Is the weaving the problem, or the chair?
Sit in a sound example if possible. A chair that is too narrow, too deep or wrong for the table will remain that shape under a cushion. A thin removable pad may be worth trying on sound weaving if it stays securely in place and suits the maker’s guidance. It does not restore a weakened seat or justify continued use of a broken one.
If the weaving has simply reached the end of its useful life, price like-for-like renewal first. Paper cord and cane are different materials and constructions; Carl Hansen & Søn’s material account describes paper cord as a woven furniture material in its own right. Do not order “cane replacement” for a cord seat merely because both look woven.[2]
The Thonet example: one family, distinct seat variants
Thonet currently lists the 214 with cane work, the 214 M with moulded plywood and the 214 P upholstered. This is a useful example of upholstery being part of a manufacturer’s design family. It is not evidence that a new upholstered component will fit any older bentwood chair, including lookalikes or chairs from another producer.[1]
Give the workshop the actual chair, its marks, dimensions and photographs of the underside. Ask whether the seat frame is removable and whether the proposed replacement bears on the parts intended to carry it. A visual resemblance to a catalogue variant is the beginning of that enquiry.
Ask for three genuinely different proposals
| Proposal | Useful when | Question that decides it |
|---|---|---|
| Renew the original weaving | You like the existing seat shape and appearance. | Can the frame be repaired and rewoven in the appropriate construction? |
| Use a verified replacement seat assembly | The exact chair has a documented compatible part. | Who confirms the model, period and mounting compatibility? |
| Commission a conversion | You need a different seat and accept a considered alteration. | How will loads, attachments and seat height change? |
The estimate should separate frame work, seat construction, filling, cover, finishing and transport. Retaining the old frame or panel may preserve an option for later, but “reversible” needs a physical explanation. Filling new holes or replacing cut-away timber is not the same as removing a drop-in pad.
The extra centimetres are part of the design
Measure the current unloaded seat height, the useful sitting area and the relationship to the tabletop. Ask the upholsterer to explain the finished height and how the filling compresses. A thicker seat reduces the space available beneath an apron and changes where the backrest meets the sitter.
Also look at the edge from across the room. A bulky roll can hide the slim rail that makes an old chair appealing. Agree where seams and fixings will sit. You should be able to picture the chair from the front, side and underside before choosing fabric.
For a set, make one agreed prototype or sample arrangement before authorising every chair. Keep the same person, table and sitting task for the comparison. That gives the workshop a practical answer if the first pad feels too high or looks too heavy.
Put the alteration into words
Message to the workshop
Please compare appropriate reweaving with an upholstered option for these chairs. Identify the frame repairs, supporting seat structure, finished height and fixing method. Which existing parts are removed, drilled or cut, and what will be retained? Please quote one chair first, including fabric and filling, before I approve the complete set.
If a conversion only makes sense because the damage will be out of sight, choose another proposal. If its construction is resolved and you prefer the resulting chair, record the work honestly for the next owner. A useful alteration has a description more specific than “professionally restored”.