I am new to this site and have learned a lot reading your postings; it truly is addictive. I will try to make this brief and apologize if this has previously been discussed. I kept my parents' apartment in the Miami area and have changed very little of the Knoll/Herman Miller furniture, all purchased in 1972. There is the Joe Columbo Elda chair, Ettore Sottsass's carrera marble Lotorosso table, a Florence Knoll credenza,etc. The Saarinen tulip table is in very good condition, but the matching chairs look very sad. The 2 arm/2 side chairs were reupholstered about 15 years ago, and every time I get a good look at them I want to cry. Between the estimates for sandblasting, repainting, Knoll fabric and reupholstery, I am looking at $2900 (including delivery and tax). Should I spend the money or try to purchase them on ebay or through a dealer? Thanks in advance for any response.
UPDATE: Here are several pictures of the 4 Knoll chairs:
Thanks for your warm welcome....
Thanks for your warm welcome. I will photograph all of the things that I think would be of interest. I had a Proustian moment last when when I attended an exhibit of Florence Knoll furniture and fabrics, which is currently at the University of Cincinnati's DAAP. There was a blown-up picture of Florence Knoll in her office, and I suddenly remembered that my father's looked just like hers. He had the same walnut credenza, desk and chair. In the early '60's my father office was designed by a young architect. My guess is that my father and the architect collaborated on the decor. How I wish that I had asked about the furniture after my father's death 30+ years ago!
I have a funny story about...
I have a funny story about Florence Knoll - well not really funny, but my wife and I became friends with a couple I work with only to find out that the wife is Florence's granddaughter!
She has shown me writings of hers ... notably a little cookbook with little sketches in it. She has a recent photo of her at her Saarinen dining table with a friend on her facebook!
Sorry I can't share the link for my pal's privacy sake...
I found out because the hubby walked by my desk at work - only to see a photo of his wife's grandmother with Eero on my desktop! When he told me, I felt creepy and changed the photo pronto...
Pictures
Thanks so much for all of the input regarding my Knoll chairs. I am tech-challenged (anyone else out there with boxes of typing paper?), but my daughter was kind enough to photograph them. Here are the pictures(attached website link).
http://s742.photobucket.com/albums/xx64/Swimmer7805/
If you can truly afford it...
If you can truly afford it without a sweat, why not restore them. They did belong to your parents. Sentimental value is higher than dollar value IMO. At least if you redo them you can treat them with more respect and pass them down to another generation ... when you look at it that way they might be worth it??? These chairs are trashed!! Did they leave them outside? I've never seen a base peel like that.
I would
restore.
Maybe just refinish the shells without the full pads?
Just use seat cushions?
That may cut costs a bit.
I imagine under the full padding the shell is the same.
(i'm not sure how the full pads are attached).
Looks like yours suffered a few seaside storms for them to have oxidized
so much. Aluminum does clean up nice using a good polish. I'm
sure a good restorer will make sure it is all clean before final finish.
I actually prefer the tulip without the full seat pad.
I for one like the idea of...
I for one like the idea of refinishing without the full pad too. I like them better that way too. And if the upholstery ever damages/stains it would be easier to replace.
Maybe there is a way to do it cheaper? Has anyone used an automotive place to redo these? I have heard of people doing this with eames shells to a good result.
Tough call
If the entire set needed restoration, I'd say do it. You can have the rilsan coating replaced and the seats upholstered properly. It's not cheap, and you'd have to ship them to and from, but you'd have your original chairs in like new condition.
The problem as I see it is that your entire set does not need to be restored. If you have the chairs returned to like new condition, I'd think they look odd next to your table with the original finish. Even if the table is in excellent condition, the rilsan will likely have yellowed a bit or changed slightly with age (it's common and I personally like the more mellow eggshell color of a vintage Saarinen piece to the bright white of new).
The difference might bother you, it might not. If it was me, my eye would be constantly drawn to the contrast between the table and restored chairs. So my thought would be to either restore the entire set so it matches, or to give up the chairs and find some vintage replacements that would match your existing table. Getting replacement chairs would most certainly be the cheaper option.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
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