My roommate and I recently salvaged these knock-off Breuer chairs from our friends' house as they were moving out. Unfortunately, they do not match our indoor decor and we were hoping to make them suitable for outdoor use. We, however, do not know how to go completing such a task. Any suggestions or tips would be much appreciated. Thank You, Julia Mae
Wow — personally, I wouldn't touch them! Even if they are knockoffs, they weren't designed to be outdoor chairs and I feel they are too good to ruin!
I'm curious to know what other readers think:
If you answered YES above, how would you make an upholstered chair suitable for outdoor use?
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Comments (12)
If you wont use them inside then you may as well get use of them outside!
Take the pads off, cover with oil cloth and staple tight, put them back on - youre done!
I would also suggest sealing the metal parts with a coat of clear varnish to prevent them from rusting in the rain etc.
Design Sponge just recently posted a project involving similar chairs. It's a perfect outdoor bench and seems like an easy enough project.
Check it out: http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/07/before-after-martinas-bench-kellys-dining-room.html
I had some Cesca knockoffs that I left outside for a year or two. The chrome got pitted and the steel underneath rusted through.
I don't know of any clear finish that will adhere to metal that is left outdoors. The metal expands and contracts with temperature changes and the finish will flake off as a result.
I would do what Lisa-C said about re-doing the fabric.
Sealing the metal with a marine varnish is super durable. It is a little expensive but you never have to worry about rust with ANY weather. It's not too cheap, but it lasts forever and you have to buy it at boating stores or online. They have it for metal as well as wood.
if you're going to go through all the trouble/expense to waterproof them... why not just make them match your inside decor?
I second the design sponge idea. I've been toying with making outdoor benches like that ever since I saw it, and it instantly sprang to mind when I saw your chairs.
Spanky is right, the chrome will corrode.
I third the bench idea featured on Design*Sponge.
If you use redwood, cypress or eucalyptus, these woods are naturally weather resistant, and also fragrant. It would be lovely to work with, and enjoyable to use for years.
Either figure out a way to incorporate these chairs in your current set-up or sell them to someone who can use them as they're intended to be used: indoors.
I agree with odd1out, why not just make them work inside?
You'll ruin the frames by leaving them outside - Use them inside or sell them on Craigslist and get some pre appropriate outdoor seating.
My experience... I had a set of knock-offs that I bought in the early 80s at The Door Store, and recently pitched them. Here's why: I had stored them in my sister's basement for the past 10 years and it must've been a bit damp down there. All four chairs were totally destroyed -- the chrome corroded and the fabric became mildewed!