Can you reupholster a cane back chair?

You can always have the cane panels removed and replaced with fabric. Many buyers choose this route when the original cane becomes too damaged to sit against. A skilled upholsterer will build a padded back over the existing frame. The chair retains its shape and comfort while offering a fresh look.

I have this old chair and the seat cushion feels like it is filled with hard lumps of straw or something, is that normal for this type of furniture?

Traditional seat cushions rely on natural fillings like horsehair, coir or wool. Over decades of use, these materials compact and bunch together inside the casing. An upholsterer can open the cushion to tease out the original hair and add fresh wadding. This restores the comfortable sit without altering the historical integrity of the frame.

Why are some chair backs flat?

A flat back profile, known as à la reine, was designed to sit neatly against a drawing room wall. These models contrast with the curved en cabriolet frames which sat centrally in the room.

The fabric on the armrests is held on by these little metal nails that look a bit rusty, should I try to pull them out and replace them?

Those nails are traditional brass or iron tacks holding the arm pads in place. Pulling them out risks splitting the timber on the armrest. Leave them alone if the fabric remains secure. When you eventually have the chair recovered, a professional will extract them safely and apply fresh trimming tacks.

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Antique Bergere Chairs from the 19th Century

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An antique Bergere chair is an upholstered French armchair with closed side panels between the arms and the seat, originally designed in the eighteenth century for relaxing comfortably in a drawing room.