1800's Chaise - reupholstery project

Whilst walking through the various displays during the Moss Avenue Sale, we came across an old dilapidated 'Chaise Lounge'. We made an offer which was accepted, and decided to reupholster it ourselves to make it look similar to its original condition.

As you can see above, it was in a bit of state. Its springs had collapsed and the material was thread bear and torn in many places.

When turning the piece over, we noticed a label from the 'Naperville Lounge Company' on the underside.

We decided to study the original manufacture to see what we were working with.

In the Early 1800's Fred Long opened a store called 'Fred Long's Furniture Shop', later around 1830, this became the 'Naperville Lounge Factory'. In 1915 the factory was merged with 3 other furniture factories and was renamed the 'Kroehler Manufacturing Company'. This implies that our chaise dates from between 1830 and 1915, making it a minimum of 100 years old. As we seperated the o;d materials we found an ink mark on the base material, it said 'Hartford Duck - CT'. We assumed that this material was from the Greenwoods Company in Connecticut, which was supplying from 1845 to 1901.

Below are photo's of the transformation process due to the re-upholstery.

Finished Product

Classic Car Show - Peoria 31st May 2014

Chicago - 21st May 2014

The Fourth Presbyterian Church Michigan Avenue

The Fourth Presbyterian Church Michigan Avenue

Art outside the Hancock Tower

North Shore View of Lake Michigan from the Scenic Bar in the Hancock Tower

Sunset view from the Scenic Tower in the Hancock Tower

City view from the Scenic Bar in the Hancock Tower

Dinner at Andy's Jazz Bar is a must when you visit Chicago.

The Light House at Navy Pier

This Schooner will take pleasure boaters for a trip round the harbour.

Some Rich Play Boy with Private Helicopter

City view from the lake

City view from the lake

Silver Bean at Millennium Park

I don't fancy running down these stairs in an emergency

Ferris Wheel on the Navy Pier

Zootini - Peoria Zoo - 8th May 2014

Zootini:   A variety of martinis (shaken, not stirred) are served by local bartenders at an after-hours event in Africa! Peoria Zoo, 2218 N. Prospect Rd., Peoria, IL 61603.

 



The Rinos were fighting over who should have the first cocktail

Not shown here, but the 'keylime' cocktail was my favourite and won the best drink of the evening.

Poor band got washed out by the rain