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Deciding to Reupholster, What do I do now?

Deciding to Reupholster, What do I do now? When you've made the decision to go ahead and reupholster that favorite piece of furniture, the search for quality craftsmanship can require some investigation.

The best recommendation comes from another satisfied customer. If you don't know anyone like this, you'll have to do some investigating of your own. Begin with the Yellow Pages, looking under the "Furniture" heading. Keep in mind that these craft persons are often also furniture makers. Call them and make an appointment to visit the shop. Someone who takes pride in their work will be happy to answer your questions, show you around the workroom and let you see what's being done. Occasionally, there are unscrupulous operators who will charge you a lot but simply install new fabric over the old fabric and padding. This is unethical, says Stan Sinowitz, vice president of Bergen Furniture in Hackensack, New Jersey. "Upholstery is only a cover. What's inside counts," he notes.

Carefully examine the work you see and ask questions. Don't make an uneducated decision and pay for cheap padding and sloppy seams. In other words, make sure the upholsterer shows you what he does to the piece, inside and out. For example, after stripping down the furniture a reputable shop will check for any weakness in the frame. If it needs firming, the upholsterer will redowel or rescrew it, not nail it together. The frame will be cleaned; all old tacks and hardware will be removed, and all holes will be filled.

Beauty by the Layer
After stripping, repairing and cleaning the frame, the upholsterer will replace a weak platform and cover it with burlap. This is hand-sewn to the springs in a diamond pattern to hold it down and prevent it from slipping. Next, he or she will add a layer of horsehair, for resiliency, which is covered with cotton to prevent it from poking through the upholstery later. Over this goes muslin, the furniture's "underwear."

The upholsterer will cover the vertical surfaces (arms, back) of the frame with webbing (not cardboard), then add a layer of bonded Dacron. For a soft, puffy filling, a quality upholsterer will use polyester wrapped in either Dacron or down, not foam rubber. Of the two, down is the most expensive.

The Finishing Flourish
Often an upholsterer will work with your own fabric, but before purchase you should consult with him or her about what fabrics will work best on your piece. Natural fibers like cotton and linen are always handsome. However, you may want to select a fabric blend if you have children and/or pets, and if the furniture will take heavy rise. Fabrics treated for stain-resistance are excellent for a family room where you kick off your shoes and relax.

To a degree, a talented upholsterer can modify the style of a piece of furniture, too. Rounding the shape of the cushions, for example, can make a contemporary piece look more traditional, so can adding a skirt along the bottom. For a tailored look, think about using neat pleats in the skirting. Scallops will introduce a classic motif, and ruffles will look like country. If your budget allows, coordinate your furniture's new upholstery with new window coverings. If your funds are more limited, order a small amount of extra fabric to cover throw pillows or make a table skirt.

Written by Kathie Robitz
Reprinted with permission, HouseNet, Inc.

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