Mid century Chair

[Saunders]

Are there any vintage chair aficionados around?
I thought I’d seen a ‘chair’ thread on here, but couldn’t find it so I might have dreamed it.
I have a couple of chairs I got off my husb’s grandparents 30 odd years ago and, after a couple of desultory attempts some years ago, which I gave up on due to sanding, i am now determined to give them new cushions and use them to sit on. Looking at refurbished ones, a lot of the smarter ones seem to have a long back cushion and a short seat cushion, like the photo attached.



I now can’t remember what they looked like, but don’t remember them thus, and having the cushions that way doesn’t sit (lol) quite right with me.

 

[RubyToogood]

Are there any vintage chair aficionados around?
I thought I’d seen a ‘chair’ thread on here, but couldn’t find it so I might have dreamed it.
I have a couple of chairs I got off my husb’s grandparents 30 odd years ago and, after a couple of desultory attempts some years ago, which I gave up on due to sanding, i am now determined to give them new cushions and use them to sit on. Looking at refurbished ones, a lot of the smarter ones seem to have a long back cushion and a short seat cushion, like the photo attached.

View attachment 402335

I now can’t remember what they looked like, but don’t remember them thus, and having the cushions that way doesn’t sit (lol) quite right with me.

I would have a look on ebay and see if you can find some there for reference.

 

[scifisam]

I don't suppose you mean a high-backed wingback armchair like everyone's grandparents had? It seems a bit too obvious.

 

[Saunders]

I would have a look on ebay and see if you can find some there for reference.

Thanks. Yeah, I’ve had a cursory look on there and other sites that sell all sorts including vintage furniture, and can only find anything that looks original has the cushions this way. I know there are anchor points on the frame, for fixing bindings to, I’m just a bit surprised that the cushions seem to be that way round, which is not usual, and don’t want to buy foam (the easy part) and make covers (the tricky part) the wrong way round

 

[Saunders]

I literally have these chairs the photo I posted, but with no cushions, I’ve forgotten how they should be and the internet tells me they’re a weird way round.

 

[quimcunx]

ringo but doesn't look like he's been on for a while.

 

[petee]

there was a reupholstery show on in phila, informative and very funny at times, this is a sample, you might have to look around a bit to find just the right video

 

[Boudicca]

Puts hand up. I've progressed from sewing to upholstery and have far too many half finished chairs sitting around the house.

I have a couple of these chairs. They have removeable cushions rather than upholstery, but it's quite complicated as there is an extra bit of fabric which hooks down the back.

I've stripped the varnish off one, but I've lost enthusiam and am currently trying to give them away. They are very comfortable, but they are not telling me what new clothes they would like.

I've found that cutting fabric the same size as the foam doesn't really work as the fabric stretches and they end up too loose. If you cut them smaller (and by how much?) they can end up too small for the chair. So now I cut to the same size as the foam but wrap the cushion in wadding/dacron and stockinette. Adds a layer of squishyness.

 

[Boudicca]

Here's one I did a while back. It's about the only one which fits in my new house.

 

[Saunders]

Puts hand up. I've progressed from sewing to upholstery and have far too many half finished chairs sitting around the house.

I have a couple of these chairs. They have removeable cushions rather than upholstery, but it's quite complicated as there is an extra bit of fabric which hooks down the back.

I've stripped the varnish off one, but I've lost enthusiam and am currently trying to give them away. They are very comfortable, but they are not telling me what new clothes they would like.

I've found that cutting fabric the same size as the foam doesn't really work as the fabric stretches and they end up too loose. If you cut them smaller (and by how much?) they can end up too small for the chair. So now I cut to the same size as the foam but wrap the cushion in wadding/dacron and stockinette. Adds a layer of squishyness.


View attachment 402358View attachment 402359

Half-finished chairs is what brought me to where I am with these. Me and couple neighbours were saying how we have a few of these and wouldn’t it be nice to get on with them together. So far, we’ve had some sanding, smelly varnish, discussions about problem dogs, woodburners and teenagers, miscarriage, divorce and lots of tea

 

[Boudicca]

Half-finished chairs is what brought me to where I am with these. Me and couple neighbours were saying how we have a few of these and wouldn’t it be nice to get on with them together. So far, we’ve had some sanding, smelly varnish, discussions about problem dogs, woodburners and teenagers, miscarriage, divorce and lots of tea

This is an excellent idea! I might try that, although it may be better in the summer when we can work outside.

I've also picked up 4 dining chairs for £30 but have discovered that they are by a bloke called Gordon Russell and worth a bit more than I paid for them. No plans to make a profit but I probably shouldn't paint them green as originally planned...

 

[Saunders]

This is an excellent idea! I might try that, although it may be better in the summer when we can work outside.

I've also picked up 4 dining chairs for £30 but have discovered that they are by a bloke called Gordon Russell and worth a bit more than I paid for them. No plans to make a profit but I probably shouldn't paint them green as originally planned...

ooh let’s see them

 

[Boudicca]

ooh let’s see them

 

[Boudicca]

This will probably upset the purists, but this is what happened to the chairs I posted above.

 

[Epona]

This will probably upset the purists, but this is what happened to the chairs I posted above.

View attachment 424388

Wouldn't be my first choice of colour (for anything!) but they look fantastic - great job

 

[cesare]

This will probably upset the purists, but this is what happened to the chairs I posted above.

View attachment 424388

Good job!

 

[RubyToogood]

This will probably upset the purists, but this is what happened to the chairs I posted above.

View attachment 424388

Love them and the fabric is amazing