imagine my unexpected joy at finding such a treasure at the local thrift shop on my way home from work this morning...and for only $25 no less! except for the small broken bit on the back rest, the wood is in amazingly perfect shape, right down to the wood wheels. the cushion springs are also in incredible condition. obviously, the upholstery needs a total redo, though there is a wondrous, faded vintage floral on the bottom that i believe i shall salvage for my clothwork (i know...pics, please!...i will get to them later...for the moment, the batteries in my camera have died). whomever owned this lovely before it found its unfortunate way to the thrift shop obviously loved and cherished it for many years!
this will be one of my favorite new obsessions, of course! some years ago, my folks bought me a luxurious scroll saw for xmas (that i simply *had* to have or i was gonna *die*!) that still hasn't been out of the box. i do believe, however, that i now have an unprecedented reason to get it out and set up! that little panel on the back should be a breeze to duplicate with the scroll saw and a little hand carving.
then i'll want to tighten up the support bands under the springs, check to make sure none of them need to be re-wrapped, and then decide on the cushion materials. of course, at the moment, i'm thinking kantha stitched vintage sari scraps! or perhaps she'll want something a little more stately and subdued? japanese boro stitched fabrics maybe? i've have a delightful stash of vintage silk kimono bits that would be absolutely exotic and lovely on this chair!
oh, the possibilities!!! but where to start?!? wood? cloth? well, either way will have to wait until tomorrow in any case as i'm working a night shift again tonight for someone who couldn't get out of their driveway through the snow...
namaste'
Oh Joe, she is a beauty! Is she walnut?I would have snapped her up in a heartbeat! (I have a weakness for chairs and small tables.) I played with my Dad's scroll saw over the holidays and it was similar to running a sewing machine as far as hand-eye coordination. Much less scary than a table saw, too! I think all of your ideas for seat covering would be lovely, especially the pink kimono bits with kantha stitching. Have fun!
ReplyDeletei think she may be mahogany, but she might be walnut. it's difficult to tell sometimes with the finish. i, too have a terrible weakness for chairs. . .and this one is a doozie! think i may begin sorting fabric options this weekend. . .if i can wait that long. ha!
DeleteLooks like your going to have some fun with this! I'm already looking forward to the outcome!
ReplyDeletea beauty and in time it will be a treasure
ReplyDeletego for it
I don't know why i keep getting myself into these things. . .oh yeah, i've lost my ever-loving mind! ha! but you are right. . .it will be a true treasure!
ReplyDeletemagnificent find. just love the shape and design of the back...those curved, squiggly edges. i can already imagine it restored.
ReplyDeleteWhat a quirky wonderful thing. Do you think the broken back piece was part of the original or added by someone other than the original designer? As lovely as it is,somehow it looks slightly out of place. Will you replicate or redesign?
ReplyDeletei actually managed to track the chair down and the broken piece is original. i think, perhaps, the reason it looks like it might not be is the stain color is different...but it is indeed the way the chair was designed! i will most likely replicate it...but, who knows what will happen once i start playing with the scroll saw?!?
DeleteThats a treasure of a chair, she deserves continued tlc and new start - (dont we all!).....what a great find.
ReplyDelete