Hello AT,
I have a fantastic Danish modern dining room set that I inherited from
my parents. It came with four chairs, but the space is large and we'd
like to keep the table extended, therefore needing two more chairs. We
came upon similar chairs on Craigslist, but found that the seats needed
to be recaned. Apparently, this is a time-consuming and EXPENSIVE
undertaking, and each chair seat will cost at least $200.
Question is: Is it worthwhile to pay the $400 to get the chairs
recaned, or is there a possibility to find similar chairs somewhere,
finished, at a lower price? We don't see too many of these chairs
around, so I'm not sure how much they would cost at a store or in a
vintage shop. Our other option is to get two chairs that are a
different style but would still go with the look. We would love some
suggestions on this as well.
I think you have to take the cost of the chairs on craig's list + recaning costs, and ask yourself if they are worth it. Sure, you could find perfect conditions chairs later on, but it may be 10 yrs. from now. My gut feeling is go for it!
Should read: "perfect-condition chairs"
I have experience buying and selling Danish Modern furniture designs from the mid-century. In my opinion the craigslist price for those chairs is far too high if they need re-caining. The chairs are a very typical design and were manufactured by several different manufacturers. For example, Frem Rojle made a chair in that design and one can find models from that manufacturer in good condition for $100 per chair. Four examples are currently available at Modhaus furniture (www.modhaus.com). If anything, use that as a bargaining position with the craigslist seller to get a significant price reduction.
Also, PSM is correct; make sure the joints are good.
I say go ahead and cane 'em. Look at it this way-- you got a fantastic Danish Modern dining room set for free (well, as an heirloom) and now you're making an investment to complete it. And if the caning job is fresh, you know it will last for years.
To throw a (nicely designed) wrench in...
If you are looking for two more chairs that most likely will sit at both ends of the table, perhaps consider two completely different styles for those chairs. It may broaden your search possibilities.
If you add two chairs with new caning to the existing ones, I doubt that the new caning will will have the same color as the original caning...
Also looks like the caning is a "typical" caning pattern, does your "caner" have the ability to replicate the existing pattern? Have you seen examples of his work? I had a seat on a chair of my grandparents replaced. While I got it done very cheaply the "caner" did a terrible job of matching the new seat to the old back. I had to find a cushion to cover the seat.
You know how many dining room sets of chairs have side chairs (armless) and then on the ends of the tables there are armchairs?
Well, if you can't face the whole little buying-and-caning dance NOR going to that site where they're selling new versions of it, you COULD just find two totally different chairs that simply had some lines in common with your chairs and put them on the ends. In fact those other two could have arms, if you wanted to give a nod to convention.
(By the way, no, there is NOT a wrong or missing Security Code - I know exactly what numbers I'm seeig and typing; there's something screwy with this little system.)
I think that p(too) and I must have typing that at the same time. OK, we weren't saying EXACTLY the same thing, but still...spooky.
Yorkville Caning here in the city will stain new canework to match old.
re: Yorkville Caning here in the city will stain new canework to match old.
I say go for it, get these while you can, and start enjoying them. (I have six matching chairs, and think that is the best-cleanest look.)
responce to "Yorkville Caning here in the city will stain new canework to match old."
I say go for it, get these while you can, and start enjoying them. (Personally I have six matching chairs, and think that is the best-cleanest look. different chairs if only used occasionally, normally placed away from the table can be fine, but if they will reside at the table I would prefer them to all match, otherwise adds to overall cluttered look.)
on second thought, this table really needs 8 chairs to really look best, maybe wait for an additional set of 4...
Thanks for all the great comments and suggestions. We actually passed on the Craigslist chairs, but the ones on Modhaus look like an identical match--thanks for pointing us in that direction. The total cost of the chairs that don't need repair is much lower than what the recaning + chair purchase would have been.
I'm looking forward to the LOFT apartment contest that I hope we'll see in the future...Hope to have my slideshow on AT one day!