to restore or not to restore? Eames shell chair  

Whether or not it's been drilled, has shock mounts and a painted back might make a difference. The fabric looks pretty well shot, but if it's still adhered to the foam and has no holes, it might be worth test cleaning some of the worst areas to see if there's any hope for it.

It might need some walnuts…?
I think even most purists would agree that this fabric is scary and pretty much has to go…
After all, with fabric, sometimes it's the thought that counts. (And thinking about this fabric's life really creeps me out.
This chair is not a hugely expensive chair, even with normal wear, so it might make more sense to just rip off the fabric and fill any holes.
(Unless you want a companion for that other green one that Mark saw the Grinch lips in when he was toasted last night)

YES!
Eameshead...you are reading my twisted skull. I see Old Grinch, and I smell patina....yet I feel love.
Aunt Mark

nobody can read YOUR twisted skull Mark. I just got "lucky" heh…?
I love to LOOK at patina.

It does not have shock mounts. It came in a pair, the other one was worse.
I stripped the cloth and sanded it down. I like it.

Yeah much better Paul. About 1000% better. A patina you can smell is never desirable. Even at Christmas. And even if Mark tries to make it sound good. Which he will. Because, you know…
EDIT: I guess if you were going for the Edgar Degas vibe, like he did with his little bronze naked ballerinas with the real cloth tutus rotting off... But those are really expensive.
Beautiful chair, and I don't mind the honest approach with the bolts as is. Beats filling the holes if you ask me!

4 holes.
What would Saul do? Hell....what would Ray do?
probably angle the chair...then ponder 3 in the pink,
Aunt Mark

Nice work, Paul.
Best,
Aunt Mark.
ps, and 1 in the stink. I need a drink.

Thank you very much gentlemen.
I now have my project for next Saturday.
There were many recommendations for various chemicals to remove the foam and glue. In the end I found a nice sharp putty knife and elbow grease were best.

There are vintage Vitra versions of the armshells also just like the current ones with only having an upholstered seat.

I'm currently just waiting on replacement shock-mounts as i plan on filling in the holes with these that look quite similar to yours. It was a pain to get the foam/glue off, but IMO it was worth it

Wow Joshua, great job. I'm a little intimidated about filling the holes.
Did you paint them after the sanding and filling?

Nope, just a coat of Penetrol.

How do you plan to fill the holes? I've gotten decent at filling holes in black shells, but I'm finding other colors tricky.