Chair Reupholstery: Transforming a Vintage French Chair
In this post: Sometimes the best way to afford a quality vintage French chair is to buy one that’s tattered and transform it with reupholstery.⇒
This chair actually sat in my house like this for several years.
Well, at the beginning, it wasn’t this bad. I don’t remember exactly how long ago I found the chair and while it wasn’t quite the wreck you see above, it was clearly tattered and from the start the plan was to rework the chair.
I found it at an antique market and paid next to nothing for it. It had lovely lines and I knew instinctively the best way to attain the look that I wanted at the price I was willing to pay was to reupholster a vintage French chair.
It sat in a corner of the family room for way longer than I ever intended, with a soft throw covering the offending bits. But the chair was by the window and my dog loved to perch himself on it to look outside, and while he was there, he would pull at the innards until it really was in shreds.
The thing was, I couldn’t decide what fabric I wanted to cover it with since I wasn’t sure where I wanted to keep it and I knew very little about chair reupholstery.
As with many things like that, I managed to ignore it despite the fact that it was the only thing in the room that wasn’t finished. When we moved into our new house not long ago, I finally decided it was time to address the chair.
I decided to go neutral for maximum flexibility and chose a tonal jacquard fabric from Ralph Lauren’s Home Collection.
Then I packed up my sad looking chair and took it to a local re-upholsterer. When I dropped it off by his ‘seen-better-days’ garage, it looked like that was exactly where it belonged.
So imagine my delight when I picked up my chair! I had worried that the light fabric might not work with the dark wood, and then worried more than it wasn’t light enough. In the end it was exactly what I was hoping for… ?
I considered painting the dark wood a lighter tone (and may yet still do that in the future), but the chair was going into a bedroom that my son uses when he stays with us and the dark wood helped keep it looking a little less feminine.
The chair has really beautiful detail with curves and carvings and nailhead trim. The lines would work wonderfully with an antiqued paint treatment, but I plan to live with it a while before making that decision.
The wall hangings in this room add interest to it and are a bit more complex than a simple piece of art. I went with a chippy painted shelf beneath a small bold mirror with mercury glass bottles featuring distressed labeling.
My intention to go neutral kept in mind the patterns that could be added to merge the chair into the decor of the room. Here I’ve draped an animal print throw with a super soft feel, but it could also look great with a tweed pillow. The room revolves around a khaki palette and includes pieces with an aged look.
In keeping with that theme, the shelf displays a few vintage leather bound books.
Flanking the mirror are two tiny watercolors that I picked up in San Gimignano in Italy.
You can catch a peek at the subtle floral on the comforter and drapery panels, a favorite pattern of mine that works beautifully with menswear tweeds. If my son was living here I’d likely consider it too feminine, but as his guest quarters, it’s actually just fine. (It’s far less feminine than the floral my hubby sleeps under!)
Bedding is one of the easiest things to change in a room, and something I do quite often, so the space will likely see many different iterations over the next little while.
So what do you think about painting the chair? I know people have very strong opinions about painting wood. Where do you stand on that and do you think it would work well for this particular piece?
I’ve been looking for my next project for refinishing furniture.
Is this the one?
Resource Guide
To get the look, click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
SUBSCRIBE AND GET my free guide:
“20 Ways to Update Your Home for Your Changing Lifestyle”!
The Shops
Have you visited the Designthusiasm shops? Click below to shop my favorites, my home by room, and my Amazon shop. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for quick updates.
That’s gorgeous, Lory. I need to find an upholsterer around here to transform a chair, too. I love the textured neutral fabric you chose and the nailheads.
I love the chair, and the liitle peek at the room. The wood appears to be in good condition, so I would hold off painting it until that changes. The chair is elegant as it is. Having said that, I think gold leaf rubbed into the design similar to the mirror frame would also be gorgeous.
Thanks, Sandi! I agree… there’s nothing that can’t be improved with a little gold leaf… 😉
Thanks, Kim! I think one of the things that held me off was that I didn’t have an upholsterer that I was familiar with, but I just bit the bullet and picked one nearby… 🙂 Now I have a few more pieces in the basement I may re-look at.
I’m so happy to see this. We have a very similar chair that came from my husband’s grandmother’s house. I also have white matelasse but I’m a little worried about it getting dirty. Are you worried? Can’t wait to get it done. 🙂
Ha ha… I never worry about white furniture getting dirty. My whole house is upholstered in white, including the outdoor furniture! I brought up 2 kids and a dog in a house with white couches. My theory is use it, be careful, and when it gets dirty, clean it… lol. I figure you’re not going to want tan furniture or any other color furniture to stay dirty either, so you may as well get the color you want. That said, this chair is also in a room that’s not often used and my son is pretty neat even when he is here. Now, if it was my daughter’s room with all her makeup and nail polishes… that would be another story! 😉 (Her room will be revealed soon in an upcoming post.)
I would not paint the chair. I think the fabric and the nailheads give it a stunning look, and set off the wood beautifully. I think painting it would take away from the charm that it has now. I think of the craftsman who carved that beautiful wood and brought a tree to life. Painting furniture is overdone, it’s like taking the nature beauty from a fine piece of jewelry. I have painted what I call curbside furniture that could not be savaged in any other way. Love the room where the chair holds court!
Thanks, Ellie! I know a lot of people feel strongly about leaving wood without paint. I actually enjoy having some variety in a room, so while I do love wood patinas, I also enjoy beautiful paint techniques. For now I’m leaving it, but there’s a lot of dark wood in this room. Once its done I will reveal it all and will likely ask the question again… 🙂
I have no problem with painted furniture and have painted several pieces myself. However, in this case I love the chair as it is now. It is so elegant looking, the wood has a wonderful patina and it looks to be in fantastic shape. At any rate, I’m so happy you rescued and restore it. It’s lovely.
Thanks so much, Jeannie! Yes, I think I’ll live with it for a while. What’s really motivating me towards painting, though, is that I think all the highs and lows and nooks and crannies lend themselves perfectly to an interesting paint technique. But I’m definitely not ready for it. Look how long it took me to even re-upholster it!
Don’t touch that chair! It’s gorgeous. I saved pictures of it to my picture folder because I have one almost identical to it that I need to reupholster myself. I think, at some point, we going to regret having painted all this beautiful wood. The painted wood fad will fade out of style, and stripping it away, to get back to the unpainted wood look is going to be a nightmare. Trust me…it’s just a fad. In my opinion, I’ve seen so many beautiful pieces of furniture ruined by people wanting to be trendy and painting everything in sight. It’s just too homogenous for me. I love the warmth wood tones bring. So many of the rooms I see on decorating blogs currently look so antiseptic, not to mention without luster. (Nothing sucks the life out of a room like that flat, lifeless chalk paint. Just my opinions. I’m so traditional. LOL)
Thanks! Glad you love the chair… 🙂 I, too, enjoy wood patinas, but I also love beautiful painted surfaces. In a room, I enjoy a mix, because too much dark wood can be as monotonous as too much painted wood. I’m still not sure about this particular chair, but it’s interesting that you think of painted furniture as a fad or a trend. I always view it as quite the opposite, given that painted furniture traces back hundreds of years (i.e. French gilding, Gustavian painting, etc). In fact those are the inspirations current paint techniques are looking to mimic. To me, it seems modern trends tend to avoid color, celebrating neutrals and natural wood. I think there’s a place for both, hence my indecision about the chair… 😉
The chair is beautiful and I love the contrast of the dark wood with the very light fabric. It’s a stunning piece!
Thank you very much, Kathy! I also love whites and creams against dark wood… 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
It is beautiful!!! Leave it alone as it is the perfect finish as is!!!
Thanks, Jeanie! At the very least I will enjoy it as is for a while, if not for good… 😉 Once I complete the room I’ll share it here again. Thanks for stopping by!!
Sorry to disagree have a similar one in my garage. Paint that baby. Linda
Ha ha, you’re not disagreeing with me… 😉 I probably lean towards the painting camp, although I can enjoy it both ways. I like a mix of finishes in a room and this room already has a lot of dark wood. I also think the carving and crevices would lend well to an interesting paint technique. I do think I will live with it for a while until I completely decide. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment!!
What an absolutely stunning chair! It made my heart flutter when it appeared. I am an ‘antique’ lover and as such, would not paint, but you know your room best, so I’ll leave that decision to you. If it was mine….it would stay exactly like it is! Thanks for sharing this beautiful piece. Vicki in- almost- no- snow- now- Louisville Ky
Thank you so much, Vicki! (I love the pleasant way you share your opinion, btw… ;-)) And you’re so lucky about the snow! Can’t wait until ours is gone. Thanks for stopping by!!
I have a chair fetish so of course I love it! The frame is gorgeous, and so is the fabric, a beautiful marriage.
Thanks so much, Ellen! Thanks for visiting… 🙂
I like the dark wood. I wouldn’t change it. It goes well with your decor.
Thanks, Sharleen!
Wow, what a beautiful makeover. You’re right, the gorgeous fabric is stunning with the dark wood! I like how he added nail heads over the gimp upholstery ribbon for added detail.
Thanks, Marie! Yes, I love the look of nail heads on a feminine chair, because I think they add balance and interest. The originals actually had nail heads too, but we added new ones. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment… 🙂
I am addicted to French Chairs and your chair is beautiful indeed! It is beautifully upholstered! I hope you enjoy a great weekend!
Smiles!
Terry
Thanks so much, Terry! Thanks for stopping by… 🙂
Lory,
Gorgeous transformation!!!
I love the dark wood on your chair!!!
If it were lighter wood, I’d say go for it and paint it!!!
Since there are to be more masculine patterns in the room,
the darker wood tone will give the room a more gender friendly appearance!!!
I’ll be watching for a reveal!!!
Fondly,
Pat
Thanks, Pat! I think I might agree. Because of the curves and recesses in the piece, I think it would be a natural for paint, but given the room setting, I may just leave it. Can always change it later… 😉 Thanks for following along!!
It’s a beauty now! Love the end result.
Thanks, Paula!!
I LOVE the contrast between the dark wood and the upholstery. It’s gorgeous!
Thanks, Elizabeth!!
I have gilded a couple chairs and have natural linen fabric and love the look ! But, it looks pretty now—I’d live with it for awhile and you may see something on Pinterest that catches your eye !
Thanks, Kathy! I think I will live with it for a while, but no question gilding would be my first choice… 🙂
Gorgeous! Beautiful chair and the fabric is perfect…lovely!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY!
Blessings,
Cindy
Thanks, as always, Cindy!! It’s a pleasure linking at your wonderful party… 🙂
It’s great when you can see the potential in something. You have done an absolutely fabulous job with this chair, you have turned it into a beautiful timeless classic.
Thank you so much, Sam! I don’t know what took me so long, but I’m glad I finally did it… 🙂 Thanks for visiting!!
I love just the way it turned out. Often , we overdo it with the paint. Then it becomes too busy for our rooms. I would keep it just as is! Nice job!
Thanks so much, Pam!!
Thanks so much, Pam! I would probably love it both ways, but since it’s already done with the dark wood and looks lovely with the white, I will likely keep it that way… 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!!
Your chair is gorgeous! and I’m so glad I found this post. I will soon be dropping off my two old, but not antique, very dark wood little French chairs at the upholsterer’s with very light (bisque) matelasse fabric, similar to yours. I’ve been second guessing myself about the fabric being too light for the dark wood and that the aged brass nailheads would stand out too much until I read this post. You’ve made me a LOT calmer. I will also add that I LOVE florals with menswear fabrics.
Thanks, Annie! Yes, I was certainly unsure at first too, but I’m really happy with the way it came out. In fact, if the room wasn’t so “creamy”, I’d likely even gone whiter. Sometimes I think white against dark wood can be so beautiful. And yes, the florals with menswear is definitely left over from my Ralph Lauren days… 🙂
A beautiful chair and oh how gorgeous it turned out thank you for sharing
I like the chair just as it is. White upholstery and dark wood. It works.
Wendy