The Double Dipped Bentwood Beauty

This little number needed some major TLC after being abandoned to our concrete jungle!  The caning was shredded and it looked like it had been living outside for a while.  But, with the classic bentwood lines, this Thonet style chair was a perfect candidate for a makeover!

 

After cutting away the ruined caning, I lightly sanded the entire chair with 320 grit sandpaper.  There wasn't any original finish left and it just needed to be smoothed out.

I painted the legs in aqua blue for the dip effect.  Once it was dry, I taped off a narrow band above the blue and painted it gray - the double dip!

The chair is finished with Watco Danish Oil in Fruitwood, which gives the wood a silky feel and warmed up the wood tone.  

The seat is upholstered in a cute gray tiger stripe fabric and high density foam.  The fabric is pleated around the base of the cushion.

Wrap the foam with a layer of batting. Staple the batting to the sides of the wood base to reduce bulk under the fabric.

Position the seat on the fabric, centering the design.

Pleating the fabric helps it lay flat.

Now, this bentwood beauty is a perfect blend of classic lines and modern style.

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