Expert: Mark H. Miller - 10/17/2008

Question
I have a question for you regarding the dining room chairs that accompany this set. I just purchased this used set and started to reupholster the chairs.  While doing so I realized something I did not expect.  The wood that is the base of each seat is actually not a solid piece of wood with foam, batting and material on top but rather a large seat whole is cut from the wood and thick Broadcloth-type material is stretched across the whole and stapled to the wood, followed by foam, batting and material stapled on top. I suppose this may have been done to create a more comfy seat?  I was wondering if this is the manufacturers way of making seats for chairs or if this is something an individual would have done after purchase.  The owner did not know about anything different having been done with the chair seats and I have not ever seen this before.  

I want to reupholster them properly and if replacing the current wood that has the cut whole in the seat with a solid wood seat is the correct way I want to  do it correctly.  I have never done this before so I do not have an experience to compare this to.

I hope my question makes sense.  Thanks - Cheryll Ann


Answer
I suppose this may have been done to create a more comfy seat?  

    Most likely that is the reason,  you are correct in your assumption.

I was wondering if this is the manufacturers way of making seats for chairs or if this is something an individual would have done after purchase.  

    In my opinion no manufacturer would have done that,  most likely an amatuer did the job you discribe.


I want to reupholster them properly and if replacing the current wood that has the cut whole in the seat with a solid wood seat is the correct way I want to  do it correctly.  

    Most likely the chair originally had cane or at one time they had a solid pressed leather seat that had a design in it.
I recommend that you make a platform using 1/4 inch thick plywood,  cut that to the largest shape you can, leaving about 1 inch of wood showing around the perimeter.  Then put one inch of extra firm foam over that plus some batting material such as cotton or dacron and then upholster the seat.  This is called a slip seat.  Attach that from the bottom of the seat with small screws for which you may have to drill a few small holes.  That is the easiest way to do the job,  and will look the best.  

I have never done this before so I do not have an experience to compare this to.

    You are on the right track though,  I don't think it is the original, and even if it is, it is a very bad way of making the seat.   Be aware that when you are done the total height of the chair seat with padding in place should be 18" from the floor and not more than 19".

I hope my question makes sense.  Thanks - Cheryll Ann

    I hope my answer makes sence to you,  good luck,  please don't hesitate to contact me if you need more pointers.  FYI  I did not receive a picture of the chair so am going by your description.  

Mark Miller.