New Life Through Re-Upholstery
Choosing new décor, furnishings and paint colours for your home can be fun; it can also be expensive. One thing people often overlook when they are ready to update their home is buying new furniture is not the only option. You can save money, the environment, and get exactly what you want when you consider re-upholstery. Buying second-hand can be inexpensive but doesn’t always come in the desired pattern or colour, it also may not be in the best condition in terms of comfort. Keep it local by updating a second-hand chair and get it re-upholstered right in Vancouver.
You can also keep that old chair you love that has seen better days, by changing the fabric and foam and addressing any issues with the structure. Just because it doesn’t look its best right now, doesn’t mean it can’t look great with a little bit of work. Re-upholstery can help update your home, save you money, and get the look you always wanted. Older pieces of furniture can add an eclectic vintage touch to a home, while a fresh take on fabric can keep it rooted firmly in the 21st century.
We recently had the pleasure of bringing new life to a couple of older pieces with great results, and better yet, a story. Our first chair re-upholstery project had been on a journey: the piece had been purchased in France and later came over from Scotland in 1993. The Clarke and Clarke fabric we imported from England, reminiscent of suits by Tom Baker, was a great fit for the client, fitting in with the family’s quirkiness and love of blazers with interesting linings. The chair needed extensive work with repairs done to the structure and replacement of the horsehair cushion with foam. The result was so amazing and perfect for the client that we are now building a sofa and chair set in the same style for other family members in the UK.
Our second project was a sofa, a loveseat, and an heirloom piece that had been handed down to our client. We gave the quality living room pieces a fresh new look using a linen fabric from Clarke and Clarke and had a little more fun with the chair re-upholstery, covering it in Floral Frenzy by Maxwell Fabrics. This project showcased how easily we can take older pieces and make them look fresh and new again.
Still not sure re-upholstery is right for you? Here are three reasons to consider re-upholstering existing pieces over purchasing new:
Better Quality Furniture
Older pieces are usually sturdier and much better built than today’s cheaper, mass-produced furnishings. They’re often made of solid materials that can stand the test of time – and a few bumps along the road. While it may cost more upfront to have your pieces re-upholstered than purchasing new, it is much more cost-effective than spending money on a new piece that isn’t built to last and will have to be replaced in a few short years.
Customization
The best part about re-upholstering that old chair or sofa is that you can truly make it your own. That means you can create your dream piece by choosing unique and interesting fabric or any extra detailing that might set it apart. This also means you can change things you don’t like about your piece of furniture, like the decorative rivets or colour of the thread, making a huge difference in the style.
You can also make it more comfortable, choosing the density of your foam and even wrapping it in down feather, making it as luxurious as you desire.
Low Impact on the Environment
The chair or sofa that’s been sitting in your living room for years may have been free and thus perfect for you during your University days, but now you need something more grown-up, something a little more stylish. Re-upholstering an older chair helps save that piece from heading to the landfill. You don’t have to throw out an older piece of furniture just because it has seen better days; you can get that chair re-upholstered, making it feel brand new – without the cost to the planet.
Keeping your furniture pieces for as long as possible, and updating them when needed, can help save some forest. While many things are made of composite materials nowadays, there are still those items made from wood and that means trees being cut down. A lot of them. About 32 million acres of forest are being logged every year. By re-using what we have and fixing it when it can be fixed, we can help steer the way for less mass-produced products.
If you are interested in the concept of upcycling your pieces and don’t have a clue where to start – no problem – we can help. Kelly Arthur Interior Design has been working in this capacity since 1995 and our expert team knows just what is needed to breathe new life into your chair, sofa, or any other furniture item that may need a refresh. Check out our website or give us a call today at 604-812-2090 to learn more about how to work with us or to receive an estimate.
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