Tonight I thought I’d log a few images as reference of a Summertone buffet/sideboard currently listed on eBay.
eBay listing for a Summertone Buffet
Condition is OK, but work is needed, and with a starting price of $500 I think it’s pushing the envelope a little. However I think it’s worth noting as Summertone pieces have a great design and seem to be a little harder to come across! Nice shot of the makers label – which is different to other (earlier?) versions I have seen which appear to be more so of a badge.
I’ve had a hard time over the last few weeks finding anything of great interest to share with you for my ‘Auction Watch’ blog posts. Tonight whilst trawling all the usual haunts again I was less than impressed (hey – maybe it’s me!) however a chair listed for sale on eBay caught my eye.
Similarities?Silky Oak
The similarity between it and my ‘Warwick library chair’ which I posted about here almost 3 years ago reminded me that I needed to post an update about the said chair in question.
Re-reading back through Georges history myself, there is every chance that the chair currently listed on eBay (search for Atomic Wooden Silky Oak Mid Century Chair – Buy It Now $75) is an early version/prototype that was discussed in the article of the eventual ‘Volkschair’.
The A-frame legs and its curves looks very, very similar along with those little arm rests sitting atop. The materials used are right for the period in question (early 1950’s) and the location of the chair (Strathpine QLD) is just 20km’s north of Brisbane, where George had his store and workshop. Could these factors just be a coincidence? Possibly, and without any hard documentation or makers marks it’s just speculation! I’ll leave you to make up your own mind.
I’ll be moving reasonably quickly through the freshen up of the Kafka lounge, largely due to a major deadline looming (read wedding) in the next few weeks – I’m also a little ahead of where I’m posting about.
Tape & Vinyl Glue
So following on from the original clean, removing of stray paint and applying a conditioner to the vinyl we have now landed at the scratches and small tears to the original vinyl upholstery. The main one of note, is a small tear, approximately 15-20mm long x 2 – 3mm wide in the centre of the main cushion. What to do?
I did investigate the possibility of recovering the cushion, however to match the original colour and pattern of the vinyl was proving to be a difficult task, and to be honest probably more trouble than it was worth, so the decision was made to leave it as it, and just tidy up a few of the smaller nicks and scratches with some specific vinyl adhesive to stop them catching and going any further.
Once the adhesive was dry, I then moved onto removing the angular, tapered teak legs in preparation for refinishing. The legs were simply screwed into a threaded nut that ‘bites’ into the other side of the timber. Simple, yet effective.
With the legs removed I was faced with the dirty, well worn calico/cheesecloth cover to the underside of the lounge.
Calico or Cheesecloth?
I had always been in two minds in regards to replacing it. Looking back now I wonder how that thought could of ever entered my mind! Being a little tired made for lite work in removing the bottom cover. With 60 years of dust settled on it, I also discovered that originally it looks like it was light blue in colour, perhaps to blend just that little better. With the replacement I don’t think I’ll worry with the colour, just a nice clean piece of calico/cheesecloth to cover the ‘internals’ of the lounge, which by the way are in great shape for their age! No sagging springs or visible damage. Score.
Staples!
With the underside of the lounge now accessible, and a heap of old rusty staples looking at me square in the face (used to fix the calico cover) I got to work removing them all, one at a time. Not really necessary, and a lot of guys would just cover over the top, however my slightly obsessive compulsive nature wouldn’t let me do it. Much better in the long run I think.
Quick thing to note – It appears the slight angle on the front legs were achieved by using a small piece of masonite under the rear side of the front leg(s). Interesting.
Following on from here and here, you can see I was a little stuck on finding out any more information on a Fler lounge suite I currently have in my possession. Well, that was last week! Fast forward to tonight and thanks to Dean from Melbourne we have now solved the mystery.
Dean got in contact via the contact page and advised that he has the identical lounge suite, in the original, awesome lime green upholstery.
Original, Lime green Fler ‘flerbelle’ lounge suite.
Turns out that Dean’s parents brought the lounge suite new, and today it still looks just as good as it did when it came off the showroom floor. I asked how comfortable the lounge suite is, as I know for me it was possibly the most comfortable lounge chair I’ve ever sat it. He replied –
Yes, the single-seater tub chairs, when you sit sideways in them with your legs draped over 1 side, are just like sitting in a cloud!
So you may be asking now how have we identified the lounge suite? All we’ve got is an identical suite, with no real other markings or labels, right? Wrong!
Well, you see, as it turns out Dean’s parents also kept the original sales brochure! And he was good enough to send through some images of it also!
Flerbelle – In all it’s original glory!Original Fler Catalogue with pricing!
So there we have it, Flerbelle – consisting of a single moulding of strong rigid polyurethane covered with soft foam.
How great is the original brochure – dimensions, original pricing, original showroom image! Super cool!
Again I must thank Dean J, from Melbourne for identifying my unidentified Fler lounge suite, without his time and effort to get in contact and send through the above images who knows how long I’d be searching the interwebs for! Hopefully it may help out others in the future with their quest for knowledge also.
As it turns out that Dean is moving apartments shortly, and unfortunately the Fler suite won’t fit and he will be looking to find a new home for it. So if you’re in the market for a 1 owner, original Fler Flerbelle 3 piece lounge suite in excellent condition with the original sales brochure, be sure to get in contact and I’ll pass on your details.
Came across a familiar looking sideboard on eBay tonight – albeit in a slightly different configuration to one’s I’ve posted on before.
eBay listed Snelling Sideboard
With just over 2 days left and a starting price (with no bids) of $80 it seems to be flying under the radar. Shame it’s interstate (Victoria) or I would be posting about this listing after the fact….. 😉
To find, search eBay for – 1950’s Australian Classic Sideboard. Goodluck.
A few weeks ago I posted about a great Douglas Snelling sideboard manufactured by Functional Products Pty Ltd during the 1950’s.
Tonight I’d like to share another (rare?) piece by Snelling and Functional Products.
1950’s Queensland Maple desk
It’s a students desk, relatively simple in design however sporting those features that become ever so more recognisable each time you see them! Beautiful golden Queensland maple veneer, 4 angled front drawers and to the underside the Functional Products ink stamp.
Angular drawers on a Snelling Desk
Now I mentioned above the possibility of the students desk being a rare piece. In my research thus far I haven’t found another. It would of been apart of ‘The Snelling Line’ of furniture, and perhaps because of it’s simple design and looks, may of never really been thought to of had any value or significance?
Where to from here? Well, it joins the ever expanding list of items to ‘restore’. Now just to find a nice matching chair……..
