Tag Archives: Chair

Possible Snelling? TV/Easy/Arm Chair Update

Restoration Projects, ,

Its been a little while since I last posted on this chair here so I thought it was time for an update seeing as though it’s sneaking its way into the background of a few my recent items, both on eBay and the online store.

Since that time the chair has been reassembled and given a couple of coats of oil to bring it to the stage that it is at below.

Silky Oak TV/Arm/easy chair

The silky oak timber came up an absolute treat!

Now onto the upholstery……I feel that the boomerang shape of the chair, along with the stunning silky oak is to good to cover and hide away from the day of light so I’m pretty positive I’m going to go with webbing only, much like the Snelling and Jens Risom designer chairs.

I’ve sampled a few different colours of webbing against the timber, and because of how rich and deep the colour is red and black webbing blend in to much, i.e the colour does not contrast against the timber. White however, much like these chairs is excellent and provides an excellent contrast against the silky oak. Stay tuned.

Early Snelling TV/Easy/Arm Chair?

General, ,

I’ve had this Easy/Arm/TV Chair for a little while now. You could say that I ‘saved’ it from being turned into landfill!

The thing that instantly caught my eye was the boomerang-shaped sides and arm supports. Very Snelling like!

After doing some research and talking to a few people I still have not been able to link it to Snelling. From the materials used in the manufacture of the chair I would date it pre 1950 which is before Snellings range of famous web designed chairs. Perhaps he experimented with a few different styles before reaching his final design? Or perhaps it has no link to him at all. Or, get ready for it………….he used the design from this chair and modified it to create his own range of chairs!

No matter who manufactured it, this is a beautifully designed chair that deserves to be restored to it’s former glory, and thats exactly what I am planning to do!

Mid Century chair

Iconic Snelling Chairs

Upcoming Items, ,

Check out these iconic kitchen chairs. Designed by Douglass Snelling and manufactured by Functional Products Pty Ltd in the late 1940’s they are instantly recognisable with their  with maple frames, tapered legs, boomerang-shaped sides, and interwoven webbing.

Mid Century Design - Snelling Chairs

Unfortunately these chairs have seen better days. The frames have various cracks from general use and have been strengthened using door hinges (why? LOL). It appears they have been restored previously (perhaps 10 – 15 years ago) with a varnish style finish and new white webbing. Unfortunately during the previous restoration the Snelling stamp on all 3 chairs has been removed however due to their design as mentioned above they are easily recognisable.

When fully restored these chairs can fetch up to $550 each. A long way away from what their starting price will be ($19.99) on eBay when I list them next week.

If you’re handy with the tools, and are looking for a new restoration project, then these chairs might be just what you’re after!

Ad for Snelling Chairs

 

Restoration Complete!

Restoration Projects, Upcoming Items, , ,

Well, its done! I finished off the restoration of the Parker chair over the weekend, and I must say I am very happy with the results.

Sporting new elastic webbing, fresh dunlop foam on both the seat and back support and   new upholstery, this chair has been brought back to the condition it was when it rolled out of the Parker factory over 35 years ago!

The chair will be for sale on the website within the next few weeks, or alternatively if interested you can contact me via the contact page on the blog.

Retro Teak Parker ChairI’d also like to thank Laura and Katie from Flourish and Blume who gave me some great advice on materials and specific upholstery techniques. The girls were extremely friendly and helpful!

Be sure to check out their blog here —> http://flourishandblume.blogspot.com.au/        They do some awesome quality work which most definitely provides inspiration for myself.

I’ll also add their blog to my list of recommended links on the home page.

 

Parker ‘Captains’ Chair Update

Restoration Projects, , , ,

Thought I’d share a few progress pictures of the Parker chair I am currently restoring.

In the last update I had just finished sanding back the frame. After cleaning the dust off I made up a 50/50 mix of linseed oil and mineral turpentine (turps) and applied it using a cotton cloth. I repeated the process once a day for 3 days and finished it off by buffing the frame with a soft cloth.

As you can see the results are very impressive! The finish really highlighted the beautiful grain of the teak.

Stay tuned for the final part of the restoration, the re-upholstering of the seat and back support

Retro Teak Parker chair

Restoration project – Retro Teak Parker Chair

Restoration Projects, , ,

One of my items that I am currently restoring is this beautiful retro teak Parker chair. It was in quite a state as you can see when I first picked it up but its lovely curving design caught my eye.

The exposed finger joints and beautiful grain (although slightly hidden due to weathering) only reinforced what a quality piece this once was, and upon closer inspection I found a makers label – Parker.

The chair is structurally very sound. The teak timber finish and upholstery however are not due to weathering (more than likely this chair was outside on someones veranda/back deck/patio).

After removing the seat and back rest I started to sand the entire frame with some 80 grit sand paper, always sanding with the grain. Once that was done I started again using a smoother grade of sandpaper – 180 grit this time. Once completed I moved up to some 400 grit sand paper for the final sand.

I am very impressed with the result so far.

Vintage Teak Parker Chair