Adjustable Arm Chair

Here is one of the Mansions adjustable arm chairs with the new scrollwork. The back has been removed for painting. This is a high tech chair. To adjust, you put the wood rod in the wood "buttons" you see on the arms and Presto, it's adjusted!

GOVERNORS MANSION WICKER

We are very pleased to have received the job of restoring 36 pieces of wicker for the Governors Mansion in Raleigh,NC. This is paid for by a private fund that covers the Mansion upkeep as a Historical Site so NO tax dollars are used. We will be doing this in about 7 "batches" so that we are not backed up with no room to work and will take place over the next few months. The items include several settees,chairs & rockers, side tables, a chaise lounge and some very old porch rockers and a settee that will be done in splint. We will post some pictures as time goes by and keep updating as we have more to share.
Rob

Just an Update

Here's wishing everyone a Happy Holidays from the Andersons!
We have had a totally messed up month. It started when we went to Ga for a soccer tournament on the 5th & 6th. The car went south in the motel parking lot and after having it towed to a reapir shop, they told us it would be $3,500. for repairs. We said NO and had it towed to a storage lot and rented a car to return home. Last weekend # 1 son and I drove a truck down and towed it home for repairs. I can repair it here for @ $500. Some markup.
So I'm about 3 weeks behind now but life moves on and so we will too.
Rob & Judi

Nice Email From Customer

Hi Rob,

It was great to meet you today. I love the chair and the repairs you did. If you ever need a testimonial, I will be more than happy to provide one.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Glassman

Hickory Furniture Bench.

The customer obtained this bench from a school she taught at years ago and the seat finally went away. We replaced the seat to match the back pattern and along the way, found the Hickory Furniture stamp on the back leg.Just needs staining to match the back.

Oval Table

This was painted several times. We removed much of the paint from the base to be repainted and took the top back to a natural look with new braid around the edge.

Bar Stools

Here are 2 bar stools that we replaced the seats in. They were done like the backs but the customer found out they weren't very strong so we changed the seats to a more standard weave that should hold up much better.

IT PAYS TO VISIT SHOPS

Stopped by the local thrift store and found this deck chair and decided I couldn't let it pass. I never know when I will ever get to MY projects but will post a picture as soon as it's finished.

Willow Porch Swing

This swing hung on a covered porch for years. When the seat started to go, the owner added wood under for extra support but I think also helped to trap moisture in the seat making it rot faster.The spokes from side to side are all rotted and broken and many of the spokes in the back and arms are broken also.

Willow Porch Swing

We have replaced the seat, new spokes from side to side and replaced the broken spokes in the back and sides. It's back on the frame without the extra wood so it can get the air around it.

Round Reed Rocker

Here is the rocker as it was dropped off. Most of the spokes are broken across the front. The whalings across the back part are broken or brittle. The decision was made to remove all this and reweave the whole thing.

Round Reed Back Rocker

Here is the rocker with all new reed in the seat & back in the origional pattern. After the picture, we stained and sealed it to match what we removed. Just after this was taken, another customer dropped off a childs rocker with the exact same pattern.

Drop Off Day!!

Just a picture of the items a customer dropped off. Clean, oll the wood, all new seats, some new rockers and broken rungs. Yes, it's all from one person!

Chain Back Child Rocker

This is just another of the childs rockers done with the chain stitch in the back.I haven't done one of these in a few years and this is the second one like this is a month!

NEXT GENERATION AT WORK

Here is our 16 year old Grandson doing his first chair. He has decided he wants to learn how to do this type of work so I have been letting him do some things like taking out the old seats to see how he likes the work. This is his first seat on his own with just a little help when needed. His goal is to make enough to pay for soccer camp in August. He really is a great kid!

NEXT GENERATION

Here is his finished chair. It just needs a little tweeking to get the rows tight but a great job for his first one.

Round Reed Chair Backs

These chairs have round reed uprights which are woven across with reed in a double weave. The old backs had broken on 2 chairs because they were getting brittle so the customer decided to have all 4 done at this time.

Rolled Arm Rocker

This rocker came to us after sitting in storage for years. The reason for that is the bent wood piece from the upright to the seat that supports the arm had broken into 3 pieces. We will remove the broken parts and glue them together and try to use them to make a pattern and bend a new one, then repair any broken spokes and weavers and a new seat.

Rolled Arm Rocker

Here is the rocker with a new steam bent arm support. We used the old pieces to line up the holes for the spokes in the arm roll. Many of these had to be replaced first, then we fixed the broken weavers in both arms and some of the double weave. A new seat, seal, stain and finish!

Magazine Holder

This armchair had a bad magazine holder. Someone had tried to repair and ended up breaking most of the spokes. It was simpler to take it all off and make a new one.

Round Reed Dining Chairs.

Here is an email I received from our customer;

I have been meaning to write you for weeks, every time i sit down in our refurbished chairs.
they look great, you did a terrific job, and we are delighted to be able to use the chairs we already liked instead of spending alot of money for replacements that would not have matched the table.

many thanks
martha and harry

Seagrass Chairs

One of a set of chairs that had real rush bottoms. The rush had become brittle and broke in many areas, especialy across the front like most chairs will. We used the seagrass as a replacement for the origional rush and after the picture, sealed and added a little color to calm down the "newness" till the seagrass starts to turn color.

"Chain Stitch" Childs Rocker

This cute childs rocker had whats called a "Chain Stitch" in the back that had broken a long time ago. Only about half was left. We made a pattern to form new reed pieces and assembled them to the back. Once the dowels on top, bottom, and sides were wrapped with new 1/2 round reed to cover the nails, it is ready for stain and sealer.

Round Reed Dining Chairs

Here is one of a set of 4 that we did. As in most cases, the bottoms gave out before the backs so we removed the bad back to a safe area, then added new reed. These are on wrought iron frames. With a little stain and sealer, ready fof use!!

NC Museum of History

Here I am doing our demonstration at the NC Museum of History over March 20-22. We had a great time and answered many questions from young and old alike. We were also fortunate to have a very nice piece written up in the Mon,23, edition of the Raleigh News and Observer by Marti Maguire.If you would like to read it and see the pictures, go to www.newsobserver.com and put Rob Anderson in the search box. You should find it.

NC Museum of History

Here's a picture of the whole display. We were set up just inside the main enterance. You can't see it but right above us was a full size model of the Wright Bros airplane complete with pilot!

Splint Rocker

Nice old rocker. Had a fibre rush seat but we changed it for the customer by using the splint instead. It changes the look and better matches some other items they have. Stain and clearcoat, good for another 100,000 miles.

Hand Cane Oak Rocker

Very nice oak rocker. Recaned and ready for stain or leave alone to age naturally, like me.

4 English Pub Chairs in Seagrass

These English Pub Chairs had what was left of real rush seats. In talking to the customer, we decided to use the seagrass instead. This is considered to be a replacement for real rush in that it looks very much like rush and is easier to use. Don't confuse this with fibre rush which is made from twisted paper.This is a natural material.

OAK CANE CHAIR

This is an oak chair of the type used in a lot of taverns years ago. If this chair could talk. Caned ready for stain and more years of use.

RUSH SEATS ON FRAMES

These are 8 plywood frames, about 1/2 thick that fit on the frames. Sent to us from Tenn. The corners are filled before you can weave like a normal seat. After the picture, they were sealed and stained to match the old color and back to Tenn.! We received the following email:

"Hi Rob,Just want you to know that we love the chair seats. They look great on the chairs - just like the originals. The whole family is delighted. Thanks so much for your good work.

Jean"

Your Welcome!

MAPLE LADIES ROCKER

As you can see, this is a Ladies Rocker needing hand cane on the seat. The back was in fine condition. We caned the seat and stained to match the back.

NEW YEAR

Well it's the start of a New Year. Many things have changed already. For one, I have filed for my Social Security! Now I feel old. My oldest Grandson has turned 16, he can't be driving a car. It was just last week I was picking him up from elementary school, wasn't it? We also have been asked to give a program at the NC State Museum of History on March 20-22 from 1-3 each day. If you are in the area, please come and see us.
Rob & Judi

Danish Cord Folding Chair

This folding chair was redone with Danish Cord to match the origional. The chair is walnut and is very wide and low. The customer has had it for many years and can now use it again.

3 Rockers

Here are 3 more of the rocker first posted in July. The patterns in the back and seat are different but match one of the customers origionals which came down through the family. They will be stained as the others and only one more to bring us to finish the set.

Hand Cane Rocker

This is a standard hand cane rocker. What makes it a little different is that it curves from side to side and also bows from top to bottom. It just requires a little more time and patience to get right. It will be stained to match the seat which was in good shape. The reason the back ripped is someone forgot to ease the edge of the wood where the cane goes over it and the sharp edge eventually cut the cane.

Spider Web Caned Rocker

This is the back section of a rocking chair. The spider web cane is brittle, broken and split[not a law firm]. It is a hand cane project and one of a set so the cane pattern needs to be the same. There are other fancy weaves that could have been used.

Spiderweb Caned Rocker

Here is the finished weave. All that is left is to replace or repair some of the wrap and put on a fresh coat of paint.

Danish Modern Seat Frame

This is a metal frame that attaches to an arm chair frame. The seat had been broken in many places do to age. The back had new pieces hot glued in place to repair broken ones.The frame for this by the way, is all walnut.

Danish Modern Chair Seat

This is the finished seat frame with a light stain to look more "aged". We did the back pattern different then the origional to better match some pieces the customer already had.

Eastlake Ladies Rocker Caned

This cute ladies rocker needed a new seat. The back was in satisfactory condition so we just did the seat and stained to match the back.

Old Hickory Furniture, Indiana

The next few posts are for several items all made by the Old Hickory Furniture Co which are still in business today. When these items were made, they had 2 different types of material as they came from the factory. The customers wanted to use one of the origional materials and pattens to bring them together more as a set.

Old Hickory Set

The lounge with the footrest in place. This has an adjustable back. There is a stick that goes across the back in several possable places to adjust the angle of the back. Simple but it works! This item is no longer made by Old Hickory.

Old Hickory Set

The third of the 3 rockers.

Old Hickory Set

This is the "odd" rocker. You'll notice the spindles below the back, that's the main difference.

Old Hickory Set

Here are the 2 matching rockers. These were done in a wide binder from the factory.

Old Hickory Set

Here is one of the 2 matching rockers finished.

Old Hickory Set

This is a shot of all the pieces ready for finish on the flat reed

Shaker Tape

This rocker and footstool were done with shaker tape using 5/8 width and 2 different colors to accent. The smaller tape gives a better contrast then the 1" width.

Porch Rocker

This rocker is one of several in various sizes to be reseated. The customers wanted all done to match the origional weaving which is different in the back then the seat.

Tiger Oak Dresser

This is a small dresser with @ 7 coats of paint on it including around the edge of the mirrior over the beveled glass. This item belonged to the customers Aunt who was a little left of center. She painted all the furniture on a regular basis including some end tables she placed lace on while the paint was wet so it would stick and she wouldn't have to move things and dust! We knew this item was oak, but until we started removing the paint did we discover it was a very wide flake Tiger or Quarter Sawn Oak. It didn't require many repairs and considering, was in very sound condition. The only new item we used was sockets and wheels.

Tiger Oak Dresser

Here is the finished dresser with a light stain to bring out the "flake" of the oak. This dresser is very low with the top only 30" from the floor and a very tall mirrior. A very nice and I think, unusual piece and you can see the beveled portion of the glass!

Grandma's Hoosier Cabinet

This Hoosier Cabinet was stored for many years in a tabaco barn and has suffered from the moisture. All the pieces that were made from a ply material have seperated. The bottom is missing and all joints are loose. This item was painted from the factory but the customer would like a wood look if possable.

Grandma's Hoosier Cabinet

Here's the Hoosier ready to be placed in the home.