I would repair it. Don't think of it as taking away from the "vintage feeling", rather restoring it to it's glory. I fear that if you leave it the way it is, it will only get worse as legs rub against it. These chairs were designed to look beautiful so as long as you keep it that way, you will appreciate them.

I'm having the same problem with two 70's style side-tables. The white paint that was on them is starting to chip off. I debated sanding them, but after talking to some people I think I'm just going to give them a coat or two of high-gloss white paint. I agree with modernguy, I think it's all about keeping the furniture looking as nice as possible, so if you have to paint it, so be it!

I'm considering the same question with some vintage Thonets I've had for a year or so. The paint isn't chipped--just a little dull and dingy. Still haven't decided how to proceed.

They're not museum pieces - so paint away!

I like them as they are, but it's completely up to you...your personal style, taste, and what would look well with the rest of your decor. Maybe you could try living with for a while as they are, and then if you change your mind you can always paint them later. But, if you go ahead and paint them now, that obviously can't be undone. :)

The folks at Young House Love just posted about some vintage children's chairs. They plan to paint so that they work better with their room.

Nope don't paint. Those are little chips that you won't even notice when you are using the chair.

Not seeing the whole chair, I can't get a perspective on how much area would need to be patched or repaired. I usually just clean a item up really well and go stay with it's original finish. I don't think I have any friends over that are looking that close that they would notice small chips or say anything if they did.

I think anyone is crazy to paint vintage Thonet or Jacobsen pieces.

They actually are museum pieces - so beautifully crafted. Its such a testament to their quality that is all the wear and tear that they show.

Someday, someone will just strip all of your paint away to see what it originally looked like. I'd say if you want to paint "ant" chairs - buy from Ikea and call them original.

...at first glances, that looked like a lady wearing spagetti strap top.. just saying. =p=)

Personally, I wouldn't buy them unless I liked the color.

In that case, I'd choose the middle ground. I'd sand the worn spots and seal them with a good quality sealant to prevent further damage, but I wouldn't worry about a few missing paint chips.

I saw this photo and thought it was a woman's shoulder with a black bra strap. Anyone else?

"I think anyone is crazy to paint vintage Thonet or Jacobsen pieces.

They actually are museum pieces - so beautifully crafted."

Um - Museum pieces are rare, if not one of a kind.

These were mass-produced by the thousands - so they're neither.

they may not be museum pieces, but they definitely are vintage collectibles - and whether cars or furniture, their monetary value is greatly diminished by removing or covering the original finish.

and, as a point of fact, most museums that house industrial and product design (including furniture) most definitely have pieces that were / are mass produced. think eames, nelson, dieter rams, sotsass, etc. etc.

bepsf , perhaps you should research who Arne Jacobsen and Thonet are... ?

They are rare.

And Thonet chairs are over a hundred years old. They are in museums. He made furniture before the Industrial Age when things could be mass- produced.

you should not be worried about affecting the value of the chairs at all. i work for a residential design firm in NY and we buy *real* museum pieces for clients (sorry but this chair is definitely not) and they are always restored before sale. anyone that thinks that leaving crappy paint chips and rust etc intact on midcentury furniture watches too much antiques roadshow.

that said there is a difference between 'restoring' and 'repainting'. try doing some touch up work instead of completely repainting and it will probably feel less aggressive and more authentic to the piece, if that bothers you. i'm sure if you brought one chair to a paint store (they're not that heavy) they could match the color for you. personally if they were my chairs i would leave them as is because i like the imperfections.

I'm trying to see the woman shoulder now and can't ....it's driving me nuts! ;)

What makes a piece museum-worthy is often that it is in mint condition. Since mint condition examples of this chair exist, it's unlikely that any museum will ever bid high dollars to purchase this particular one.
Take a little time to research methods for restoring this to its former glory and enjoy having a nice example of a great chair in your home.

My input is think about what you are paying for these (if you get them). If it's the price of an IKEA chair, do whatever makes you happy. If you are paying "investment" prices (for me that would be more than $100 per chair, since knockoffs of that design run about that new) than you might consider restoration or leaving them alone.

I myself would not be happy living with chips and obvious damage, so I'd either pass or paint.

HannahM, Ant chairs are in museums, yes. But they are really not that rare. As bepsf said they were mass produced so people really shouldn't feeling guilty about painting them.