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Mason Monterey Collection, Oregon Caves NM

MPFC was privileged to conserve and restore two dozen pieces of original Mason Monterey Furniture which was bought for the Chateau, shown right in the Chateau in 2006.

The furniture in the Chateau was designed and built by Fred Mason, who founded the Mason Manufacturing Company of Los Angeles in the late 1920’s, and his son George Mason. The style is derived from Spanish and Dutch Colonial, California Mission architecture and furnishings, cowboy accoutrements such as might even be found in a barn (lariats and branding irons), and simple ranch furnishings.

Eventually the line was marketed by the Barker Brothers. The Chateau purchased the line through Meier & Frank in Portland. Ironically, the alder used in the line was from Oregon!

Some publication give the impression that the Mason company used a half dozen colors, but our research shows they were inventive and experimental and the line of colors was much larger, and many variations existed from batch to batch. An example of this is a green color shown right in an A-Frame chair, which we are calling “Chateau Green.” It is a variation on Spanish Green, which is also seen in the Chateau. It presents as a very minty green, as opposed to the olive tones of Spanish Green.

Some of the pieces conserved were sent to what will eventually become a museum featuring some of the best examples of the Mason line.

Most of the pieces were restored using conservation techniques and traditional materials to be used again in the Chateau hotel. The frames were repaired utilizing appropriate conservation and age-related techniques; in most cases the stuffings were beyond cleaning and reutilization, and so new cushions were made. Because of the requirements for use, those pieces destined for the floor of the Chateau were treated outside the parameters of strict conservation techniques, as they had to withstand daily use for another half-century. The new upholstery and new strappings, and the creation of new cushions, were all restorative. Also, we chose to use leather which was not original to these pieces, but was used in Monterey Furniture, and, for the NPS's use, a very durable material.

The NPS allows us to share treatment reports with the public. If you would like to copy or print them, contact MPFC for permission.

Currently we are working on the following Mason Monterey Furniture from the Chateau and items will be posted as they are completed.

 

Polychrome Floral Mason Horseshoe-back Monterey Chairs

The size of these two chairs is more generous, as are gaming or side chairs to sit on in a living room rather than dining room chairs. The Straw Yellow and Straw Ivory polychrome finish was severely compromised. The original sling seats were in poor condition, but the chairs were slated for the museum, not for the reuse, and so the upholstery was conserved.
INTERIM REPORT CLEANING
INTERIM REPORT INFILL

TREATMENT REPORT FOR THE MASON MONTEREY
HORSESHOE-BACK FLORAL CHAIR (COMING SOON)

 

Polychrome Geometric Mason Horseshoe-back Monterey Chairs

The size of these two chairs is more generous, as are gaming or side chairs to sit on in a living room rather than dining room chairs. The Straw Yellow and Spanish Blue polychrome finish was severely compromised. The original sling seats were in poor condition, but the chairs were slated for the museum, not for the reuse, and so the upholstery was conserved.

"Chateau Green" Mason Monterey A-Frame Dining Chair

The original finish was in good condition, and so this chair was set aside for the museum. While it may be that the original color was intended to be Spanish Green, the base color is lighter than Spanish Green, and the Smokey Maple top coat is quite subdued, so the overall appearance is a minty green. We dubbed this color "Chateau Green" and hope it sticks! TREATMENT REPORT FOR THE MASON MONTEREY DINING CHAIRS (COMING SOON)

 

Eleven Polychrome Mason Monterey A-Frame Dining Chairs

Finish was severely compromised, and had been through the flood of 1964. These chairs were to be reused in the Chateau.

 

"Chateau Orange" Mason Monterey Lamp

The finish was severely compromised, having been through some form of water event. The lamp was slated for the museum, not for the reuse. The color is unlike any orange we have previously seen, being an apricot color. We are dubbing this color "Chateau Orange and hope it sticks! TREATMENT REPORT FOR THE MASON MONTEREY LAMP (COMING SOON)

 

Orange Upholstered Mason Monterey Wingback Chair

Finish was severely compromised, having been through some sort of water event which removed the original paint. However, the original upholstery was intact! TREATMENT REPORT FOR THE MASON MONTEREY WINGBACK (COMING SOON)

 

Smokey Maple Upholstered Mason Monterey Wingback Chair

Finish was in excellent condition; however, the original upholstery was long gone! TREATMENT REPORT FOR THE MASON MONTEREY WINGBACK (COMING SOON)

Straw Yellow Mason Woven Seat Monterey Chair

This side chair was used in the lobby of the Chateau. The Straw Yellow finish was in poor condition; the decorative "River of Life" in Chateau Orange was intact, however. The original woven seat was in poor condition, but the chair was slated for the museum, not for the reuse, and so the upholstery was conserved. TREATMENT REPORT FOR THE MASON MONTEREY CHAIR (COMING SOON)

 

Spanish Green Mason Woven Seat Monterey Chair

This side chair was used in the lobby of the Chateau. The finish was in poor condition. The original woven seat was in poor condition, and the sling back was replaced with an inappropriate weight leather. Decorative nails were missing. The chair was to be reused on the floor of the Chateau, and the woven seat and sling back were replaced. TREATMENT REPORT FOR THE MASON MONTEREY CHAIR (COMING SOON)

 

Spanish Green Mason Cut-out Seat Monterey Chair

This side chair was used in the lobby of the Chateau. The original Spanish Green finish was stripped, and a modern topcoat was applied. The original seat was torn, and as the chair was to be reused on the floor of the Chateau, the upholstery was replaced with a new seat and slung back. TREATMENT REPORT FOR THE MASON MONTEREY CHAIR (COMING SOON)

 

Mason Monterey Wingback Chair + Ottoman

Finish was in poor condition probably due to water damage.
The paint was previously removed down to the base coat of asphaltum.
The cushions needed to be replaced for use in the Chateau.

 

For information on the Imperial Monterey line used at Crater Lake National Park, see our page on the three dozen pieces restored for the Crater Lake Science and Learning Center, shown left.