When we last saw this pair of chairs, they were stripped and waiting for their glow up.
Not only did they need refreshing (see Vintage Chairs Part 1: From Turkeys to Turnkeys) but they also had to coordinate with each other for my clients’ room.
Stain & Poly
Before staining, I applied wood conditioner to prepare the surface of the stripped wood. This helps the wood absorb the stain. My client wanted a dark, rich tone, so I went with my favorite Minwax® hue “Espresso.” This color is very versatile and imparts a real warmth to the wood, in my opinion.
However, not all woods take stains the same way. Since these chairs were made from different lumber, I couldn’t be certain how well they’d match after staining. Thankfully, they came out looking quite compatible!
After a couple of coats of Minwax® Polycrylic for protection, the frames were ready for reupholstery.
Reupholstery
One of these chairs came to me with a wretched fabric seat with ancient broken springs. The other arrived without any seat at all! So the first item of business was creating a solid base for the new upholstery.
Each chair required its own approach since they were designed differently. But both needed a new jute webbing base to support the foam, batting and fabric that would top them. That meant it was time for…wait for it… my Surebonder® pneumatic staple gun! (Cue wild crowd cheering!) This is my favorite part of the job, can you tell?
For the chair on the left, the webbing was attached to an independent form that screws to the chair. For the chair on the right, the webbing was applied directly to the chair frame. The jute strips are interwoven for stability and stapled into place. It’s important to stretch them as taut as possible for the best support.
After the support system was in place, it was time to add the fluff. First on was a layer of 2-inch high-density upholstery foam cut into the desired shape. I beveled the top edges with an electric carving knife (the BEST tool to cut foam) to give the seats their nice curve. Next, I placed a layer of batting over the foam and affixed it to the frames with my staple gun. Then it was time to add the fabric and trim.
Fabric
My clients requested white fabric. Very brave — they have kids. But I aim to please! I found a white fabric with a subtle striped texture that would add visual interest.
After I stapled the fabric over the comfy cushioning, it was time to add the finishing touch. I used the same white fabric to create the decorative double welt cording and single cord piping used to cover the edges of the fabric.
And here’s the dynamic duo!
For two such different chairs, they ended up making quite the classic pair. I’m so happy these once lonely vintage chairs have now gone to a good home.
Check back next week for a special holiday reveal!
Send any questions about my furniture in the meantime via my contact page, and don’t forget to visit my Instagram (@serendipitysequelsmn)!
