Reupholstering My Furniture at Interiors Haberdashery
Reupholstering favorite pieces of furniture when they get worn will give them a whole new and refreshing look.
With all the extra time at home during this pandemic, I've been able to accomplish a lot of projects. Among them - reupholstering several pieces of furniture for various rooms here at my Bedford, New York farm, my home in East Hampton, and at Skylands, my summer retreat in Maine. For the job, I enlisted the help of Interiors Haberdashery in nearby Stamford, Connecticut, a drapery fabrication and upholstery workroom and production facility owned by designers Paul Guzzetta and Philip Shortt. Within weeks, these furnishings were beautifully transformed from timeworn to timeless.
Enjoy these photos.
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- One of the many projects I took on last year was to redo several rooms in my home. The spaces were already very beautiful, but they needed some updating and rearranging. I also wanted to reupholster some furniture such as this Federal style settee. Reupholstering can totally change a look and extend the lifespan of the piece.
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- I turned to the team at Interiors Haberdashery for assistance. This company, located in a former factory dormitory, has been a leading interior design resource since 1993 and specializes in both exclusive commercial and residential spaces.
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- Here is the back of the settee. Underneath all the old fabric, one can see its well-made construction. When considering a piece of furniture, always look for a hardwood frame that feels heavy and is put together with mortise-and-tenon, dowel, or tongue-in-groove joinery; spring coils; natural filling, such as down or horsehair; and fully removable cushions for easy cleaning.
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- Here’s a closer look at a section of the back frame.
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- For the new upholstery, I chose this gorgeous Fortuny fabric I had saved.
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- When I went to Interiors Haberdashery to drop off a few more pieces of furniture, I saw the sofa on the sawhorses already well into its transformation process.
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- The front had already been completed – it looks amazing.
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- Here, the fabric is being carefully stretched over the side and under the arm. The tighter it can be pulled, the smoother it will look. All the work is hand done to perfection.
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- This process takes time, especially if there is a distinct pattern to the fabric.
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- A pneumatic staple gun is used to attach the fabric to the piece.
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- The top is now attached and trimmed under the arm. The front edge is next.
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- Here is the other side – a self welt will be placed over the staples when completed. A self-welt is when the cord is done out of the same fabric. A welt cord that is done out of a different fabric is called a contrasting welt cord.
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- Here at the seam the pattern is carefully matched – a sign of true artistry and attention to detail.
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- It looks beautiful – I can’t wait to see it back in my home.
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- During this same trip, I dropped off this three part sectional. I knew it would fit just right in a round alcove I have at Lily Pond, my home in East Hampton, New York. What do you think of the original decorator’s fabric?
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- Here are the matching cushions – also dropped off for re-covering.
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- A couple of weeks later, this is the new look. The cushion covers are still being done. Reupholstering furniture is a great alternative to tossing old pieces that would eventually end up in a landfill – when possible, repurpose, rejuvenate, and reuse.
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- And here it is all finished in that round tower alcove. It fits perfectly, as if it was made for this space.
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- Another piece I had redone was this old wide chair I had stored away. I love the shape and the size, but it definitely needed reviving.
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- And here it is in its new velvet covering – now placed in the foyer of my Bedford, New York Winter House.
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- This sofa was also recovered. I planned this piece to go to Skylands, my home in Seal Harbor Maine.
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- And here it is all finished. It was first delivered to my farm before heading to Maine. Here it is sitting on my enclosed porch in my Winter House.
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- These armchairs were re-covered also…
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- … in a silk velvety gold fabric from Schumacher – now refreshed like new. When re-covering furniture, the options are limitless. Before settling on a fabric, bring it home and test it out. Get the largest samples possible and put them where the piece will go, to see the true color in the room.
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- And that settee – look how beautiful it is now. In my next blog, I’ll share photos of how this new sitting room was totally refreshed, rearranged and redecorated. And be sure to check out more photos in the March 2021 issue of “Living.” It’s on newsstands now!
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