How fun...nice chair and even though the colors your DD is aiming towards are not your favorite, it is great that she can envision the changes she wants. I would let her do all the work herself and just guide her.

The best way to do it is to remove all the upholstery, then you can use it as a pattern. Be sure she has good tools to get the job done. A high quality staple gun and some upholstery tools would be helpful and you wouldn't necessarily need to do the button tufting. Also, you can use a nice trim. I still have the first chair I inherited from my parents and upholstered myself...it's a Morris Recliner and I still love it.

Best of luck...I look forward to seeing the pictures and don't forget to Scotchguard the fabric real well.

Here is a link that might be useful: trim

I am a big fan of spray paint! Since you'll have removed the upholstery you don't have to worry about getting it on places the paint doesn't belong. It's so easy and I think it gives a smoother finish.

I would let the upholsterer help you decide about what type of seat style would work best. I think painting the chair black is fine, tho I would opt for a distressed black rather than a solid black. Personally, I think the striped fabric you have found has too large a stripe to get the right effect for the chair. I would like a stripe that is perhaps one-third less wide to get some repeat.

Good idea, les. We'll ask the upholsterer for an opinion. I agree the stripe on the fabric could stand to be slightly less wide, but I could not pass up the remnants. I think I got both pieces for less than $10.

I can see this chair painted black (and I agree, a distressed black would be good) with a black and white toile; or as I said before, a white pique slipcover. Perhaps I have no vision.

I love the inspiration picture. I would not paint the chair but I would stain it dark like the inspiration or even an Ebony stain if your DD wants the frame to be black. A stain will give some richness. If she is set on painting go with a spray on paint. It will get into the detailing without having to moosh the brush around risking unevenness.

The inspiration chair has a much higher back and can easily take the wide stripes but the upholsterer can work with the design to fit the chair better. I would try to completely cover the back and cover the arms like the inspiration chair.

Have you shown the inspiration photo to the upholsterer? Maybe they can make some changes to make it look more like the inspiration chair. As for the fabric I thought the same as Les did. Maybe it can be seamed to narrow the stripes. It would be a shame not to be able to use it as you got such a great deal on it.

Since you already have the fabric, did you try running the pattern vertically? Whichever way you orient the stripes, I would add a bolster pillow in a b/w toile or tiny polka dot to break up the large stripe. Or you can try some contrasting welting or some kind of fringe on the cushion. And use the same fringe or bullion or trim on the pillow.

I personally would maintain the integrity of the chair and re-upholster it as it is now, w/ the detached back.

As for painting it, a black distressed would be beautiful, accentuating the carvings. You can even stain the chair in a deep brown and glaze with a black. You can even brush with a metallic for a "funkier" look. If you do paint it, you have to remove the old fabric, lightly sand and then paint. I personally prefer using a brush for a surface with lots of nooks and crannies. And finally, you should apply either a varnish or a wax. Car wax works really well.
I paint a lot of furniture, this chair has so much potential!!

mine were painted a high shine black.

I would use a brush insyttead of spray paint. Make sure you prime it first

I agree with paintergirl but I would not distress it. Your daughter is going for a more contmporary look. If you are painting it black, definitely use high gloss. Mitch's chairs are gorgeous.

I can see using a black and white contemporary print for a bolster piped in a color.

i

Thanks, all. I appreciate your many suggestions! I have a small wing-back chair in one of our guest rooms. I wonder if I could get DD to trade with me? I think the wing chair is a better candidate for bold black and white stripes!

If we were to stain it, will I have to strip off the finish that is on it now? It seems pretty tough and not worn at all. If so, should we use stripper or sand it off?

I would let her do the chair with a black paint and her fabric. I also would not distress the paint. It sounds like your DD does have a vision and I think it sounds great. I cannot see that fabric on a wing chair. Let her have her fun, mom!

Oh, I'm going to let her do as she pleases with this. However, if we are going to spend the money to have it reupholstered, I want to make sure she has considered all of her options.