Reproduction Chairs Antique

By Frank Parker

upholstered antique chairs
repairing antique chairs
upholstered antique chairs

An Overview of Reproduction Antique Furniture

Reproduction upholstered antique furniture was a more substantial sector of the market during the 1960’s and 70’s. The majority of reproduction antique furniture made during this period tended to be of higher quality than furniture presently manufactured. The reasons for this are that generally antique furniture has declined in popularity over the prior decades and reproduction furniture produced now is sold on price not quality, so the value has vanished.

Our Client’s Story

The History of the Chairs

Our client approached us with two antique reproduction chairs that had originally been purchased by her mother in Johannesburg in the early 1970’s. They were re-production antique chairs made in South Africa which had a thriving furniture industry during these years.

The Chairs Condition

The vintage antique chairs had only attracted light use over the years so had never been re-upholstered but were now in drastic requirement of re-upholstery. They were originally covered in a regency stripe brocade which tends to be distorted with the deep buttoning.

Here is How to Reupholster an Antique Chair (the Parker Interiors way)

  1. The chairs were stripped down to the frames
  2. Then jute webbing was fitted
  3. Coil springs were laced in and tied down
  4. Hessian overlays were fitted
  5. Synthetic ‘thumb roll’ was also replaced with premium foam laminated to the seats and backs
  6. The button locations were pre-marked and cored and
  7. Bonded polyester fibre was then laminated over the foam with the chairs gaining shape

Our Recovering Antique Chairs Process

The refurbished antique chairs were reupholstered in a floral brocade This looked superior to the original fabric as the abstract floral pattern was a preferable choice for buttoning. The outside back and arm panels were lined and padded then quality gimp was used for finishing trim.

Two Reupholstered Antique Chairs – Perfect for Retirement

Our clients had just re-located to a new down-sized home and these chairs have taken pride of place. We know they will enjoy their retirement in their superbly reupholstered antique chairs.

  • Excellent Job

    Frank, thank you for an excellent job on the chairs.
    Liza   
    Dawesville W.A

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    French Style Chaise Lounge Origins

    Today we commonly use the term ‘chaise lounge’ to describe a chair, sofa or part of a sectional modular lounge featuring a deep seat to which one can lay. However, this is a derivative of the original French term ‘chaise longue’ describing a long upholstered chair to support the legs of the sitter. Chaise longues sofas originated in France, produced by craftsman in the 1700’s using the most expensive materials for construction being for the wealthy to lay upon without having to retire to the boudoir. This style of furniture was first imported into England in the late 1700’s and over time the chaise longue sofa evolved through the various design eras to become part of the standard home décor. 

    The Restoration of a Chaise Lounge Perth

    Our Client’s Special Chaise Lounge

    Our client was shifting house and decided to have her beloved chaise lounge restored for her new residence. She explained that it was purchased from a second hand furniture dealer in Perth during the early 70’s. This antique chaise lounge reminded her of a similar piece they sat on as children at their grandparent’s home in England. This chaise lounge was constructed in Jarrah so most likely locally made with the design suggesting it was most probably constructed in the 1920’s -30’s. 

    How We Refurbished the Chaise Lounge

    The client wanted a full refurbishment, so the existing upholstery was first removed. The frame joints were then repaired and an additional timber rail added during a previous re-upholstery was removed. Then it was sanded back with the indentations filled with resin and then again finely sanded. The Jarrah had bleached over time obviously having been exposed to prolonged periods of direct sunlight so the frame was stained Mahogany. Three coats of 50% gloss clear lacquer were then applied, gently rubbed down between coats.

     Our client was given various options regarding the reupholstery methods and selected for us to use modern methods to acquire a traditional finish. We used heavy-grade elastic webbing and then fitted upholstery edge moulding around the seat top and arm/back perimeters. Premium foam was then fabricated for the seat and double ends and glued into place.  Bonded polyester fibre overlays were also used for the outside arm/back panels lined and padded for a superior finish. 

    The upholstery fabric selected by our client was a high quality plain crimson chenille which looked plush against the mahogany coloured show-wood. As most of the original upholstery was absent when we received this piece we had to take some liberty during the re-upholstery process including the finishing trim which we used self-covered banding then space studded. However, the result spoke for itself displaying that a high-quality traditional finish can indeed be achieved using modern upholstery methods. 

    We’re sure this preloved chaise lounge will now stay in the family and be enjoyed for many years into the future.

    • I am extremely happy with my dealings with Parker Interiors

      I am extremely happy with my dealings with Parker Interiors. My precious sofa that has been abused by children, dogs, and all manner of ill treatment for the last 55 years, has been given a new lease of life. Profound gratitude to all concerned. Thankyou.
      Linda    
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  • Refurbishing 1950s Western Australia State Ships Chairs

    Some History About the State Ship Chairs

    These mid-century armchairs were originally either purchased or commissioned by the State Shipping Service of Western Australia. State Ships was owned and operated by the WA government having commenced operations in 1912 for servicing North-West ports and then operated a national service before being shut down in 1995. The chairs are interesting and appear to have been made in the 50’s, the era linking art-deco and mid-century. It’s also difficult to confirm the origin of these chairs, either imported from Europe or locally made using imported timber.

    A WA Family and Their Interesting Chairs

    Our client contacted us saying her parents arrived in WA after the war, previously living in Dutch Indonesia then returning to the Netherlands due to the Japanese invasion. After the war they migrated to Western Australia and her father worked for State Ships. These chairs were purchased by her father from State Ships in the late 60’s and then recovered in a floral linen.

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    We worked through our standard (and thorough) reupholstery process to ensure a high-quality finish on this pair of chairs. The upholstery fabric selected was Warwick ‘Eden Chintz’ also a floral linen but a bright contrast from the original fabric chosen by her parents almost sixty years ago.

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    • We stripped the chairs to the bare frames; they were well constructed from Oak requiring no structural repairs.
    • the timber was sanded back, stained Walnut and lacquered to replicate the original finish. (The show-wood rails and legs on the mid-century chairs had been knocked around)
    • the upholstery seat foundation was also brought back to original with the inside back and inside arms fitted with jute webbing then hessian overlays as the chairs featured coil seat springing, so.
    • we brought the chairs into the modern times using high density polyurethane foam as the original body padding was formed using flock .
    • The back cushioning was deep buttoned with the cushion inserts fabricated from premium foam with bored buttonholes and a polyester wrap.
    • The seat cushion inserts were fabricated in a similar fashion using a denser premium foam also encased in bonded polyester fibre.

    Why We Do What We Do…

    Our client was referred onto us by her friend who said we could be trusted for quality work. However, this job as with many of the tasks we undertake are about more than just respecting a client’s expectations, its about honouring history and maintaining often bygone industry standards.


    •  Happy with your workmanship

      Hi Frank, I am very happy with the refreshed look of the chairs and I am happy with your workmanship.
      Margie – Como
      W.A.
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  • Turn of The Century Decorative Chaise Lounge

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    A Background to the Art Deco Period of Britain

    This decorative chaise was made in England during the first decade of the 20th Century. It is generally thought that the Art Deco period was from 1920 – 1940. However preceding this period from about 1880 there were the Aesthetic and Arts and Crafts Movements in Britain. The ethos of the design was to borrow concepts from the past and modernise them. As a result this time frame in furniture design is generally referred to as the start of the Modernist Design era.

    The History of the Chaise Lounge

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    • reupholstered the chaise fitting it with new jute webbing, lacing coil springs then a hessian overlay

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    Our Clients Loved It!

    Our clients loved the finished piece in their turn of the century home and we trust they will enjoy living with this furniture for many years into the future.

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  • Bedroom Chair (Slipper Chair) – Restoration

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    Bedroom Chair (Slipper Chair) Restoration

    Bedroom chairs, also known as a bedroom slipper chair, date back to 18th Century Europe. The armless upholstered chair with short legs was designed for women’s dressing rooms out of necessity. Since Victorian women often wore restrictive layers of clothing, tight corsets with wide petticoats they tended to require assistance when slipping on their shoes. More modern versions of the slipper chairs evolved over time remaining in fashion until the 1950’s. 

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  • Reupholster Chesterfield Settees

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    The Chesterfield sofa was developed by skilled furniture artisans in the mid 1700’s for Lord Philip Stanhope, the third Earl of Chesterfield. The Earl was known as a trendsetter and commissioned local artisans to produce an upholstered piece of furniture to which gentlemen could sit on without creasing their suits.

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    A couple approached us with two 2 ½ seater Chesterfield settees purchased in the mid 1980’s being made by Moran of Melbourne. These settees were over forty years old and attracted constant use but had stood the test of time well which was a display of their quality.

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    The Fabric Made This Reupholstery a Class Act

    The upholstery fabric selected was again a quality plain velvet which is suitable for this design sofa while also being very durable and serviceable

    Super Happy Customers

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  • Early surviving furniture in W.A. (pre 1842)

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    Furniture From The South West of Western Australia

    What Happens When You Reupholster Furniture Many Times?

    This furniture had previously been re-upholstered four times with the integrity of the finish increasingly compromised over the years. We were given the task of stripping the furniture completely back and restoring to its bygone glory days.

    How We Restored This Antique Furniture

    https://www.parkerinteriors.com.au/re-uphoster/We took extra care and slowly worked on these precious pieces of furniture to restore them to their former glory. This process included:

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    Our clients were amazed with the result and plan to pass this furniture to their children for the future generations to enjoy

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