Good Questions: Is This Reupholstery Job D.I.Y.-able?

Hi AT:SF,

We recently found this chair on the street. It obviously needs some TLC. I am wondering if it's wiser to re-upholster ourselves or to take it to a shop? We re-upholstered our couch ourselves about a year ago and that turned out not bad but it wasn't the greatest work either, so I'm a bit hesitant.

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This chair seems a bit more complicated with its nooks and crannies. If we do send it somewhere, can you guys recommend an affordable upholsterer (preferably in San Francisco) that will do a good job?
Thanks! ~Giselle

Dear Giselle,

Your chair has great potential, but we agree that unless you are a very skilled amateur you might want to take this to a pro.

The question of where to find a pro who is reasonable has popped up several times here at AT:SF and there are some good suggestions in both the posts and the comments here and here.

Please let us know how it turns out!

Anyone else?

Comments (7)

If you're dedicated to this chair, find a local community college that gives an upholstery class as part of their community education program. The chair can be your class project.

(FWIW, my grandfather taught such a class for many years... he taught me some upholstering basics, plus I always over-estimate what I can really do with projects, and that chair still scares me. I kind of like boomer's advice.)

Thanks for posting this, AT:SF and thank you all for taking time to reply.

Since I'm stubborn, I think I will get a quote from at least one upholsterer, but if it's really going to cost $600-$700 then it's smart to just give it away and go the Craigslist route.

I do love that first chair, BTW (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/fur/392388090.html).

Will also check out upholstery classes as an option since it's not a bad idea.

GREAT! Classy and Pottery Barn in the same sentence. It is now OFFICIALLY the end of design and taste!

Merci Boomer for showing my chair as an example! I'm honored :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sosylvie/543379252/

In fact, I had given Giselle a quote for reupholstering that chair of hers at $365. Such a deal.

It's too bad that instead of keeping with the "green" idea of giving this good old chair new life (I wonder if it has those good strong 'bones' that are so hard to find in new furniture), most of the feedback suggest buying new.

To me, if given the choice of spending the same money for re-upholstery or buying new, I'd go with re-upholstery. Call me crazy.

What's odd is that not one person suggested buying new.