How can I spruce up my childhood chair?

Mary
by Mary
I received this darling little chair in 1957, as a child. Not sure how old it is. The seat and back cushion are faded with a couple specks of paint. I believe the wood is mahogany and chair is sturdy. Any suggestions are appreciated🙂
  6 answers
  • Dysko7710 Dysko7710 on May 21, 2017

    I would keep the mahogany, you could paint it, but the wood is so beautiful, I would just reupholster it. Here is one tutorial from someone's blog,:

    http://girlinthegarage.net/2017/01/reupholstered-chair-makeover-throne/


  • Kmb24005043 Kmb24005043 on May 21, 2017
    PLEASE do not paint over the mahogany! Take extra fine sand paper and mineral spirits. Rub the min spirits over the wood-wipe-lightly sand any nicks then wipe dry and 1 more min spirits rub. I just redid a 90 year old rocking chair this way and it is glowing. This beats stripping away the patina of age and having to use Howard's or Watco mahogany stain. Yes, wear disposable gloves. You may well have a beautiful antique there. If it is antique, consider covering OVER the original fabric. I also put a 3 x 5 card under the seat and gave the history of my chair and left the original fabric under the hack cover. Have fun. FSULady
  • C C on May 22, 2017

    Kmbuttonsbows is right. Keep the mahogany. There are fabric paints now that you could use on the background color of the upholstery to brighten it a bit and yet still keep the lovely petipoint.

  • Annie Annie on May 22, 2017

    Love, love the chair. At least in the photo the back of the chair does not appear worn. I would take it off and take it to a reputable dry cleaner. The seat I would recover in a matching upholstery grade velvet. Please don't paint it. Just give the wood a thorough cleaning and touch up. It's adorable!

  • C C on May 23, 2017

    Joannes is probably your best bet for upholstery fabric. They have some great "flat folds" which a only about $6 a yard. Walmart has a small selection of light weight upholstery fabrics and I have had very good luck with them.

  • Francesca Francesca on May 23, 2017

    I would have it appraised by a reputable antiques dealer; often when we alter or clean old pieces they decrease in value.