Lindsay Shuford, owner of Residence, an antique market and upholstery shop in Los Angeles, explains that about one-third of the furniture bought at flea markets is beyond repair. He helps host Kitty Bartholomew understand the basics of upholstery .
- It usually is impossible to tell whether a used piece of furniture can be restored until it is taken apart by the upholsterer. If the piece has been re-covered too many times, the wood will be damaged and too full of holes and staples for another fabric installation.
- A good frame is the most important part of the furniture. If it is in good shape , almost everything else can be replaced. Looseness, or wiggle, in the frame can be tightened, worn springs and coils can be replaced, and seating can be re-stuffed or filled.
- Old furniture is generally better made than the low- to medium-priced furniture available in today's market. A restored antique will probably last longer than a newer piece of furniture, unless it is quite expensive.
- Slipcovers have risen in popularity over the last 10 to 12 years. They are easier to clean and cost 25 to 30 percent less than reupholstering. Shuford recommends using washable cotton fabrics for slipcovers and advises washing the fabric before sewing to allow for shrinkage.
- The most comfortable and durable seating will have coils. Cushions can be made of Dacron-wrapped foam - the cheapest treatment, feather-wrapped foam, or solid feathers . Shuford prefers the feather/foam combination because it has ample softness but holds its shape better than an all-feather cushion and is less expensive. He avoids horsehair filling because it is so hard, and uses it only for authentic restorations.
- The shape of a piece of furniture can be changed fairly easily, if the basic frame is left intact. Legs can be sawed off and replaced, and curves can be added to arms and backs.
- The best way to choose an upholsterer is to look at his or her work, says Shuford . A good upholsterer won't be cheap, he warns, but restoration should be cheaper than buying new.
)
