Expert: Mark H. Miller - 8/15/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi-
 I just bought a set of 4 vintage klismos-style dining room chairs with semi-circular back rests and fully upholstered seats. They're totally unique and I adore them.   The chairs are in perfect condition, except that the foam in the seat is like sawdust; crunchy and shedding "sand".    Flipping over one of the chairs, I can see 3 springs that look like what I think are zig zag springs (no remaining dust guard fabric).  They are tied to each other with hemp-like rope at several points.  Then, there is a layer of burlap, intact on all chairs.  I am fairly confident there is no webbing and/or coil springs above the burlap.  Instead, there is just the deteriorating foam and then the vinyl. The vinyl is actually why I’m writing you---I LOVE it.  It’s an amazing dark tortoise-shell color unusual-upon close examination-it has a slight texture to it, almost as if it may be glazed fabric (?).
I don’t want to risk damaging the vinyl it by removing and then replacing it to put in new foam, yet I’ve been told that this is the only way it can be done.   Couldn’t a trained upholsterer  do this task from the underside of the chair by removing the zig zag springs, cutting an incision in the burlap (or removing it) successfully replacing the foam, then repairing the burlap, and  finally, reinstalling and retying the springs?   I know nothing about upholstery except for what I’ve learned in the last week researching this.  I can forward pics if you wish.  Thank you very much for any insight and advice you can offer.


ANSWER: Hi,

Great question, and Klismos style chairs are indeed wonderful.  Very valuable.  There are no other springs above the no-sag springs,  burlap, foam probably cotton batting and then the vinyl.

The old and deteriorating latex foam rubber which is coming out as sawdust is extremely toxic,  you should avoid handling it - wash your hands thoroughly if it gets on you.  Make certain any pets don't walk through the foam-dust if it falls on the floor - it is poisonous.  It is not possible the replace the foam the way you would like.  Certainly a good upholsterer should be able to remove the existing vinyl, restore the interior of the seat and replace the same vinyl.  Make certain the the foam your upholsterer uses is H.R. (high resilience) quality.  

It is also possible that the same vinyl is still available.  If it is cracking, hard and dry it will have very little life left in it and you should replace it.  Also, you should be prepared to pay a higher labor price because removing existing fabric and then putting it back will take considerable more time than replacing with new vinyl.

I hope this information is helpful to you,  please don't hesitate to contact me if you have further concerns.


Mark Miller.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mark-
Thank you so much for your prompt and informative reply. I especially appreciate the warning about the toxicity since I have 3 cats and 2 dogs.  I understand now that the foam cannot be replaced from the underneath of the chair.  Would you briefly explain why, please?  I want to make sure I'm fully informed before I start calling upholsterers.
Again, thank you very much for sharing your expertise with me.

Answer
Hi,  Repairing "from the bottom" is sometimes possible, and good for you for considering that.  The reason it can not be done is that there is no way for an upholsterer to replace the burlap once removed, because it is stapled on top of the wood and also there is no way to push the foam into place without creating a lot of lumps (potatoes in the trade).  It is even possible that some of the padding extends along the sides.  Most likely there is cotton over the foam as well.

The only time repairing from the bottom is done is if only the coil springs are replaced.  And then usually for a chair that has a loose seat cushion so that any lumps will not be a problem. But when it comes to the padding and a tight seat such as yours, the fabric has to be removed.

I hope this helps.

Mark Miller.