The color or pattern of a chair's fabric often indicates its era. Chairs have been through numerous style changes over the years, decades and even centuries. Some chair designs are so classic or sought after that they've been reproduced, which may make it difficult to determine if that vintage or antique chair is an original or a more modern knockoff. Others feature upholstery fabric that pinpoints a particular era, such as olive green velvety fabric with large printed flowers from the 1960s through 1970s. Close inspection of the fabric or bottom of a chair typically reveals clues as to its age or origin. Antique chairs are those made more than 100 years ago, while vintage chairs span the time up to the 1970s. Fabric The fabric or upholstery on a chair is often the giveaway as to its age. If the fabric is an old tattered hand-stitched floral and white print that looks like it's nearly a century old, it likely is -- fabric patterns tend to follow trends, even on furniture, so a print that seems completely foreign and unfamiliar, showing extreme wear and of unknown material, likely is actually old and not a reproduction.
On the other hand, a barkcloth-style upholstery fabric that looks brand new, featuring an atomic boomerang or tiki pattern, may be from the 1950s, may have been reupholstered more recently, or may be a reproduction with a reproduction fabric. In this case, the fabric alone is not enough to determine the chair's age. Seat Filling An upholstered chair also has a substance behind the fabric to give the chair its softness and comfort. This filling, like the common fabrics of any era, has changed over time. Armchairs made after 1830 often have coiled springs, a filling using available substances such as feathers, and webbing or padding beneath the fabric. In the 20th century, synthetic foams replaced the more natural stuffing in many chairs. Maker's Information The underside of the chair often offers the best clues as to its general age. Look for a tag with manufacturing information, including a name, model number or even a year for chairs made in the last 80 years or so. If the tag features a website address, that's a huge clue that it is a modern reproduction.
If there is no tag, look for a stamp or even handwritten information on the seat bottom, in case the chair was handmade. The Internet has information on many manufacturers and chair artisans, so you may be able to look this name up online. Hardware The way the chair is assembled is a big clue to its age. If modern phillips-head screws are on the chair, holding legs or the seat assembly in place, it's likely a modern chair. Slotted screws are somewhat older. Chair rails or the support assembly beneath the seat did not have screws at all on chairs made in the 18th century, whereas newer ones usually do, in the corner brackets. Some modern chairs made by artisans may not have screws either, but such chairs are likely marked with the maker's name somewhere beneath the seat. References Worthpoint: Clues to Antique ChairsThe Original Chair Company: Antique Seating Information Photo Credits Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images Suggest a Correction Photo By: Marian Parsons Don't turn your back on an old mattress.
Hang a mattress spring on the wall for a one-of-a-kind, oversized message board. Donna of Funky Junk Interiors cleaned the rust from the spring with a wire brush and treated it with a clear overcoat for a vintage look. Simple clothes pins hold up messages, and hangers keep other everyday items at hand. When you think an item has no functionality, think again. Melissa Michaels of The Inspired Room placed a small, brightly colored stepladder on the wall to function as a display shelf and eye-pleaser. The weathered finish on the ladder paired with crisp white frames on the adjacent wall gives the room a classic cottage look. If you don't like the look of an old dresser, update it with a bright color. Janell Beals of Isabella & Max Rooms painted a forgotten dresser with bright pinkish-red chalkboard paint for a playful look that works perfectly in a kid's room. The dresser allows kids to use their imaginations by drawing or writing anything they want on it, keeping the walls safe from any unexpected drawings.
This home office is filled with items from the junkyard. Sawhorses make up the legs of the desk, a wood pallet works as the desktop and an old ladder provides the framework. Donna used a garage storage unit and wood pallets as back support to create an industrial-style shelving unit to maximize storage space. Fill the shelves with vintage-inspired objects to finish the rustic look. When you remodel a room, you oftentimes are left with extra material. After remodeling her kitchen, Melissa Michaels placed her leftover cabinet doors on the fireplace mantel as decor. "I was able to reuse the cabinet door to cover up a hole from the TV," she says. Painting the door to match the room's color scheme and leaning it against the mantel gave it an entirely new purpose and look. Top off the look with a decorative plate and candles. Take an ordinary tea tin and transform it into a stylish storage container using chalkboard paint. Marian Parsons of Mustard Seed Interiors created this look by applying one coat of primer and two coats of chalkboard paint to the surface.
"Fill the tin with office supplies, kitchen dry goods or bathroom toiletries," she says. Write on it with chalk for an easy, creative way to label the contents inside. A piece of old, unused furniture can become functional again with a little creativity. This Hoosier cupboard, popular in the early 20th century, was sitting in a woodshop for years. With some refinishing and paint, Janell Beals turned it into a practical home office desk. The crisp white cupboard against the black walls makes it the focal point of the room. The cupboard drawers allow for an abundance of storage space, and the size of the cupboard provides plenty of room for office equipment. "The piece not only adds to the design of the room but holds great memories as well," she says. Hang framed memorabilia to add to the timeworn look. Damaged furniture doesn't have to be thrown away. Marian Parsons suggests hiding imperfections on furniture with decoupage. She used aged sheets of music to hide imperfections on this neglected dresser, while also giving the all-white bedroom a shabby chic look.
Other items great for decoupaging furniture are maps, book pages, letters and postcards. "The treatment will hide gouges, water marks, missing veneer and other signs of abuse on furniture," she says. Decoupaging furniture will also add dimension and distinct style to a room. A vintage headboard is given new life as a hanging rack. Donna painted the headboard white and attached a rack with hooks, transforming the headboard into a towel or coat rack for guests. "Random house numbers are fun additions that add some graphic interest," she says. The rack is also a great place to hang keys and other everyday items. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint is all a piece of furniture needs to breathe new life into a space. Melissa Michaels painted this once-dull coffee table into an eye-catching royal blue color. "The unexpected pop of color is a fun contrast to its otherwise traditional lines," she says. The bold color makes the table the focal point in this mostly neutral living room. Even the smallest, most outdated items can be repurposed with a little love.