Art Deco chairs - serious restoration job

**Antipodes** · 12th August 2012, 09:46 PM

I seem to be posting a new project here every five minutes but suddenly discovering this huge source of information (and support) means a lot of the more "difficult" projects don't seem so daunting anymore and they're now "down from the attic".

But this...this is the daddy of renovation jobs and is going to require me doing a really good job on a number of disciplines I've only barely tried.

These are two extremely typical French art deco chairs from probably the mid 1920s. I actually got them on ebay here from (I think) a dealer who liked the idea of them but realised how much work would be needed and couldn't see they'd be an earner. They were surprisingly cheap but I've been avoiding them because of precisely what I'm describing above. It's A - Z renovation.

This is what needs doing (that I can see so far) and my specific questions about each step:

1. Totally stripping out all upholstery (easy enough - will be re-cycling any stuff I can like horsehair and upholstery studs).

2. Re-veneering border strips all around the seat back - the veneer is some sort of burl I think. Anyone want to hazard a guess? It also looks like someone tried to do a Japanese-style red lacquer...then gave up. Or was that what was on it originally? I'm not sure. See later batch of pix. Opinions please. Please recommend a decent Sydney supplier of veneer.

3. Minor re-veneering of the ebonised back of one of the chairs. One of the least problematic elements, I hope, though getting it the same black as the rest of the chair will be a challenge.

4. Thankfully the chairs are as solid as a rock so no re-blocking (yay!) but will need to be totally re-lacquered once all the other repair is done. I'll just be rubbing these though the temptation is to try and French polish the backs because it's such a nice expanse.....though will be behind everyone so, you know, who cares? This will be one of the less problematic bits.

5. Full re-upholstering inside and jute webbing underneath. Haven't picked it apart yet so no idea what's in there but I suspect the coils might actually be OK. There's some pretty amusing makeshift repairs been done on the bottom including coils held in place with twisted wire.

6. Selecting and replacing external material (the fun bit). I'm torn between getting a full-on colourful and graphic art deco material (wilder than what is on there now) or more demure and subdued so I can sell them off. I saw some wild almost "acid" coloured deco-inspired stuff by Kenzo on a couple of similar chairs in France once a few years back but no idea where I'd need to be looking in Oz. As it's only about two metres it's probably easy enough to get online if I can find it.

I have done a couple of upholstery courses maybe 13 years ago but I am seriously out of practice and am thinking I should maybe do a course so there's someone holding my hand through the tricky stuff. Anyone done one in Sydney that was any good?

Anyway, all comments are good comments. Fire away.

**Antipodes** · 12th August 2012, 09:53 PM

More pix....and on the next one as well. So many pix is freaking out the forum system.

**Antipodes** · 12th August 2012, 09:57 PM

Final batch....

**Timbacare** · 13th August 2012, 10:18 AM

Is the horse hair they used to use long, as from a mane or tail?

If so, I can donate some ... got two horses and they have very thick manes and tails, lots of brushing = lots of loose hair.

If your interested, let me know and I'll save up a bunch for you

**Antipodes** · 13th August 2012, 11:24 AM

Both mane and tail apparently but I've got no idea what you do with it to make it usable in upholstery.

Only time I've dealt with it (apart from patting a couple of ponies when I was a kid) is to retrieve it from old chairs, wash it and re-use it.

Thanks for the offer. If I find myself lacking, I know where you are......

**Antipodes** · 21st August 2012, 07:49 PM

Seriously, no one else? I'd really like to hear a couple of guesses about what that veneer is. While we're here, can anyone recommend a decent veneer supplier in Sydney.

Need everything from exotic foreign stuff to beautiful local things.....veneer, that is.

**fudo133** · 19th November 2012, 11:11 PM

I'd be tempted to just use filler on the missing sections of veneer on the backs, then stain it out and hide it with black stain or pigment?

**Antipodes** · 20th November 2012, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by fudo133

I'd be tempted to just use filler on the missing sections of veneer on the backs, then stain it out and hide it with black stain or pigment?

I think that's what I'll do too - it's the facing (and very obvious) veneer on the edge surrounding the seatback that has me stumped.

**artme** · 20th November 2012, 07:58 PM

Interesting project Antipodes, and I'm glad you are tackling it and posting the WIP.

I have a particular liking for Art Deco.

Are the chairs of Australian or overseas origin? I ask because it may give a clue as to the veneer.

Lots of Aus. Art Deco stuff had what i believe was Black Bean veneer. What you have , however,
is not Black Bean. I really can't help you there.

One great thing about those chairs is the sold timber you have to work with. That should make the
upholstering much easier, even if the timber is brittle.

All the best with it.

**Antipodes** · 20th November 2012, 08:15 PM

They're definitely French so I'm guessing it's probably walnut or similar which would've been typical for the period. I don't need to be slavishly accurate but I like more or less sticking to the period. I've kinda stalled on the job generally but have some available time coming up. Am looking for the right material to upholster as well - something avowedly geometric and wildly cubist is probably the go, I think.

Will post a link when I've found it.

**fudo133** · 20th November 2012, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by Antipodes

I think that's what I'll do too - it's the facing (and very obvious) veneer on the edge surrounding the seatback that has me stumped.

the veneer on the edge looks a little bit like chestnut to me considering how extensive the damage to it looks, perhaps you could just take it all off and switch it out for something new but appropriate to the era? like a burl or crotch cut walnut veneer? as for the fabric dilemma, i think a really nice black or goldish mustard coloured silk velvet or something with a geometric burn out pattern could look good?
perhaps something like this? http://www.abchome.com/store/store/p...ee_sage_ge.jpg
or even some sort of fortuny pattern?

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