From
HomePortfolio'sLearn More About Series
By Gayané Ebling, Furniture Editor
A quality piece of upholstered furniture will be well constructed and made with fabric or leather that stands up to use and looks beautiful in your home. I'll deconstruct each of the different parts, starting with:
- The inside: Learn how frames, springs, and cushions are constructed contribute to your furniture's comfort and durability.
- The outside: Know your options when it comes to choosing the right fabric upholstery, slipcovers, or leather for your new piece of furniture.
- Details: Welting, fringe, pleats and slipcovers—these are the "special effects" that give a sofa or chair real personality.
The Inside
Frames: High-quality pieces have a frame of kiln-dried wood that is free of knots. Maple is the wood most commonly used in the United States, while beechwood is popular in Europe. Joints that are double-doweled with screwed corner blocks contribute to a stable frame. Legs should be an integral part of the frame rather than added on later. Center-support legs on larger pieces provide better weight distribution.
Springs: Inner spring construction should be considered when buying a piece of furniture. Eight-way, hand-tied coils provide an even foundation, and result in no single spring bearing a disproportionate amount of weight. Although not as desirable, other systems, such as drop-in pre-assembled coil units and sinuous wire fastened from front to back, help provide a soft seat.
Cushions: Cushions can be made of pure white down, down and feather combinations, or a foam core. Pure white down is the most costly, while the other types of cushions offer a firmer seat and cost less. Foam core cushions require less maintenance, as down tends to move around, requiring frequent fluffing and shaping. When considering cushions made of foam, note the foam's density, as there is a direct correlation with foam density, comfort, and wear.
The Outside
Fabric: Whether dark or light, striped or flowered, fabrics offer a seemingly infinite range of choices. However, you should remember a few simple things: All fabrics are not suitable for upholstery, and only those with tight weaves will be deemed by the manufacturer as appropriate for upholstery. If you're considering a light-colored fabric, make sure it is treated with a stain-repellent process. For slipcovers, avoid cottons that could shrink, and make sure the slipcovers can be easily removed for laundering.
Leather: Leathers are like fabrics: They're not all the same. Quality may vary widely, and some manufacturers may tend to stitch together smaller pieces of leather to make the upholstery less expensive. Uniform color and surface are often signs that the leather had to be corrected and pigmented because its natural qualities were deficient. The finest leathers are pure anilines. Full grain or top grain leathers are dyed with transparent, nontoxic aniline that penetrates the hide with colors and allows the natural grain to show through. They are then treated with wax and oils to create in a soft and mellow hand.
Details
- Slipcovers provide versatility and allow rooms to adapt to changing needs or even the seasons. The most practical slipcovers are made of washable fabrics.
- Bullion fringe adds drama, self-welting contributes to a tailored and refined look, and the use of pleats creates a light, airy feel.
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