Siesta Chair with odd armrests - real or copy?  

Hi there,
I just purchased a chair with arms exactly like this one (plus footstool) although mine doesn't have original cushions. The previous owner replaced them with the Ikea Poang cushions which are a reasonable fit. I'll take some pictures if you wish. It is the second chair I've bought (sans arm rests) and in much better shape than the first. The two of them are very old and have many matching details which I believe the one you pictured does also. The same bolts and nuts are used in both. You don't often see a Siesta without cushions on so it's not readily apparent but the nuts are not visible on the top surface of the front frames and the front surface of the back frames where the smaller crosspieces are attached. That doesn't mean anything really as far as original vs copy, maybe a short or trial run with a different manufacturer. I'm located in Vancouver BC. I came across one more in an ad from Victoria BC with the same bolt/nut details so perhaps it's a regional characteristic. There are more differences including the number of lacing holes in the frames (one less), the location of the upper back crosspiece, perhaps the main crosspiece being ply vs solid timber, but whatever, the design is that of the Siesta! The most signifigant issue with this one for me has to do with the sling. If you study side views of the Siesta you'll see how the two planes of the sling closely matches the frames where they come together at the main crosspiece. It is essential to the comfort of the chair that there is no curvature in the sling at this point or it will suffer the same problems as the old folding deck chairs. In fact it would be best if there were two separate slings. I think the only purpose in them being joined is to prevent the cushions from sliding down and falling off. It is critical that where they join doesn't influence the angles of the cushions. A little loose pocket of sling here will be enough to avoid a problem. I realized that my second chair was not comfortable and began investigating. The sling wasn't done correctly but some of it may have to do with the effect of the additional space required by inserting the arms where everything else joins up. I will either cut the sling and insert a piece to correct the flaw or as it's near needing a new one, sew a new sling. I've got some experience doing this kind of work so if you wish I can tell you how I plan to go about it. Looking forward to hearing from you. Who knows, maybe we'll find out more yet!