Welcome to our newest series on Chairish, #FoundAndChairished! We’re constantly hearing from designers who’ve found incredible pieces on Chairish, and now we’re sharing some of their stories with you. Be on the lookout for new #FoundAndChairished stories here on the blog as well as on our Instagram account.
This week, we’re speaking with Mally Skok, who shares a fascinating story about a difficult client, a design curveball, and a pair of Bergere chairs she didn’t know she needed. Sometimes it’s those happy accidents that can end up bringing a room together. Read on to learn more about Mally’s story, and be sure to find some fabulous chairs of your own, right here on Chairish.
What Chairish item did you buy that you’d like to share a story about?
A pair of Bergere’s
In what room did you use it in?
They’re now in my living room.
In a few words, how would you describe your interior design style?
All over the place and wherever my imagination takes me. I love colour but sometimes embrace a quieter palette, and I always like to add interesting found pieces from my travels (back when I was able to travel), along with a good smattering of vintage.
How did you find the item you bought on Chairish, and what made you choose it? Did you have a specific search or were you just browsing?
I was looking for a pair of chairs for a client and had been sending her several lovely options from Chairish. When I first interviewed her, I looked around her house and loved her taste. She had gorgeous art, and her house was a bit tired but well put together. She told me her plans, we measured, we brought in the curtain maker, the upholsterer, and measured for carpet… but all the while, she kept on changing her mind and going back on things we had decided upon. The whole project started to unravel, unfortunately. I came to the conclusion that she was basically enjoying the fun of all the attention, but we were not going anywhere.
In the meantime, she had said yes to a pair of chairs from Chairish. I consider an email “yes” a contractual obligation. Anyway, I withdrew from the project and one day got a call that my chairs were in the lorry outside; could I receive them? In my irritation, I had completely forgotten about the chairs. I brought them into my house, thinking oh hell, now I have to resell these! But they were so beautiful, I just couldn’t. I placed them on either side of the fireplace in my living room and they were perfect there. I had two little hall chairs that I had bought in Nantucket in their place before, but these were so much better; they make my living room look finished and layered. I enjoy happy mistakes in design; sometimes the universe sends you a curveball that ends up delighting you!
Why do you love shopping vintage? And how does sustainability factor into your choices of new products vs. vintage finds?
I hate throwaway design. I think it is unsustainable, but also gives a project that showroom look. I love vintage for the quality of the materials and also the story that the dents and dings tell you about the journey the piece was on previously. Also, buying vintage is true recycling — no greenwashing about that at all.
Are there any dream vintage or antique pieces you wish you could have?
I usually end up finding the piece I want with patience, persistence, and the right price.
