It shouldn't be a terribly hard project because the arms aren't upholstered and you only have to do the back and seat. If the underlying structure is sound, you'll only have to replace the outer fabric. That said, I'd get a few upholstery books and/or videos from the library or check out upholstering videos on Youtube before getting started, especially if you're a perfectionist, have a low frustration level, or have bought expensive fabric. There are some surprisingly good videos on Youtube, usually in 5-minute chunks. When you take the fabric off, trace all of the pieces on paper to use as patterns for cutting your new fabric. Be sure to pay attention to centering the pattern horizontally and vertically on the front, back, and seat. Use your digital camera to take pictures at every step of the way, so you'll have a visual reference for putting it back together. Good luck! Can't wait to see the finished chair.

A million years ago I belonged to a decorating board at BHG. It was there, that I first 'met' Magnaverde and was introduced to his talents. Below is a picture of a sofa in his home, followed by his instructions on how he painted it. If it had come from almost any other source, I'd never have bothered saving it all these years. I haven't done it yet but I'm sure someday there will be an opportunity to try this technique on something. The mention of Picturesworth at the end is another old, old site. Kinda makes you rethink painted furniture, doesn't it? Here's the process, as I originally described it on the AOL Decorating Board last year, and where the original post was unearthed from the AOL archives by the lovely and talented HOST HOME DECOR. She's the best. ....................... Forget all that nonsense about teensy bottles of expensive paint medium from the crafts store. You don't need anything more than regular latex semi-gloss paint--and a lot of guts. I found a beautiful Baker Chippendale camelback sofa, with cool curved arms and a fat down cushion, but it was covereed in a hideous glazed chintz in the ugliest colors I ever saw. I found some great yellow wool damask to reupholster with, but it would have cost me $3OOO for the job, so I painted my sofa instead. Everyone freaked out when I told then the plan, but it worked. I was planning on painting my room dark green, so I decided to go with the red leather look. First, I painted the whole thing with bubblegum pink semigloss latex paint, using the widest foam brush I could find, and brushing it on in long strokes front-to-back and up + down. Think of that as the primer coat. I let it dry 2 days, and sanded it super lightly with fine-grade sandpaper to get rid of the burrs--there were a lot. When I couldn't feel any more sharp things, another coat of paint, spread thin. Dried and sanded again. Then spread--with my hands--a thin coat of raspberry red semi-gloss paint I had deadened a little with brown to make it a little less vivid. Because it was a deep color, there wasn't much white filler in the paint, and it was almost like a glaze or stain, instead of paint, which is just what I wanted anyway. I just smoothed it on, like suntan oil, and worked it into the pink paint. I let it build a little thicker at the back, on the inside of the arms and at the back edge of the loose cushion, so that the paler, thinner red took on an air of wear at the high points. I let it dry 2 days, then CAREFULLY sanded the few new sharp things, and touched up those spots with my fingers. I let it dry 2 days, then waxed the whole thing with regular paste wax. After it was dry, I polished with a soft cloth, then dusted with talcum, and vacuumed it all off. It was a little stiff the first few days, but now it not only looks like red leather, it feels like it. This worked great on glazed chintz, and probably would work on any smooth fabric, except that some may have more burrs and therefore require more sanding, but I wouldn't try it on anything with a heavy texture. And no, the paint doesn't come off. And it's not stiff, either. Think about it--it's latex paint, and essentially, that's what's in those little bottles of fabric medium. By the way if anyone finds this topic before he or she finds the picture that shows the finished results, it's over in the PicturesWorth album, probably at the bottom of the pile, in MAGNAVERDE'S SCRAPBOOK. Have fun. Magnaverde." ............. For those who STILL don't think you can do it and who need a little pep talk before you start, go to magnaverde.com and look for the link that says 'consult magnaverde'--and I'll talk you through it. It will cost you a few dollars, but of course, my advice is priceless. And besides, I'm cheaper than a new sofa. You can talk to me and then go out for coffee. Good luck.

My3Dogs, I do love that fabric! In the photo the blue leans a bit teal on my monitor, but I like the concept. And thanks Jenny for the visual - I think your chair looks great in a solid! As for the update of my chair, I regret to inform you all that by the time I called the upholsterer to STOP him from going any further until I had more time to think about this, he had one chair almost done. I have a sick feeling about this in the pit of my stomach. :( Everyone else here seems to think a navy chair with buttons is a big mistake, and I have no idea if it'll look good or not. But at least on one chair, that's what I'm getting. How come I had to choose the fastest 80-year old upholsterer in the country??? I hope to God it doesn't look early American with the buttons, as it is not my favorite style. I'm frantically thinking of how to make this better if I continue with navy on the other chair. If I don't go with navy on the second chair, I am stuck with 6 yards of this stuff, one blue chair and one original chair. I don't want to be melodramatic, but I think I'm going to have a difficult time sleeping tonight! Oy!

Cox has been around for a long time. They are a source for designers to go to when they need something unique, upholstered in a special fabric, but the budget was limited, like a vanity stool, chaise lounge, ottoman, parson's chairs or in your case a special dining chair. Here is a link that might be useful: Cox