Eek... tufting is a big big job, so time-consuming - maybe that's why? But that's their job.

Have you thought about trying it yourself? Since they are cushions you'd be remaking, not the actual chairs, it's definitely possible for a newbie. Books from the library, videos online. Or maybe a local reupholstering class?

It's hard to see from the pictures that the upholstery is worn, faded, etc. Beautiful chairs!!

If you can, try emailing a potential upholsterer with pictures. It may help and then if they don't answer, you can then follow up with a phone call.

I think it would definitely be worth it to reupholster them and please let us know how it turns out.

All that hand work is going to be expensive. Have you looked on line for replacement cushions that could be purchased already finished? (Probably made with cheap labor from China or somewhere?)

I don't understand why upholsterers would laugh at your request. It's their job to upholster furniture. If they think it's such a huge job (and it is), they could just charge accordingly and let you consider the cost.

Bottom line is to not work with anyone who laughs at your request.

That's a version of tuck and roll! Car enthusiasts who live anywhere near the Mexican border would just pop over there to have the bench seats in their rides pimped like that for pesos. Know anyone who is driving south?

Short of sending your cushions on vacation, you might talk to some local car guys to find someone who "knows a guy". There are plenty of tutorials online for doing this (generally in vinyl), too. Just search tuck and roll upholstery. Read through some of the gearhead forums. It's kind of fun anyway.

Looks to me as if the main cushions are simply a tufted rectangle, with the arm padding removabe too? If so, a competent seamstress should be able to re-make these (tufting can be time consuming, but it's really not that hard to do). Ask at your local fabric store, even stores like JoAnn & Hancocks have notice boards where customers post what services they can provide. Obviously ask to see examples of their work and caveat emptor, but you may strike lucky.

Also, what PI said-if a 'professional' laughs at your (perfectly legitimate) request then they don't deserve your business.

Beautiful chairs. LOVE them.

I agree with everyone above that the laughing is pretty rude and a sign that their work would have been substandard anyway...and would add that finding a good craftsperson is really tough these days, so once you do, make sure you send him or her lots of referrals!

As an alternative, the upholstery looks like it is sound...we can't see anything wrong with it in the pictures, but I assume your main frustration is that the chairs are dirty? Would you consider having them professionally cleaned, and perhaps even treating them with dye? That might freshen them up without the expense of reupholstering...

I don't understand why an upholstery shop would be laughing at this request. This does not look like an odd request. If you are in the Boston area I can recommend Cape and Islands Drapery and Upholstery in Falmouth on Cape Cod. Tufting is not likely to be cheap, but for the price of a good pair of new chairs you would have unique pieces. It's not really that hard to do yourself if you are so inclined, just tedious.

Cheap solution if you really can't live with the current look but can't afford to redo it properly: look for removable patio chair cushions in similar dimensions. The arm pads could be removed entirely.
I suspect the reupholster-ers laugh/ignore because so many people are turned off the idea once they realize it costs more than new chairs. Preparing quotes does take up their time. These are great chairs however. If you are prepared to spend the cash let the trades know in your preamble/message :"I know this can cost quite a bit but I love these chairs...". I also suggest going to see people in person, they can't ignore you that way and if you bring pictures etc they will know you are not just calling on a whim.

If reupholstering them is really just too expensive now, here's an idea that's kind of an inexpensive stop-gap.

Just make a cover that slips over them - basically a big pillowcase - and hand stitch it to close the end. Then, using a buttonhole weight thread, hand stitch through each of the 'dimples' - you will be able to feel them under the new cover.

It wouldn't be that hard to do this and it would leave the existing upholstery underneath intact. Then, when you can afford to have them professionally reupholstered it will be easy to get them off.

It doesn't seem like Karen could even get someone on the phone to tell her how much it would cost, let alone that it would cost too much.

This shouldn't be a hard job, since the cushions are removable. Skip the re-upholsterers and go to a fabric store. There will be postings for seamstresses, ask for a recommendation. Any good one will be able to deconstruct and copy the pattern. Leave out of the bits about this being a Dutch, modern, expensive chair blah blah blah. I'd guess around $200 a cushion for a non-metro area.

@Madame Suggia, my thoughts exactly! This doesn't look like an uphostery job at all, just one for a seamstress.

Many community colleges offer upholstery classes that allow you to do a project under supervision of the teacher. Since the tuition fee for a single class in most CCs is reasonable, perhaps that would be a way to DIY with assistance.

Did you ask DUX Themselves to reupholster, or some other agency? Either which, fire regulations (i.e. undercover trade restrictions) prohibit many overseas furniture manufacturers from being allowed to alter/renovate textile products. As DUX has no US production you would be best off turning to a local upholsterer for this, which should not be all too pricey.

Goof luck!

Hi, you may have already gotten your answers, but I'd like to chime in.
I live in West Michigan, which might be far, far away from you, however I will tell you any good upholsterer worth his salt will gladly do a fine craftsman job of reupholstering and replacing the foam on your chairs ANY DAY than give you a chuckle. Now it may set you back on your haunches to hear their quote, but you get what you pay for.

It may cost upwards of $500-800.00 per chair including the cost of foam, fabric and labor...would be my best guess (if you have fabric tastes like mine...).

I have an upholsterer here, originally from the Netherlands, whom I work with from time to time. He's never steered me wrong. He insists that good bones trump replacing a piece. Manufacturers save money by using cheap foam...so a good upholsterer will make you something to last and will take pride in sending your pieces out the door in showroom quality. Often times they have a close relationship with a custom woodworker who can touch up the frame if need be and it will be included in the price (unless they open your piece and it's something major). If it were me and I were in love with my pieces, I'd save up and keep enjoying them.
Perhaps you haven't gotten called back b/c the shops are busy -- summer can be a very busy time.
Good luck!