apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

don't do it. you will screw it up and end up with something that looks worse. Get some Leather CPR from Restoration hardware, rub it in really well and save up to have someone do it well..... you will end up with a piece you will be able to treasure for years.

I wouldn't hesitate to do the work on a Plycraft chair, but if you have a real Eames chair...don't touch it! You definintely want to hire someone to try and restore the original leather and if that can't be done, you're better off trying to acquire new chair pads than reupholstering. You compromise the value of the chair a lot if you try and do anything yourself. Also, Eames chairs can't just be disassembled. The arms do not just bolt to the base and back, they are adhered shock rests that Herman Miller vacuum seals. You would need to send it to Herman Miller to be properly reattached. Good luck!

I applaud the effort -- very brave.

But even from the photo here, and the ones on her site, I can see problems.

The padding is wrong -- it is lumpy, and lower than the original, the leather does not create the same effect, and the chair overall has lost some of its intrinsic Eames quality -- it now looks like a poor copy.

It is definitely preferable to its original state, but its current state would bother me.

It is very difficult to replicate something so iconic as this chair, and I think it is beyond the skills of a neophyte, especially as a first project. Afterall, not even just any professional upholsterer can do this job, so it is even more difficult for an amateur.

Sorry, but this is my honest reaction...

The Chair in the photo is a Plycraft Chair - not a Herman Miller Eames Chair.

There are re-upholstery kits for the real Eames Chairs available directly from Herman Miller - with the necessary replacement clips, etc included.

I like the look of the old leather. I say try and restore the leather and forego the reupholstery job.

If you don't want it, I'll take it! :)

i think it is well done, maybe i am just not as (anal) perfect as some ... :-p

i wouldn't try this as a first project, though. that is actually scary to imagine.

The images above are not authentic Eames lounge and ottomans. Therefore, i'd recommend that you save up and buy a new one, or find a vintage one in decent condition. You'll end up spending more having it redone than you will getting a new one, plus, I hate to say, from a buyers perspective, a fake ELO is basically worthless. if you want to try and redo the piece yourself, thats fine, i just wouldn't put too much money into it... you'll regret it later.

After visiting the link to Amanda's website, it's clear she did this project for the satisfaction of accomplishment and creating a chair she loves; not sticking to the mindset that altering an antique as she dreams is "ruining it". She states she knows it's a knock-off, and "isn't going for historical accuracy". With that spirit in mind, I think she did an absolutely incredible job and now has a truly unique chair that she loves and can boast about. I for one, am totally impressed!

Way to go Amanda!!!!!!!!!!

I am thoroughly impressed by Amanda's work. Very well done DIY job!

People get so anal about Eames authenticity. You don't have an authentic chair, who cares. Refinish it how you like, and don't feel pressured to buy an authentic one for 300x more because some other people here value that more than you do.

I've recovered 3 Plycraft chairs (similar to the ones pictured) It's not very difficult, and if you want to contact me about it I can give you some tips about tricky areas and materials and such. See some photos here:

Before:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/69/199914750_26ea61d0d5.jpg?v=0

After:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/99/271364546_eb2a566138.jpg?v=0

LuciferSum at the yahoo dot the com.

The after shot looks amazing, and I think I like the gray leather/vinyl much more than the original black.
I agree with what others have said in regard to Laura's question - if it's an original, don't touch it. Save up to have it restored by a professional, otherwise the piece will become horribly devalued. If it's a knockoff, I'd still consider sending it to an upholstery shop (or at least upholstering something else first, to practice). All the round edges will add to the difficulty, and vinyl is very tough to work with (if that's what you plan to use).

I sent in this same question a couple months ago (http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/good-questions/good-questions-reupholstering-an-eames-knockoff-062618) and "spanky's" instructions were good enough that I tried this myself. In short, REALLY easy.

I did mine in green corduroy because I wanted a non-leather Eames chair, and it looks fantastic (I'm intending to send in pictures once I find the cord to my digital camera). The material was cheap and good looking, and the construction of the chair actually makes it one of the easiest possible DIY reupholstery projects (if you read the instructions on the post I linked you'll understand why, I think). It was the first thing I'd ever tried to reupholster and I'm really pleased with the results.

And, just in response to all the "OH NOES YOU'LL DEVALUE IT" comments. Jesus christ. It's a chair. You know, for sitting, curling up in, and living around. One day it will be trash, and until then it's for using. Do whatever makes you happy.

I am so impressed by Amanda's project. She took an Eames knockoff (which she was aware of) and created something that is a little classic, a little eccentric, and definitely all her own. I love the color of vinyl she chose, and I especially love the fact that she chose a sustainable vinyl! But most importantly, the "after" picture looks a lot more comfy than the "before." Kudos!

I love this chair!
I think she did such a wonderful job of restoring old furniture.
It is great that she recycle furniture and very happy about her result. I think more people recycle good furniture!
In the other hand, it is very sad to read mschatelaine's comment. I don't think Amanda is not asking for her "critique". I think Amanda just simply wants to share her experience, passion for DIY and accomplishment with other people. Too bad, some people are too snobby and caught up with name brands and can't seems appreciate for what other people do.

oh

I love the before, but then, I love decay and signs of life and wear. Obviously, the chair has a lot of tales to tell, and you can guess about them in the before shot!