Ladder Back Rush Chair Repair

Rush Chair After
Replacement

Rush Chair Before
Replacement

This was my first time replacing a broken rush chair seat. Although I’ve done a lot of caned chairs, this chair was completely different from the caning process. The rush material can be a natural rush which is woven from cat tail leaves or fibre rush which is a man-made material using a paper product. For this chair I used 6/32” fibre rush that came on a 10 lb. coil. 

First I removed the old rush from the seat completely, then removed any residue and dirt before beginning the new weaved seat. Measuring the seat is the first step in the rush weaving process. You measure the front, then the back and deduct the back measurement from the front and divide by two. For this chair, it was one inch. I made a mark on each side, then began my front weave using this mark. 

The rush fibre strand is attached to the left side and wrapped around the front left and right until you reach the mark you made on the front of the seat. Then you can begin adding the rush to the back of the chair using the same technique. This is a long, tedious and very strenuous process. As you weave, it’s important to pull each strand very tightly before you continue to wrap each side. Using clamps to keep the rush in place is essential to keep it taut while weaving.

The weave begins with over the left rail, up through the middle, then over the right rail, up through the middle, over the back rail and up through the middle, over the back right and up through the middle, over the back left and up through the middle then over the back rail and up through the middle, then down the front of the chair where you started and begin the entire process until your weave reaches 2/3 complete. Cardboard triangles are then fitted into each side, top and bottom to fill the gaps, then you continue to weave until you reach the center of the chair. During the weaving process you need to add new coil when you run out by tying a square knot and continuing the tying the new rush to the piece you ended with. The knot should be somewhere in the bottom so it can’t be seen from the top of the chair.

The closer you get to the center, the more tricky the weaving becomes because you can no longer pull the large coil through the center, so you must pull it single strand through the center and keep going until you fill up the hole. Then you finish it off by tying off the bottom. I completed each chair by applying clear polyurethane to protect the chair from staining.

Rush Seat Before

Rush Seat After

Desk and Chair Gets Fresh Paint

Antique Desk After Painting

 

Antique Desk Before Painting

This small lovely antique desk was in great shape, but my customer wanted it, along with a matching chair, painted white to surprise his daughter for her birthday. 

This desk had quite a bit of detail, nice features and scalloped edges on the front and rosettes on each side and the center as well as spindled legs. The wood was mahogany, but had seen some wear, so painting was a nice alternative to refinishing. Many people love the natural look of wood, but there are times when painting is a great option. My customer chose a soft white for the set which looked amazing once it was painted. I prefer white for painting furniture because it’s always a fresh, light look that will match any décor.

Antique Desk Open After

Antique Desk Open Before

The desk had an unusual feature; you could use it as is, or flip the top to
expose a hidden area which has a pull-out area and a slots which could be used for stationary storage and supplies. It’s a really unique and valuable feature of this dainty desk.

The chair was a simple school style with narrow spindles and a form fitted seat bottom. This chair was a perfect complement to the desk as it could be used for many activities. The set was adequate to provide a nice work space but small enough to fit into a tight spot or tucked into a corner of a small room. 

Chair Before
Painting

Chair After
Painting