The Jasper Chronicles, Part 2: The Suede, the Surgeon, & the "First Sit"

I firmly believe that you don't choose the furniture; the furniture chooses you.

I’ll be honest: I originally set out with a simple goal to secure two specific stools from the Jasper Park Lodge (JPL) renovation sale. They weren’t quite ready for the floor yet, but I’d had a sneak peek and knew they were destined for my home. I eventually sent my husband back to "check the pulse" on their availability, but instead of a status update on the stools, he sent me photos of two other chairs with a simple message: "Get down here ASAP."

When I walked into Full Circle, I was a kid in a candy store—if that candy store was filled with century-old Indiana Hickory. I didn't know why at the time, but I felt a magnetic pull toward these specific Old Hickory pieces. By the time I left, I hadn't just bought the stools; I had purchased nearly every Old Hickory chair they had (save for two that I—naturally—went back for later. But that’s a story for another day!).

   'The Spindle Back is a ghost of the 1952 rebuild—a mid-century design that defined the new Central Lodge. Our specific piece, likely part of the 1970s 'Signature' era, carries that same historic silhouette but with the structural strength of a later generation. It’s the perfect bridge between Jasper's past and the future of the Outlook Loft.'

The Spindle-Back Rescue
 The piece I’m featuring today is one of seven unique chairs I procured. While the bones were legendary, the "skin" was struggling. The foam was shot, the fabric had seen better decades, and the wood was crying out for a little TLC.
We immediately began a "Legacy Restoration." My husband performed the necessary surgery—tightening joints that had loosened over years of lodge life and cleaning the wood to reveal that tight, healthy hickory heartwood. While the original strapping was surprisingly intact (a testament to 1950s craftsmanship), the seating needed a total overhaul.
Sensory Luxury: Moose Hide & Industrial FoamI had been saving a beautiful Cognac Moose Hide for the "perfect" project. As it turns out, this was it. I decided to use the suede side of the hide, and the result is breathtaking—a velvety, rich texture that provides a "quiet luxury" contrast to the rugged bark of the frame.
To ensure this chair lasts another 70 years, I opted for 45 ILD industrial foam (For the non-upholsterers: that means it’s firm enough to outlast all of us). No "bottoming out" here! The "first sit" test was the moment of truth, and I’m happy to report it passed with flying colors. It’s firm, supportive, and comfortable enough for a 240 lb man to sit in total confidence.

A Priceless Connection
 There is something deeply satisfying about seeing that Old Hickory Furniture metal tag peeking out from beneath a fresh, cognac suede seat. I’m not sure if these were the very last pieces held in JPL storage or if they were simply the lucky few that survived the decades, but I feel incredibly fortunate to be their steward.
I’ve always had a knack for accidentally picking out the most expensive item in a room without looking at a price tag, I just know what I love. While I’ve since learned these pieces carry significant market value, to me, they are priceless. The value isn't in the appraisal; it’s in the history, the "emergency surgery" in our garage, and the fact that a piece of late 1950s Alberta history is now ready for its next chapter.

I’m glad these chairs found us. I think they knew we’d be the ones to listen to their stories.
Stay tuned—the two High-Back chairs are next on the workbench!

Check out the stories of each Jasper Park Lodge Furniture Piece on our blog here 

Explore the Jasper Chronicles

Material Spotlight | The Soul of the Moose Hide
When it came time to restore the seat of our 1950s design Old Hickory spindle-back, a standard textile felt like a whisper where we needed a statement. To honor the 'Grit' of the Canadian Rockies, we chose authentic moose hide.
Unlike traditional leather, moose hide carries a distinct, heavy grain—a map of a life lived in the wild. It is a material of profound 'Resolve'; it is scarred, supple, and nearly indestructible. By pairing this earth-bound texture with the refined 'Grace' of the hickory spindles, we’ve created a dialogue between the forest and the fireside.
At Lodge & Legacy, we believe the materials we touch should reflect the world we inhabit. In the Outlook Loft, this chair doesn't just offer a seat—it offers a connection to the untamed spirit of the mountains