Asked on Feb 11, 2014

My goodwill find! Would love to know more about it plus refurb ideas!

Kara Spurlock
by Kara Spurlock
I got this great chair at Goodwill! I love anything bamboo or ratan! I know it's mid-century, but wonder if anyone would know more about it! I would love to find out its a Ficks Reed chair but have no idea. Also any re-finishing suggestions! Especially replacing the one brass piece one the arm. Thank you!
Cushions although ugly are in great shape.
Missing one brass piece at the end of arm
Springs are broken but easily fixed with a piece of wood.
  19 answers
  • Miriam Illions Miriam Illions on Feb 11, 2014
    Since @Laura Locke blew my mind with her refurbished couch, I'm tagging her. She might have some cool ideas! Oh, and here's her couch, in case you didn't see it: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/furniture/from-the-dumpster-to-our-living-room-3089062
  • Sue Hebert Sue Hebert on Feb 11, 2014
    You can paint fabric with chalk paint. There is a project posted on here, although i don't have the reference. It turned out nice. You might try that. Good luck on the chair and don't forget to post some after pics. I am a fan of rattan and wicker also.
  • Kara Spurlock Kara Spurlock on Feb 11, 2014
    Thanks! I have considered that as well.
  • Simple Nature Decor Simple Nature Decor on Feb 11, 2014
    I re-did an old chair from this Bright Flower Fabric to a beautiful linen fabric and recreated this beautiful chair very simllar to one i saw in restoration hardware it cost me total $450 with fabric and reupholster, the chair was selling for 1300 in RH.
  • Kara Spurlock Kara Spurlock on Feb 11, 2014
    That is stunning! I love it! Well done!
  • I would seek an antique furniture expert before doing anything. In most cases valuable antiques get their value ruined by refinishing them. research it first
  • KathrynElizabeth Etier KathrynElizabeth Etier on Feb 12, 2014
    I would paint the frame with a pale yellow that is either nearly white or nearly beige and cover the cushions with a fern print or something tropical (which I don't think would work for you). I'd definitely go for a leafy print.
  • Kara Spurlock Kara Spurlock on Feb 12, 2014
    That sounds fun!
  • Robin James Robin James on Feb 13, 2014
    @Kara Spurlock. Love the chair, I think leave it natural, just clean the wood. What if you just cut off the ends of both of the arms, to eliminate the missing brass problem. Then Cover the chair with a nubby fabric, maybe with subtle stripe fabric, to bring out the color's in your carpet.
  • Linda Linda on Feb 13, 2014
    If the wood does not have a heavy coat of polyurathane (or something else) you should be able to sand making sure to go with grain. Then use some wood stain to brighten up the wood (and hide any scratches). Remember too that when you are picking out a stain color just because you have for example pine furniture does not mean you are limited to pine woo stain! There are such fabulous fabrics out right now. A new set of cushions would really make a statement! Good Luck
  • Jill Nelson Jill Nelson on Feb 13, 2014
    That looks like it could be a McGuire piece. Years ago my (very wealthy) mother-in-law had gorgeous McGuire furniture in her sunroom, and that looks a lot like it. It was very expensive, very sturdy. Please have an expert have a look before painting it or doing something to the finish.
  • Sharon Kavanagh Sharon Kavanagh on Feb 13, 2014
    I would consider a Tree of Life fabric.
  • Tracey T Tracey T on Feb 13, 2014
    Nice score!!
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Feb 13, 2014
    I agree with Robin James' idea. Good luck.
  • Kara Spurlock Kara Spurlock on Feb 13, 2014
    Thanks for all the ideas! Still need to have someone look at it, I will post a pic when I get something done!
  • Mssmatch Mssmatch on Feb 13, 2014
    Looks like part of a patio set my neighbor had but the cushions were covered in canvas
  • Marlene Wilson Marlene Wilson on Feb 14, 2014
    Hey, I don't know anything about Bamboo but I like the chair and it is old.I would have someone take a look at it.
  • Vicki K Vicki K on Feb 16, 2014
    It might be a 40's chair. Do not paint it! I like the idea of cutting off the extra long arm ends, just be sure an expert does it, I don't think you can replace the brass piece, but you might have one made? $. I would have it professionally recovered, which would include respring it. (my autocorrect is going nuts). Be sure to use piping. I like a coral or spring green print upholstery fabric if you are going tropical, b/c it IS a casual chair for a sunroom, or perhaps white linen for a bedroom. Just my thoughts. I'm not sure about cutting off the arms (!), but they seem weird sticking out there too far, to me. Take it to an expert.
  • Kathleen Kathleen on Feb 17, 2014
    Instead of that flame stitch fabric, it would look beautiful recovered in vintage bark cloth.