If either way would fit with your decor, I would vote for stripping the wood. I am admittedly a bit of a wood fetishist, and think a lot of the furniture redecorations that involve painting over perfectly nice wood do the furniture a bit of a disservice. Either way, nice chair, and I'm sure it'll look even better when you're done with it.

As much as I agree with the last comment, I think your zebra print idea sounds awesome! I'd love to see the before and after shots.

I say go for the purple idea. I think it would look more unique. The black wood/zebra print is something you could just as easily purchase some where off the shelf.

Do the black wood and zebra, but strip the wood, sand it a bit, then STAIN it black instead of paint it so that you can see the wood grain. Seal it with a salad bowl finish, it's a little bit glossy, but it protects the wood.

Restore the wood and go with zebra fabric seats. That would be chic and keeping it MCM.

I agree with elephony that nice wood deserves to be seen and I agree with hooksies that you could get the whole animal print thing somewhere. Besides, imnsho, the animal print fad has faded, rightfully so. It can be fun one in a hundred times, otherwise it just seems like a very tedious cliche.

The zebra thing sounds hideous...don't do that to that lovely chair. Really, it is a rare, rare occasion that animal prints succeed in any look other than tacky.

I agree with trygve that it is very difficult to pull off a zebra print without it looking tacky. On the whole, the first idea sounds better to me.

Alternatively, if I were really set on the zebra idea, I'd make zebra stencils (of the whole animal or just its head etc.) and create a unique printed fabric with which to upholster the chair.

I have dis-mantled the chair and will strip the wood and see what it looks like without the years of tarnished-varnish.

However, I think I will go with re-vanishing the wood. Once done... will consider the color fabric.

I will certainly post before and after pictures.

I do love working my hands - as my day job is all head work.

Thanks to all at AT for your wonderful advice.

The zebra combination is something you can easily buy, so no one will notice your restoration project - that could be both a good and bad thing.

Nifty chair, either way!

If you strip and refinish, you have tons of options for stain colors that might inspire you. Ebony is dark brown-black, which might be cool. But you could go whacky with kelly green or something, too, for a totally original look that still celebrates the wood.

Then pick your fabric to go with whatever you do to the wood. (Personally, if you love zebra, I'd go for it -- it's your chair! Me, I'd probably go with something plain or geometric. But that's me, not you.)

ebony stain, don't paint it!

I love it as is, so personally, I would just restore it. The zebra print idea sounds chic, but there's nothing really special about it. The purple is quite unique.

I would go with the black and white theme. Sounds awesome!

Restore the original wood finish and upholster in your favorite black and white fabric!