apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Hello AT! I need help!

I found a fiberglass Eames chair at work, and today they gave it to me for free (they were not using it... it was in a bathroom hallway...). It is grey fiberglass, H-legs, and it is ... padded. I took off the pad to see what is underneath - there is yellow foam like stuff. Old and crumbly. Since it was free I'm open to risking and sanding it, but I wanted to ask here first.

I can only find one picture of it online (and I am still at work so can't take more), and it looks exactly like this one: http://auctionpmb.com/images/154_MVC-22S.jpg

I want to replace the legs with the Eiffel base, and ideally remove the padding and get it to be just grey fiberglass.

Did any one ever encounter one of these before, and do you think it is possible?

olya - My feelings on this are that if you want non-padded eiffel chair, sell this one and put the money towards getting the one that you want.

I'm considering hiring someone to help me rearrange the furniture in my apartment so that it flows better and utilizes the space better. I think I've looked at "my stuff/situation" too much and have lost sight (ow! ow! my eyes!). Does anyone have any suggestions on someone who's creative and not too terribly expensive?

Johnny - do you think it would actually sell though? There are 3 drilled holes in the base (ouch!) that _I_ don't care about, but a purchaser might.

I'll definitely keep it in mind if nothing else works out :-) Thank you.

Olya—I'm not sure you're going to want to sand. I can't find the AT thread where sanding fiberglass was discussed several months ago, but it's not a nice experience. I'm also not sure you'll *need* to sand it—maybe there is another way to remove whatever foam residue is left? Maybe a solvent of some sort? Or something that won't particularize the fiberglass? Since you've already taken the upholstery off, see what you can do with it (but if you're going to sand f'glas, get a respirator and a tyvek suit).

L

The foam and any adhesive used to mount it will dissolve with acetone. However, it may cause some discoloration of the fiberglass as well. You can also try adhesive remover, such as "Goo GOne," available in any hardware/big box store. These products also have an acetone-like base (and sinificant fumes - wear a mask), so discoloration remains an issue.

Ohhh that's good information.

It looked crumbly, I think it'd come off without trouble.

The fabric is attached via a rubber "lip" that stretches over the edge. I stretched it back over the chair after peeking. (I was hoping it'd be just a removable cover that I could wash...)

I'll try goo gone on some hidden edge and see what happens, I guess. And thank you for the mask and sanding warning! No tyvek suits for me, thus no sanding. But I'm optimistic about Goo gone! :-)

On which note - any idea where I can find Eiffel bases that would ship to Canada?

olya - Check on eBay and I'm sure you'll find a number of similar chairs on there. I usually search for "eames chair -era" on there fairly often, but have been slacking on that lately...work... You should also have no problem finding an Eiffel base on there. However, if you go that route, be sure to check the bolt patten. I've heard stories of people purchasing bases at different places on not being able to attach them to the shell.

Um, so you don't want that base, and you don't want that seat... why, exactly, did you buy the chair?

I Love Upstate... where are you? I do the kind of work you describe... lemme know.

Oh Patrick, didn't you see the original post? She got the chair for free and is trying to rehab it into something she will love. I say good luck olya, I wish I found free Eames chairs lying around that only needed a little love... sniff, not in Nevada though, it's an uphill battle here just sticking with stuff that's not overstuffed and chintzy.

On that note, anyone know where I could find a reasonably priced mantel clock in the general retro-mod aesthetic of this site?I just want something smallish to sit on a shelf. Is it eBay for me?

p(too) - it was free :-) and I wanted to save it from the life in a bathroom...

Patrick...I email'd you a few weeks ago but didn't hear back. You baby cakes, are at the top of my list.

Email me at iloveupstate (at) gmail.com

Never got it!!! Will email you shortly... having some e-difficulties where I am today.

Anne: thanks :) what kind of a clock are you looking for, though? size wise esp? I found a tiny flip calendar (that's not a clock, but still) - plastic, red, about the size of a tennis ball - in a garage sale. Just saying... maybe if you want a calendar I can give it to you. :-)

How does it work with shipping if you buy a big piece of furniture on Ebay? I've never done it. Is it astronomical and only for things worthy of such astronomical shipping costs?

Pixie, it depends on the seller. Always read before you bid, and if the shipping info/rates are not clear, email the seller. I recently bought an oak dining table off Ebay. It came from an antique shop in Ohio, so they had a system in place for shipping. Shipping large pieces into Manhattan (if that's where you are) can sometimes necessitate an extra step however, because a lot of shippers ship via Greyhound. If you don't want to go to the local terminal to pick up your item, you need to find out if the seller can set up local delivery, or you need to do it yourself.

I think my table cost about $150 to ship. It was reasonable for me because I got a great deal on the table. It just depends on how much you want to spend on a particular item.

I bought an Eames Eiffel chair off ebay and I believe the shipping was $40. Shipping should be stated clearly in the product description, but if not, you can do like greer said and email the seller.

This link has the most amazing small cool house. Don't know if it was mentioned somewhere on AT already, but it should be. It's a slick, rather stunning, conversion of a water tower.

http://materialicio.us/2007/08/22/converted-water-tower-zecc-architechten/