Input please??

[bigwull]

Shabby Chic...yuk..more like shabby shit.......you,d be better putting the poor chair out of its misery....than covering it..with paint....

[ghopper1924]

"Shabby chic" is a poor idea unless the chair is hopeless, which these are not.

Nice chairs. I would disagree with Mart and say these chairs are from the 1870s - 80s. Get them recaned, clean them up, and use them.

BTW, in my experience painting fine wood items made of walnut, mahogany, oak, or rosewood instantly lowers their value by at least 40%, not a good thing in an antiques market that has already taken a big hit over the past few years.

[mart]

Its amazing what you can see with a close up !!  Ghopper,, might indeed be a little older,,not sure its that much older but ,,we are going by a pic !! So just flip a coin !! Can see now that they are hand caned !!  But unless you are a brave soul you might consider finding someone with a good wood shop and having those routed for sheet cane !! Value is not such that paying to have it done would be worth it !! If you are going to keep the chairs,,you would still get the same look but easier installation !!  If you are going to sell them,, leave them as is !!  You might get $25. each as is !!  Chairs are not great sellers unless very unique or you at least have a set of 4 !!!

[hemster922]

I agree with each one of you and I thank you for your input.
I would never throw paint on well made antique, Especially not those mahogany's. Wendy was speaking of the chair in the first photo, which, I hate to admit needs so much I may consider it just to cover the defects.
[and I believe I already have it sold] - never garbage..
I would love to recane those chairs. But I was thinking a tufted seat...otherwise I would have to have the routed like mart said and do the sheet caning. [and the thought of all the work makes me cringe]
There's an auction house not too far from me that I'm hoping to consign with and I won't bring them as-is..

[mart]

Another option would be the pre cut  pressed fiber seats that look like leather and tacked in place !! Easy, pattern would be true to period and attractive !!  Lets face it,, whatever you do will likely be re-done when sold because you cannot know everyones taste !!  First chair is the better of the lot !!

[hemster922]

Mart, is it possible for you to give me an example please? I love the idea of leather and actually have some old genuine cowhide remnants hanging around that I stripped off of an old wingback.
[I like to recycle when I can]
And while on the topic of leather...I have this petite old chair [overall height 32" - seat height 18"]
The seat seems to me, as if its embossed leather but its hard as a rock so Im not sure...I'd like to condition it but I'm not sure how, or with what...

[mart]

I will try to find an example for you !! Can`t tell if that is a vinyl type or leather But try using plain old saddle soap to clean, let dry well, then apply neatsfoot oil if you can get it,, if not , almost any oil that you cook with will do the same thing !! If the oil is not absorbed by the surface and stays sitting on top, it may be a vinyl type cover.  We will hope for leather,, you can look at the edges and tell leather from vinyl !!

[wendy177]

Yup I was talking about the first photo and that chair only as it has so much damage! And yes I love Shabby Chic bigwull!! Better than a life size dummy in a  helmet That someone is hiding from their wife!!  LoL  

[bigwull]

Yup I was talking about the first photo and that chair only as it has so much damage! And yes I love Shabby Chic bigwull!! Better than a life size dummy in a  helmet That someone is hiding from their wife!!  LoL  

Lucky for you, that you are on the other side of the pond....and me being a non swimmer.... ....shabby shit rules OK...

[wendy177]

You are my favorite bigwull!! Always look forward to what will come out of your mug next!! 

[mart]

I like the look too Wendy,, as long as its not poorly done or over done !!

[mart]

http://www.kennedyhardware.com/fiberboard-seats-tacks/
This site has the seats and supplies but I would look on ebay for better deal !!  Just search for pressed fiberboard seats !!

[wendy177]

I agree mart to chippy or shabby not so good!!

[mart]

I like it lightly done !!   Have seen a few that fit your description, Wendy !!

[bigwull]

I like the look too Wendy,, as long as its not poorly done or over done !!

Oh!!...don,t you start....one shabby chick...is enough..withoot hae,in twa  tae contend wi....