Modifying existing chair frames?

Hi all, i was just wondering if anyone has any experience with more or less redesigning and modifying wood frames for upholstered arm chairs and whether you could share any insights of potential problems i'm likely to run into?

I was given an absolutely hideous wreck of a half stripped frame a while ago that has since been doing nothing but sitting in the garage collecting dust and cobwebs and i've had the idea that it could be an interesting project to change the whole style of it.