Redesigning With Reupholstery
If that scrumptious sofa you inherited from your favorite aunt or chintz chair you got at the flea market look as if they’re on their last leg, don’t put them out on the street just yet. Many vintage and antique pieces have a value that can’t be equaled today, and more and more resourceful clients are redesigning and reinventing these fabulous finds by reupholstering them.
Reupholstery is the perfect option for you to consider if you have a quality piece of furniture but it has torn fabric, wobbly legs, a creaky frame, sagging cushions or is in need of a fabric face lift. After all, your existing furniture is already the right size for your room. As well as being about half the price of a quality new sofa, reupholstery is also a greener option since you are recycling your existing furniture.
With such an ah-mazing selection of bold, eye-catching fabrics as well as classic neutrals available now, there’s no need to buy something new and faddish to create a fresh and more satisfying living environment. DIW brings an updated vision to upholstery, and can make what is useful, beautiful and lasting again.
Antique sofa frame last reupholstered in the 1930’s or 1940’s. Frame is in good condition.
We begin our process by stripping the old fabric and foundations so the frame is exposed. The frame is an essential element in deciding whether to reupholster or not. DIW can check the frame. If the frame is solid or one that can be repaired, then we will have no problem bringing the structure of your furniture back to its original condition and creating a unique, modern version your original piece of furniture. Hardwood frames are strong and have longevity. Don’t assume a frame is bad if it is wobbly or damaged. Worn joints are easily tightened or re-glued. With the exception of water damage, DIW can easily repair loose or broken frames.
After removing the old animal hair, raffia or decomposed foam, we repair the frame and the springs, install new webbing and replace the old foundations with modern, more durable materials such as Dacron, cotton padding and various densities of foam.
1950-ish cane back dining chair in desperate need of a transformation.
GT removing the seat cover.
GT cutting new foam padding to cover the cane back for a more updated look.
Front and back of chair with foam padding covered in muslin and burlap. Primer has been applied and chair is ready to be painted to match upholstery fabric.
We then paint and lacquer the legs, distress or French polish the wood or apply any number of finishes that a client may request. A selected fabric and trim when chosen are used to cover the finished product. What was once about to be discarded is now a redesigned and refurbished, custom upholstered piece of furniture that will be around for generations to enjoy and admire.
DIW will be featuring lots of reupholstery projects in the near future as we launch our new retail division, ShopDIW, on Etsy. We will be showing pictures and videos of these projects…from start to finish. The chair pictured above is one of our very first ones. We just started it last week, in-between jobs, and hope to show you the final “revision” this week. Along with our redesigned and reupholstered furniture, we will also be offering pillows we make from designer fabrics. Please check with us often as we update and add more information about this exciting new venture.
