Before and After - Vintage Ethan Allen Wingbacks

This is a quick post to again demonstrate the miraculous possibilities when buying and refurbishing well-constructted, American-made fine upholstered furniture.  It is my passion to convince people that making "old things new again" is a worthwhile endeavor and results in great heirloom quality furniture. It is also good for the environment - a GREEN way of furnishing a home!

It is always important to buy only good quality pieces to reupholster/refurbish.

MY CRITERIA

Good bones - look for evidence of fine workmanship such as solid (heavy) foundations and well-connected joints

AND/OR

Good provenance - labels such as vintage Ethan Allen, Thomasville or even Broyhill suggest high quality manufacturing standards.  ANY Hickory Chair, Baker or Sherrill label is indicative of a great quality piece

Since I pay the professionals to do the actual upholstery work (the great Lees of Norcross, Georgia), it is not an inexpensive endeavor and the piece really must deserve the attention and cost.  The end result is a set that is not "cheap" but the relative cost is a GREAT DEAL compared to comparable fine furniture and a GREAT VALUE compared to cheap pieces that could probably be bought for less money.  When someone says to me "I can go to XX store or website and buy furniture for less", I always tell them that that is what they should do if the difference in value/quality is not important to them.  A good quality piece could be reupholstered a dozen more times and stand up well for generations.  But that is the decision any buyer must make!

Now let's look at Ethan Allen - here's a link to their website - ethan allen.

a strong american brand with global reach. a design authority with a modern attitude. a high-quality manufacturer. an innovative retailer. a destination for the one-stop shopper. a full-service design center staffed by design professionals who make house calls.

I do not know if Ethan Allen furniture is still being made in America - but the vintage pieces certainly were.  I have found wonderful pieces over the years and here is a perfect example - from the 1970-80's.

The pieces were bought at an estate ale for $160 for the pair - not a steal but a good price.

Photos of the finished pieces reupholstered in a tone-to-tone damask in creamy white.  The accent pillows pick up the same tone-on-tone colors in a complementary stripe.  These are photographed in my foyer but would work ANYWHERE!

 What do you think of this set?  This posting has been linked to Restore Interior Blog and Savy Southern Style

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