In the shop: Knoll Eero Saarinen Executive Arm Chair demolition.

I have started on the Knoll Eero Saarinen chairs.  Demolition is always fun, but I approach it cautiously as it can be a Russian Christmas Present.  :)  I bought these chairs with bad degraded seat foam, and unlike sellers who just flip things, I will take the time to fix it before I sell it.  The Dunbar chairs had foam in similar condition.  Basically, it hardens and dries out over the years.  Did you ever check out an upholstered piece at a thrift or yard sale?  Do you know what signs of deterioration to look for?  There are pieces out there that exist all of these years and are still usable, but certainly, they are not common.  The first thing I do when I check out a piece is take a good look.  What can I see?  Certainly any sagging or repressed areas are clues.  The seat fabric on these chairs were showing sagging around the front edge.  The other big clue, is to look for powder.....any sign that the foam inside has turned to dust.  You may not notice it right away, but turn the chair over if you can, check out any seam holes as that is where it would fall through.  Shake it up a bit if it's small enough and see if you hear anything or see the dust coming out.  If you see that, I can guarantee you have foam issues. 

Saggy seats are a good indicator that you have some foam issues going on.....

When I started disassembling, I put a cardboard sheet on the ground to make clean up easier and keep the mess intact. I bought a little tool for pulling tacks and staples up at JoAnn Fabrics and it is proving itself very useful in my projects.  I pulled out the dust cover staples first, then started on the velvet.  Dumping out the mess as I worked my way around.  Once the whole thing was apart, as expected, the original foam was glued to the bent ply seat.  I pretty much attack this by hand and pull off as much as I can.  Then I take the random orbital sander to clean up the wood and smooth it out. 

I am now working on the foam and getting it to look like I want before finishing and stapling back up.  I have used 2" high density foam, but because of the curved seat, I'm not sure I'm liking it not looking fluffier so I am taking my time to make my plan.  I have to be careful as not to make any tears in the velvet since I am not replacing the original fabric.  I will keep you posted as they come along!!!!  Don't miss out on the fabulous items I have in stock now!  Message me for a shipping quote or to arrange a regional delivery!  xo Malissa

Upholstery taking shape!

Mom has been cranking on the upholstery as she has some other sewing to do for some clients so she wants my chairs in her past.  haha  Today, she actually has everything complete on her end and ready to give back to me to start the assembly and buttons.  I have not seen the final covers, but will get them in the morning.  Meanwhile, I had an extra day off work today as my company closed while we gear up for new work coming in so I had the day to get some errands done.  Click on the photo below to scroll through the gallery.

Some pics of my mom fitting the newly cut foam, batting and her muslin to the board and chair.  Everything fit great!  Next she was working on the piping and assembly of the top. 

Piping pinned to the seat top.  The bottom piping will be stapled onto the board under the seat.

My mother is a highly skilled sewer, quilter and pattern maker.  Although this is probably an entry level project, I do feel that the piping and button details on this chair do make this project more advanced than a simple chair covering like most I have done to date.  I am glad my mother was willing to help out.  I cannot say what this would have cost if I had to pay an upholsterer to do it.  Not cheap.  Rest assured, I plan on compensating her for her time when the chairs sell.

What the piping will look like all sewn in place!!

Meanwhile, I went on a mission for buttons.  Stopped to visit my upholsterer, who was out when I got there.  The other employee there spoke no English.  I used my very rusty Spanish and within minutes we were talking the universal language of upholstery.  She had a sample button made.  By the time Albert (Alberto) came back to the shop, he merely needed to provide me with cost, take my money and tell me when I can come back and get them!  In 3 hours, I was back.  He even gave me an extra button....so I got 27 for $53.  He used my fabric, provided the buttons and the labor to create them.  Figure I'd let you in on that price.  Buttons add not only more materials to an upholstery job, they also add LOTS of time.  I am going to be spending a lot of time installing these buttons, but I feel like I need to stay true to the design of the chair and any modifications would surely take away from that.  Even the piping, was important to me. 

A few shots from the upholstery shop.  Not a large or fancy place.  Albert does nice work and is quick to accommodate.  He speaks great English.  I am happy to support his business and he has been truly an asset to my projects. 

I just spoke to mom and the seats are ready to assemble.  So I will bring them home tomorrow and start tacking and stapling everything together.  I was also able to pick up a very large needle today for the button work.  I am looking forward to them coming together!  My weeknight schedule right now is crazy with my kids swim team stuff and I do have a day job, so will see when I can get through the remaining items.  I will have some more pics soon!  The chairs are still available for reserve, please message or email me if you are interested in holding them! 

Malissa

The Quest for the Book.

This book is currently selling for $700 on First Dibs!  

I am all about the researching, the discovering of new designers and company info.  After I acquired these Dunbar chairs (look at the sketch on the top right of the book cover above!!!!), I searched around and found 3 published books on the company.  Sounds like 2 of them are actual reprinted catalogs, which could hold some valuable info….model number, name, finishes that were available, etc. I quickly ordered the available and only affordable book at $35 or so.  Dunbar Furniture of the 50s or something like that.  It came.  Its lovely.  But my chairs are not in it!  Back to the drawing board.  Being a fan of the library, I found a search engine that searches the library system country wide.  Guess what?  Some of these are being held by libraries!  Meanwhile, one is on First Dibs for $700.  I requested one in Philadelphia at UPENN to be pulled from its happy place in storage for me to peruse.  Today I got an email saying the book was not available…..BECAUSE IT WAS LOST!  WHAT??!!  Someone probably figured out how much that baby is worth!  I have not gotten status on the 2nd book.  I ordered them both.  SO, if that one shows up, I will be heading back to Philadelphia later in the week to peruse it.  Next, I need to see who else has the book!  I think it showed up in an Art Museum library also in Philadelphia so will work on that!  

Oh the HORRORS!