Urbane Reclamation

Antique Rocker Turned Book Storage

A client came to me looking for ideas for an antique Victorian rocker she found at Construction Junction. Not necessarily needing it to be functional as a chair, we decided to be creative and transform the rocker into a book shelf. I cleaned up the rocker - removing hundreds of old upholstery tacks, dismantling the seat, and sanding and staining the wooden frame. Using a deep maroon fabric to complement the dark wood stain, the seat box, arm tufts, and back of the backrest were upholstered and finished with brass tacks. Finally, book spines, chosen specifically by the owner, were adhered to the backrest in place of a cushion, and loose books are stored in the seat box, where the seat would normally be. In the end, this antique rocker turned book storage serves a function while also being a quirky conservation piece for the client.