Capella chair from Wikkelso  

Hi all,

answering my question, it is indeed possible to remove the side panels. There are two very long screws, which keep the panel fixed to the frame. I like it better without the panels.

Another question: as anybody experience with the substitution or tightening of the rubber bands under such chair? As you can see from the photos, they are quite loose. I have tried to remove the wooden stick and to tighten the rubber band, but it did not work. First, is quite difficult to re-insert the wooden stick surrounded by the rubber band inside the wooden frame, I guess because I would need to use a hummmer to gently force the rubber to go inside. Is it difficult to replace the entire rubber bands, otherwise?

Thank you,

Ernest.

Ernest, see the Kofod Larsen Spear Chair thread for more information about your straps.

Compared to a Selig chair, this chair uses short little dowels wedged into the through-slots. The Selig chairs just use 4 longer dowels, one per side, all the straps terminating on a side wrap around the one dowel on that side.

Thank you both for the suggestions. I will see whether I can do it myself, and report on the forum.

Have a nice day,

Ernest.

and two pictures more:

Dear all,

I had finally time to have a closer look at the chair, and I am starting the renovation process.

But I'll need a lot of your suggestions, I think. Leif, yours are particularly welcome!

As you can see, I discovered a few thigs. First, under the seat there is a black cover fixed with pins and two screws, which I have removed. It is not in best shape but I guess I could put it back or even better ask someone to redo it.

Then, the frame where the webbings are placed it can be removed. This is the beauty of the danish design. I am glad that I can discover these details that go beyond the sole appearence of the chair.

I have tried to re-tighten one of the old straps, but it is an operation that appears to be very difficult. For this reason, I wonder whether with the new Pirellli webbing I will have the same troubles. Is there a particular tool that I need to use for this operation, or two hands are enough?

In respect to the Pirelli webbings, I have generously calculated 4 meters. They are 4.6 cm wide, which make me think that the 1.5 inches version (they should be 1.8) should be OK. Because the 2 inches will be too wide, I guess. Do you think this would be OK:

https://www.amazon.de/Pandoras-Upholstery-Pirelli-Gurtband-Gummi-Schwarz...

Thank you for you help and suggestions.

Cheers,

Ernest

There are no special tools needed. Except it can help to have a third hand.

Do not pre-cut segments of strap. Work straight off the whole roll. You get the first end wedged in. Then stretch the strap and get the other end wedged in, pulling on the extra strap. Then you cut off the nice and close, like you see on your chair.

This is why it is hard to re-do the strap, even when it is still supple, because you don't have the extra to pull on once it has been cut off. As a corollary get it good and tight the first time, or when in doubt, waste some strap and leave yourself enough extra to pull on if you decide to tighten it more and trim it later.

Thank you Leif, this exactly the kind of instructions I needed. As you did not comment on it, I guess that the size of 1.5 inches (instead of the original 1.8) will be OK.

Cheers and best wishes,

Ernest.

I think 1.5" is close enough. They do get narrower as the age and shrink, but it looks like they have not shrunk around the dowels, and additionally it looks like there is not enough space in the slot for a 2" strap. So perhaps they were an uncommon width. I am sure there was a much wider variety of rubber strap to choose from then.

Hi, I have finally had time to work on my chair. I have given a few hands of teak oil and steel wool, and the whole frame regain some nice color. The leather pillows were in a good shape, apart from normal signs of use. I have stained with black only the front part of the seat, which was really worn out. I must say that the result is OK.

I put new Pirelli webbings, and it was an easy job, but I had another person helping me making them tight. I did not cut the extra parts yet, and probably I'll leave as they are (this speak for a lack of confidence on my job, but I know nothing can happen there).

In summary: thank you Leif for the very nice support, also during the early identification of this chair. And thanks to the others that commented as well.

This armchair is actually not difficult to be found, but not for this reason the design of Wikkelso should be considered of less value. I think it is a very well designed piece, made to last. Hope I'll find the matching ottoman one day.

All the best,

Ernest.

and here the pictures...

Bravo!

Best,

Aunt Mark

Nice. I just saw the matching ottoman for the first time today. I didnt even realize there was a matching ottoman. You could buy it, and another chair for $450 if you were in the fine state of New Mexico, USA.

I'm a pretty big fan of Wikkelso designs in general, but I just can't quite adjust to this chair. I genuinely adore the the armrest into front leg joint. It looks wonderful.

But I just wish it were a little more elegant and sculptural on that same area. It makes me think of something from the 90s.

And the rest of the chair is beautiful, I love that it's angular elsewhere but something about the armrest is super jarring. Maybe it's the curved sides to the armrests juxtaposed with the angular nature of the rest of it and the very visible angular joint.