Thrift Store MCM Chair Makeover

At first glance when I spied this chair at the thrift store, I thought, eh, typical office chair. But, when I looked at it a second time, I decided I liked it's shape and I liked the wood chair back as opposed to an upholstered back and the mid-century modern vibe. So, I bought one (there were three, but I left the others for someone else).

I did pick the chair that was in the best shape. When I got it home and removed the seat,

I found a brass, inlaid marker for the chairmaker--The Gunlocke Co. from NY. 

Gunlocke started manufacturing chairs in 1902. And while the chair pictured billow does have a leather seat, it is the same chair I thrifted.

Don't get me wrong, i don't believe I can sell my chair for $600. In the antique business we say something is worth how much someone is willing to pay. But, searching for and researching a piece does tell me that it is a well made piece and isn't trash.

I pictured the chair dark with a velvety, rich, jewel-toned seat and I love how it turned out.

Keep reading to see how I gave this tired, thrifted, office chair a classy update and makeover.

I sanded the finish off the chair. I know light, scrubbed, raw wood is quite popular right now, but I wanted a rich, dark walnut look which is a mid century modern wood color. I used dark walnut Minwax stain, giving it three coats.

I brushed on Minwax Polyacrylic in a Matte finish for a topcoat. I like polyacrylic because it does go on nicely, is water clean-up, and dries quickly. It does drip and puddle easily so you need to continue to walk around your piece and looks for drips and white spots.

It took me a month to find what I wanted to use to recover the seat. I wanted something in a jewel tone--green, gold, orange with a velvety texture. I looked at the thrift stores and the fabric store. I finally found two heavy curtain panels. I also bought a yellow gold, stretchy velour fabric remnant at the thrift store. I let my instagram followers vote and the rusty-orange curtain panel won.

After washing the curtain panels, I cut around the chair seat, leaving plenty of fabric to go up around the cushioned seat. I also added a couple layers of quilt batting to give it a little extra cush.

I always staple the middle of the four sides first.

Next I trim the fabric and batting at the corner and staple it.

After the corners are good and tight, I staple the edges, starting in the middle of the corner and the middle, and then the middles of that and so one.

The color of the dark wood and the fabric look so nice together.

This is the type of chair that looks great sitting against a wall in the family room or in the corner in a guest bedroom. It isn't something you want to curl up in to binge watch your favorite show, but is perfect extra seating for guests or to sit and read or place to rest while taking your shoes off. 

I try so hard to not regret the things I didn't buy, but now that I see this MCM chair upcycled I do wish i would have bought two. They would be so cute side by side with a table in between, sigh...