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.

Black Lacquer Sidepiece

This was damaged from a break-in at the customers home. They pried off the door and all of the drawers despite the fact that the key was in the door keyhole! This will require replacement of the missing pieces, some carving and a finish of lacquer.

Black Lacquer Sidepiece

Here is the restored piece ready to go home and hide from another break-in.

Round Table Pineapple Feet

These next 3 items are for a customer in Florida. They came out of a Grandfathers car dealership.

This is a table that goes with the 2 chairs shown below. The pineapple type feet were missing on 3 legs and the wrapping was loose on the strechers. We went ahead and made new feet for all 4 legs and rewrapped the strecher.

1 of 2 Reed and Fibre Chairs

This is the first of the 2 chairs. Many spokes were broken and especally the ones going up into the arm causing the arm to sag further breaking the reed. We replaced 90% of the spokes compleatly from the skirting up through the arm and into the braid. These chairs are mostly reed with only a little of the weaving being fibre.

1 of 2 Reed and Fibre Chairs

This chair had the front leg broken and several metal braces screwed to it. We removed all that and replaced the broken leg and added a "sleeve" to give strength to the pieces.

2 of 2 Reed and Fibre Chairs

This reed and fibre chair was like the first with many broken spokes and both arms loose because the weavers comming up the side and going out to the arm were all broken allowing the arms to sag.

2 of 2 Reed and Fibre Chairs

Here we have replaced a broken leg that had several screws in it [doing nothing] and wire wrapped around. By removing the fibre wrapping, we could remove the leg and make a replacement, then rewrap.

2 Fibre Wicker Rockers

This is one of two matching rockers made of fibre. They are not in bad shape but many of the spokes on the backs have broken. The wire rusted and couls not hold up. We also repaired some areas of the seats and replaced both skirts. I believe the skirts were most damaged by people getting up from the rockers and placing their legs back and pushing the skirt backwards. Some new braid and they are ready to paint!

2 Fibre Wicker Rockers

Here is the 2nd rocker. New skirt, several new stakes and seat repair.

30 Years of Wicker Restoration & Caning

Anderson's Restorations has entered its 30th year of Wicker Repair, Chair Caning, Furniture Refinishing and more. Located in Yadkinville, North Carolina not for from Winston-Salem a quick hop on I77 or Hwy 421 from most locations. Contact us to arrange for us to look at your items or Email some photos for a "guesstimate" on your repairs. You can arrange to have your items sent to us and we will make sure they are packed well and returned to you.

Rattan Bar

This photo is of one side of the customers rattan bar, part of a set she received from her Grandparents. The cat seemed to think this was a huge scratching post and put several spots like this on the bar, especally on the curved sides. Bad Kitty.

Rattan Bar

Here is the bar with new material woven in the bad spots and stained to match. Pina Colada anyone!!!

Danish Cord

One of two chairs that the Danish Cord was replaced. As with most seats of this type, the front edge of the frame had worn through the cord over time. To help prevent this in the future, we always "ease" the edges of the seat frame to get rid of any sharp edges.

Seagrass Bar Seats

This is 2 of 3 bar seats that had a plastic seagrass look-a-like seats. They were splint and shredded like plastic grocery bags. They were replaced with braided seagrass. The customers response is below.

Customer Comment

Received this email from our customer in NJ,
"Hi Rob
We received the seats Friday night, just put them together today. They look wonderful! Thanks for the detailed instructions on care. I enjoyed doing business with you and will definitely recommend Anderson's Restorations.
Christine "