Since this was my first project, I did a lot of experimenting. I started by cleaning the chairs with Krud Kutter. This cleaner/degreaser has been the only product I’ve tried so far, and I love it.
"Here's how the vintage Harp Back chairs looked before I began. You can see the original red and white upholstery and the wear on the wood finish."
Next, I stripped the original finish using Citristrip. While it’s not my favorite stripper, it worked well enough that I continued to use it on other projects. I used a nylon cleaning brush to get into the grooves.
Once the chairs were cleaned and stripped, I disassembled them. I used wood glue and clamps to reinforce the joints and make the chairs sturdy again.
While the chairs were apart, I decided to sand everything by hand. I didn’t want to risk damaging the wood by sanding too aggressively, so I did it manually. It was labor-intensive, but the result was worth it.
There were a few damaged areas in the wood, so I used wood filler to patch them up. After the filler dried, I sanded it smooth and applied bonding primer to prepare the surface for paint.
"After cleaning and stripping, I took the chairs apart to repair the joints. Wood glue and clamps made them sturdy again."
"To prep for painting, I applied bonding primer and used wood filler for damaged areas, ensuring a smooth surface."
For the paint, I chose Country Chic’s Cheesecake Chalk Paint because I wanted a neutral color that I could antique for a vintage look. Chalk paint requires a technique—applying in light coats with a quality brush or keeping the paint wet using a sprayer. I applied 2-3 thin coats and let each coat dry for 24 hours.
Next, I added Country Chic's Antiquing Wax to give the chairs that aged, vintage feel. Using a round wax brush, I applied the wax to all the grooves and wiped off the excess. Then, I sealed everything with clear wax for protection.
"I applied 2-3 thin coats of Country Chic's Cheesecake Chalk Paint. The light color and matte finish were perfect for a vintage look."
"To create an antique effect, I applied Country Chic's Antiquing Wax followed by clear wax to protect the finish."
One of the most satisfying parts of this project was restoring the harp back design. I used Brasso and steel wool to clean the brass rods, which had a lot of buildup. Watching the gunk come off and the original shine return was incredibly rewarding.
"Restoring the harp back design was my favorite part! Using Brasso and steel wool, I removed years of grime and brought back the shine."
Finally, I moved on to the upholstery. From the start, I wanted the chairs to have a musical theme, and I found an orchestra-themed upholstery fabric that was perfect. My wife helped with this part, as reupholstering can be tricky. We started by removing the old fabric, cutting new foam, and attaching it with spray adhesive. We used the original fabric as a pattern to cut the new one and stapled it to the seat.
For a polished finish, we added black cambric material to the bottom of the seat and secured it using screws slightly longer than the originals to accommodate the new upholstery thickness. The finished chairs looked incredible!
"The new orchestra-themed upholstery brought these chairs to life. After adding foam and securing the fabric, we completed the new look."
Once the chairs were done, I staged them for sale on Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp. I set up a wall in my basement for staging and used Photoroom to create professional-looking photos afterwards. To give potential buyers a better view, I always add a video showing the piece in action, like how drawers or doors work. As an extra touch I added screw-on felt pads to the legs for some protection.
Pricing can be tricky—do your research! I listed these chairs for $300, but don’t be discouraged if something doesn’t sell right away. The right buyer will come along. Worst case, I’ll keep these chairs for myself because I love them so much.
"A Pair of Vintage Duncan Phyfe-style Harp Back Chairs with Orchestra Themed Upholstery"
In the end, these Duncan Phyfe-style harp back chairs exceeded my expectations for a first project. From stripping the old finish to carefully applying the paint and tackling the upholstery, it was a learning experience from start to finish. Restoring the brass harp details was especially rewarding, reminding me why I was drawn to these chairs in the first place. While the upholstery part was challenging, the final result made it all worthwhile. Now, these chairs have a fresh, updated look, and I’m excited to see them find a new home—or maybe even keep them for myself!
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