I’ve had this pair of lovely Edwardian Carver Chairs for many, many years and I first recovered them before our children were born, in Laura Ashley Regency Stripe Fabric. In our last house, and our current house, we’ve had a lounge with a bay window and they sit perfectly, either side of a lovely table which I French Polished, again a very long time ago.
I decided I would fully reupholster them, webbing and all, since someone sat on one last Christmas and there was a horrendous ripping noise, as the original webbing gave way.
The chairs are mahogany, which is very hard wood and stripping out the original upholstery and webbing was a bit of a pain. My hands were aching afterwards as it was so difficult to get some of the nails out, but finally, we got back to the skeleton framework.
I had to glue and clamp some of the framework because it had been damaged in the stripping out process.
Then came the rewebbing, stuffing (again using the original horsehair and some added coir) and finally a calico lining cover was attached.
I used another pure wool tweed fabric for these chairs in a check with plums, pinks and lilac, which perfectly matches the colour scheme in our lounge. Laura Ashley again, Cranberry Linen floral curtains (made by me when I had the energy) and Laura Ashley Cranberry sofas.
The braid which trims each seat is made from the fabric and antique upholstery pins are used to finish.
I am really happy with these chairs. They will sit in the window like bookends as long as we live in this house and they really set off our old window table rather nicely.
This is my last upholstery project for the time being as I’m looking forward to spending long sunny days in the garden (if the Scottish weather is good to us).
anniesinstitches 