Good Questions: Should I Reupholster or Clean These Pieces?

11.13chair.jpg Hello AT,

I have 2 chairs and 2 matching ottomans that are just dusty/dirty, but not soiled. They are still in very good condition (fabric and structure).

The room that I will put them in has a light green paint color (called celery mist).

Should I have all four pieces re-upholstered, which I will know will cost me.

Or can just have the four pieces cleaned professionally and deal with this salmon/orange color(which Im beginning to like)?

Thanks! Mary

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Comments (15)

If you like the color, just have them cleaned. If you don't like the color, have them re-done. Just be sure you go to someone who's really good to do them.

Love them, such fun! Get them cleaned - it'll probably cost you less than $200 to have them all properly cleaned. Or, you can sell the X ottomans to me! :)

Have 'em cleaned then see what you think.

Personally, even if you like the color, I'd do the two ottomans in another color/fabric. I think the matching fabric was an attempt to get them to "go" with the chairs, but I (again, personally) think they don't, so I'd highlight the difference.

I'd also hit those babies with some nailhead trim.

I think the pink is kinda cool! It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I think they'd look awesome with the right decor and the right colors. A black, pink, and white/cream motif could be very interesting.

Also love patrick's idea of nailhead trim--I was thinking that myself!

I think it has a lot to do with whether your apartment in general has more of a pristine sheen or a overall aura of a patina to it. If the former, re-cover them, if the latter, just clean them.

I can picture the kind of ottoman that WOULD "go" with these chairs, as Patrick says, and I so very much agree that these aren't them, so I do think the difference should be emphasized.

It is way cheaper to repaint than to reupholster, if you like the pink why not go all the way with it? Under no circumstances should you combine it with forest green however.

I agree with P2 and Curtis, nice pieces, but not together, and not all pink. I'd get the chairs cleaned, and reupholster the ottomans.

With a more tightly upholstered top they could be dead ringers for this Jonathan Adler piece.
http://www.jonathanadler.com/shop/product.php?productid=17264&cat=361&page=1

Pink, cream, chocolate brown, a dash of gold/mustard... hmmm

if you're really on a budget try some fabric spray cleaner and see how they come clean. or a steam cleaner. if your gonna recover you might as well buy something new. i have a chair very much like your picture in an orange color- woolite did the trick for mine.

Thanks everyone for your responses! I will repost pics once the room I will put them in is finished.

Your hunch that you should simply get them professionally cleaned was right on target. And the color ought to work well with your proposed room color. Will look forward to the completed pics of the project.

I recently bought a Bissell Little Green Machine steam cleaner on Craigslist for $30. So worth it. Turned some chairs I had from street trash into cute Danish Modern pieces. Those steam cleaners cost about $80 new, but keep an eye out on Craigslist and you could get lucky.