The truly amazing folks at Circa50 heard my cry of desperation for beautiful well-fitting leather Hardoy Butterfly Chair (or BKF) covers. The first covers I purchased on ebay were a total and complete disaster. I returned them immediately after unpacking and was disappointed by how ill-fitting they were on my vintage butterfly frames as well as how chintzy the canvas material ended up being.
THANK GOD for Circa50. Their slings are extremely well made and they offer a huge range of colors, material and sizes. That’s probably why I constantly see people using Circa50 as a resource around blogs, in magazines, at friends houses and on flicker all the time. AND they supply chairs to The Parker (Palm Springs), Thunderbird Hotel (Marfa, TX), as well as other awesome hotels. Their website also has a nice history and production rundown on the BKF chair which I found super informative.
But come on! The Parker and Thunderbird? Those are two of my favorite design savvy hotels. I drooled all over that outdoor circle of butterfly chairs around the fire pit at the Parker and wanted to someday recreate that look in my backyard. Now I know the secret…
These little craigslist butterfly chair frames I picked up are upgraded to KILLER now. They bring the hotness. They bring it hard.
Those are some sassy and inviting chairs. You cannot resist their charms.
This is my BIG question for you, my sexy and stylish readers. Which cover style should remain here forever and ever at The Brick House?
Please leave a comment and vote for your favorite in the battle of :
Cowhide vs. Medium Brown Leather
On Thursday I will announce the victorious cover in this style battle to the death. I know who I’m gunning for! But they are all winners in my eyes…
Thank you Circa50!!!
81 Comments
Man, these are both gorgeous options. I'm really partial to animal print, myself, so I'm leaning towards the cowhide – but the leather is so rich and lovely too…
Definitely the Medium Brown Leather!!
IMHO, brown because your chairs and coffee table become united visually.
Also, you are risking cowhide overkill since you already have one on the floor.
Again, IMHO.
thenorthelevation.blogspot.com
I love the leather. It goes with the fabulous wall unit on the other side of the room.
Brown leather, for sure.
cowhide – the visual texture adds a lot.
I'm down with the medium brown more because I think it goes better with the animal print you have already on the floor. So nice. I want to hang out in that room, stat.
Med. Brown Leather!
Medium Brown Leather! It leaves room to do more fun stuff later with staging and doesn't detract from the awesome yellow lamp or rug already in the space.
Tough call! The cowhide is indeed hot, but I think the rich color of the leather better emphasizes the shape of the chairs, so I say the leather.
Yeah, baby! I got my butterfly covers from them as well. I have the medium brown leather. It's easier to clean, plus you won't have a cow (!) if some narsty guest spills wine on it!!
I like the cowhide, it brings back some of the graphic punch that went away when you changed out the black and white rug.
imho…
the cowhide has a great graphic/visual punch, BUT i think the leather might be actually nicer to sit in, has a better feel when you're using the chair, and will become more and more beautiful with time and patina.
also since you enjoy moving things around and experimenting wth different set-ups of your home, the brown leather is more fundamental and versatile, could work in many contexts…
so it's a tough call, the cowhide is really groovy, but i think for your home, leather.
the brown leather for sure …
It's gotta be the medium brown leather
Oh man, I like the cowhide in the above images but I think the brown leather is going to work from all angles of the room and be more versatile in the long run. And besides, it looks like it would be divine to sit in.
I'd vote Medium Brown Leather, too, simply top avoid cowhide overload. Those are some nice slings!
I like them both, maybe the leather a teeny bit more. Get 'em both, to suit whatever mood you're in!
Medium brown leather all the way!
Absolutely go with the brown leather. The cowhide thing looks a bit too kitsch with some of your other objects. You have so many vibrant and great pieces, you don't need two more loud chairs to confuse things! Go the brown and get something on that coffee table!
My vote is for the brown leather too. Looks delicious and will offer more options in the long run. Now I finally understand the butterfly chairs
. Awesome job on the shelving unit BTW…
Cow hide looks awesome with your white walls And Fireplace, and in all honesty, I don't think it fights with your cow hide rug, because that is a totally different colour scheme which ties in with your wood floor perfectly. Leather's safe, but could be a little dull. If I was going to put the chairs in that room, then cow hide.. Cow hide all the way!
B R O W N
seriously!
Mahogany. I love them both, but the brown with that (amazing) yellow light… is basically perfection. There's just no way around it!
I prefer the cow hide in that spot, it looks more fun, but the brown leather will probably age awesomely. Not much of a help am I.
The brown leather is timeless and looks so rich. The cowhide is just a trend and you may tire of it sooner. I would go with the leather for sure.
BROWN BROWN BROWN Final thats it >I said Brown
Definitely the brown leather. It looks rich and I think it would play nicely with lots of options in your wonderful house. I also think it will age beautifully….
They "donated" these to you making this pretty much a paid advertisement. I'm sure some people will be okay with that, and others will find it disappointing.
I find it particularly interesting because the basis of the blog is the ability to make a beautiful space on a budget, and these do not fit your $100 rule, or you wouldn't have them.
In a previous post:
"I've found it difficult to source a buttery leather sling that doesn't cost a fortune. Circa 50 has them, but at $200+ for just one – I'll have to pass. I may just have to have one fabricated or DIY it."
Clearly Circa 50 saw this and was not happy about how they were portrayed. Its fantastic that because of the blog you received a free gift, but the way the post is treated, so clearly advertising a site with very expensive products, is a choice I would question.
I wasn't going to say anything, mainly because I figured someone would beat me to it. And I don't mean to be critical but felt this should be acknowledged; the more readers you acquire, the more responsibility you need to take for these choices. And if I am mistaken, if this is not what happened and you just decided to spend the extra buck on them, more power to ya…discard my comment and enjoy!
Brown!! much more rich & you will likely tire of the cow in the longterm.
Brown. I agree with L I S A – you'll tire of the cow hide in a few years, but the brown leather will stay beautiful for many years to come. Plus they seem like they're more "your style".
Brown, definetley. More stylish and classy.
Brown, definitely brown.
cowhide. the brown is ho hum in that room.
Are you sure they didn't send you the dark brown leather? From the swatches on their website, that color looks much closer to the dark reddish-brown than the medium caramel color. I love the brown ones — I'm just wondering what color you actually got.
Brown..they have a more substantial look, and the cow-upon-cow is a little too much.
How brave you are to solicite such opinions!!
I like the cow hide chairs, but only if you switch out the rug.
Otherwise keep the brown leather slings.
Frankily, both are fantastic!
the brown has so many more drinking options: beer, whiskey, mint julep, gibson, etc.
the only thing i can imagine drinking in the cowhide is a white russian, in my dorm room, circa 1999, while watching season 3 of "friends" in my fat pants.
come on, seriously!
i agree with maya – BROWN.
I would definitely go with the leather. I can only imagine how beautifully they'll age and how lovely they will be all soft and broken in years from now. Ok, now I totally want butterfly chairs, damn you!!
Brown leather, but I have never been much of a cowhide girl. Brown leather gives me lots of positive associations, and it will definitely age well. Cowhide, well, to me it is not calm enough and is competing for attention with the fabulous yellow lamp.
Oh, and I should add, I bought my Hang-It-All from Circa50 earlier this year and I was extremely happy with my purchase. Free, fast shipping and great customer service and I like that they are an independent brick and mortar with a web presence.
Well played, seems like this was a win-win situation for all parties
Brown, brown, brown!!
I may have to get one for my butterfly chair {currently still in dorm room state}
The cowhide looks great but only as an extra set you switch in on occasion. The brown leather will let you play around way more–you are always switching things up and they're so much more flexible! Plus they warm up the room a lot, and pull it together. LOVE them.
I never would have guessed I'd go this way but cowhide! You don't have a lot of patterned furniture and your walls are so simple (both good things!) that I think the punch of the cowhide really shows off the chairs.
I say brown leather!
The medium brown leather is amazing. It brings some warmth to the angularity of the chairs and compliments, rather than competes with the cowhide on the floor.
Brown leather fo sho! I think they look more expensive and sophisticated and you'll grow tired of them far later than the cowhide. Use the cowhide in an ottoman or pillows for the couch! However, I know you like things quirky – so either work for you!
I love the brown – they make that fabulous lamp pop!!!! The chairs look great but I am seriously crazy about that dang lamp!!!
I concur, the brown the brown.
now saving for my own pair.
i like the brown – more classic
I seriously love hair on hides, but have stopped short of using them on chairs because of the sweat factor. Try sitting in them for an evening and if you don't get uncomfortably hot…then you're good. Since I presume the desert can be just as sticky as the south, might be worth a test. Can you keep both for a seasonal change..Hide for winter and Brown for summer?
Wow, the chairs are looking so fresh! My vote is brown leather, it'll wear in really nice!
Totally…the brown !
i like the brown leather much better!
Medium Brown Leather! Timeless, classic, versitle, plus – Easy to clean!
cowhide!
They both look fantastic – I can see your dilemma! I'll go with the majority with the practical choice: the brown leather. But the cowhide pops so beautifully – maybe as a couple of pillows instead?
Loving your blog, your style and your house!
I just want to say that I'm disappointed and agree with the comment that was made above. The whole post came off as a paid advertisement. It's great that you're getting something out of your blog, but a lavish "donation" followed up with a menagerie of links and finishing up with the words "super informative" really takes away from the original feel this blog had. It definitely doesn't feel like you're giving an honest review of the product to say the least.
who cares how she got them!
she puts in long hours to make this blog entertaining, visually beautiful, and fun to read. i think she deserves them.
i understand where the disappointed posts are coming from but seriously, does it really matter? we're all walking advertisements in some why.
brown leather…classic, gorgeous.
Hello! I've been reading forever, and have never commented before now. I find it necessary to say you should definitely go with the medium brown leather. classy and sophisticated.
I love what you have created!
There are loads of opinionated people out there…..and I'm one of them. For the record, I don't care how you came across these and if your original goal was to make your home fabulous with items all under or around $100, you have done a freakin' amazing job.
Now….if your rules have changed, who cares. That's what rules are for. You've made an exception. Everyone needs to get on with it.
I say "keep em both". For seasonal reasons as well as the fact that you are ALWAYS changing things around, you'll be bored with just one pair. Personally, its too much cowhide for me, a little overkill. But if you keep the cowhide slings on, simply switch up the carpet. The leather ones do look incredible with the cowhide rug though.
Looking forward to hearing what the final decision is!
Medium brown leather!!! Much classier.
Brown Leather hands down!
You've already got an animal skin on the floor, you don't want it starting to look taxidermy gone wrong.
Still crushing badly on you're yellow light…looks brillinat!
brown brown brown! I think cowhide will get old after awhile
Go with the leather!
Definitely the leather!
MOOOO! cowhide fo'sho!
cow. absolutely.
http://prelovedwoman.blogspot.com/
The cowhide makes me smile. Love the way it looks in the room.
Cowhide for sure. I think they work with the fireplace and the awesome yellow light much better than the brown. I'm not a huge fan of butterfly chairs in general but the cowhide looks like it belongs on them. The leather seems out of place.
I'm drawn to the cowhide on its own, but overall, I think the brown leather looks better in your (absolutely gorgeous!) room.
LEATHER!!!, however, I think a caramel colored leather would be better. i just went on their site to check them out-I have 2 vintage butterfly chairs that will one day have some leather slings as well. You work your ass off on this blog and on your diy's, I say more power to you….but I must say I am green with envy! Sue
Cowhide. The brown leather recedes. Cow pops!
I like the leather better and I think that over time – you will still love it years from now.
Thank you for your wonderful blog! It is an inspiration. Loving the medium brown!
Oooo definitely go with the medium brown leather, it will look gorgeous once its worn!
superheroes wear leather.
so should your chairs…
Brown! You already have too much dead animal in your home. The animal print on your chairs make them look busy.
Hi again Morgan, I just read all of the comments. I find your blog so friggin' entertaining. I think you already know I am opinionated (about animal skins). I didn't want to belabor it on this point, because, frankly I just adored being able to give my opinion on your decor dilemma.
Sorry, I'm going on and on. What I wanted to say is this – you never, ever need to explain yourself. That's what a blog is. It's what you want it to be, it's your unique voice. And you never, ever need to apologize or get defensive. Anon had some very good points, but generating discussion is a good thing! You should be very proud of your blog.
hey haters, if she got 'em for free, then it passes the "under $100" rule. writing a blog can be a full-time job, but Morgan isn't junking up her space with a bunch of ads and making money off of The Brick House. big whoop, she got something for free and is blogging about it. welcome to the internet.
http://www.mylittleapartment.blogspot.com
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