What's old is new again - Treasure Hunting

I'm often asked, " Where do you find such amazing chairs?". Honestly, everywhere. It's been a while since I purchased a chair right off the floor for a client. I tend to always want to modify them or add something unique to them. I guess this is why I spend so much time scouring flea markets, estate sales basements, yard sales and even thrift stores. Often times furniture that is older is made much better; it's skeleton is stronger, made using methods that are often too expensive in woodworking for many manufacturers today.  My favorite place in Los Angeles to find treasure used to be the Rose Bowl Flea Market but recently it's gotten quite expensive. You really have to negotiate now. I get up at 6:00am on a sunday and drive forty five minutes with my coffee in hand, eyes barely open and slowly walk through the stalls as the vendors are still unpacking. That's the way to do it. By nine in the morning the place is already a zoo and time for me to leave. I have found the most amazing sets of mid century chairs for a steal, full sets of 10 dining room chairs for $300. Chairs which at a normal retail store would be at least $400 each. It's really worth the effort. When I go to the flea markets I go with a list of what I need per room for clients, along with measurements ( this is key). Sometimes I can find just the right thing or sometimes I have to modify it a bit. The thing is, you can't be afraid, it's just furniture. Sometimes I also just see pieces that inspire me to make something custom.
An old tattered chair can be made into the most exquisite piece with a new finish and an amazing fabric. You'll definitely want to take your time finding a really good upholsterer, one that pays attention to the details. Always take a before picture in case you want to replicate a trim detail or nail head etc. because once your upholsterer rips it apart, theres no turning back.  I'd found chairs so old they were stuffed with straw, or pure cotton. I always imagine the story behind the inner workings of an antique piece. I guess that's the romantic in me. Below are just a few samples of chairs that have a very simple shape , and were honestly pretty ugly, but have been redone to bring new beauty to my clients homes.
Happy hunting…