Modern Chair Restoration is a small Baltimore area business dedicated to restoring mid-century modern chairs and other small pieces. I clean and oil wood frames, reweave Danish paper cord seats, and I do limited upholstery (more info on Contact page, link above).
All photography is by MCR unless otherwise noted.
Thank you so much for all the info! I was wondering about the laced/unlaced cord. Will definitely get from Frank’s, since his shop isn’t far from me. I put a hold on The Caner’s Handbook at the library today and should have that by Wednesday. I’m really looking forward to making these chairs look like they should (i.e. like the ones on your blog!).
I have 2 Plycraft Mr.Chairs which need to be refinished and reupholstered in black leather. I believe they also need the spring base replaced which I have found online.
What are your fees for such an endeavor ??
Thanks for asking! All quotes are via email and will be answered as promptly as possible.
Your woven Danish paper cord restoration is beautiful, as are all your upholstered pieces. I wish you weren’t so far away from our store in Texas. We’d love to have you recover some of our chairs.
I have the black Plycraft with ottoman. The leather is cracking and fading. A few if the buttons are popped. The wood is scratched here and here. The chrome has also flaked to some extent. Are these chairs worth restoring for resale? I’ve seen some for sale at s handsome price.
Thanks,
Sean.
Sean,
It all depends on the cost of the restoration and what the market will bear in your area. Keep in mind also that the prices you see on the internet and in shops are not necessarily what the chair sells for in the end, if it sells at all.
I have 4 of the Hans Wegner CH23 chairs and would like a price on the re-cording of the seats. I can email or I-phone photos of them for your perusal. I believe all 4 would need to be completely rewoven. Please let me know?
Thank you so much!
Ann Fassett
Ann, I’ll email you a quote on those.
Wegner Papa Bear chair needs reupholstering. Can you give me a price, not including fabric?
I’ll email you but I don’t do any shipping so you’d have to be in the Baltimore/DC area.
Yes, I live in Wilmington, DE
Great! I’ll email you.
I live in Louisiana and I recently bought a “project” Plycraft chair. The leather is toast, and I’m in the process of refinishing the plywood pieces. Would you be able to give me any guidance as to how much leather I’d need to wrap these pieces? I’ve only worked with upholstery, so estimating in hides is a total crap shoot.
Thanks,
Bill
Bill,
You need about 50 sq ft (one full hide) to do a Plycraft chair and ottoman with welt. This does not leave much for mistakes and you have to be very careful with the layout to make sure you can get the four welt strips cut in one piece each.
Thank you so much for the info! I truly appreciate it.
Hi! I love your work. I have a plycraft/selig chair (not sure which one) that looks very similar to the one you reupholstered. Can I have a quote, please? I live in MD, in Prince George’s County.
Thanks!
Blake
I’ll email you a quote, Blake.
Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out for it!
Hi there,
Just wondering the price range to fix a MCM cord seated chair – I might have up to 4. Also wondering the time it might take.
Thanks and cheers,
Sasha
Sasha, I’ll email you a quote but please keep in mind that I do not do any shipping or receiving. All furniture must be dropped off and picked up at Home Anthology in Catonsville, MD during their weekend store hours.
I’m restoring a George Nelson coconut chair and wonder what you think about using zolatone to clean up the metal shells. I know that some people powder coat but the zolatone seems like it would give a more original finish. Curious to know if you have any experience or suggestions you’d be willing to share.
Thanks!
Jennifer
Sorry, I have absolutely zero experience with this kind of issue or that product. I would suggest asking on the forum at Design Addict. There are a lot of knowledgeable, helpful people there who might know. Good luck!
Hello, Your website is a wonderful resource and you’ve done beautiful work. I have 3 D-Scan teak side chairs with wooden backs and upholstered seats. The frames are in good shape but the seat cushions need help . . . . new foam and upholstery (hopefully a nubby oatmeal fabric that will resemble the original). The seats can be removed easily.
Could you please give me a ballpark estimate of the cost to do this?
Thanks very much.
Kerry, I’m sorry but I’m no longer doing any upholstery work at all, only Danish cord weaving.
Hi, I have 4 wegner wishbone chairs that need the Danish cord seats rewoven. I would liketo know the cost per chair seat and the time frame when you would be able to take on the job.
Thank you,
Nancy Rae
I’ll email you a quote. Thanks for asking!
I have a leather Danish recliner. The post that connects the chair to the circular base is broken so that the chair is as close to the floor as possible and tilts to the left. Can you fix this and what would it cost.
I’m sorry, I don’t do frame repairs of any kind. You’re best off contacting a good furniture repair person for that kind of thing. If it’s an Ekornes brand chair (should be labeled somewhere underneath) then you might try contacting Ekornes.
Hi, I have 4 Wegner Wishbone chairs that need the Danish cord seats rewoven. I would appreciate a quote. Thanks.
I’ll email you a quote!
Hello,
I am curious where you are located and how you handle shipping.
I have 2 of the Hans Wegner CH-22 chairs that need the paper cord redone.
I look forward to hearing back from you.
The FAQ page covers this:
1. May I ship my chair to you for reupholstering?
I prefer to work with local Baltimore/DC-area clients only. There’s too much of a risk with frames that might require third party repairs once the piece is stripped, plus I’m just not set up to do receiving and return shipping.
You could try Sidecar Furniture in the Los Angeles area (link on the right side of the page). He does really nice work and I think accepts shipped items but definitely ask to make sure.