When I first saw the Skinny laMinx organic cotton that I would be reupholstering this vintage rocking chair with, I though “Wow… Maybe a little toned down color-wise for my taste, but I love the bold character!” When I delivered the completed chair to my clients, I realized how perfect this fabric is for their home. It would sit in company with a vast array of beautiful artwork while refraining from making too much of a statement itself.

Once the old material was removed, I found out this chair needed some serious repair to rotting wood, which was actually not too difficult…

Antique upholstery layers - rocking chair front rail

All of the nailer wood on this chair needed repair, and most of the original upholstery layers were re-used

Furniture restoration by Living Home furniture - vintage rocker wood repair

Before and After wood repair with sawdust/glue mixture

To repair the wood, I mixed fine sawdust with wood glue to a spreadable consistency and pressed the mixture into the holes with an artist’s flexible palette knife (a butter knife would work just as well). It was dry and ready to nail in 24 hours. See ‘How to Restore Rotten Wood’ video.

I used a 1″ thick 100% natural latex foam layer to make the seat more comfortable.

Organic wool and natural latex upholstery layers on vintage rocker restoration by Living Home Furniture

Organic wool and natural latex upholstery layers on the rocker’s seat

wool batting layer on a vintage rocking chair make-over by Carla Pyle of Living Home Furniture

Here the wool batting layer is tacked on and the chair is ready for the ticking and cover fabric

Skinny laMinx vintage rocking chair restoration

Completed vintage rocking chair makeover with Skinny laMinx fabric!

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