riff3.......I don't have a suggestion for fabric, but the chair itself is absolutely beautiful. I especially love the circles on top. If you look on the cover of the new Ballard catalog, there is a blue and brown paisley fabric that is gorgeous. I don't know the other colors in your room, but my vote is YES!

I think it could be fun if you choose the right fabric. Something whimsical, not too serious, that picks up the colors of your wall and your rug...

{{gwi:1544473}}{{gwi:1544475}}{{gwi:1544476}}

I love that chair. I would gladly have it reupholstered. I wish I could find such treasures out here on the prairie. I'm looking, searching, gleaning...but not luck yet.

I love your chair! Enjoy.

*Total* waste of time. I'll help you get rid of the chair. Just send it to me at 1808 Fa..... LOL!

OMG, I LOVE the chair, and yes, it's totally worth re-doing.

It could go in so many different directions and be just stunning.

I love it, and being your mother's, it's a bit more special.

It's a wonderful chair! Would you consider a stripe? Either a small-scale stripe in blue or green on cream, like French cane chairs often use, or a broader thick-and-thin stripe in three or four related colors? I think it might bring out the circular elements in the back and the caning on the sides more than a floral would, and let the chair's design be the statement.
And I would also consider losing the button tufting, and making the seat cushion thick and soft, but with a firm core, so that it doesn't collapse when you sit on it.
In any case, it's terrific.

Thanks for the encouragement! I do like the shape of the chair, which is why it has been tucked away in my basement for the past decade. I will begin the search for fabric. While I love all of the brown/blue fabrics (and that seems to be the majority of what is in the stores), I have never been a 'blue' person and know that I have to stick with something that will last for me. I'll keep you updated, but it may be a while - I am slow!

I love that chair! The circles at the top make it quite special, imho. & I think it could fit in with many different styles, depending on the fabric.

Have fun!

Here's your chair mocked up in a Robert Allen upholstery print called Animal Kingdom. The color is Havana.

{{gwi:1544477}}

{{gwi:1544479}}

Suero, nice job on the mock up. I hope the OP sees it.
Diane

It's much easier to do virtual upholstery than real upholstery!

Thank you Suero! That picture is great - it helps me get some perspective on the chair in an updated fabric.

Suero, how are you able to do that mockup with the fabric? Is that photoshop you're using? I want to be able to do that without having to buy expensive software.

I remember my grandmother had a chair like that (her's had powder blue velvety fabric, from the 60s). It will look less dated with new upholstery, and I agree loose the tufting. Nice looking chair.

riff, I love the chair...it's a classic. I've apprenticed upholstering for the last two years and I cannot say, for the most part, that it's easy or that I know it all. Tufting takes practice and if the cushion is sewn onto the base, that's another story, but this chair does not necessarily need to be re-tufted nor does the cushion need be attached. I like brownwynsmom suggestion of a stripe. I do believe one can do anything they put their mind to, though.

I too agree that the chair has a wonderful shape. I would definitely keep the tufting and gotta say I love the texture of the velvet. That said, I would go with a larger and/or softer print fabric (I like the 2nd and 3rd fabric suggestions from mclarke) because I think a smaller print competes with the details of the chair, particularly on the sides. Not to add additional work or cost, but I would also consider refinishing the wood while you are in the process of reupholstering it. You could really punch it up to a whole new level if you gave the frame a new finish.

I used an old version of Fireworks on that, mainly because that's what I have on my computer, and it has the basic features to get the job done, such as being able to distort a bit map to add perspective. I could have done even more with masking to make the fit even better, but I did a quick and dirty job. I also could have done a better job of estimating the size of the cushions to match the fabric repeat.
Riff3, if you post your fabric choices, with the repeat, I'll try another mockup.

Thanks for all of the comments. I'm thinking a larger scale print, either floral, paisley or trellis? I went to Joanne Fabrics last night and was disapointed in the selection. I will have to try Fabric Farms and calico corners (although I can't afford c.corners!) next. I was not planning on tufting, and luckily the seat cushion is detached. Although I'm sure the frame would look better if refinished, I don't think I'm up for the job - at least not during the winter, I'm in Ohio and my garage is FREEZING right now. Hopefully a cleaning and application of RAF will freshen it up.
Suero - when I find some fabric, I will definitely repost and ask for your help, thanks!

I was just on the Atlanta craiglist and spotted this almost identical chair for forty bucks!

Here is a link that might be useful: the same???

Neat looking chair! I was wondering if you live in Florida. I was on the overseas highway in the Keys recently and spotted an upholstery shop off AIA called "The Rip Off". It was good for a laugh anyway!

Oh no it's so not a waste of time! You can do such fun things with a single chair. I would think strongly about painting the caning and the wood some wild color.

Here are some inspiration pix for you...

and my personal favorite...

riff: My Mom had some chairs like that (hers had a rounded back, though). I think it would look great reupholstered.

oceanna: where did you find those chairs? I LOVE the next to last one (the purple fringed one). I have just the spot planned for something like that in our master bedroom remodel. The pillow would have to be redone, though.

As a mom to three chihuahuas (and a Hubby who refuses to do cute with them) that last one made me giggle. I also love pink.

One question to all you lovely people: Where do you find such gorgeous fabrics? I'm almost ready to start planning two blank-slate room redo's (guest room and study/guest room) and want to start dreaming / planning.

OMG! I can't believe my chair has a twin for sale on craigslist. And this chair was originally purchased in Toledo Ohio, not Atlanta. Thanks for the link skatiero, I have to send that to my Mom (it was originally her chair). And thanks to Oceanna for the inspiration pics. I sent pics of the chair to a local upholstery shop for an online estimate and they came back with a quote for labor of $360! There isn't that much fabric on the chair, guess I need to get to the library and check out books on reupholstering. I knew it would be expensive, but over $400 for that little chair is out of my budget.

Pbrisjar, I found them around and about on the web. Can't recall on most of them, except the two union jack chairs are British, and the four above the purple one you like were done by a young lady who is an upholstery artist in France. I wish I had book marked her page but I didn't.

Riff3, I'm so glad you saw the pics. I think they are cool in that those chairs are a bit of the unexpected. Personally, I would deffinitely do something other than the brown it is with the wood and cane on that chair. Give it a bit of pizzaz.

The upholstery job on your chair is rather simple. You don't have to diamond tuft the back and the buttons on the seat look stupid and should be omitted IMO. Yes on the library books. But mainly, you just take it apart, use the old fabric as a pattern to cut out the new, and put it back together the same way it was done before. It's not difficult and it sure is rewarding. It may be a little time consuming but I think not bad for that chair. As for the wood, you can simply spray paint it in your garage (car out, plastic down) in this cold weather (if it's cold where you are). Two or three light coats. For the fabric, take a look at your local fabric stores and you'll be amazed what you'll find.

Promise us a picture of it when you're done, please!