Library Chair

Library chair with original cover

This is a very interesting library chair made in the 1930’s Art Deco style. It was won by the current owner’s grandparents in a fishing contest, with a new cover added some 35 years ago.

Possibly the most curious and most interesting item was that there were shelves under the left arm and a drinks cupboard on the right. Not seen that before!

The back and cushion needed new covers and images from similar chairs confirmed that nailing around the back needed to be retained. Some repair work was needed where one arm was parting with the base.

Chair with cushion removed and fabric stripped off

The seat cushion was taken off.

The nails were removed and the front cover taken off.

All the other layers were removed – heading towards the back. First a quilted layer, then some jute webbing stapled over the back fabric. 

And finally the staples holding the back fabric were removed and the fabric taken off.

The broken joint

At the front, the joint between left arm and seat had opened. 

The old white glue was carefully removed, new glue added around the joint and the frame clamped to close. It was left overnight to cure.

Underneath a missing dome of silence

Underneath, a ”dome of silence” was missing and replaced.

Time to add the new cover but first, check we have everything!

One item easily solved was to source similar decorative nails. Fortunate.

Back fabric added
Jute webbing added

The new fabric was added to the back.

Jute webbing was added.

Original stuffings added
FR polyester wadding added


Then FR polyester wadding. 

The original stuffings were secured.  

Another layer of FR polyester added
Cover added and secured with nails


More FR polyester was added.

Finally the cover fabric was secured in place with upholstery nailing.

The right back of the chair
The completed chair
Left back of the chair

A cover was made for the seat cushion. It was piped at top and bottom, with the fabric pattern aligned with the back fabric.

The finished chair

A zip was added to one side – it was covered in fabric to avoid damaging the sides of the chair and that also avoided having a visible seam at the back.

The cushion was placed back on the chair to complete the project.

JBerryUpholstery has many examples of furniture Recovering and Restoration and also Soft Furnishings to add to or complement the finished items. You can see pictures of these in the Galleries– Recovering Gallery, Restoration Gallery, Soft Furnishings Gallery and Transformations.

If you have some upholstery that is in need of a bit of TLC or you are interested in Soft Furnishings then please contact us.