I just received my parents 1966 Schultz collection, with original Knoll slings. 3 lounge chairs with arms, one coffee table (yellow top in good condition), and an adjustable chaise. The slings are fairly worn and tear easily. I priced out new slings from Schultz and they are crazy expensive! I cant find any 3rd-party replacement slings --- anyone? I am thinking of trying to make new slings myself (salvaging the metal parts from the old ones). Has anyone here does this? I have samples from Schultz of the mesh and side vinyl strips. I am hoping to find the same materials from other sources. The frames been painted a few times so I plan to have them re-powder coated at a local place. Thanks for your help!
In my garage
I have two white dining room chair frames with worn and torn slings. I showed them to my upholsterer who did my Saarinen Grasshopper chair and ottoman and he said that these slings can not be repaired.
Going to richardschultz.com is the only place to get new slings and since they are all hand-made, they are frightfully expensive.
Slings have occasionally turned up on eBay, but you'll have to make sure you get the right ones. The dining room sling is a different size from the longue chair with and the longue chair without arms,.
Good luck.
making new ones
I don't have any experience with these chairs and have never even seen one in person, but I'm always curious about repairing and replacing fabrics, so I found pics online.
They look pretty simple as far as construction of the slings. You might have trouble finding the exact same mesh fabric but there are certainly similar products out there.
You would need an industrial sewing machine to do the stitching. I have the most powerful home sewing machine made (a Bernina) and it won't do that kind of heavy thread through vinyl.
I would look into having them made by an upholsterer. Barry said that his upholsterer said that worn slings couldn't be repaired, which is a different thing altogether. Unless I'm missing something, making new ones should be a fairly simple job. Finding the exact same mesh might be difficult to impossible, though.
http://samewave.com/schultz/
All I know
is my two white slings (similar to those in your photos) are in tough shape. The fabric is made of a dacron material and is woven in a fairly loose pattern. Under the leather-like edge strips are metal strips that are the backbone for the slings.
One of my slings had been treated witha bleach-like cleaning agent, so the fibers are weakened. The other one has holes and separation.
Neither one can be sat on.
So, I gave up on them and when I contact richardschultz.com, I spoke to someone who instead of my buying replacement slings offered me the chance to buy two new chairs which the color was being discontinued. I got a pair of onyx black dining arm chairs for less than the price of one replacement sling!
I think you've got a...
I think you've got a reasonable chance of getting identical mesh unless Schultz have a proprietary weave (which I doubt) they'll be using off the shelf product like everyone else, it only took me a few minutes to find this link, they should be able to help you or if not point you in the right direction. The white vinyl strips must be marine grade vinyl, you could probabaly get some remnants from a boat builder or someone who specialises in boating upholstery, the metal strips Barry mentions can no doubt be salvaged.
Here is a another link to a retailer, scroll down about 3/4 of the page for what you want, they have prices and seem happy to sell smaller quantities.
http://www.seattlefabrics.com/marine.html#Phifertex® Plus
http://www.phifer.com/SlingableFabrics.aspx
I, too have an older Schultz6...
I, too have an older Schultz66 contour chaise . As far as the mesh, the current Schultz mesh is slightly different than the Schultz mesh from when Knoll manufactured the pieces. The photo's provides by spanky show an example of the older Knoll/Schulz mesh. I believe that the change occured when Schultz took over production in the early 1990"s.
such a shame!
And great chairs.
Especially Spanky's photo reference.
The fixed lounge is lovely.
Exterior furniture is always up against the elements.
A shame it is a difficult home project...
Though i do see it as a a challenge for a good upholsterer,
Not impossible.
I would think finding a mesh as suggested is better than giving
up?
Mark
I got a pair of black onyx dining chairs with the current slings, and they're comfortable, nice looking and totally appropriate looking. I use the chairs on my deck, but take them in when it rains and keep them in the garage over the winter.
If one does that, they'll last for years and years.
sidenote
Barry, your pieces will last forever.
I have 12 pieces of Schultz66, between my 2 patios here in south Florida. 3 of the pieces (including the contour)were made by Knoll (1989ish..with old style mesh)and the remainder were ordered from Richard Schultz 5 years ago. The newer pieces are far better constructed in regards to the mesh (thicker), the wires/grommits(also thicker), and the glides. The paint has flaked off of every piece..I should take advantage of the lifetime warrantee on the painted finishes that was offered by Schultz, but.......................what's wrong with a slight bit of patina?
Schultz website is no longer working
Since Knoll bought Richard Schultz, up until recently, the Schultz website was still up and running. It's no longer.
So, if you need replacement slings (as I do), you'll have to deal with Knoll dealer, and getting parts for Knoll furniture has never been a pleasant experience.
Richard Schultz
I found the suppliers of the mesh and strapping. Of course they have a minimum order of 1000 feet of strapping and 1000 yards of mesh. we may start a line of RS replacement slings. if you order from RS/Knoll be careful because they've changed some size of frames. if you order a new armless sling it will not fit the original armless frames and Knoll won't take them back. that was a $2300 mistake.
http://www.modernvintagefurniture.com
Richard Schultz Replacement Slings
I've used Rick Drury ericdrury66@gmail.com to restore my original Richard Schultz 1966 Collection dining, lounge chairs and countour chaise, and he did a terrific job, hard to tell from the original and at a fraction of the cost of replacement slings. He also repaired the dining and coffee tables. It's held up very well. He works throughout Southern California. I highly recommend him.
Phone is 760.699.3591
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