A New Addition
Recently, I posted this. I purchased the wicker table for the room. The 1920s seating set, while lovely, was put in place just for show. The other day though I came across a setting set…in Emporia!…which seemed to fit the room. Wanna see?
At $200, how could I pass this up? The set is MUCH sturdier than the 1920s set.
The set was not $$$ when new, and seemed to suit theSewing Room with its very modest mantle. I do not know the age. 1890s? 1910s? It is not 1880s nor 1920s.
The upholstery is…sigh…very bad but I have no idea of what it SHOULD look like. The seat is terrible! Was the back tufted?
Just terrible!
The chair springs are fascinating. I have only ever seen springs tied together with twine. I have never seen this. So, how to get the upholstery right? HELP!!!!!!!!
20 Comments
Leave a Comment
Your email address will NEVER be made public or shared, and you may use a screen name if you wish.
Hey Ross,
That set bears a striking resemblance to one sold by Sears & Roebuck Company in their 1902 catalogue #111. It’s shown on page 784 I believe. This should link to it for you. It’s not an exact match but it’s close. Hope this helps.
GADZOOKS, Grant! You’ve made my day! Yes, while not an exact match it’s almost dead on. Curiously, only the cording isn’t right. Too low. An easy fix!
I also thought it odd that the set had no little wheels, nor any evidence of them. But neither does the Sears set (save the arm chair)!
GADZOOKS!
There’s nothing like a good rabbit hole to go down in the name of research!😆 Reading the ad copy it seems this was available in several different fabric types and patterns. It looks like it is currently wearing the type of cut velvet popular in 1950’s Victorian repops from Kimball Furniture. Of course it depends on the direction you want to take with the room but I would be tempted to go with a burn out velvet, a smaller check or even a subtle tartan. As the pieces aren’t huge you could probably find some outstanding choices online. Maybe even use different coordinating fabrics. Your eye is outstanding so I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Grant, what is a burn out velvet?????
It’s similar to cut a cut velvet but it uses a different process to achieve. It gives the end product a little bit of shimmer, partly from the fibre content, partly the process. It’s available in the traditional damask patterns but also animal and geometrics. I have my grandmother’s midcentury dining chairs that I recovered in a leopard print version. Lightweight styles are often used in fashion. Here are some examples for upholstery.
https://fabrics-fabrics.com/collections/burnout-velvet
Also, the way those springs are made is an early way of applying mass production techniques to what was previously bespoke work. By making the spring base to hold them together only the top had to be hand tied, cutting time and cost. Money was also saved but reducing the seat block by two springs. The wires at the base are made of spring steel offering support too. If you look closely you’ll see the front and back of the spring block are attached at different heights creating a sloped seat. It’s all a part of reducing cost while still creating a sturdy seat. Today this is accomplished with zigzag springs, which are cheaper and have a shorter life span. Higher quality furniture still uses coil springs that are hand tied into a woven strap base. The set is a terrific example of the rise of industrialization in the USA while also being lovely. In the Cross House’s era it would not be unusual to see bespoke furniture in public areas and catalogue furniture in the private areas. I would expect the house was furnished with special order Grand Rapids furniture along with custom.
I kind of like the pattern in the pictures and the seating arrangement with the lovely rug looks nice.
Alas, I don’t know anything about upholstering.
I’m sure one of the restoringross com folks will be able to help.
The upholstery needs to be redone of course, perhaps with amazing fabric. Check with Bo and see if he has any ideas.
I like the ornate wood in the chairs and settee. Just lovely.
Oh, my. I am much more often than not struck by your designer’s eye choices– I’m an imitator, not creative. This set, not so much. Perhaps the upholstery puts me off. What were they thinking?
Here’s a set from a 1902 Sears catalog which uses a similar design vocabulary.
Hi, John! Yes, you and Grant found the same link.
So, you get a GADZOOKS, too!
I can imagine that set upholstered in horsehair, or perhaps a woolen velvet. I know you’ll find something very eye-catching.
most of the old chairs I have come across have the springs tied with twine. Just FYI.
Looks good!
I found this on eBay. Perhaps seeing the set separate from a chair will help you discern how to remove it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/224958041875
It also appears to me that there should be more springs. And tied with twine. Nice set. Look forward to seeing it reapolstered.
I kinda like the original but I suspect it is the upholstery that is putting me off of the recent find. Knowing you, once it is reupholstered and in the space it will look much better.
The springs are interesting and I enjoyed reading about their history. I have a modern chaise that I have had a terrible time with because of those zigzag springs. Every time one pops I have to get it reupholstered. The last time I requested they be tied and they were not and now it is sitting in my living room upended with three springs popped. I have decided if you want something right, you do it yourself. I started this project before Covid hit and it’s still sitting there. I have all of the tools and supplies except for the springs, which I must measure first before ordering and the fabric, which I must also measure for. I think maybe I need to apply the baby steps method and get started on it as I love my chaise and I want to get rid of the chair and ottoman I’ve been using in the mean time. I really don’t have room for both.
You are lucky. The Cross house has room for both of those sets, plus more. If something isn’t right for one room it will find it’s place in another.
Plus you get the thrill of the hunt and the joy in finding. With a home as large as Cross House and it’s carriage house you’ve got plenty of space to be filled.
That’s the upside. I’m a chair junkie and would fill every space with unique vintage and antique chairs…but I can’t.
To me the downside would be the constant cleaning. That’s a lot of house to vacuum and dust. There’s a reason people had servants in those days living in those large houses.
Depends on your tolerance. Our place is quite large and we host many international students from the local uni–lots of visitors, cats, projects etc.. I was liberated from excessive attention to detail by a visit to a local grande dame whose husband was continually working on their bibelot-filled ornate Queen Anne. She threw up her hands and said :”Dust? Who sees it?!!”
I thought: “I’m with her!”
Did I never send you the name and contact information of the woman in Emporia who is a wizard at reupholstery? She does beautiful work. She used to own the European Antiques store on Commercial Street, and she’s a lovely person.
I will hunt up that information and send it to you by text tomorrow. Have a wonderful evening, friend!
You tantalize so, Barb!
And I just sent it. Let me know if the info didn’t make it through, and I’ll resend.