. I just gave away a lot of pretty shoes that I never wore because they hurt my feet. I had kept them in my closet, because they were pretty! It almost hurt to get rid of them, but not as much as they hurt my feet when I tried to wear them.

    • Laurie, I think we all have some of those type shoes. I just went through my closet a few months ago and got rid tons of clothes I no longer wear. It is hard to do but I am loving all the space it created. And I haven’t missed a single thing, so I know it was the right decision, though hard at the time.

  2. Thank you so much for hosting the party. I like the Marshall’s chair, but I’m like you. If it is not comfortable, you don’t need to keep it. Especially since it gets a lot of use. I hope that you have a very Happy Monday!!!

  3. This is a beautiful chair! Please do be careful those falls hurt!! Have a wonderful week and thank you for opening your site to others!

  4. I really like the look of your new desk chair Susan! Hope it turns out to be a comfy chair for you! Have a great week, Tara

  5. The chair is lovely but I actually love your entire office! May I ask where you purchased the off white desk areas and drapes?
    Thank you!
    Pam

  6. Love your office! Where did you purchase the chandelier? Love it especially!

  7. OH! The office chair dilemma! I thought I was the only one and just being picky. I have bought and returned three chairs already for our home office. They all felt so uncomfortable. Too high, too low, too hard, too soft. My old chair is falling apart, but it is so comfy. Let us know how this one works for you. It is beautiful. Take care, Maria

  8. Susan, thanks for hosting! I love the new chair, but I’m with you about the comfort! Good luck, I hope it works out.

  9. Linda Bloom says

    I love your new chair & maybe you will find out today that besides being pretty, that is is comfortable too. I am looking for a new desk chair because the cushioning in mine seems to be gone & it’s very hard now. I would run over to the Marshall’s that is close to us to see if they have the same chair but I would miss arms on a desk chair. Everything else about it, the color & style would be perfect. I know chair arms would not work with the configuration of your desk. Hope this one works out for you but if not, you already know that you like the one from Pottery Barn. Have a nice Monday!

  10. Such a pretty chair, Susan! I hope it’s comfy, too! Thanks for hosting! Hugs…Debbie

  11. Thanks Susan for hosting. Yep… form follows function. 😉

  12. Love that style! I was just looking at one like that yesterday for my desk.
    Thanks for hosting the party,
    Deb

  13. Susan, the chair is beautiful in your office, but comfort is what is important when you are using it so much. I used to endure a little pain to have the beautiful shoes, but not any more! Thanks for hosting!

  14. thank you Susan, your new chair looks dreamy!

  15. Love that chair. The nail head trim looks great with your knobs/drawer pulls and accessories in your office. Hope it’s super comfy!

  16. Ha! I just bought that exact same chair at Marshall’s last week too–except mine is a gorgeous dark blue, super-soft, velvety-like fabric (that I’m probably going to wear out by repeatedly stroking!). It’s funny that I, too, have had to spend several days contemplating whether I was going to keep the chair, or not. Even before I purchased it, I pushed it around the store for probably 30 minutes while I was thinking it over. (Got lots of oooh’s and ahhh’s from other admiring customers and some funny comments like, “Well if you get tired shopping you can always sit down and rest!” )

    From a comfort standpoint, I like it a lot. It’s certainly much better than the two previous Parsons style chairs I’ve used at my desk up until now since this one swivels, rolls and the seat height is adjustable–something I sorely missed with the Parsons chairs. My hesitation in keeping this Marshall’s chair was that my office is done in blue and yellow Country French-ish style and I felt like this chair was much too modern. Also, because my chair’s fabric is so dark, the very large and widely spaced silver nail heads really stand out, which I’m not so crazy about. (They seem much more subtle on your light-colored fabric.) Finally, yesterday, I decided that while it’s not the *perfect* look I’d like to have for the style of my office, the chair has more positives than negatives, especially for the price, so I ripped the tag off. It’s mine now! 😉

    • That made me laugh out loud, the image of you pushing it around the store for thirty minutes.:) I can see why you did it though because if your Marshall’s is like mine, it was probably the only one they had in stock. I like that comment about sitting when you got tired while shopping. lol Too funny!
      Now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure they had the blue one at the Marshall’s near me, too. I can’t remember now if it was the same style or a different style, though. I bet the nailhead is beautiful against that dark blue velvet, although I can see how it would definitely stand out more. I’ve about decided to keep mine. It seems to be pretty comfortable. Would love to see a photo of yours in your office, Shari!

  17. Gorgeous chair, Susan. I’ve about worn mine out, too! thanks for the great party!

  18. Nice chair(s), but I really love your story 🙂

  19. I understand the whole process of finding right office chair – style, arms, color, fit. I’m long legged, esp. my thighs so finding a chair long enough in the seat AND meets the whole other criteria is difficult.

    • I bet you would like this one, Gail. It’s barely short enough in depth for me. I’m 5’4″ and it just works but it would probably be a tad better if I were about 1-2 inches taller. I have a little stool I sometimes use to prop my feet on. I think all desks are designed for folks who are around 5’6 or 5’7 or taller.

  20. Susan
    I love your new chair and you are so lucky Marshall’s still had it in stock the next day.
    I had seen a super nice upholstered (no arms /similar color as yours) office chair at TJ Maxx and made the mistake of not buying it that day…went back the next day and it was gone. boo hoo
    Needless to say I won’t make that mistake again. 😉

  21. Oooh, I hope it works…it is just so cool…especially with the studs and metallic thread…oooohhhh… franki

  22. Mary Fiori says

    Good Morning Susan…the chair is VERY nice. I am wanting to go back to when you first started redoing/making your study. How do I find those enteries??? Many thanks

    • Thanks, Mary! Probably the easiest/fastest way is go to this link: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/category/my-nest/officecraftsewing-room/ which the category page for my home office. It has picture links to every post I’ve ever written about the about the office. Once you go to that link, just scroll to the very bottom because the posts on that page go from “oldest to newest.” So after you scroll down to the bottom, click on the very first picture link at the bottom, and the first post will come up. When you’re finished reading that post, just click the back arrow to return to the category page again where you can click on the next picture link at the bottom, working your way to the top. You can literally relive the transformation of the office to today, by doing that. Hope you enjoy! 🙂

  23. Bonnie Short says

    Hi Susan! Well, I hope it works out for you, because I love that chair! (and your whole office for that matter!) Impeccable taste, as always!
    Good news here in S. Oregon… they’re building both a Marshall’s AND a Home Goods 5 miles from home! No more driving 2 1/2 hours to find treasures! 🙂

  24. Your new chair is perfect! Can you tell me what you have on the floor under your chair? I too, have wood floors under chair, and am getting skids on floor, but I think a rug would make it hard to roll. What’s your solution?

  25. Thanks so much for hosting!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

  26. Linda Page says

    As much as you will sit in that chair, it is all about the comfort for your back and rear. I “sat” for 50 years in office chairs at a typewriter and then a computer and nothing is worse than a sore, aching back from an uncomfortable chair. We girls love our beautiful furniture but this is one time when the word “comfortable” is the most important word. I love how your chair looks. I hope it works out for you.

  27. I need a new chair but I also need arms on mine:) Your chair is just beautiful! You are too funny:):) Thanks for the party!

  28. love your new chair!

  29. That is probably the prettiest office chair I’ve ever seen. Love it.

  30. That’s a really great looking chair, Susan! My husband and I are both using Herman Miller Aeron chairs that we offhice during is consulting days. They are super comfortable, but I’m somewhat compromising my room’s style using it. What I really need to do is purge my room a bit, but I’m a little lazy to do that. Too many other things I’d rather be doing. 🙂
    Thanks for hosting us. I have a B&A of my sister’s garden I’ve been helping her with over the past 15 months or so. 🙂

  31. Susan, just thought I would mention that most office chairs have the ability to remove the arms. I learned that when I bought a chair to use with my sewing machine. Since then I have removed the arms from other office chairs to use when I am at my computer.

    • This chair would make a pretty chair to use at a kitchen table. Thanks Jocely, I did not know that you could remove the arms from office chairs. I have looked for some to use in my kitchen, but did not want the ones with arms. I have one that I use all the time when I am preparing/cutting up vegetables at my kitchen table. They are also handy when cleaning out your lower kitchen cabinets or pantry.

    • Thanks, Jocelyn. That’s what I’ve been doing with the last two Pottery Barn chairs I purchased, I always remove the arms and it works great because they hook on underneath so it doesn’t leave visible holes in the side of the chair. Unfortunately, on some chairs, it leaves a gaping hole on the side if you don’t use the arms.

  32. I always love pictures/posts of your office. I want 3 or more bedrooms when I move just so I can get an office or to replace the table I have now in the computer/game room.

  33. I have serious office envy, Susan! I am considering moving my perch upstairs to a newly vacated daughter’s bedroom.

  34. I love the chair and I hope you love it too. It looks great with the room.

    However, I totally get the uncomfortable chair thing, in fact I am sitting in one :/ I need a new chair, but there are too many needs on the list before a desk chair.

  35. Sure hope the chair works out for you, it’s a beautiful one! But like you said, it has to by comfy! 🙂 Thanks for hosting! ~Rhonda

  36. Cyndi Raines says

    Love the chair Susan – hope it’s comfy for you! Love the metallic thread and the nail heads – I think it looks very nice in you oh- so- pretty office.

  37. Love the look of the Marshall’s chair but you are so right about comfort. If it isn’t comfortable, no matter how pretty it is, it will never work. Hopefully he’ll work out. Thanks so much for hosting and I hope you have a great week.

  38. Susan I m in love with your new chair!! So classy!

  39. I love your chair Susan and hope it sits as good as it looks! I’ve seen several pieces of furniture at Marshall’s/HomeGoods recently that tempted me to take them home.

  40. Hi Susan
    I love the chair from Marshalls in your office, goes very well.

  41. Wow, you sure have alot of comments about your office and chair! My question is the comment you made about your chair rollers. My chair does the same thing. Ihave to be very careful, so it does’nt roll out, before I sit. Just wondering if someone has an idea, how I can tighten the rollers.

    • Judy, mine has gradually gotten better. I think with time they pick up a little dust, etc… from the floor and that helps to slow the wheels down a little. In the meantime, you have to be really careful. The ones I purchased for my chair (when I replaced the old ones) came from Amazon and they don’t have a way to tighten them.

  42. That’s a sharp chair. I hope it’s comfortable.
    Thanks for hosting the MM party!!

  43. Donna Weatherspoon says

    This chair is now on sale at Marshalls!

    • Unfortunately, I ended up returning mine. I need to do a post and share about that. There were a number of issues I had but the worse one was mine had a really strong chemical smell that wouldn’t go away. Donna, if you end up buying the cream/white one like I purchased, be sure and smell it first.

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