What would you so with this old chair?

Question

I got this today from a friend who was cleaning out a basement of an old home whose owners moved out. Nothing like a freebie! I don't know if I should upholster over the original upholstery or gut it. Aside from the torn upholstery it's in pretty good shape. It's solid and I can't wait to see it finished!

Carole · Answer

Beautiful style of chair. I would personally at least remove the fabric. It may be dirty and musty and holding lots of germs and dust. You might be able to then make new covers for the cushion using the removed one as a template or pattern. If you do, just remember that you will need to cut your fabric on the generous side and not to the exact size of the removed fabric as that will have been stretched hard to fit the cushion, so leave yourself plenty of wriggle room with your fabric to make adequate seams and so on. If you find the seat is slumped, baggy or has springs poking through, then I would be talking to an upholsterer unless you know how to fix that yourself. The fabric definitely needs to go as the torn parts will ruin the finished look of whatever you put over it and it is a hygiene issue too.

Darlene Patrick · Answer

the only reason i would recover it, is because its ripped. personally i would use maroon velvet with black piping, might even paint the wood black.

Elizabeth Sisson · Answer

I'm with Carole.. clean up the wood... and find a nice fabric to recover it... beautiful piece!

Alice M. · Answer

Put new fabric on it and use it in a reading nook or place some pillows on it and have it in a bedroom.

Judy Lxn · Answer

please dont paint it black! recover, refinish...

Bibi Sweet67 · Answer

I do upholstery and I would upholster this. I would take the old fabric completely off and also the batting and make sure everything is new or clean just incase of any bedbugs. If you don't want to keep it after your done you can always sale it.

Jackie I · Answer

I would start stripping in down layer by layer.  Be careful about leaving the stuffing and padding to reuse.  If there are any stains or signs of bugs I would strip it all off and replace it with new.  Looks like it would be a great snuggle up and read kind of chair!!

Wendy G · Answer

It's beautiful. I would reupholstered over the old if you salvage it

Gwendolyn Jones · Answer

MY GOD that is a stunning chair. The lines are so elegant

Sheryll Ellery · Answer

It is beautiful can't wait to see what you do wiht it

Debbee Winegar · Answer

Such a gorgeous chair, please post what you did with it!! I would love to see it and I am sure so many others would too!!

JoDien Bamberg · Answer

Beautiful wood work. Worth gutting and new inside and out. Would love to see it finished

MARIE CORMIER · Answer

I WOULD TAKE IT TO A SHOP AND HAVE IT REDONE.....I LIKE MAROON BUT I THINK I WOULD ASK IF THEY COULD DO THERE BEST TO BRING IT BACK TO WHAT IT WAS...IT LOOKS ELEGANT.

Lorraine · Answer

Please, please no Annie Sloan paint. This is a beautiful piece. If it were mine I would gently clean the wood with Restore A Finish and then oil it. Be careful if you plan to take the upholstery apart as some of the stuffing they used back then is a mess. Then reupholster the piece. I tend to be a purist when it comes to old furniture so I would stick with a fabric thst compliments the piece

Tamara · Answer

The only reason I would paint it is because the wood is shot. It is chipped, mildewed, etc. Paint it silvery grey, reupholster it in purple or eggplant velvet and a grey or silvery piping. Or a silvery/grey velvet with purple piping.

Brenda Long · Answer

Just don't paint it.  Finish it natural.

Cynthia Tarver · Answer

Red Velvet and Gold rope tweed.

Miluska Del Valle · Answer

White frame with black leather or dark brown frame reupholster in gold fabric embroidered with leaves or something similar, good luck and please post the result

Toni Teague · Answer

I think a French Provencial flower tapestry would be most elegant. I would use greens and cream or match you existing colors in your bedroom. I think this would make a great reading chair for your bedroom or a snuggle chair for your living room. I can see great potentiial. Please do not paint the chair. Make the original wood shine through.

Patricia W · Answer

Never reuse the old stuffing. No telling where it has been, how old it is and old stuffing can contain lead, dust mites, mold ( even though you dont see it) and asbestos. Always start fresh! Have fun with your fab find!

Lois Devilling · Answer

Please, please don't paint it!

Jeanee Rockweiler · Answer

Don't paint it, it's too elegant......this will be beautiful when it's reupholstered and the wood cleaned up.

Jennifer Lee · Answer

Hello from New Orleans! I agree with most- please don't paint it as it still has its original beauty that once it is altered cannot be restored. And take out batting, etc., bc God knows what has been living in there! Would love to see the result in its new home.

Chris Knutson · Answer

Please don't paint/distress it. All fabric and batting needs to be replaced. White Brocade.

Alma Williams · Answer

Please do not paint the wood!! Restore all that and have it reupholstered with a beautiful brocade suggestive of that era. It's a gem.

Judi Stump · Answer

Restrain the wood and  recover with an elegant  tapestry.  Even a black and white print. Definitely new batting.

Jeanette S · Answer

It is rare to find a piece like this...much less a freebie. This chair is elegant. It would fit with any decor! I would take it to a professional and have it evaluated as to structure. I think these pieces are wonderful to use every day. Clean and polish the frame once you know it is sturdy...there are all kinds of polishes on the market these days. Then cover it to suit your style...a beautiful plush fleece type? A funky beautiful pattern? A sophisticated period fabric? It can be a comfy family room chair or something in a formal living room! Be sure and post a photo when done. Please do not paint this piece! In fact, until I knew the value of it, I would only clean it with a damp rag and oil!

Angel Abramski Stallings · Answer

I agree with Lois! Just re-cover and new stuffing for sure!! Elegant tapestry or a nice large, floral print! Beautiful!!

Sally holway · Answer

I agree...no paint! I'd use a great floral print on it.

Beckie Carson · Answer

I think you should do what will make it fit into your home to enjoy, if you plan on keeping it. If you plan on selling it,  consider your market. And probably followwhat everyone else has said. I ddon't think I would paint the wood or stain it.  I think it has a lovely color as it is.

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