Mid century recliner chairs

I have been watching for a decent matching pair of MC recliners to restore and use in reading room. Got the bug after finding one for $10 and found I kept sitting in it and enjoying it. I never expected to be going into MC furniture but it feels and looks good. The planning is:

1. Remove covers and soak in Napisan Vanish Oxi Action
2. Foam will be vacuumed and sprayed to kill bugs
3. Frame will be brushed for rust and spray sealed with a clear
4. Frames wood will be scraped and sanded
5. Replace nylon (?) buttons
6. Rub in Danish oil on the wood a few times


Can anyone see any issues or errors with these steps?

Can anyone identify the wood used? It's certainly heavy to me.

Can anyone help me learn about this material? I think when we are done there will be protective covers added to give the material a chance to survive many more years of use.

I would like to learn how to identify the maker and if possible model. Later if I can I would hunt down a matching couch if it was ever made.

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Perhaps there is a makers name on the steel frame work? Or label attached to the seat cushions? Furniture maker Fler comes to mind.Great score.Going to be interesting to see your refurbishment.

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Originally Posted by OldGrain

Perhaps there is a makers name on the steel frame work? Or label attached to the seat cushions? Furniture maker Fler comes to mind.Great score.Going to be interesting to see your refurbishment.

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Not getting the opportunity to work on these as I would have liked but a couple hours this afternoon got one cleaned back to the wood and the only marks I can find are "Lane" on the hinges.

Trialed Danish Oil and Tung Oil on the underside of an arm. She who chooses colour better than I can told me "Danish Oil". First photo shows Danish Oil on the left and Tung Oil on the right. Second photo is close up on the Danish Oil.
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Below is one side that I finally went from scraping to sanding with orbital sander and 240 grit paper. For the arm rests I actually go further with 300 grit and then 600 by hand.
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Definitely coming up better than I expected.
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Originally Posted by Blackout

Can anyone see any issues or errors with these steps?

Can anyone identify the wood used? It's certainly heavy to me.

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I trust you’ve had a look on EBay and seen how much a good condition MCM chair is going for now. It makes doing a good restoration worthwhile.

My thoughts.

The foam rubber is unlikely to be in good shape - even if it looks it. Make the effort and replace the foam - otherwise it could break down fairly quickly.

Likewise the suspension is unlikely to be up to the task if it is original. Most of the MCM chairs had Pirelli elastic webbing, which was good stuff but is pretty shot now. What does your’s have - you mention a steel frame so I’m thinking maybe 12mm tension springs? Anyway, you need to make sure it’s holding up and will give you many more years. Nothing spoils a renovation more then sinking into it and realising that below the new look it’s worn out and old and saggy (no need for any smart comments, I know what it sounds like).

The most popular timber for that style and period for quality furniture was teak. You can recognise it by it nutmeg smell when you sand or scrape it. The usual treatment was a clear lacquer - quite a different look to Danish oil.

The fabric is a brocade, a jacquard. The fabric looks mid century - just the wrong century. I expect it’s a recover. The original would have been something Scandi like a plain mustard or burnt orange fabric. Think super-trendy swinging sixties look.

So if it were me, I’d get the Danish oil off. Put a thin industrial lacquer on (not poly). Order new cushions and get some new fabric in the style. Check the suspension, you might be up for new springs, which are still available check out diyupholsterysupplies.com.au .

I think they are a quality issue. They could look stunning if done right. I wish they were mine.

Hi Arron,
Your post is extremely helpful and greatly appreciated.

My first MCM was meant just for me but it seems everyone in the family enjoys it so much I have to fight to get it back.

I've been hunting for old catalogues and advertisements to see what chair (manufacturer and model) these may be and no luck. On the upholstery I'll be glad to change to a simple colour. The cushions had me a bit stumped at the seats are heavy and the backs so light that I was guessing one was not original. The site you gave me is exactly what I need for these and other chairs I have yet to do.

I have found a supply of nylon slides for the feet and under the steel frame. Now to safely get the old nails out.

Thank you for the great help.

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Originally Posted by Arron

The original would have been something Scandi like a plain mustard or burnt orange fabric. Think super-trendy swinging sixties look.

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or a nasty green ribbed fabric...... (I know I have these exact chairs)

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Originally Posted by Arron

The original would have been something Scandi like a plain mustard or burnt orange fabric. Think super-trendy swinging sixties look.

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or a nasty green ribbed fabric...... (I know I have these exact chairs)

Not quite sure why it doubled up.

But my original reply was to say that I have these exact same chairs and were covered in a green nasty covering. I had new covers made, replaced the cushions, but did it on the cheap so didn't buy quality high density foam to which I am now paying the price. I just gave them a quick sand and a coat of jarrah all-in-one stain varnish, then replaced the nailed on nylon runner buttons with some poly-something-or-other left over from a job on my boat. I cut into L shapes to protect the uprights. see pic above with embroidered 2man fishing club logo and head sheets to protect the material. velcro'd on like plane eat head rests.

If i don't sell them, I may re-do one day as they are at my holiday house in Sussex Inlet if anyone's interested in renting for a break (happy to give a quick plug). I will give discount to Forum members.

Arron, what do you think they would be worth if I was to sell them?

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Originally Posted by Fumbler

or a nasty green ribbed fabric...... (I know I have these exact chairs)

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or a brilliant red ribbed fabric.

my folks had those chairs, purchased around 1960.
Their colour scheme was a pair of red chairs in the formal "lounge" and a green one as an occasional chair in the "dining" room.

The seat supports -- both for the base and the back -- were 1/2" (or perhaps 12mm) springs.
After 50+ years the foam in the cushions will be perished. Or it was in my folk's old chairs.

The heavier weight in the seat probably indicates te presence of a piece of ply to stiffen the now fatigued springs.

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Originally Posted by Fumbler

Arron, what do you think they would be worth if I was to sell them?

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I can’t say, sorry.

Just as a general comment. The price of collectors items usually varies according to scarcity, attribution, quality and condition. On the subject of condition, original items in very good condition command the highest price, followed by items that have had a very professional restoration, followed by original items in poor condition, and items which have had an insensitive restoration get the lowest prices. So you can speculate where yours fits in on that scale.

There used to be an endless supply of those chairs on council cleanups. When I was a student, and in the first flat of my own, when we needed a chair we used to just find another and drag it inside. Poor broken down old things with tatty cushions and worn out springs. Now, we are always on the lookout for them but we never find them.

My first one was from the Council Recycling centre.
I have been offered another pair but they are not recliners that I really wanted for our sewing / reading room :)

I just picked up a Don Rex Speed Frame chair to restore - Don Rex was a Brisbane based manufacturer of furniture, a bunch of the stuff found in QLD is Don Rex (And I missed out on a pair of non speedframe Don Rexs that had been put out for hard rubbish a few weeks ago - similar frame pattern to yours.)
Other notable Aussie MCM manufacturers were Featherston (Vic), Parker (Sydney based?), Danish DeLuxe (Vic) and Fler - My speedframe is QLD Maple, but Parker and Danish DeLuxe I believe favoured teak.
My speedframe has unfortunatley been slightly butchered with some holes drilled in each front leg and acorn nuts/threaded rod used to tie them together - not sure if I'm going to try to match and plug the holes with wood, or machine up some polished aluminium plugs.