This month we take a look at the Chaise Longue.
We've done hundreds of different styles over the years. This one came to us with its original fabric and having had no previous restoration work, it had been aging graciously for around 130 years. Its joints had long since given up (a bit like myself) and it had a moth infestation.
So, it was a challenge. And our first task was to get rid of those moths. After that it was a case of stripping it back to the frame, removing all the animal glue from the joints and putting it back together again.
Our clients chose to have it covered in herringbone wool from Marton Mills. We finished it off with a contrast piping which really accentuates the curvature of the piece, particularly the arm scroll.
We're delighted with the finished piece.
5 Facts about the Chaise
- The correct pronunciation is 'shayz long'.
- Translated from French it literally means 'long chair'.
- In modern French, the term 'Chaise Longue' can refer to any long reclining chair including a deckchair.
- Persistent misspellings of 'longue' in English speaking countries, means that 'lounge' is now also seen as the correct spelling.
- Earliest versions of the chaise were found in relics from ancient cultures with Egyptian paintings showing pharaohs reclining while half naked servants would carry them through the desert.
If you have a piece of furniture you'd love to see restored to its former glory, please get in touch...