Friday, October 24, 2014

Pair of French Chairs


On my weekly peruse of the local thrift stores I found this great pair of cane chairs from Thomasville.
Before:


It is difficult to tell from this photo, but the finish on the chairs was that dark brown/orange color with black speckles. I am not a huge fan of this finish and so the debate with myself was to either paint (easiest solution to a bad finsih) or strip the chairs to the natural wood.  I decided to go for the wood look with these chairs, so out came my Citrasolve and an old brush.  After a day of solvent on the chairs, I scraped the goo off and sanded the chairs down.  To seal the wood and give it a little more warmth I brushed on hemp oil and let it soak in to the wood.  The chairs are made from beautiful wood and I am liking the finish now.  
I have this dilemma with myself sometimes about reupholstering things.  Do I go with a bold colorful fabric that my heart tells me to go with, or do I go with a neutral to sell fast?  I decided on this pair to go with a neutral creamy white fabric that has texture.  Neutral won out today! 



Gorgeous legs! 

Perfect condition on the canning



Neutral  fabric

I did re-enforce the seats with webbing when I covered them




32 comments:

  1. They are beautiful! LOve the wood....
    How hard is it to use Citrisolv? Does it smell a great deal? Is it fairly easy to use??
    Nancy
    wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

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  2. Thank you Nancy-it was easy to use but it is work to scrape the goo off. I think a piece with a fat surface would be easier, but it was worth it. Too bad I am not going to keep these chairs.

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  3. The chairs came out SO pretty! I love the look of the natural wood, wise choice!

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  4. danke für die tollen bilder, einen schönen freitag wünscht angie aus deutschland

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  5. The dresser, desk and now these pretty chairs! So many great things you have been working on. Hope your weekend bus wonderful :-)

    Blessings..
    ~Sherri

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    1. Thank you Sherri-I am back in furniture mode again! I am loving the wood on the chairs!

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  6. They are beautiful! They look really great with the wood finish!

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    1. Thank you Debra-I am really liking the wood finish too!

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  7. I'm glad you stuck with the wood look on these and the neutral fabric also. Great bones don't need to shout!!

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    1. Thank you Betsy-I am glad I suck wit the wood too-I think they are simple and pretty!

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  8. I agree with Betsy... if you've got legs like that, flaunt them!

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    1. Thank you Kathy-I wish I had great legs and could flaunt them! Ha ha h

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  9. wonderful wood now. Glad you kept it natural.

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  10. Thank you Sugar-I love the wood too!

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  11. I know how you feel with the decision between what you would love, and what will sell better. I think the neutral fabric was a great choice on these because now they could work anywhere. Plus, whoever ends up owning them could move them from room to roo as needed ... living room, dining room, study, bedroom ... and they will work everywhere! Excellent choice! Love them.

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    1. Thanks Quandie-I am glad I went neutral too-but sometimes I just want a bunch of color!

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  12. These are beauties -- that old T'ville cannot be beat. I donated a set of six last year, and I am still sad about it. I have no venue to sell things, so I just hope they went to a good home. You did a beautiful job on that finish.

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    1. Thank you -yes T'ville is great and I don't have a venue either but a local dealer took them into her shop so I hope they will find a good home. Many of the local dealers will take my pieces into their shops so it is nice.

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  13. These chairs are absolutely gorgeous. I love them and am totally envious. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.

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    1. Thank you Marty-I am glad I took the time to refinish the wood!

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  14. Great choice to go with the neutral. It really allows the backs to shine. Thanks so much for linking up at the Make it Monday Party! Hope to see you again next week.

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  15. The chairs turned out beautiful. Love the neutral material that you have used and the legs are so beautiful
    Thanks for sharing
    Lots of blessings from South Africa

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    1. Thank you Sandra-I like the wood and neutral fabric too and am glad I went that direction!

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  16. Your chairs turned out beautiful! I love the raw wood and neutral fabric. Perfect choice. - visiting from 'My Salvaged Treasures' - Karen

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    1. Thank you Beatrice-I like the natural wood too and I am glad I took the time to get them to look that way!

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  17. You are always finding the best pieces! Love these.

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    1. Thank you Pamela-I was lucky to spot these at the thrift store-I do love the hunt!

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