Having It Both Ways
My Aunt just gave me her old sofa. It's still in good shape, but I can't live with the floral fabric. It is worth re-upholstering? If so, how much would it cost? — No Flowers For Me
Dear No Flowers,
Not to sidestep the question, but this one can usually be answered only by the owner of the piece of furniture. However, I can offer some points that may help you make the decision.
First of all, consider the quality of the sofa. Is it from a reputable manufacturer? Is it still in solid shape ( no loose parts of the underlying frame ) ? One possible way to determine the quality is in the weight of the piece. Good upholstered furniture is usually very heavy because of solid wood construction and metal springs. Another point to think about is the style of the piece. Is it a classic design or one that is already dated? Could you live with it for a long time? Is it comfortable when you sit on it? If the quality and design is right, you need to decide whether or not to spend the money for re-upholstering.
Upholstering can be a costly venture because of the labor and materials involved. The first step is stripping off the old fabric and padding. The frame is then checked for stability and any necessary repairs made. At this point, the springs are re-tied ( or maybe even replaced ) . New padding is then applied, cushion filler is replaced, and finally, the piece is covered with the new fabric. A sofa usually requires from 12 to 20 yards of fabric ( depending on the size and possible repeat of the fabric print ) .
The only way to determine the cost of all this, is to get an estimate from an interior designer or an upholstery company. The actual piece of furniture must be seen and measured. Given the price, you can then make a decision based on the quality and design of the sofa, and your budget. People are often surprised to find out that re-upholstering can be more costly than what they felt was the right price for a new sofa! It may be, however, that the sofa is well worth saving. I've known clients who have had furniture re-upholstered several times over and wouldn't think of trying to find something new. Considering all points of needs and costs carefully will lead you to the right decision.
Dear Joe,
My livingroom has a sliding glass door to a small terrace. I would like to put up curtains on a wood rod with rings. The problem is that I want these curtains to be able to open and close, but I also like the formal look of tiebacks. Is it OK to just use the tiebacks sometimes? — Tied Up In Knots
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Dear Tied Up,
My first thought echoes that old axiom, 'You can't have it both ways.' Or maybe you can.
Drapery treatments that are installed with tiebacks are generally left in a stationary position. There are good reasons for this. First of all, once the drapery panel is creased and 'trained' into the tied back position, it almost never will return to hanging perfectly straight. Most fabrics will retain the wrinkles. The second problem is that tied back draperies need special styling in order to look right. This becomes a tedious process even for a professional installer. Having to do this on a daily basis is usually far more than any home owner usually wants to bother with.
I've run into this problem many times before, and the client usually winds up having to make a choice. Either they have access to the door with movable draperies, or they opt for the tiebacks with no access. It's a matter of lifestyle.
Once in a while, however, there can be a compromise. I have used a drapery panel tied back to one side to allow access to a sliding door on the opposite side. I have also created treatments where the panels did not meet in the center, but covered only a part at each end of the sliding door and were tied back. In this particular case, the door opened at the center, so traffic was not impeded. It is also possible in both of these cases to use a movable sheer panel underneath the tied back treatment for a little privacy and sun screening.
Please email your questions to jos.riceinteriors@att.net . In the subject box, fill in 'WCT Design.'
Rice is an interior designer who offers full decorating services. With 21 years experience, he specializes in 'hard to treat' windows. You can reach him at: Joseph Rice Interiors, Inc. ( 773 ) 271-2361; jos.riceinteriors@att.net
