Chair help.

From the mail bag:


Hi decorno

i live in australia and i think your blog is fantastic and your readers are very cool. i love that there is a place for people that loathe naff posters and wall decals. may i please ask for some advice from you all?

i bought some chairs, which i'd like to fix up. i'm thinking stain, lacquer, something, but not paint. the people i bought them off seem to have stored them outside so they're kind of raw and silvery coloured in places from sun bleaching.

problem is, i've never restored a piece of furniture before and i have no idea what to do. i went down to my hardware shop and the 16 year old guy with emo hair couldn't really help.

i'm planning on using the chairs as bedside tables in the master bedroom. the colouring in that room is taupe and white with doses of red and blue in doses and a large artwork above the bed. the artwork is predominantly blue, red and yellow. we have a dresser in this room which is dark reddish wood.

i'd love it if your readers could give me some inspiration and some advice re treating wood. i've attached a pic of the chairs.

many thanks
e


Readers - any advice?