This isn't the first time we've looked at chair upholstery at Apartment Therapy, but reupholstering a bergere chair is definitely more of a challenge than your typical drop-in seat dining chair or even an open-arm side chair. Thanks to Jenny at Little Green Notebook, I think we've found one of the most thorough explanations on how to reupholster this anything-but-easy-to-upholster style of chair... and for an added bonus, keep reading and you'll see her fantastic pair of revamped chairs to boot!
Ever since I saw an amazing reupholstered bergere chair at my favorite boutique, I've been secretly hoping to come across the same kind of thrift-store find, with the intention of saving some cash and reupholstering it myself. But then I found 'said' inexpensive bergere chair, only upon closer inspection, I thought how the heck am I going to recover the back? Or the little fabric section on the arms? Or add the piping? Well here you have it. An extremely detailed DIY on chair reupholstering, chock full of detailed photographs and handy tips, broken down into five parts:
- Part 1: Stripping
- Part 2: Painting the Frame
- Part 3: Stapling
- Part 4: Sewing
- Part 5: Sewing the Cushion
Thanks, Little Green Notebook! Now it's time to check out her fabulous pair of reupholstered mid-century bergeres!
Images: Little Green Notebook
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love it, but too scared to try it !
Oh! I'll bet these instructions would mostly apply to a cool little carved (probably Asian) chair I got at a thrift shop, too. Similar issues even though the shape isn't the same. Thanks!!!
No thanks, I have a pair of these that I inherited. Too bad my Mom chose an ugly rose velvet to replace the original red velvet when she had them redone by Martha Stewart's upholsterer!.
I've decided that they're way too complicated to d-i-y so I'll break down and spend the $450 per chair to get them done professionally. The hard part is choosing the right fabric since I'll be living with it a long, long time before they get recovered again.