19-Jul-08
Reupholstering Saarinen
I just scored a Saarinen armchair (not tulip) in black hopsack upholstery for only $80! The seat has a few burn marks, but it's barely noticeable. At some point I want to reupholster it because of that and the fact that I have a yellow cat.

How difficult is this chair to reupholster? Is it harder in naugahyde? Anything I should know? The foam is in A+ condition. Thanks
posted by whitespike
 [edit]
 
19-Jul-08
I forgot to ask how many...
I forgot to ask how many yards this will need. LRF?
posted by whitespike
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20-Jul-08
C'mon!
Where are the expert?! I want answers!
posted by whitespike
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21-Jul-08
Are you talking about the "executive armchair"?
This was my first DIY upholstery project, years ago-- it was surprisingly easy, using the original upholstery pieces as patterns. Naugahyde may be tougher to work with-- those curves require a bit of stretch, as I recall.

You should be able to upholster this chair with less than three yards. Or, two large Naugas.

posted by william-holden-caulfield
 [edit]
 
21-Jul-08
.
A bit of heat can help, I've done it before on vinyl chairs.

Careful though, I've also started two small fires and it was a near miss with a plastic bottle of thinners.
http://www.winterssewing.com/drupal/node/149
posted by Heath
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21-Jul-08
the chair is one of the ...
the chair is one of the easiest to do. but if you want welt cords like the new ones have you will need a professional to do that one you need two full yards of fabric,
posted by LRF
 [edit]
 
21-Jul-08
I will probably end up using ...
I will probably end up using fabric instead. I do think the vinyl is likely to wrinkle. I will use Knoll fabric more than likely. I am using a professional in town.

Two yards for the whole thing including cording?
posted by whitespike
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29-Jul-08
Congrats on the find!
Whitespike... congrats on the find! I picked one up a few months ago in orange hopsack with the contract base on it. Just wanted to let you know that Room Service has a set of 4 with the wooden legs for sale right now. They're in pretty good shape with a bluish green houndstooth fabric. Only asking $500 for the set. I actually scored a zenith eames rope edge shell there the other day for only $80!
posted by Dr_Pepper105
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29-Jul-08
I got this Saarinen at Room...
I got this Saarinen at Room Service actually. What condition was your arm shell in? That's crazy!
posted by whitespike
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30-Jul-08
Eames zenith
I picked it up for $80 on Sunday. It was just sitting out in front of the building! It's in decent shape... it was obviously an outside chair because the shiny coat is gone, but it's still very usable with no cracks, etc. The base is rusted, but I think it gives it character. No label, but I wouldn't really expect it to. The funny thing is that I picked up one exactly like this last year at Austin Modern, but it's not in good shape (cracks, chips, etc) but it was only $25. I'm going to try and attach a picture...
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posted by Dr_Pepper105
edited on 30-Jul-08 01:22 AM  [edit]
 
30-Jul-08
Good deal!
Good deal!
posted by whitespike
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