Restored Antique Handmade Wooden Chair

Depth (front to back) 16.5 inches, Width 15.5 inches, Height of seat 18 inches, Height of back 33 inches, Weight 8 pounds. This is character seating that deserves a special place in someone’s living room, den, dining room, office, or bedroom. $125. Click here to purchase.

The Story

I spotted this old chair sticking out of a dumpster in front of a large old building undergoing a major renovation at the corner of Prospect and 35th Streets in the Georgetown neighborhood of D.C. It was quite sturdy and didn’t look like trash to me, just something in need of a TLC refinishing. The imperfections and slight variability in the frame indicated it must have been made by hand, not modern machines and tools. I quickly but gently sanded off the thin whitewash finish and gave the frame two coats of semi-gloss white paint. I removed the seat slats and back piece, sanded them clean and smooth, applied Minwax “Sedona Red” stain for an eye-catching contrast, followed by a couple coats of Minwax water-based clear satin Polycrylic, and reattached them to the frame using the original old screws. A simple makeover, but very rewarding to give new life to an old chair.

Related Items: Upgraded Bentwood Rocking Chair, Pair of Wooden Chairs with New Comfy Cushions.