A few of you noticed the new dining room set when I shared the fall tablescape earlier this week. We bought an antique dining set last year just a few days before Christmas off of Facebook Marketplace for $40. I had been searching for a dining set since we moved into the house and I just wasn’t finding the one. I was feeling a bit bummed about not having a table and chairs for the dining room for Christmas, though, so I jumped at the chance to get a set for $40. That was less than we would spend on a dinner out for our family so it was worth it.
We made a few initial repairs to some of the chairs as well as to the stretchers on the table and it was good enough, but the table was just a little bit too wide for the room and most of the chairs creaked and groaned. While I loved some of the design details, it just didn’t feel like it was our set. So, I kept an eye out on Facebook Marketplace and at local secondhand shops
Just a couple of weeks ago, I spotted a set with oval-backed caned chairs, just the kind of set that is up my alley. It’s a vintage Drexel set called Francesca for $300.
The best part of this set is the chairs. They are super sturdy, the caning is in great condition, I love the style, and they are comfortable. Let me tell you, that can be hard to find in a vintage set! Usually, there is at least one chair with a shimmy. I am planning on stripping and refinishing the table and all of the chairs, but that will likely be a project for spring. Removing the 70s speckled finish will give the set a more timeless feel. I might get a bee in my bonnet and work on the table this fall so I don’t have to have it under a tablecloth all of the time, but we’ll see. The top isn’t bad, but the finish is smudgy and has some remnants of what appears to be craft or school projects.
The chair upholstery was in amazing shape because it’s been covered in plastic that was only recently removed. The fabric was a bit too retro for me, though, so I wanted to recover them to work with my style.
I am planning on making tie-on slipcovers, but that will take me a while. Given that I had a fall table photo shoot with a tight deadline, I decided to take a shortcut. And, honestly, if you have similar chairs, this method would be a fine no-sew option. Flat seats, like the ones we had on our previous chairs, are better for this method, but it’ll work on this style of chairs, too. The seats are removable making them easy to wrap in some new fabric. It would be better to sew a cover based on the shape of these chairs, but simply wrapping them in new fabric will work for now.
I removed the seats from the chair frames and also removed the remnants of the plastic covers.
I cut pieces of green velvet fabric I had on hand to size and set up an assembly line to get all six seats covered. Whenever I’m upholstering something, I make sure the piece of fabric is centered and then I put a staple in the middle on all four sides. This ensures that the fabric doesn’t shift if I get a little overenthusiastic in pulling the fabric tight.
I use a with 1/2″ 22 gauge staples.
I’ll then staple along the edge on all four sides, making sure the fabric is pulled tight and even. I’ll leave the corners for last since those are the trickiest parts.
I’ll create the corners by folding the fabric in and pulling it tight. See the photo below…
The corners where the back of the chair was located were a bit tricky. Again, sewing a cover is better for this style of seat, but I made it work. I cut a slit and pulled the fabric tight on either side of the notch in the seat. This left a little flap that was too short to secure with a staple, but it will be hidden by the back of the chair.
I then cut off all of the excess fabric and screwed the seat back onto each chair frame.
With the newly covered seats and a tablecloth, it’s good to go for now!
I know that stripping these chairs will be a headache, but it’ll be worth it. I think they will serve us for a long time.
You can find more furniture makeovers HERE and more upholstery tutorials HERE.
25 Responses
When you first posted about new cushions for your barrel back chairs, I could see they had cording on them. So, when I saw these new dining chairs, I “saw” cording on them also. The good news is … I can’t seem to unsee it. I think they look marvelous and I love the green velvet for cooler, holiday months. Kudos for a fabulous find.!
It’s a beautiful dining room set & I agree it will be worth the effort to strip those pretty chairs – this is the kind of set that is timeless & elegant in any setting! I love the green velvet cushion covers but can’t wait to see your permanent fix in the near future!
I love the dining room set and I know it will be beautiful when you are done. The table setting is beautiful too. As always. So much fun to watch you make your new home yours!
So who did you give your $40 set to ?
From your great photos I see can it’s a good quality, sturdy furniture. Knowing your talents I know you’ll do a great job re-finishing it. I just read an article in a design magazine saying that if you have the opportunity to buy older solid wood frame pieces of furniture it’s better to do that then the furniture they make today simply because they are far better made.
Beautiful set. Getting rid of that speckled finish is always rewarding. Chairs are a lot of work but worth the work on a good set.
Hi Marian,
I love the green color you selected for your chairs. Its beautiful!!! My Dad always used to wrap our dining room chairs, mom would pick out some pretty fabric and there you go a new and interesting dining room.
So during the years we’ve used this technique for ourselves and our children’s homes thanks for showing this technique to everyone.
I always feel when you can find quality vintage wood furniture in good condition from companies like Drexel go for it because it’s much better quality than what you will find in new furniture today made with cheaper products. I have a beautiful faux bamboo dining table and cane faux bamboo chairs from Drexel made in the late 60’s. I kept the dining top in the original dark wood and had the table legs and chairs lacquered. I did have a custom glass top made for the table which covered up a few scratches and makes it easier to clean. Your table and chairs have such a French inspired look which fits your style so well.
Love it. Such a warm and inviting room.
I think the way your covered the chairs was a great idea and they looked fantastic. The green velvet is so rich and looks really sharp on the dining room chairs. You always come up with the best solutions!
I absolutely love that green velvet material on those pretty chairs. The green and the color of the table & chairs are so striking sitting on that rug that completes the look . Beautiful!
We have the same chairs! I got them off marketplace probably 8 years ago for $20. The caning was destroyed so I used fabric and foam to make cushioned backs. They are a great set of chairs. Your green fabric looks lovely.
I love your enthusiasm!!
Your new dining set is beautiful! Drexel is considered high quality and is in the company of other high quality NC furniture lines such as Century and Henredon (former furniture buyer here). I believe Francesca was first made in the mid 1970s so the set should feel right at home in your 1970 home! A beautiful find!
I just had a flash back to the 70’s….first new complete dining set we purchased was the same finish…it was trendy then and a velvet sofa. It was the end of the 70’s. And all the furniture was heavy and a workout to move. What fun!
Let’s play a game. Since the very first blog how many dining room sets has Marian owned???
I know you do not have the time but really you could be the hunter for those who want a certain type of furniture at a used price. You are like a magnet for finding dining room
sets!!! This one had your name
all over it.
I’ll play . I’ll vote 12 !
I’m really looking forward to seeing how Marian does this because I have my mom’s old table as a side table and the top is that kind of finish. ;0
That green velvet is divine!! Love the style of those chairs. 🤗
When we moved into our home 29 years ago we bought an old dining set at a house sale on the next street over. It was $600. Solid wood. Table with built in leaves. 6 chairs. A beautiful buffet. All hand carved. I finally cleaned it all up two summers ago. I stripped all the yuck and gunk off. It was actually quite easy. Just time consuming. It’s one of my favorite projects I’ve ever done. I’ve also recovered the seats more than a few times using the same technique you showed. I can’t wait to see what you do with your new to you set. It’s a beauty.
The chairs look great ! What a steal on the set !! Can you tell me about your rug ? I’m looking for something like that.
The green velvet is beautiful. The whole set will look even prettier when refinished. Our first dining table we bought 30+ years ago was an old library table made in Grand Rapids. I still have that table which now serves as a desk/sewing/work table. It’s better than anything else we have had.
Marian, you know, if you wanted, you could find someone in your area that will refinish that set just the way you would do it. You don’t have to DIY everything yourself anymore! Just a thought… crazy, right?
We have a similar set that was gifted to us from my husband’s step-father. Very similar style; we have some more wood carving detail towards the top of the chairs. I have entertained fantasies of removing that speckling but, like yours, the turned legs are so detailed and fine it could be a solid “I hate my life in this moment” type of challenge that I’m not quite up to yet. Our table is made of pecan and maple and is gorgeous, even being over 50 years old now. We eventually replaced the seat fabric with a Kravet contract grade light cream woven with a Kravet contract grade navy wool piping. Turned out well; happy with the set and now don’t need to cover the seats with pillow cases when guests come over… Look forward to your sewing tutorial as our seats are “shield” shaped like yours… Standing by!
Your blog is a wonderful journey of restoration and nostalgia. The vintage Drexel dining set is a true gem, and the skillful recovery of the chair seat breathes new life into this classic furniture. It’s a beautiful blend of old and renewed.
They turned out so great! Love the green!