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Before & After: Grandpa’s Restored Rattan Hanging Chair

Tara BellucciNews and Culture Director
Tara BellucciNews and Culture Director
Tara is Apartment Therapy's News & Culture Director. When not scrolling through Instagram double-tapping pet pics and astrology memes, you'll find her thrift shopping around Boston, kayaking on the Charles, and trying not to buy more plants.
updated May 4, 2019
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(Image credit: Kirby)

Kirby dug Grandpa’s old hanging chair out of the garage, and it had seen better days. A clear gem despite its condition, Kirby put in the work and now it looks better than ever:

(Image credit: Kirby)

From Kirby:

This chair was my grandfather’s and it was tucked away in the garage for years after he passed until I dug it out this winter. The rattan was really dry and the frame, covered in rust. But with a lot of scrubbing, oiling, and sanding (to the frame, not the chair) this guy really started to shine!

I first washed the rattan then oiled it with linseed oil, then, later I decided to stain it to darken the color a bit. The top was wrapped in leather to reinforce it, and the pillows were on sale by Hampton Bay. Unfortunately, when I painted the frame my drop cloth didn’t work so well and I painted a bit of the floor as well!

For more photos and details, check out Kirby’s blog, Manic House.

Thank you Kirby!