apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I wonder what the wood would look like in black? That would make the colors really pop on the cushion. I'd probably hold out to reupholster, but that's just me.

These are great.

The fabric may be in good condition, but it is severely dated and quite ugly to look at.

I would stain the wood very dark. I've never stained detailed wood or a chair even so I'm not sure if it would work out well, but I'm sure someone can tell you if its possible.

I love these. I would absolutely paint the wood in a bright color to contrast with the cushions. They look very 1960's "early American." If you can afford it I would get the cushions dry cleaned. They will lose a few decades of dust and probably punch up the color a few degrees.

I second the idea of painting the wood -- any number of color possibilities -- black, white, orange, lime green(?). That would give the chairs a contemporary spin while preserving that groovy velvet!

My family and friends had several items in that fabric... if you like it and it goes well with your place, keep it, and to heck with everybody. (I'm a bit more for greenness than style.) Painting the wood to match the cusions is interesting, if it suits you.

Oh goodness, first of all, I totally love the caning on these chairs - good find! If it works with your decor, I would keep the fabric and paint the wood turquoise. Oh, and I'd personally take the wheels off and replace them with wooden dowels (which would easily screw right in). Have fun!

I actually really like the fabric. It's very cool. I think it would look great with a fresh coat of paint on the wood, although I have no idea what would look the best. My first thought was black, but I guess depending on what the rest of your place looks like you could do just about anything.

Oh does that fabric bring back memories. In the early to mid-70s my mother had one of our sofas reupholstered with it - in two-toned rust. Completely hideous, yes, but it really was unbelievably soft and cushy. Around the same time a neighbor of ours used it, in a slightly more elegant powder blue, on a pair of chairs. Coincidentally, within the past month I've spotted different versions of that fabric on a couple of pieces at two different thrift stores.

Since it is in such good shape, I agree with keeping the fabric and painting the wood whatever color you think looks good.

At first I wondered if Ayers referred to the old department store out of Indianapolis that was gobbled up by Macy's, but I checked and that was spelled Ayres. According to Google there is a store in Wisconsin called Ayers Furniture that has been around since the 40s, so maybe they came from there?

I don't know your style, but I'd paint the wood white, take off the wheels, and reupholster in a fun pattern (if you're into that sort of thing), or a nice pattern neutrals if that's more your style.

Paint the wood first in a color you dig ( orange or a complementary green). Dry clean pillows. Live with it for awhile and then decide if you want to mess with anything else. I think the fabric is kinda groovy. I love that 70s velvet!

Those look like the type of chairs that one would find in a professional/executive's private office back in the late 60's/early 70's - after the redecorating that occurred after the Mad Men/MCM style was deemed outdated.

Your chairs are really aren't significant in any way - I'd do as the other's suggested and paint them bright & glossy to suit your whims and have them reupholstered in a mod coordinating fabric.

I like the fabric. I messed around with your chairs in Photoshop and I don't like the way they look with the wood painted black or white. The colors I liked the best were a dark color to match the burgundy stripe or a dark color to match the olive stripe or a light yellowish-white looked the best to my eyes. :-)

Definately keep the original casters! Dry clean the fabric and maybe try brushing it with the grain to make it smooth- then, paint the wood high gloss black. With a white throw pillow w/black or red graphic on top, these could look very vintage hollywood. the fabric is great!

I think the caning will be more visible and important-looking painted a bright or light color. (If you go black, which would also look good, I'd go for a lighter color upholstery.)

Me, I'd think about what would blend with my furnishings best, and what I would expect to like a really long time, because I doubt you will want to re-do it again. I think I'd paint the wood gloss white and reupholster the cushions in a brilliant blue-green -- turquoise, cerulean, teal...

(I would dump the current upholstery, though, unless you love it and it goes with your home.)

How about an homage to Hollywood Regency? The caning and overall shape of the chairs remind me of the period. Paint the wood and caning in a shiny white laquer. Reupholster the cushions in a classy print, perhpas a damask or a burn-out velvet.

I agree with neverdoubt:paint the wood white and reupholster. There's tons of inspiring examples on Designspongeonline.com

I'm wondering what exactly to do with these chairs...

Bury them at midnight on a crossroads. Just remember to run a stake through the seats first.