Paint or Restore?
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Janet Smith on Oct 26, 2013You could definitely sand and re-stain them and then give them a couple of coats of polyurethane, but I love the idea of painting these chairs black and then "distressing" them a bit with sandpaper and then giving them a coat or two of matt polyurethane. They'd be pretty on a front porch.Helpful Reply
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Theresa J on Oct 26, 2013If you don't intend to keep them, I would definitely restore them. Wood finishes fit most everywhere, but not all colors do.Helpful Reply
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The Garden Frog with C Renee on Oct 26, 2013What do you actually intend to do with them? If you are not going to keep them, then maybe use some chalk paint and paint them a fun color and donate them to a good cause?Helpful Reply
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Simple Joys on Oct 26, 2013@The Garden Frog with C Renee I plan to sell them. I have a small home biz either restoring, refurbishing or building custom furniture.Helpful Reply
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Mary Insana on Oct 26, 2013Since you do plan on selling them and keeping them their original wood look would probably bring you more $$ I would give then a very light sanding with a fine grit sand paper.Try a wood stain with a sealer included in the stain. I think that would be easiest and quickest to give it a natural wood redo in the quickest easiest way.Helpful Reply
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Sweet Peas Charm on Oct 27, 2013Paint!! :-)Helpful Reply
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Mary on Oct 27, 2013Agree, if you are keeping them, paint them in a color you love. Yet, old restored wood can be so pretty.Helpful Reply
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Mella J on Oct 27, 2013Wish I'd have found them!Helpful Reply
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Les248667 on Oct 27, 2013Could do the best of both.... Chalk paint & distress everything but the seat and then refinish the seats.Helpful Reply
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Stephanie Green on Oct 27, 2013paint !!!!......red, black or white with a high gloss finishHelpful Reply
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Jo Branda on Oct 27, 2013Definitely paint - black and white checker board on the seats, stipes on the back rungs, lots of pretty colors.Helpful Reply
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The248672 on Oct 27, 2013restore!! I love the wood!!Helpful Reply
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Connie F on Oct 27, 2013I would restore them, that's beautiful wood.. I would KEEP them..Helpful Reply
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Peg Hurt on Oct 27, 2013I would stain them and us tung oil in a high gloss finish. I love working with tung oil versus varnish. They are more resistant to water damage with tung oil.Helpful Reply
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Sherry Stives Fry on Oct 27, 2013Stain them! You so lucky to find such chairs. I had found 2 chairs like this at a second hand store yrs ago. I painted them and used them on my screened in porch. They were so comfy. I had to let them go when I got divorced, I couldn't keep EVERYTHING.Helpful Reply
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Robertson hvac on Oct 27, 2013If they are in really good shape I would restore them. Don't paint unless they have imperfections that can't be fixed without filler. Would love to see your finished project! I would love to have something like that too!!Helpful Reply
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Mary on Oct 27, 2013I have an oak rocking chair that looks exactly like that chair, it is finished with an Oak stain.Helpful Reply
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Robertson hvac on Oct 27, 2013Just a little confused as to how another's name was posted on my post. Will have to check that out!!Helpful Reply
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Barbara on Oct 27, 2013Restore them seeings as you plan on selling them.Helpful Reply
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John Wood on Oct 27, 2013Re-store them then u will get a better price at sale time painting them makes them worth lessHelpful Reply
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Karen B on Oct 27, 2013Oh, I love them the way they are. What a find! If they were mine, I'd keep them as is for a few years and then eventually paint them a pretty pastel color and use them in the garden. Since you have no room for them inside, if they're in great shape, Peg's idea sounds good. Stain them and sell them...whatever you do, I'm sure you'll enjoy working with them.Helpful Reply
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Kate N on Oct 27, 2013Please just Restore.Helpful Reply
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Melodee on Oct 27, 2013If they are in good shape restore if they are rough and need patching in spots paintHelpful Reply
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Donna C on Oct 27, 2013Restore - distressed lookHelpful Reply
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Betty Koutsos on Oct 27, 2013My husband has gotten 8 chairs from the dump, restored a few and painted the rest high gloss white.Helpful Reply
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Laurie Anderson on Oct 27, 2013I love the painted stuff going on now but really would like to see these restored. Just my opinion.Helpful Reply
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Robyn Cave on Oct 27, 2013paintHelpful Reply
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Carol McCallops Gutierrez on Oct 27, 2013RESTORE. Don't paint.Helpful Reply
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Yolanda D on Oct 27, 2013restore! painting it will only take away it's character.Helpful Reply
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Allen Perry on Oct 27, 2013Personally, if the chair(s) are in good condition, I would restore and keep that beautiful wood showing through, stain or clear coat, but NO paint, Please.... :)Helpful Reply
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Carolyn Jagielski on Oct 27, 2013Restore and stencil on the back slatsHelpful Reply
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Lorraine V on Oct 27, 2013go for oak stain and a home made cushion. looking forward to seeing the finished product!Helpful Reply
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Lynne H on Oct 27, 2013Definitely restore!Helpful Reply
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Linda Skinner on Oct 27, 2013RestoreHelpful Reply
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Cathy Lothamer on Oct 27, 2013Definitely restore, these are in too good of shape to paint!Helpful Reply
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Diana Sue Mendez-Lucio on Oct 27, 2013keep it simpleHelpful Reply
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Skeeter Jorgensen on Oct 27, 2013restoreHelpful Reply
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Peggy Pfahler on Oct 27, 2013restoreHelpful Reply
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Norma Jean on Oct 27, 2013Either would be lovely! There will be someone who is looking for them either way.Helpful Reply
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Carol Melton on Oct 27, 2013restore themHelpful Reply
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Nancy Dionne on Oct 27, 2013Restore the natural beauty they are. Meant to beHelpful Reply
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Maxine Thomas on Oct 27, 2013restore for sureHelpful Reply
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Laura Van Asperen-Hogan on Oct 27, 2013restore please they are beautifulHelpful Reply
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Ginger Thoms on Oct 27, 2013Restore! They would be beautiful on a sitting porch :)Helpful Reply
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Alma Williams on Oct 27, 2013I agree with everyone else: Restore! I don't think I'd even use stain. There's a patina there that can probably be brought back with a simple cleaning and a good wood wax. Lovely find!Helpful Reply
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Linda on Oct 27, 2013restore, maybe even with mineral oil!Helpful Reply
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Mary C on Oct 27, 2013no paint!! they are genuine the way they are!!Helpful Reply
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Beverly Farkus on Oct 27, 2013how do y'all keep finding such great items in the trash? We aren't allowed to take from our landfill- and doesn't seem like anyone throws stuff on their curb in our area....maybe I need to start driving through neighborhoods.Helpful Reply
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Anne gaddis on Oct 27, 2013ck the free stuff on craigs list.Helpful Reply
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Ruthann Cook on Oct 27, 2013Definitely Restore them! I have a couple of those chairs that we came across headed for the trash too! Love finds like that :)Helpful Reply
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Barbara R on Oct 27, 2013This is exactly like the little rocking chair I had as child...made in the 1940s (so was I lol). If you can keep the grain showing, nice, if you can't, nice too!Helpful Reply
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Lynn H on Oct 27, 2013restoreHelpful Reply
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Sondra A on Oct 27, 2013Either way would be good, but I would prefer restored. I love wood and natural grain.Helpful Reply
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Swi246942 on Oct 27, 2013I say "restore"Helpful Reply
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Kip248730 on Oct 27, 2013It depends upon how much time you have. Restoring will take 40 times longer than painting. Either way they will be really nice.Helpful Reply
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Ruth Guenzler on Oct 27, 2013I would not paint them, then you lose the patina of age which is part of their charmHelpful Reply
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Carmen on Oct 27, 2013Love those chairs.....just paint.Helpful Reply
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Rhonda Vigus on Oct 27, 2013I would restore and refinish just the seats and paint the rest.Helpful Reply
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Judy Hooker on Oct 27, 2013Stain the seat paint the restHelpful Reply
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Dorene H on Oct 27, 2013Restore them .. Nice chairsHelpful Reply
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Nancy M on Oct 27, 2013Suggest you restore them as they are beautiful. Painting would make too modern---if someone wants to paint them, OK and fine. But it is their decision.Helpful Reply
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Kathleen Turner on Oct 27, 2013everyone says restore.... but I see them white & pink in a little girl's room (maybe because I have 7 granddaughters & 1 great-granddaughter?) My grandsons would be too rough for them.....Helpful Reply
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Sandra Lankford on Oct 27, 2013Refinish them with a nice stain and you can always sale or give to someone who will appreciates themHelpful Reply
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SANDRA BRYANT on Oct 27, 2013Have four of these, I decided to paint them a bright blue, love them!!Helpful Reply
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Debra on Oct 27, 2013Restore....don't cover up the historyHelpful Reply
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Joyce Schittone-Ehlich on Oct 27, 2013Paint them a high gloss wild paint!Helpful Reply
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Kristi Kelley on Oct 27, 2013RestoreHelpful Reply
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Judy V on Oct 27, 2013Do whatever your first thought was, that is usually what you want and are sorry if you don't do. Refinished beautiful....painted, fresh and fun. Either way they will be lovely.Helpful Reply
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Cynthia E on Oct 27, 2013Whichever was your first thought when you saw is 1 you will be most happy with!Helpful Reply
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Tina Wallace on Oct 27, 2013RESTORE!Helpful Reply
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Joy on Oct 27, 2013Kris I would love to have them as is. I live in Louisville, Ky. How far ru from me. I will be glad to come and get them...Helpful Reply
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Andrea S on Oct 27, 2013paint the seat, stain the frame.Helpful Reply
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Shary M on Oct 27, 2013paint them a chrome like finish. Curved bottom metal.Helpful Reply
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Jean C Andrews on Oct 27, 2013Probably if you paint them, it will lose its value.Helpful Reply
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Dennie S on Oct 27, 2013Beautiful chairs, what year were they made?Helpful Reply
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Wendy Brown on Oct 27, 2013restoreHelpful Reply
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Jean DeSardi on Oct 27, 2013I can't tell you to restore or paint. I can tell you that I would use a red color stain to restore and give a wonderful luster to the grain.Helpful Reply
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Wanda A on Oct 27, 2013yeah I think I would restore them too.. nice looking chairs..Helpful Reply
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Anita Pillai on Oct 28, 2013restore!Helpful Reply
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April on Oct 28, 2013Perhaps light cleaning and restoring? I agree with preserving the history of it. But whatever is decided, keep us posted, as it looks like a fun vintage find! Thanks for sharing! :)Helpful Reply
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Terre Moreno on Oct 28, 2013restore. great chairs. good find.Helpful Reply
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Donna Hathaway on Oct 28, 2013I would restore!!Helpful Reply
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White Oak Studio Designs on Oct 28, 2013Oh, you lucky duck you! I think they look dried out but will revive nicely. I might try a coat of Howard.s Weed and Feed Conditioner or Miss Mustards Seeds Hemp Seed Oil. I bet that would brighten and enliven them right up. Then determine if the wood makes you happy as is and if it does, wax them natural! I have a feeling they will just be beautiful with just that light touch!Helpful Reply
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Patricia Mcivor on Oct 28, 2013RestoreHelpful Reply
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Angelia Christenson on Oct 28, 2013id sand and use a satin varnish and leave them as is provided all the slats are in good shape and not coming apart from the bottom frrame. Once they start coming loose they will drive ya nuts with little nails snagging your clothes or poking you. It looks like they may have been painted at one time and stripped but id leave the rustic look myself. I need exactly TWO chairs cause i only have that little "booth style" kitchen table and my chairs have completely had it...oh well.Helpful Reply
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Jennie Brinker on Oct 28, 2013I would restore to their natural beauty and coat with polyurethane to help keep them that way.Helpful Reply
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Terri on Oct 28, 2013Paint and antique it....Love it!!Helpful Reply
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Greedith B on Oct 28, 2013Depends on what you have done with the rest of your decor. You can do a bit of both. Paint the back and legs and redo the bottom to bring out it's natural beauty. But whatever you choose to do, do whatever you LOVE!Helpful Reply
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Christine on Oct 28, 2013I'd wash them first with Murphy's Oil Soap. It's amazing what dirt runs off when you use this stuff. Plus, it reconditions the wood some and at least you can see what you've got. These are lovely & that would be my first step. Even before attacking the wood with sand paper. You can always paint them later. Oh - and I don't care for polyurathane because it yellows. I'm guessing they're indoor chairs, so I'd use polyacrylic, since it DOESN'T yellow!Helpful Reply
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Cindybel on Oct 28, 2013I would stain the seat to bring out the lovely wood grain,and paint the rest to bring out the detail,light color than maybe a antique wax.Great find!!Helpful Reply
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Shelby Hansen on Oct 28, 2013restoreHelpful Reply
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Barbara Ann on Oct 28, 2013My choice would be to * Restore * Let us know what you have decided plz...:)Helpful Reply
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KELLY TAYLOR on Oct 28, 2013I think it depends on your home style. I have an amazing windsor chair I found in the dumpster and still haven't decided what to do with it. Right now, it still looks amazing and somewhat shiny, so for now, it's natural wood. You can always 'restore' them for now and 'paint' at a later date. Either way, they're dry so they need SOME TLC. A couple chair cushions will add a pop of color (did I actually just use that term? Next I'll be calling rooms "space", another annoying term I REFUSE to use. It's a "room" or an "area"...space is not in my vocab. Same with 'artisan'....OOOOOOOOOH I HATE that word. Waiting for 'artisan tampons' to hit the market!!!! )Helpful Reply
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Patricia on Oct 28, 2013Restore, for sure. I have a "thing" for old chairs and there's a growing army of them down in the cellar, waiting for TLC to bring them back to life. I've used a restore product in a metal can on some really dried out looking ones and they turned out just gorgeous--you just wipe it on (outside--fumes!) with fine steel wool, let it sink in, then wipe off the excess with a soft cloth. It preserves all the nice distressing and nicks and dings collect more and stay darker.Helpful Reply
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Max Schau on Oct 28, 2013Restoring for sure. Repainting them will probably change their unique vintage style entirely... That's my opinion, though! I am a big vintage fan :)Helpful Reply
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Linda G on Oct 28, 2013Restore.Helpful Reply
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La June Moreland on Oct 28, 2013RESTORE!Helpful Reply
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Elizabeth S on Oct 28, 2013restore themHelpful Reply
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Mary Blatnik-Smith on Oct 28, 2013Nobody messed them up with paint yet, the wood is beautiful, restoration is a must!!Helpful Reply
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Margaret Dillard on Oct 28, 2013I disagree with most of the responses. I would paint them a warm red and wax with a dark wax to tone down the red. I've seen this finish recently on a slatted bench and it was so rich.Helpful Reply
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TJ on Oct 29, 2013some people will always restore wood, others always want to paint wood (especially white). I vote on the side of clean and then oil to see what they look like. It also depends on where you sell them -- you probably know which is preferred.Helpful Reply
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White Oak Studio Designs on Oct 29, 2013PLEASE be sure to repost pictures with the completed project when you are done!!Helpful Reply
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Phyl Schenk on Oct 29, 2013How I would love these. Absolutely devine.Helpful Reply
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Linda on Oct 29, 2013Restore nice wood. Paint crappy looking wood. I'd say they are a good candidate for restoring.Helpful Reply
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Vintage Restorations.....Formerly Closet Furniture on Oct 31, 2013Restore for sure....Look at that grain ! I would clean up and rub with "natural" minwax oil based stain to make the grain pop and rub with Tung oil then buffHelpful Reply
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Simple Joys on Jan 03, 2014Hi All, My little beauties are done! I love them! What a fun restoration project!!Helpful Reply
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Mary on Jan 04, 2014They are little beauties, love how some of the wood still gleams.Helpful Reply
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Pam on Jan 04, 2014Love LoveHelpful Reply
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Carrie on Jan 04, 2014Although I adore painted furniture- I'd have to say, I'd restore this chair.Helpful Reply
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Simple Joys on Jan 04, 2014@Carrie , that was also my hope. But the chair frame itself needed repairs and would not have been restained/grained as perfectly as I would have liked. It is all about compromise sometimes. ;-) Thanks!!Helpful Reply
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Patricia Mcivor on Jan 06, 2014The thing I also love are your cushions. I have exactly that lace which was a table cloth. My daughter cut them and put in tapestry rings. They look fantastic on the wall. She used about four different sizes. Sorry. I know we are supposed to be commenting about the chairs which I think are beautiful, but we Australians have this habit of getting sidetracked.Helpful Reply
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Sondra A on Jan 08, 2014Very nicely done. This should keep both sides happy with partial stain and partial painted. lol.Helpful Reply
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Sharon Eathel Cotten on Oct 07, 2014Love it and I am not a fan of paint. PrettyHelpful Reply
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