French Provincial Upholstery Restoration

Pairs of antique chairs are so nice.
It's been at least 50 years in service since any attention has been brought to them. The chair frames are very sturdy, there is no tightening up needed at all except for the broken Crown on one.

After removing at least two layers of Staples and tax it is clear that firmer springs are needed and to totally restore the spring base units.

Note the dark oxidization of the wood on the inside frame.

That's a sure sign that these sure have a lot of age.

The wood cleaned up well with Howard's Restore a finish.

Tight bond hide is the best wood glue I know of. Generously Applied to the joints and clamped up well for a couple days should do the trick.

A set of new 7 inch coil springs Will make a big difference.

Keeping the studio neat and clean throughout the restoration process makes for a proper job.

The inside back is a challenge with a 1/2 inch staple area around the edges.

Fresh tailored Cotton sure helps for a clean look.

The arm tops originally had straw. These chairs are so old the straw Broke down and I rebuilt them with horsehair.

They tied up nice and tight.

With new edge roll all the way around with the front one hand stitched in.

I'd say these chairs are a couple hundred years old, Horse hair is amazing as it is in the exact same shape as it was originally installed on the bases so long ago.

Then a Full coat of cotton and White linings to set all the stuffings in place.

Many upholsterers would run the camp around the inside of all four of the frame posts.

All these cuts came out nice and clean.

Finding a good supplier of gimp trim has been hard over the years. I took the extra time to get the proper French gimp for this pair.

This pair is now ready to serve.
200 years in service and still going strong.
That probably won't be said with any box store furniture bought nowadays.

Thanks for looking here!
Practical upholstery
The number one blog in all of blogdom
For small town American upholstery shops.