Old maple chairs with woven rush seats

9 years ago

We have been give an old kitchen table and chairs.
They're maple, and the chairs have woven rush seats.
They were used since the late 1940s in the kitchen on a working farm, so obviously tough, reliable furniture.

What can be done to freshen up a set like this, considering the woven seats?

I'm attaching a picture of similar chairs.

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Comments (11)

seww
9 years ago
Paint and maybe some cute seat covers.
Sue
zorroslw1
9 years ago
If they have been used since the 40s, I would not touch them except for mild cleaning. IMO vintage chairs like that should not try to be updated.
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juliekcmo
9 years ago
I'm sitting on chairs about like those right now.

We got at the antique mart in our area.

I just wiped them down with a damp cloth.

And put new felt sliders on the legs.

Very serviceable chairs. Easy and lightweight to move around. Decent back support.
jlc712
9 years ago
If they're in good condition, I wouldn't do anything other than clean and wax them.
martinca_gw sunset zone 24
9 years ago
You can use a tinted liquid scratch cover up,( at all hardware stores)followed with wax or polish.
Will make a big difference.
I still have a few of these we use for extras. Not especially comfy, so cushions would help.
Annie Deighnaugh
9 years ago
They're lovely as is...don't mess.
Houseofsticks
9 years ago
Just add a seat cushion if it makes it more comfortable, they are timeless.
maddielee
9 years ago
If these aren't the chairs you have, are the seats of the ones that you were given in good shape?

ML
naturalpalette
9 years ago
Thanks for responding. Most of you agree with DH who thinks a good cleaning is all this furniture will need. The seats are in amazingly good condition. Built to last, for sure. Thank you again.

Wow. I'm a little shell-shocked. I wandered off the yellow brick road, and it took me a few minutes to realize what had happened and to find this post in this strange new land. It feels like Godzilla has eaten gardenweb alive...

I hope that all of your wonderful, helpful advice will still be here when the dust settles. I thank you all so much for every bit of help I've received over the last few years. Bless you all!
naturalpalette
9 years ago
And--apparently I signed up for a houzz account in the past with username "natural palette." Maybe I can figure out how to revert! Until then, don't diss me, g-webbers!
tuesday_2008
9 years ago
If the finish is showing a little wear and tear, this might be a good project for Howards Restore a Finish. That stuff does wonders for old wood that just needs to be freshened up. Also, Old English Oil that says Scratch Cover (has some color/stain in it) works.

I used the Restore a Finish on a vintage sewing machine cabinet and it looked awesome. About every 3 months I use the Old English on it.

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Old maple chairs with woven rush seats

Comments (11)

seww

zorroslw1

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