This chair belonged to my husband, Tom’s, Grandparents. It became Tom’s after his grandmother died in the late 1980′s.
For many years, the chair sat in the master bedroom of our first house in just this condition. It wasn’t pretty, but it was functional.
In fact, Tom carefully put his dress shirt over the back of this chair when I called him home because I was in labor with our daughter, almost 21 years ago. He was convinced he would be going back to work, even though I was already eight days overdue.
The dress shirt was still there when we brought her home from the hospital two days later. 
After we moved to the home we’re in now, the chair went into storage in the basement. I kept meaning to have it recovered but never got around to it.
A couple of months ago I ran across an ad for an upholsterer located nearby and I quickly sent off an email, expecting never to be contacted. I was so pleasantly surprised when Chuck (of Dela Studios Upholstery if you’re in the KC area) emailed me back right away.
I spent an afternoon looking at fabric samples at the shop that he and his wife run out of their home. And yesterday I picked up this.
I can’t tell you how much I love the results and I can’t believe I waited so long to get this done.
This spot is where Tom reads his paper and drinks his coffee each morning, so I deliberately chose a masculine, menswear-type fabric.
Chuck, the upholsterer, not only recovered the chair, but added new foam stuffing, tightened up the joints, and touched up the wood. Although I asked him not to touch the wood up too much, because I wanted to keep most of the distressing, especially on the arms.
He did such a fabulous job and I can’t wait to use his services again. It is so much more fun to give new life to old things than to buy new things.
Here she is from another angle. (Chairs are girls, aren’t they?)
And one more time:
Have you had furniture reupholstered? Does it give you a special thrill too?
Also, if you haven’t had a chance, please take my one question survey about the kinds of posts you like to read on the blog. It will take you just a second and you can find it here: one question survey.
This post is part of One Project at a Time and Nifty Thrifty Tuesday.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Great save!! It’s a beautiful chair, Julie! The fabric is perfect!
Thank you, Carla. I like the way you put that…great save.
I haven’t had the need to get anything reupholstered yet, but I hope to one day, lol. That is a stunning chair – I really love the new fabric that you picked out. Good job!
Thank you, Jen. I’m on the lookout for more pieces now too. I hope you have the “need” someday soon.
What a great chair! And a great way to honor the grandmother and the memories! When I was young, my mom re-upholstered so many things. We need to get back to that! I hope you have started a trend!
I agree we need to get back to that, Teresa. One reason I waited so long was I was trying to find a good upholsterer. There aren’t many any more. We tend to buy furniture and trash it when we’re done with it.
Wow! That chair looks terrific! I love when antiques become “new” again. The upholsterer did a great job.
I agree he did a great job, LH. The detail is amazing.
Love it!!! My husband inherited an antique clock that we have had to put a lot of $$$ into over the years but it’s been worth it. He remembers as a child going to sleep with the noise from the clock in the background and it reminds him of his grandfather every time he winds it. Memories are priceless:).
That is such a sweet memory, Rebekah. That clock is worth every $ you’ve had to put into it. Thanks for sharing.
The chair is beautiful and the upholstery suits it and its function so well. Not only did the chair get a new look, but your LR as well. It adds so much to that corner. I also like that you didn’t change its original finish too much or paint it. th patina is lovely. CTD
Teresa, I was very specific that I didn’t want him touching the wood up too much so it would lose that patina. He did it just perfectly, I think.
Amazing, it looks fantastic.
I LOVE love LOVE the menswear fabric on the feminine chair! Looks great!!!!
Thank you Barb and Annie.