Friday, June 21, 2013

Before and Mid-way



I've been looking for new dining room chairs. The ones we've had for many years were made in Ecuador and are not very comfortable. They catch me in just the wrong place in the back and I've noticed others wriggling in them from time to time. In March I found a set of 5 of the above chairs plus one captain's chair in a secondhand store. I like the lines. The price was right so they came home with us. 
 

They've been obviously and incompetently recovered. The edges were uneven, the foam didn't extend to the edges of the frame and while sitting, the frame caught oddly behind the knee. When I started taking them apart, the incompetence was revealed. Foam cut nilly-willy, pieced in places. No batting between foam and fabric. 

I pulled out nails and staples and took the chair seats down to the solid wood frame and burlap-covered springs. The seats are at a foam shop and I'll pick them up later today. 
 

 Meanwhile, every morning this week (save today) I've put on my painting clothes and spent 2- 3 hours painting the chairs. This photo was taken after the second coat. Four have been done (including the primer) and I think I'll do one more. Couldn't face it this morning, though. Can we say drips? Chairs are fiddly things to paint.

The original tags are still on the chairs and I looked up the company. Anthes-Baetz Furniture built solid wood furniture in Kitchener, Ontario from about 1915 to 1970 or so. These chairs were built in 1962. 


The next step will be covering the seats. My penchant for blue and white is well known. But I balance it with lots of greenery, colorful flowers, and warm wood tones.

Little Miss A takes her naps on the bed in my sewing room. The other day when I went in to get her, she said, "Nana, everything is blue in here - that's blue, that's blue, that's blue" as she pointed at the walls, the quilt, the picture and some books. Yes, blue's my favorite color. No doubt about it when a two-year old notices.

15 comments:

  1. They are going to look great!! If that is the fabric you have chosen a BIG thumbs up from me!! Love it! You will be very pleased with the results!

    ReplyDelete
  2. So that's what you've been working on! They're going to be gorgeous...those chairs do have great lines. So you dared not do the foam yourself?

    (My grandson still won't use the bathroom here because *gasp* it's blue. He used to shudder and shake and repeat, "It's blue. It's blue." =D )

    ReplyDelete
  3. As a fellow blue and white fan I can hardly wait to see them all done, Lorrie.
    They already look mucho better. That fabric is beautiful. So fresh and pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Those are going to look great for sure. I'm pretty partial to blue and white myself.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the changes you are making and the new fabric you chose (I assume that is it above)!! I have been wanting to reupholster my mom's cedar chest bench seat--I may have my hubby take a look and see if we could do that.
    Blessings,
    Aimee

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your 50+ year old chairs will look wonderful! My fav color is blue so I always gravitate to anything in that color family.

    ReplyDelete
  7. These are beautiful, and I really like the fabric you will use. What a great find!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the fabric and look forward to seeing the completed chairs. What a satisfying project this must be!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great project! Can't wait to see the finished product. :) Kit

    ReplyDelete
  10. What grand chairs - love the fabric. I've recovered many a chair seat and know the need for full coverage of foam and batting - makes such a difference in seating pleasure. I can't wait to see your finished "blue" chairs.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What great chairs...and a great choice of fabric!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would struggle with drips too. This will be fun to see the finished chairs!

    ReplyDelete
  13. J'ai hâte de voir le résultat final, avec le tissu et tout et tout. Bravo pour ton travail et ton application, pour l'instant ici on est encore tous en mode veilleuse et sans trop d'énergie.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The chairs will be beautiful when you get done!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Shopping, then clipping then renovating!!!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your comment. I read and value each one, cherishing the connections we can make although far apart. Usually, I visit your blog in return, although if you ask a question I try to contact you directly.

Home Pursuits

  In the mornings, we sit and let the birds entertain us while we eat breakfast. A pair of Downy Woodpeckers come one at a time, rarely toge...