Thrifting, Upcycling, Trash Picking

Roadside Find: Danish Modern Dining Chairs, Part 1

This just in: news from your favorite trash-picker!  . . . or should I say “Trash Rescuer?”

Last Sunday I spotted three mid-century modern dining chairs on the side of the road in our ‘hood when we were almost home from Reba’s Richmond wedding. Ryan was peacefully listening to an audiobook, and I had almost fallen asleep,  when suddenly I caught a teak-ish blur out of the corner of my eye.

“Stop the car!  Mid-century modern dining chairs!” I exclaimed.  “My curbside set is almost complete!!”

Danish Chairs Side of RoadRyan screeched to a halt like the perfect blogger-respecting husband he is, and backed the heck up. I wrestled two chairs into the trunk of the car, while apologizing to the dogs for squishing them.  (The dogs had been in Richmond with us.)  I explained to the skeptical canines that yes, mom did in fact need three more chairs to reupholster.

“But mom,” they barked, you already have two chairs that you said that about last May!”  

“I know, I know,” I told them, as I attempted to close the trunk without amputating any canine or Danish chair body parts.  “But C is coming home on leave from Afghanistan and we’re having a dinner party to celebrate in 2 weeks, so I will reupholster them all in time for that!”

Uldum Mobelfabrik Danish Modern Trash Chairs2

I tossed the third chair into the front seat where I’d been sitting, then squeezed myself into the back seat with my luggage.   Fortunately the dogs survived the remaining 3 blocks home and all was well.

As I unloaded the car, I noticed the tags on the chairs. Teak. Made in Denmark. Score. The curves of the teak arms were so smooth and sexy.

“Refinish me,” they begged.  “Can you believe those mean people put us on the curb like pieces of flea-infested rubbish?”

“We’ll see,” I told them.  “You just might be flea-infested so you’ll have to sleep on my porch tonight.”

Uldum Mobelfabrik Danish Modern Trash Chairs1

I’m still researching the chairs, but they appear to be Johannes Andersen for Uldum Møbelfabrik, somewhat valuable.

So, in the words of Carrie (SATC), Hello, lover.”

I can not believe my good luck.  Granted, the chairs were a bit worse for wear.  The location and style of the damages conjured images of kids leaning back in chairs, and parents scolding “Don’t tip the chairs back, you’ll break them!” 

Determined to get them reupholstered and ready for the aforementioned dinner, I toiled on those chairs every night this week, to the point where my hand was so cramped from hand-sanding that my fingers complained as I tried to uncurl them the next morning.

Danish Chair Problems

I leave on Sunday for a business trip to Las Vegas, but the chairs will be finished and photographed before I set foot on that plane.  I hope you’ll return next week for part two of A Tale of Three Chairs.

“Jane the Trashmonster Strikes again!”

Completely unrelated:  Gratuitous touchy-feely Hollywood ending clip for you, if you’re as rabid a SATC fan as I am. 🙂

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9 Comments

  • Reply Steffanie at 11:01 am

    I knew I should have linked SATC clips in my email to you! Also, you post totally validated my condo community recycling bin collecting, so thank you! 🙂

  • Reply Toya at 11:32 am

    “The curves of the teak arms were so smooth and sexy.” – lol

    You never cease to amaze with your craftiness, Jane!

  • Reply Ashley from The Kitchen-Sink Chronicles at 12:49 pm

    Why can’t I ever score these kinds of finds on the curb… all I have see are busted up dressers. So jealous!

  • Reply kalanicut at 1:38 pm

    I love your tales of trash rescues. I do not have room for anything in this little apartment and it’s such a bummer to pass up on street treasures! Love living vicariously through you! Can’t wait to see the results.

  • Reply Amirek at 11:08 pm

    Did you ever post the Part 2 of A Tale of 3 Chairs? If so, I’d love to read it! I’m wanting to know how you repaired the chairs and how they turned out! 🙂

  • Reply carol at 12:36 pm

    i have the same chairs that need new fabric. would love to know how easy or difficult it is replacing.

    • Reply Jane at 9:13 am

      Hi Carol – I’ve finally finished, and am working on a tutorial for how I did it! It was a little tricky but I believe you can totally DIY it. Not sure if I can finish the tutorial this week, but next week at the latest. Hope it will help!

  • Reply Trash to Treasure: Danish Modern Dining Chair RefurbishThe Borrowed Abode: Decorating a rental home | The Borrowed Abode: Decorating a rental home at 7:11 am

    […] that time I subjected my dogs to my trash-picking habit, when I found some Danish Modern chairs on the side of the […]

  • Reply Roadside Find: Danish Modern Dining Chairs, Part 2The Borrowed Abode | The Borrowed Abode at 7:42 pm

    […] a reader reminded me last week that I was supposed to share the status update on my roadside dining chairs, so I snapped a few not-so-crisp photos just so I could keep you in the […]

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