This vintage channel back chair was my favorite price (F-R-E-E) at the furniture auction last week.
It is really well built and has the softest down cushion imaginable, which my very pregnant body appreciated after a long day at the auctions.
The fabric is in bad shape though, so new upholstery is in the chair’s not-so-distant future. Trouble is I can’t decide whether or not to ditch the channel design. Would you believe that I couldn’t find a single channel back chair in my design files? Obviously this style is not super en vogue, but can it still be considered chic?
Either way, I want the new vibe of the chair to be modern and spunky. I’m hoping for something as cool as this red-trimmed striped number from Erinn Valencich.
What say you? Rock the channel or go for a straight back?
I have a pair of chairs that look identical(without the nailhead though) that I inherited from my grandmother. They are my favorite pieces of furniture that I have. I absolutely love everything about them except for the fabric. I too need to reupholster mine. Love that picture of the striped chair. I hadn't thought about putting a striped fabric on them. -Cristi
I vote to keep the channel!
Keep the channel! It is beautiful!
I say keep the channels . If you can t find any examples thats great it means its unusual and will be a talking point and no one will be able to copy you !
I have a funny feeling they'll be back "in" soon. They do have an appeal, but there's something about the channels that I don't like. Maybe it's the thought of what can lost or found in them and the collection of dust that can accumulate. Sorry, I don't have OCD but rather a family with severe allergies. LOL!
My vote is to keep the channels. I agree with ZoeB that the chairs will be unique if you are unable to find many examples.
I can't wait to see the finished product. I know it will be gorgeous!
KEEP THE CHANNELS!!!! I am an upholsterer and often see the fabulous details eliminated when pieces are redone. Keep it true to the original design, it will be a one of a kind!
totally rock the channels! :D
I've seen a couple of new channel backs recently…I think they'll make a comeback. They're classic and add interest. Only trouble is that it'll affect your fabric choices…great find! I love those old down cushions, just so cozy!
KEEP THE CHANNELS! I've actually been trying to find one in good shape for ages! Consider yourself lucky to have found one that was also free!
Tuft the back. The frame's upper inside is probably not nice enough to be showing (like the chair in the picture). The tufting is also a good DIY. The channels will cost you more in labor and fabric.
I actually love the channels, but whenever you see one at the antique store they always have dust/dirt in each of the groves. Not kid friendly.
You can always have it changed back later.
depends on the fabric choice as to whether or not I would keep the channel. also, you really do have a great eye (do I really need to say that? your blog is wonderful), the silhouette of the chair is fantastic. can't wait to see what you do with it.
It would be way easier to upholster without the channel… that's always a plus…Nice chair, can't wait to see what you do!
I recently picked one of these babies up for free too! I love the channeling and the comfy down. It needs to be reupholstered and I'm thinking of going straight backed – mostly because it wouldn't be as challenging for me to do myself. But I'm loving these chairs seen here —
http://indiefixx.com/2009/09/23/a-peek-inside-indie-home-tours-with-amanda-blake-soule-of-soule-mama/
and I think channels are a beautiful detail. Can't wait to see what you do with your lovely chair!
If you do something incredible with this chair, I'm going to kick myself! I saw an almost identical one at a yard sale a few weeks ago that I passed up. . . wasn't sure if I wanted to bother with the expense of reupholstering. Anyway, I would definitely keep the channel back; makes it so much more feminine. Love love the painted trim in the picture. Can't wait to see it!
Not sure how difficult it would be to do this as I'm definitely not an upholsterer, but what if you did 2 different fabrics and alternated each fabric on each channel? It sounds like it'd be a bitch to do, but I think the end result would be stunning. I think it would definitely give it a modern twist on a classic piece, which is one of my favorite design themes in my home.
Oh keep the channels! But that means that you can't do a stripe, unless you get really good and have each channel be a different color. Good find. I lOVE it! I would go gray with a yellow trim…..but that's for my house :)
Channel!
Rock the channel! I love that chair and can't wait to see what you do with it!
Old world details like that are hard to find. I know you could give it a new life and make that chair sing!
pve
This is going to be so much fun! I say keep the channel unless it is super complicated to re-cover.
I would keep the channels if you're having a pro do it. DIY that would be a PAIN. I would consider eliminating 2 channels to make each one a little wider. That's just my personal preference. I'm sure you will make a gorgeous choice with it.
i think it'll depend on what fabric you choose. if you are going with a solid, keep the channel back. if you opt for a patterned fabric, then you will lose some of the pattern in the folds, so i would do straight back. both are beautiful though! can't wait to see the end result.
grace
Keep the channel. Anything you touch is en vouge!
Keep the channels – very unique BUT if you want to change it, tuffed with buttons would be wonderful too. L-U-C-K-Y. Are you going to re-upholster yourself? If so, take lots of photos!
I say Rock the Channel!
I just had to come out of the woods when I saw you chair… I too just got one for free! I have no idea what to do with it, but Im thinking a solid "mustard" yellow…I know nothing of design so tell me your plans!
Love your blog!
Jimena, from Peru
Rock the channel!!
Tock the channel! It's so interesting.
oops, that should say "rock", not "tock". :)
If you like the channel then DO IT!
Can't wait to see what you do with this one! I know it's going to be amazing.
I have a channel back chair (also free!) that I have had for 14 years. It desperately needs reupolstering as the seat is torn but I have just tucked an old quilt top on the seat because I can't find directions for channel upolstering. So I guess since I've been holding out for so long my vote is for the channels!!
Rock it with red piping in the channeling seams!
Keep the channel! Great detail that should not be lost! I think it would make the stripes look even cooler!
Keep the channels!! I have a this type of chair in my bedroom at home and love the channels. It's what gives it character! You can see it here: http://www.dreamindomestic.com/2009/09/06/home-room/
I think because you have no similar pictures in your design files that you should do something different and keep the channels!
Rock the channel!!! I agree with the idea to alternate a solid color with a print, then paint the legs the same solid color and lacquer up those babies. Say… got any of that Chinese dragon fabric left? ;-)
Jenny,
Check out this photo: http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest/interview/molly-worth-of-chairloom-reuse-and-reinvent-renest-interview-097633
Very similar in shape to your chair. Recovered in Hable Construction fabric. Love it.
Also try searching google images for "channel back chair" for some inspiration. The channels are not for everyone–but they are what separates this chair from a thousand others.
Keep the channel back! Great find!
Cottage Living had a channel back redone somewhere near the end of the mag– the feature where all the editors showed a chair they re-upholstered (yes, I'm a huge dork for knowing this)– I feel like whoever did it DID keep the channels, but I can't remember for sure. I am kind of partial to flat backs myself, though.
My mother in law always sat in one of these – sorry to say no one wanted it back in the day… it would be so pretty to recover now. Sigh…Jennifer
I think the channel back is fun, although it will limit your choices in fabric design. I can't wait to see what you come up with!
I definitely say rock the channel. It's such a great detail-but my vote changes if you end up running stripes…i feel like they would compete with the channel lines and the silhouette will lose effect.
Hey, if the fabric is modern and spunky, I think it'd be such a fab contrast with the channel backing. It's wonderful!
Geez, I PAID $30 for a chair like this. Did I get ripped off or what?!
So of course I vote for you to keep the channels so I can see what you did. And copy it!
Kristen W. in Atlanta
I guess I am in the minority. I say lose the channels! I love the chair you are using for inspiration! Great find! I love the free finds at auctions!
This is a great chair, love the channeling, it's classic, but you could put a spin to it and make it only 5 wider ones, how 'bout that?
Then sink in it with baby and all!
XX
Victoria
Rock the channel! I think it adds an interesting dimension, and without it, it might be kind of boring! Can't wait to see what you decide!
I also have a channel back chair inherited from my grandmother. She always called it a barrel back chair…don't know if that helps. I love my chair and find it very comfortable. I use it at my desk and you would be amazed at how many times none of my four daughters know where I am because I am hidden behind the chair!! Wonderful! So I vote – Keep the barrel back!
I say ROCK the CHANNEL- it's so different. LGN, Your bringing CHANNEL back… open the floodgates.