DINING CHAIR REFINISHING TIPS jens chairs

Long story short a friend was in need and I helped out.

These 6 chairs are clearly dated from 1976 on the bottom of the seats

and on the underside of the matching table. Im sorry but we do not have a photo of

the table at this time. Cross your fingers we will get a full shot of everything in place soon.

The set had been purchased sometime ago and the table was painted already.

But the poor chairs had been waiting their turn. When I realized there was an issue

and they needed to be completed I stepped in.

Jen requested the seats be upholstered in burlap.

She had bought the burlap coffee sacks from The Passionate Home.

TIP:

The interior of the sacks is much softer and smoother than the exterior due to the coffee

tumbling around in transit so be sure to check which side is actually smoother.

Rub each side of the burlap against the underside of your forearm or if you are wearing shorts

rub the burlap against your thigh to get an accurate feel for the texture.

I painted the chairs in a mix of ASCP old white and pure white to match the already painted table.

TIP:

When mixing ASCP colors to match an already existing piece

take into account the wax you will be using to finish with, will change the color slightly.

Dining chairs are a lot of work. Just look at all the surface space that has to be gone over for each chair.

I lightly distressed the edges to show the magnificent lines each chair has and

I also took the finish down several layers in a few spots to add to the vintage feel.

After 36 years the caning is in perfect condition on all of them.

These very comfortable chairs are now all finished and back home with their matching table.

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THE CRYSTAL OCTOPUS jens chandelier

Most who read my blog and follow my adventures

already know I love working with wood but I also enjoy working with other vintage finds.

The other thing I am very proud of is the ability to take a friends needs

and desires and create it for them.

A very good client and now close friend has been seeking just the right chandelier.

It had to be large in diameter yet shallow in height for her lower ceilings.

The right one was just not available no matter where we looked.

So I told her to leave it with me and Ill see what I can do.

That is where the monster octopus road side chandelier came in.

This thing had so many arms and was in such disarray I could never quite count how many
arms there actually was. Finally when I started to take it apart I got the count of 21.

I have worked with lamps, chandeliers, and general light fixtures for many years and understand

they really are just bits and pieces of a jigsaw puzzle but together in a pleasing form.

You can mix and match all sorts of parts together.

I started with the center of the octopus which had 6 arms and began adding

decorative bits top and bottom. Its trial and error what will look good so

I continued rebuilding my jigsaw puzzle over and over till I found the pleasing shape I wanted.

Once she was built and painted came the many long hours of adding wonderful sparkling crystals.

I drilled holes for hanging hooks and hand tied beads in just the right places.

I only manage to do about 2-3 chandeliers in a year because

they take countless hours to fiddle with.

I would not show my friend the final look through emailed photos because I wanted to see

her reaction in person and getting a pictures of a chandelier that

actually looks as good as it does in person is difficult.

She said "Im so jealous, ... but its mine and I cant wait to get it home"

It really is a masterpiece and so beautiful in person. I hope I have taken the right photos to

share with you so you can see for yourself.
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