Dining chairs · ottomans
The small pieces a room leans on, covered fresh.
Benches, dining chairs, barstools, ottomans and headboards, re-covered one piece or a whole set at a time in Vancouver, WA.
Why dining chairs and barstools wear out first
Small seating takes more abuse than the sofa ever does. A dining chair is sat on, scooted back and dragged in several times a day, and a barstool collects boots and heels on its rungs. The cover wears at the front edge of the seat, the foam underneath packs flat, and the staples that hold it all start to loosen. A few family dinners worth of spills finish the job.
Benches and ottomans fail differently. They get sat on, stood on and used as a spot to set a tray, so the top sags in the middle and the piping or welting along the edges frays. Headboards mostly fail by looks: a fabric gone dated, dingy or the wrong color for the bedroom, on a shaped frame that is still perfectly sound.
Two dining chairs re-covered in a blue floral, standing on moss
Sets, matching and getting a room to agree
Four dining chairs should read as one set, so they are covered together in one cloth, with the pattern lined up the same way on every seat. A headboard is chosen with the room in mind: the bedding, the wall color and the lamps beside it. Bring those details along when you write, and the fabric choices narrow down quickly.
Start by emailing photos of the pieces, any ideas you like and the room they are going into, to sassafrassity@hotmail.com. Send your own fabric or order from Charlotte Fabrics through the studio in Vancouver, WA. Mid-century and wood-framed sofas and loveseats are welcome too, so ask first and send a photo. Pick up and delivery services are available for pieces that are awkward to move.
Already know what you want? Email a picture and the details and a quote comes back as quickly as possible. If you would rather talk it over, call 503-245-2453. Either way, photos of the whole piece, the seat from above and any worn spots tell the most, and they save a round of back and forth before the work begins.
Choosing cloth that lasts, and keeping it fresh
Cloth choice matters more on small seating than almost anywhere else. A tight weave, a sturdy fabric made for upholstery and a pattern that hides a crumb or two will outlast a delicate cloth on a chair that gets used daily. Barstools and kitchen chairs in particular reward a fabric you can brush or wipe clean. Ask when you choose, because the right pick often decides how the seat looks years from now.
Sassafrassity’s test for any piece is this: “If your furniture functions for you, is well made, vintage, antique or just has sentimental value it is worth saving.” A solid bench or a set of well-made dining chairs usually qualifies. Afterward, vacuum or brush on a regular basis, blot spills right away instead of rubbing, and keep headboards and benches out of long stretches of direct sun.
I strive to take each client's idea for their furniture and turn it into reality.
More pages from the sample book
