Very nice! I could see them painted and replacing the fabric with some of that foreign language print fabric if you want a contemproary look. What is your style?

They look like they originally had a flat seat at the leveljust below the cushion... maybe caned, or upholstered with minimal padding.

Funny you should say that sstarr. My first thought was that the pillows looked like someone had them made afterward and that they are not original to the chairs. If you keep them, I would lose some of the fluffiness and make them flatter or remove them completely.

This is a hard question to answer without knowing your style, where you are using these chairs, what other furnishings are in the room, whether you are diy-ing this project, and your budget. Please provide some details. - Just off the top of my head, I think they would look great painted black with a faux zebra or faux cowhide upholstery. If you want to make them even more hip, paint them teal with the above upholstery. They'll be a great accent.

If you want them to be an accent in your space, try a bold, geometruc print. There are many geometric prints out there that can look very modern or traditional. If you want them to just be a pop of color, use a solid color in a velvet like an aqua.

Google Cromwellian chairs, look at the image results for ideas.

I would remove all coverings down to the wood frame, then assess the wood to see if it is worth sanding and refinishing. It looks to me like the arms were originally wood also, but someone decided that the bare wood was too uncomfortable.

I agree that they would have originally been leather and that the arms would have been wood with padded leather arm rests with rounded edges that would have been screwed in on top. I think a light muted green leather and the wood left as is would look lovely along with new flatter square cushions made to fit, this is my suggestion if you wanted them for indoor comfort. They would also look great in a plantation style for a consevertory or outside area, upholstered in a wispy leaf pattern.

I say either keep it old school and just stain over the wood and upholster it in leather. Or you could paint the wood a glossy bright color. I like periwinkle, tangerine, lemon, etc. Then do a tufted "lime" green and corresponding floral seat cushion.

I say keep it old school and restain, but use a menwear plaid in browns, tans, and a shot of color.

I would probably take them Scandinavian ... white paint and white fabric

yes, me, too...make the loose cushions flatter or take them off...then the upholstery and wood colors can be chosen to fit your room...any favorite colors?

Feather and down are much nicer to sit on than foam or any other manmade material! I'd say live with them for a bit, and see where they settle.

I love the feel of feather & down cushions. If the upholstery is in good condition and u love the color just use painters tape to tape off nd protect the fabric. Use a soft sanding sponge clean prime and paint your favorite color. Then if u don't like the fabric u can have the fabric removed. Touch up the paint and reupholstered. I use 2coats of paint.

Wonderful ideas!!!!!! Thank you so much!!! The fabric is badly worn and faded, so will need to be replaced. You all have given me lots to think about.

You know, if you like the down cushions and just want a cheap quick fix, you could simply wrap the seat in a bright new fabric, and staple-gun it to the underneath, and buy a couple of cheery cushions for sitting on from T J Maxx et al.

I vote for leather with the original wood finish, just cleaned up a bit.

Here's a nice look for this chair, which includes keeping the seat cushion: http://www.highfashionhome.com/lana-wood-frame-chair.html

The boxed cushion is much better.

Could see them in an ikat fabric, too.

Ikat would look great but might be a bit hard to upholster with - for a first timer. I would suggest using something without a lot of pattern or you're going to have to be a "rock star" 1st timer!

It's not that difficult, if you center the design, and make sure it matches from back to seat. It may take more fabric than a solid, however.

Keef...I have a pair of similar chairs. Found them about 20 yrs ago in a shed in my Mom's backyard. My guess is she used them until 50's or so. I had them refinished and reupholstered. Have always wanted to paint them black but hesitated because original wood looked good. I'm thinking about reupholstering them now that I read the suggestion above about animal print. I think that sounds nice even with this dark stain. I use them as occasional chairs in my master bedroom but since they are lightweight and small....I often move them to other rooms if extra seating is needed. A great idea about animal print! Thx.

Forgot to attach photo. Sorry.

sometimes it is less expensive to buy new. so here is a way to make it happen. Go to your fabric store and look at the special order fabrics. Check out the fabric for $10.00 and get your money back when you return the fabric swatch. They are fairly large pieces.. Look at in in your room and write down the fabric name and number and the manufacture.. Then you can order on line at a 40-50% discount. I have used a couple of companies and they are ligitiment. "Online Fabric Store.com" 8777812967 the other is Fabricsand home.com 18005822624 good luck! Sometimes your local upholsterey person will trade out for something as well. . I got 2 chairs uphol. in exchange for a antique armoire.

I agree with "A Crew of Two", perfect combination.

Whatever you decide to do, you will need to take them apart first!

I like all the earlier suggestions. But I can also totally imagine them either stained or enamelled black with a gorgeous coloured brocade.

I think the design decision needs to be based on your own taste.if you like traditional , restrain the wood in a dark finish and use a tapestry fabric. If you like more modern- then the wood can be painted a high gloss lacquer and reupholstered in leather

Upholstery done is multiple fabrics is all the rage right now. If you are a bit more subdued, just try incorporating a contrast welt with a pop of color. It will do wonders to liven up the look of those gorgeous chairs! Happy decorating!
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