REUPHOLSTERY

You are considering recovering your favorite chaise lounge and -well- you may as well toss in the living room ottoman also as long as the staple gun is out.... but you wonder; “could it be possible to save little and recover both in the same fabric? What are the rules to purchasing the appropriate textile in a re upholstery situation?

There are no real hard set rules to textile applications. Consider it to be more of an art form, where the flavor of textures and colors are up to the fancies of the decorating artist. There are however some considerations relating to practicality which you might want to look at. Budget is always going to be part of the mix, however the style of the piece, it’s level of use, the placement, and the intended users are all important factors to take into account as well.

Some fabrics wear better than others, others fade quickly if placed in direct sunlight. Natural fibers tend to be more expensive than synthetic fibers; and though the fashion police will not come and bust down your door for wrapping a Victorian dining set in vinyl, it will certainly raise an eyebrow and a scowl from your visitors. Even if the set is a replica! Indeed there are certain fabrics which suit intended purposes, so let’s take a quick look at them.



Making a Statement Of Elegance...
There is nothing that says sheer elegance than silk. It is a very cool fresh and delicate fabric. Costly, yet usually adorning exquisite pieces of furniture not designed for regular use. You can find silk fabrics adorning choice pieces suitable for formal applications. A show piece settee, or a formal dining set as example. The use of silk in these applications make a clear statement of clean classic finesse. Yet the statement comes at a cost and not necessarily financial. Silk is a very unforgiving fabric. It wears quickly , wrinkles easily and requires professional cleaning to avoid shrinkage.

Linen is another textile you might consider for your show piece of furniture. A natural fiber as silk, yet not quite as expensive. It has the same temperamental tendencies as silk, however it is better at resisting fading and piling.

Synthetic alternatives offer a little in the way of more durability than the counterparts they are simulating. Acetate and rayon for example were developed to imitate silk with a less expensive price tag. It offers resistance to mildew, piling and shrinkage. Though somewhat stronger than silk, still ti’s applications are more suited adult formal rooms.


Rugged Yes!... But Elegant Too!
Wanting that taste of luxury and flare but don’t want to compromise on durability? Well it is going to cost you, but the fabric will last providing rich returns for your investment. Leather has always stood the test of time regarding both elements. Leather is well known for it’s durability, as well as being easy to clean and maintain. Almost as if having your cake and eating it too! Leather offers a few very unique qualities as well: it comes in a variety of textures and colors; and this is the only fabric that seems to take on it’s own personality when it wears. You can say it develops character over time.

There are two synthetic alternatives that were designed to mimic leather. One is very popular and has been around for quite a few years. Also presented in a variety of colors and textures is vinyl. Kid friendly, pet friendly, dirt friendly even; this is a very forgiving fabric. It does however compromise on the elegant scale, but makes up considerably by being a blessing to the budget as well as versatility of use.

The new kid on the block is micro fibre. It offers a velvety suede like texture. Far less expensive than leather, and a bit more upscale than vinyl, this textile settled comfortably as a compromise between the two. It is made from an ultra fine polyester making it durable, relatively easy to clean and very pleasant to the touch.

Comfortable Beautiful and Versatile- Just Like Your Family...
Cotton and cotton blends are as warm and welcome in the family room as hot chocolate is on a cold winter day. Depending on the thread count (the higher the better) and the type of weave used, this fibre lends itself to good wear and tear. On it’s own cotton has a tendency to wrinkle, soil and stretch easily; but if blended with other fibers or given a surface treatment these weaknesses can easily be compensated for. Cotton blends are not only very sturdy, pet and child friendly, but most often found in high traffic well used cozy spaces. Because it is the most often applied textile destined for everyday use, it is a good idea to apply a stain resistant finish to it to better protect it.

Wool is another excellent family oriented, high traffic fabric . It is sturdy, standing strong against piling, wrinkling, soiling and fading. Wool also comes blended with synthetic fibers most likely acrylic, making spot cleaning a breeze! Acrylic is another synthetic fiber in the marketplace, developed to imitate wool. It resists wear, wrinkling, soiling and fading..


There are many more fabrics and fabric blends in the marketplace, these is just a few to get you started in thinking about your considerations and the variety of options available to suit your style, budget and requirements. Among these categories come a vast array of colors, textures, and patterns to make any artist thrilled. So splash some style into your home and have no fear to re upholster your favorite comfy piece of furniture. There is bound to be a suitable fabric that can breathe life and style back into your furniture in a very cost effective manner.