Chairs Get New Spline Caning

Spline Cane Before

Spline Cane After

If someone were to ask what our most common refinishing job is, I’d have to answer “Chairs.” The reason is simple. We all use them, so we all have them and at some point in time, they will need to be either refinished, reupholstered, restored or in this case, re-caned. This dining chair was in need of a new spline caned back (only) as the seat covers would remain fabric (to be done at a later date).

This is one of a set of four chairs in need of new back cane. It is a “spline” cane style, which means that the back portion is made of a single sheet of caning then kept in place with a spline that keeps the cane sheet in place. This is the first time I have worked with this particular style of caning, which is known as Swedish woven. The difference between this type of cane and the more commonly seen antique cane is that these are double rows of perpendicular lines that criss-cross compared to “hole” style of cane.

When ordering caning supplies, it is very important to measure the width of the channel to get the right size of spline. If you order spline that is too large, it won’t fit into the channel, which can cause damage during the tapping which is an essential part of the installation. If you order spline that is smaller than the channel, it won’t fit tight enough to keep the cane from coming out, so ordering the proper size is key.

Cleaned out channel

The hardest part of this process is removing the old spline. For these chairs, I used a combination of tools; chisel, needle-nose pliers, wood-carving tools, hammer, and then later (after I ordered it) a spline-removal tool, which is exactly the perfect tool to get beneath the old spline and smack it until it lifts up. I then used a small chisel to loosen any remaining spline that stuck to the inside of the channel.

Note: Cane must be soaked prior to installation. I soaked the cane and

Soaking Cane in Tub

spline (in my bathtub) for over an hour. (My little cat, Sadie is supervising!) Soaking spline and cane together is necessary, so that the spline can be manipulated around the tight corners that bend along the edges of the chair. It is okay to leave the everything soaking while you continue to work on each chair. By the time you get to the last chair, your cane and spline will be pliable enough to work easily. The first one is always the hardest one to work on.

I used Frog tape to protect the chair from accidental scratches while removing the old spline. Once the spline was removed and the channel cleaned out, (see photo at left), it is ready to accept the new cane and spline, which gets tapped into place with hammer and caning wedges. This process is tedious and time consuming and you really must focus on the work, which means no distractions!

The basic dynamic of installation is the same as hole cane, but the challenge of this style is to keep the rows straight vertically as well as horizontally, as they tend to shift while you install the spline. Once you have tapped the cane down enough to accept the spline (keep it in place with caning wedges) you can then carefully apply clear drying glue into the channel, then follow it with the new spline, being conscious of carefully bending and fitting it around those tight corners. (If your chairs have larger curves, it is much easier to install spline).

Of the two ways of cane installation, spline or hand weave, this is the “easier” way to do it, but that doesn’t mean it’s simple. It takes precision, patience and the right tools to do it right.

Beautiful Oak Table Refinish

Oak Table Before

This great oak table had strong "bones," but the surface had minor surface scratches and required gentle sanding and a new finish of golden oak stain to create a better than new look. Oak is one of my favorite woods to work with because it handles sanding well, allowing the grain, commonly hidden by layers of grime and

Oak Table After

wear, to come to light. 

Decent sized, this table was the couples' primary dining table, so I made sure I put a "rush" on it and got it done quickly. Lots and lots of sanding and three coats of polyurethane, this little gem was once again a great piece of furniture that can be used for years to come.

Vintage Dresser Makeover

Dresser Before

Dresser After

I stumbled upon this treasure at an estate sale, hidden in the corner of an attic closet at the top of the stairs. Buried under old games and clothes, this dresser wasn't exactly shouting, "Here I am!" Nonetheless, I spied it and after removing the contents from the top, I knew I had to have it as I saw it as a challenge.

As a child, I remembered decals such as these which I used liberally on my own furniture, much to my mother's dismay. Once they were on, they were on for life, since the adhesive on the back was pretty sticky. I wasn't discouraged since I knew a bit of sanding and stripping would have this little gem in great shape, better than its previous condition.

The right edge of the bottom drawer was missing, so Jim spliced another section into it and then used his router to round the edge, matching it to the original drawers. The dresser was flimsy, so we "beefed" it up and strengthened the sides and bottom, then began the tedious process of stripping and sanding. Once bare, it was ready for primer and ultimately a clean, bright white coat of paint. I replaced the old drawer pulls with stylish knobs that I'd reclaimed from a previous project and painted them pale blue. Viola! The once-old, 1959's era dresser has a new look and a new life.

Check out this dresser: http://finalefurniture.blogspot.com/2015/04/old-painted-dresser-revival.html

Old Chair, New Seat

Chair Before

Chair After

This was the third chair in a sequence of chairs we refinished for a friend. Using the same striped fabric, it makes a great mate to the other chairs. This one required very little, only a good cleaning and protection with boiled linseed oil. The reupholstered striped fabric is perfect for the period and gives this once-old, neglected chair a new personality.

Seat Before

Seat After

Nightstand Gets Painted Eggshell

Nightstand After

Nightstand Before

This little nightstand was a job for a customer who wanted it to match her dressers, however, the end result didn't match so I suggested painting it. As a traditionalist, I normally lean toward refinishing wood, as opposed to painting it, but sometimes painting is a great solution. This was a great example of paint vs. stain, as the wood didn't accept the stain very well, thus making the wood a great deal darker and no longer matching the dressers. This is caused by absorption, which determines the wood's ability to take on the proper color. When I suggested painting the piece, my customer agreed and purchased an eggshell white that matched her bed. The bottom line was a great little table that received a coat of paint and a brand new look! Be open to your finishes, because you never know how great something will look until you try it!

Here's another nightstand we've painted: http://finalefurniture.blogspot.com/2013/11/nightstand-gets-facelift.html