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ReCovery with Laura
Upholstery
Sunrise from Below Architecture
Modern Work Space
Modern Workspace
Sunrise from Below Architecture
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​When deciding whether to upholster keep in mind that upholstered pieces are traditionally kept for generations and are passed down as heirlooms from one family member to another. A high-quality chair or sofa not only will retain its value through the years, but like Dad's favorite well-worn armchair, will eventually assume the status of a comforting, loyal, and irreplaceable old friend.
The upholstery process can be broken up into four distinct stages: the frame, the springs, the stuffing and the fabric. By carefully looking at each of these stages you will gain a better understanding of the upholstery/reupholstery process.
Tools
Ribbons
Tools
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Frame
While the construction of the frame itself does not involve upholstery, building it is considered the first step in upholstering a furnishing because the frame must be completed before the actual covering work can begin. We work with your existing frame for reupholstery. The frame constitutes the bones of the furniture, the form that gives the piece its shape and substance. Exposed wood areas give a good indication of the overall quality. If the exposed arm or leg is of a high-quality hardwood, with a fine finish, then you can be fairly confident about the overall craftsmanship of the piece. In traditional furniture, the legs should be an integral part of the frame; legs, especially back legs, that have been added on can weaken a piece, making it unstable. The type of wood used is another good indicator of quality. Quality prices are constructed with hardwood--the most popular choice being maple. When deciding whether a piece is worth having reupholstered, a good indicator of quality is simple--weight. High quality furniture tends to be heavier. Also check to see if the frame twists and bends when lifted. This is not a good sign. Although we can tighten some joints, in general loose arms and creaking are not desirable.
Springs
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A wide range of springs are used in upholstery--from coil and no-sag (zig-zag) springs to elastic webbing. The type of springing used in upholstery depends upon the level of elasticity desired for the particular seat. Coil springs are supported by webbing. If your webbing is loose or has come unattached, we can fix it.
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For springs that need retying, we utilize eight-way hand-tied coil spring construction. In this type of construction, the coil springs are held in place by an interlocking web of cords made from high-quality Italian jute. This tying method ensures that the springs lie smooth across the furnishing. The high number of knots also means that if one rope of jute should break, there are still six knots holding the piece in place.
Stuffing/Padding
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Most frequently cushions are made from dense foam wrapped in polyester batting. Good quality foam cushions give strong support and always look immaculate.
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Depending on one's budget and personal preference, cushions can be pure white goose down, which is most costly and offers the softest, plushest look and feel, or a down and feather combination, which is priced depending upon the ratio of down to feathers. Those who prefer a firmer and/or less expensive piece can request down/feathers with a foam core. Foam core also requires less maintenance, since all down/feather cushions need some fluffing and shaping after use.
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Cushion covers normally have zippers that are used only for the manufacturing process--if the filling is removed, the cushion may never return to its original shape. Do not remove cushion covers for separate cleaning. Clean the entire piece of furniture so that the fabric does not fade unevenly.
Bright Room
White Chair in an Empty Room
Bright Room
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Fabric
The fabric is the most important and can be the most expensive element in furniture reupholstery. It is the one ingredient that can make or break not only the aesthetic appeal of a piece of furniture, but that of an entire room as well. The choice of fabric is also extremely important to the durability and functionality of the furniture. Remember, the cost of our labor remains the same whether you choose a high-quality or lower quality fabric for your job. Therefore, if economically feasible pick a high-quality, durable fabric that will endure more years of use. We cannot be responsible for flaws or defects if you do not purchase your fabric through us. Also if you provide your own fabric, it is imperative that you clearly indicate the side of the fabric you wish to have as the "right side." (We recommend making a big "X" with chalk.)
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