My Schumacher Chair and Some Art

Remember that I Stole a Schumacher Chair?  I finished it within two weeks, but hadn't put the bottom cover on until the other day, so I've been dragging my feet about posting it.  Today -- the big reveal.

Here she is before, in her new spot...

F. Schumacher chair, F. Schumacher linen (maybe 20 yrs old?)

And, here she it today, on this lovely Memorial Day...

I'm going to bore you with modeling her at another angle because I am so happy with the way she turned out, and because, quite frankly, reupholstery is a ton of hard, patient work. :)

Keep in mind, my living room is in the process of a redo, hence the naked windows.  (You know how I dislike a bare window.)

I'm thinking about this ROMO fabric for a summer pillow.  Just waiting for the fabric to come in to whip it up with some great trim....

If you wonder what differences there really are between high-end upholstery and its low-end counterpart, here is one of the things to look for...

Most better quality upholstery will have hold-downs (my fancy term) on the seat cushion, with a corresponding clasp on the frame to keep cushions in place.  Here, I replicated what was on the original, and made sure to expose the clasp when I redid the decking. (Lousy picture.)

I'm kind of a freak about making sure things I do don't look homemade.  I prefer to think I am a perfectionist rather than a snob.  That said, if you are thinking about reupholstering anything that has a welt or cushion, you really do need to know how to sew (or get someone to do that part for you :)


In other news, my girls went on their first solo trips to opposite ends of the country this weekend.  As a welcome back surprise, I framed some of their artwork that I've been wanting to get done.

One did this pen and ink, and they each did one of the marker black and whites below.  I'm hoping they will love this addition to our walls!

There's nothing like original artwork, especially when it's done by someone you love.

Hope you've had a fabulous weekend.  Talk to you soon,

Carol

Need help finding the perfect piece for your home?  Contact me about my services.

I Stole A Schumacher Chair

Okay, I didn't really steal it, but when I found this Schumacher classic English arm chair at an estate sale back in the fall, I felt like I did!  Yes, it came home with me for a mere $300 dollars.

Schumacher has a line of furniture built like tanks, with a price tag to match.  This was a major score, people.  I am still dancing a jig.  I love classic lines.

I figure the Schumacher linen on it is from the 80's, which cracks me up because the colors are still/now current.  Anyway, as I can never leave well enough alone, I'm in the process of reupholstering it myself.  These are the fabrics I am using for the re-do of my living room...

Don't hate me.  This is actually a current, spring green Highland Court fabric that I scored last week for $60 to do the whole chair.  In person, the hand on this is exquisite.  I am doing my living room all in green, with cream and black drapes (haven't figured out that fabric yet).  Not only did I score this fabric, but this Kravet Ikat (same kind of pricing) is going on my French chair...

Again, in person, these fabrics are perfect together.  My tufted sofa is going a deeper green in velvet.

But I digress from my chair.  I started the reupholstery progress this weekend, pulling out 7 million, 4 hundred and 82 staples.  Okay, an exaggeration, maybe, but if you've done it, you know that's what it feels like.  Here are some shots of my progress over the last three days...

Don't freak -- the old rug is not part of the plan. :)  Anyway, I impatiently took the cushion cover apart and the inside back to use as a pattern.

I've checked and retied a few springs...

This morning, this is what it looks like (bad lighting).  I sewed the inside back with the welt yesterday, and here it is making sure it fits.

I'm beside myself excited with the plan for the living room, and with these crazy scores.  That's what I've been up to lately, in my spare 5 minutes of time.  Have you ever attempted serious reupholstery?

Stay tuned...
Carol


Need help redoing your living room?  Contact me here -- I'd love to help.

What's Your Sofa Personality?

Knowing your (or your client's) furniture personality is critical to furniture happiness.  Have you ever thought about it?

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Are you a perfectionist, a lover of things neat and clean and orderly?  A "tight back" or "tight seat cushion" may be for you...

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Or maybe just a tight back alone, like the one below.  Why?  Because they rarely ever wrinkle.  No loose cushions to get squishy.  True love for the type-A personality (overgeneralizing, I know, but work with me:)

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Then there's the semi-attached cushion, perfect for the "I like to think I'm a more relaxed
personality, but I don't want my cushions moving around (or kids using them to make forts!).  Semi-attached look loose and more relaxed, but they are actually sewn along the back of each cushion to the back of the sofa.  Pro?  Looks neater than loose back, and no fussing.  Con?  You can't rotate your cushions for even wear.

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The ottoman above is semi-attached.  It has a loose-looking cushion, but that baby isn't going anywhere, because it is sewn underneath to the base. (Easier to show on an ottoman than a sofa picture.)

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The cushions on a  "loose back" sofa, above, can all be taken off and rotated for wear. This is a great sofa for the person who 1.) is anal about even wear of cushions or 2.) likes a more lived-in look to a sofa,  or 3.) the person who doesn't freak out when the kids toss the cushions all over the floor.  (And they will.  At least once. :)

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A "pillow back" is literally having pillows along the back instead of larger cushions.  Whoa.  This person has a ton of tolerance for messy and super casual. (So NOT me.)   Do not buy a pillow back if you like things neat all the time!  This sofa type will make you out of your mind.

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Seat cushions either come loose or tight (like the blue tufted sofa up top).  There is one guarantee I can make with a bench cushion, like the one above.  It will, almost immediately, show what I call "comfort wrinkles."  Because the cushion is so long, it. will. wrinkle.  This is not for you or your client if 1.) wrinkles make you insane, or 2.) you are not willing to flip your cushion regularly.

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Finally, a word about skirts.  Whether your personality leans formal or casual, know this...skirts wrinkle.  Almost always.  And once they get a major crease in them, you can rarely get it out, because skirts have a stiff backing, and when it gets bent, it doesn't un-bend.  You also risk shoe marks.  That said, skirts are one of the easiest ways to add a bit of formal attire to a space.  Just know what to expect. 

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Truly, the key to sofa/furniture happiness and true love for years, is knowing yourself (or your client), and answering these questions before you make an investment:

1. Am I a person who likes things to look neat and tidy all the time?  Do I want to work at maintaining  a perfect look?

2.  Will I loose my mind if I can't rotate my cushions so that they always look evenly worn?

3.  Do I like to sit on my sofa (tight back/tight seat), or sink into my sofa (loose or pillow back)?

I could go on and on.  But I won't.  (Whew, I know.)    What sofa personality are you?


Carol


Need help buying furniture to suit your personality?  Contact me, I'd love to help you.

The World's Best Barstool by Theodore Alexander

In my opinion, anyway. It can go with most any decor.  Best of all, it is one very comfortable spot to park your tush.




The Norfolk Cottage Stool

  I used it in this project, and let me tell you I searched for a while for the perfect seat.  I found it while in High Point at the furniture market in October.  Theodore Alexander says it is "A rustic Byron finish bar stool, the shaped saddle seat above turned legs and stretchers. The original French Provincial."  I love this baby, and I'll be using it again.  Simple, perfectly finished, comfortable.

Have yourself a great weekend!

Talk to you soon,
Carol

 Let's work together to define your home.  Contact me by clicking here.