Category: Sydney CBD

At Cover It Upholstery Sydney we specialise in all types of furniture.

Below is some interesting history regarding chairs we are often asked to recover.

Further in this post, some pictures of some train carriage seating we have upholstered as part of the refurbishment of the “3801” by Eveleigh Projects. We completed this job a while back but thought it would be a good inclusion with this post.

Balloon back chairs

This style of chair was made between c1850 and c1890, and
were inspired by Continental designs. They were originally intended for the
salon, rather than as dining chairs, so carvers are extremely rare. The finer
examples have cabriole front legs and are usually in walnut, but there are also
many less attractive examples made in their thousands for a mass market. Fakes
are unlikely as they have always been in plentiful supply and modestly priced.
However, copies have been known to have been imported from the Far East which
are heavier than the Victorian originals, and are obvious copies.

Bergere Chairs

Bergere Chairs As with many furniture terms, bergere is used
not altogether correctly. Often featured to describe a particular type of
armchair and settee with caned sides and back, a bergere was originally any
armchair with upholstered sides. This particular form of seating first appeared
in France c1725 and gradually spread in popularity to other European countries
displacing chairs with open arms. The name is now perhaps most frequently
applied to a style of chair which was popular during the Regency period: often
of square form but sometimes with a curved back and having caned sides, back
and seat (usually fitted with a squab cushion). Similar upholstered examples
can be found but these usually date from a little later.

Chaises Longues & Daybeds

Chaises Longues & Daybeds The Regency period saw the
introduction of the chaise longue, a fully upholstered chair with an elongated
seat and inclined back and arms. They were sometimes made in mirror image
pairs, with headrests at opposite ends, but are now mostly found as single
examples. The frames of Victorian chaises longues were often elaborately
carved.

Chippendale style chairs

 Chippendale chair
designs were often copied in the Victorian period, and these copies are now
very collectable in their own right. Reproductions can be distinguished from
chairs made during the Chippendale period by the use of exaggerated elements of
Chippendale style such as very pronounced cabriole legs, an over-elaborate base
splat, and a large amount of carving. The quality of the carving, though
competent, is often rather stiff and lifeless, and is shallower than 18thC
carving with less undercutting. The chair will have a lesser degree of wear
than period examples, and sometimes were made with corner brackets that were
not found on chairs until the 19thC. Breaks sometimes occur in the scrolled
ends of top rails, and a repair would be difficult to disguise against close
inspection.

Dining Chairs

By the second half of the 18thC the dining room had become
the focal point of any great house. There the main meal of the day was taken
and the long D-end dining tables which permanently graced the rooms cried out
for equally ‘long’ sets of chairs to accommodate the diners. Until then meals
had usually been quite intimate affairs eaten in private apartments off folding
tables while seated on parlour or side chairs. While breakfast and supper might
still be taken in that way, by 1800 the importance of the dining room as the
centre of the house was established, and so it continued through the 19thC.
Now, despite our reversion to less formal eating habits, the demand for sets of
dining chairs remains strong with premiums being paid for large sets.

THE 3801

Seating upholstered by Cover It Upholstery Sydney

It’s always
good to be appreciated J.

Top 25 Awards

Cover
It Upholstery Sydney has been selected as one of our Most Popular Home
Improvement Specialists!

Awards
received for 2016:

·        
#12 Most Popular Home Improvement
Specialist in Sydney City 

If you are
interested you may like to visit our website Cover It Upholstery Sydney and
read some testimonials from some of our customers.

Here is a photo of a piece of Versace fabric and the small stool we recovered with it.

Below is
some info about linen fabrics and how to care for them

Linen is a pure natural fabric of great beauty with unique
features, a noble fabric since ancient times, treasured by the Egyptian
Pharaoh’s before the Europeans and Russians. Linen is derived from the flax
plant which grows well in cool, damp climates such as found in northern Europe,
the Baltics and northern Russia. Flax is sown in the autumn and harvested 100
days later by hand. The flax is left exposed to the sun to weather, then
washed, scoured and cleaned before being spun into yarn and woven into linen
fabric. Flax is fully biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Linen is soft
to handle and comfortable with excellent insulating properties. Quality Linen
is produced by mills in Europe that have a long tradition in the art of linen
production and where quality control is strictly maintained.Quality Linens are
all washed twice at the mill to reduce possible shrinkage.

Care Instructions

Most fabrics will fade and eventually wear out which, for
fabric lovers, is part of their charm. With proper care linen can last for many
years and be a source of pride and joy to the user. Being of natural fibres,
small imperfections can sometimes be found such as knobs and slubs which is
normal, and part of their charm. Shrinkage and stretching can occur so
allowances of 4% – 6% is recommended to accommodate this. Depending on climatic
conditions they are more prone to movement, in wet, damp conditions or high in
humidity. Stretching can occur particularly with heavier weights so we recommend
that bottom hems not be finished until hung when adjustments can be made. Again
this is subject to humidity as linen absorbs moisture which can cause the
problem. Many people prefer to let the curtains balloon onto the floor which is
a nice generous effect. All curtains should be fully lined to protect them from
harsh sunlight and furniture should also be protected from direct sun.
Furniture and curtains should be vacuumed from time to time to prevent dirt
building up. Washing can be done by hand in a tub or if machine washed
protected in a bag. Use clean water with a mild detergent at temperature of
40°. No bleach or chlorine to be used. Stone washed linens are NOT washable and
should be Dry-cleaned only For stains or marks apply a damp or wet clean cloth
and rub gently. Do not rub excessively hard as colour can remove. 

Brand new again

When your furniture is looking tired, out-of-date and
needing some tender love and care, you can give it a new lease on life with re-upholstery.

 Re-upholstery is the
technique of repairing old furniture like recovering a chair, replacing the
foam inside a seat or repairing the joints. Cover It Upholstery Sydney have
been in the upholstery industry for more than 30 years but officially
established in 1998. Our interest for breathing new life back into old furnishings
was sparked from the love of antiques and restoring old furniture and bringing
it back to its original condition.

At Cover It Upholstery Sydney we can restore modem or
antique furniture, large or small. Some items could take long to do depending
on the damage. It’s very rare that a piece cannot be restored no matter how
extensive the damage is, as we can do full restorations to upholstered furniture.
In the past we have worked on restoring furniture at clubs, restaurants and bars
as well as worked on many antiques — some more than 250 years old.

Re-upholstering your old furniture could be a better value
alternative to buying new furnishings, as there is often nothing wrong with the
furniture besides worn or dirty fabric so therefore to opt to recover existing
furniture with any choice of fabrics is the way to go. Knowing that if
recovering quality furniture you will get 10 to 20 years out of it instead of
buying something that will need to be replaced in a few years. Also you may be
disappointed by what is on offer in retail stores.

 Another benefit of
upholstering old furniture is that it reduces landfill waste as well as the
number of trees that needed to be cut down to construct furniture pieces. Reupholstering
old furniture is a way of recycling your old furniture and making it new again.
Reupholstery also gives you the opportunity to personalise your furniture using
quality materials and perfected trade techniques that will give you a piece
that will last a long time.

We do a lot of commercial work consisting of either
recovering existing furniture or making new. Every year we make a lot of
banquette seating for various bars and restaurants.

Below are some examples of some recent work done the second
half of 2016.

 

 

Brand new again

When your furniture is looking tired, out-of-date and
needing some tender love and care, you can give it a new lease on life with re-upholstery.

 Re-upholstery is the
technique of repairing old furniture like recovering a chair, replacing the
foam inside a seat or repairing the joints. Cover It Upholstery Sydney have
been in the upholstery industry for more than 30 years but officially
established in 1998. Our interest for breathing new life back into old furnishings
was sparked from the love of antiques and restoring old furniture and bringing
it back to its original condition.

At Cover It Upholstery Sydney we can restore modem or
antique furniture, large or small. Some items could take long to do depending
on the damage. It’s very rare that a piece cannot be restored no matter how
extensive the damage is, as we can do full restorations to upholstered furniture.
In the past we have worked on restoring furniture at clubs, restaurants and bars
as well as worked on many antiques — some more than 250 years old.

Re-upholstering your old furniture could be a better value
alternative to buying new furnishings, as there is often nothing wrong with the
furniture besides worn or dirty fabric so therefore to opt to recover existing
furniture with any choice of fabrics is the way to go. Knowing that if
recovering quality furniture you will get 10 to 20 years out of it instead of
buying something that will need to be replaced in a few years. Also you may be
disappointed by what is on offer in retail stores.

 Another benefit of
upholstering old furniture is that it reduces landfill waste as well as the
number of trees that needed to be cut down to construct furniture pieces. Reupholstering
old furniture is a way of recycling your old furniture and making it new again.
Reupholstery also gives you the opportunity to personalise your furniture using
quality materials and perfected trade techniques that will give you a piece
that will last a long time.

We do a lot of commercial work consisting of either
recovering existing furniture or making new. Every year we make a lot of
banquette seating for various bars and restaurants.

Below are some examples of some recent work done the second
half of 2016.

 

 

CARE & RESTORATION

Gesso is plaster-based and therefore highly susceptible to
water and moisture. Once the gesso becomes damp it will perish and the piece of
furniture will have to be both regessoed and thus regilded. Do not hang gessoed
mirrors on damp walls, in bathrooms, or in rooms with a high degree of
humidity. When dusting elaborately carved gilt furniture use a light feather
duster rather than a cloth to avoid breaking off pieces of decoration and gilt.
With painted furniture a damp cloth can be used, but never solvents. Afterwards
a light coat of wax should be applied, but pay attention to any flaking
decoration. Restoration and Repair At some time you may need the services of a
restorer. However, it can be a false economy to go with the cheapest estimate
as once a piece of furniture has been badly restored and the colour spoilt
there is very little that can be done to rectify someone else’s mistakes!
Ideally select a member of the British Antique Furniture Restorers’ Association
(BAFRA, or Australian equivalent, such as FIAA), who will have been vetted and, should a
dispute arise, there is a structured complaints procedure. It is always a good
idea to ask to see examples of previous restoration work or seek
recommendations from a previous client. All restorers will be happy to provide
a written quotation before work commences.

A George III chest of drawers, found in an outhouse where
the damp had caused the glue to perish, the feet to fall off and the veneer to
peel. All furniture will need to be put in a workshop at some stage. Drawers
that do not run easily have worn runners but their life can be prolonged by
applying candle wax to the runners and sides of drawers. This can be done at
home. Every 30 or 40 years chairs need to be knocked apart, the old glue
cleaned off and the joints reglued and re-assembled. The work must be
undertaken once chairs become noticeably loose, as at

this stage it is a standard restoration task. If left, the
chair will get worse, and eventually collapse, possibly breaking joints in the
process and incurring extra expense as false tenons will have to be cut to
repair the shattered joints. Daily Care Climate can affect furniture greatly
although it is more to do with very dry air than soaring temperatures. Should
table leaves warp they should be put in a damp atmosphere and hopefully they
will straighten themselves. If card or tea tables develop a ‘smile’, open them
up overnight and by the morning they should have straightened up. If this does
not work they will have to be straightened by a qualified restorer, who will
remove the core material from the inside down to the exterior veneer then lay
the old surface veneer on to a new, stable, flat piece of timber. As this is a
very costly process, it is wise to remove all furniture from direct strong
sunlight, allow a room a few draughts and, if furniture is beginning to move,
invest in a small humidifier. By taking care in the day-to-day handling of
furniture costly accidents can be avoided. When moving a chest, never lift it
by the top as this can result in the top breaking away from the base, always
open a drawer and lift it by the carcase. Be aware of drawers in side tables
which, if the table is tipped forward when moved, may crash to the floor. Never
rock back on chairs as this puts great strain on the joints. When transporting
furniture always wrap it with a clean blanket to avoid damage and scratches. To
avoid damage to yourself it is important to lift furniture by bending the knees
and not the back and, when lifting a bookcase, never put your hand on the glass
doors. Always put small felt pads under the feet of clocks, caddies etc to stop
them scratching the furniture. Never lock a bureau fall, because if someone
decided to break into it the damage to the furniture could be more than the
value of the goods taken from it. Also never lock a piece of furniture when it
is in transit, as a jolt can jam the lock resulting in a major operation to
release it. Keep an eye out for woodworm. If small piles of sawdust appear the
worm is live. The best remedy is to contact a reputable company and arrange for
the piece to be fumed for 48 hours under pressure. This will not damage the
timber or upholstery but is guaranteed to kill the worm. Antique furniture,
like property, was here before us, and will be here after us. To enable future
generations to enjoy it as much as we do, it is our duty to cherish and care
for it throughout our own lifetime.

1U            PILE FABRIC

REGULAR CARE:
Protect from direct sunlight. Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate
reversible cushions regularly.
CLEANING: Do not remove cushion covers for separate cleaning or washing, even
though they may have zippers. Shampoo clean
using upholstery shampoo. Do not use dishwashing or laundry detergents. Do not
wet filling. Do not scrub with stiff brush. Gently vacuum to restore pile. Dry
in shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR Clean with hot water extraction machine
(HOT). Professional cleaning recommended.
Use only upholstery detergent. Do not wet filling. Gently vacuum to restore
pile. Dry in shade away from heat.
Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use OR Clean using on-site dry cleaning
machine (P). Professional cleaning recommended. Do not wet filling with
solvent. Exhaust solvent outside building. Allow to dry before re-use. SPOT
CLEANING: Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil
or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric.
Apply preparatory cleaning agents strictly according to instructions to remove
the residue of the spill. Do not saturate the fabric or interior with water or
other cleaning liquids. May be spot cleaned
with dry cleaning solvent.

3U            NON PILE FABRIC

REGULAR CARE:
Protect from direct sunlight. Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate
reversible cushions regularly.
CLEANING: Do not remove cushion covers for separate cleaning or washing. Even
though they may have zippers. Shampoo clean
using upholstery shampoo. Do not use dishwashing or laundry detergent. Do not
wet filling. Do not scrub with stiff
brush. Gently vacuum to restore pile. Dry in shade away fro direct heat. Allow
to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR
Clean using on-site dry cleaning machine (P). Professional cleaning
recommended. Do not wet filling with solvent. Exhaust solvent outside
building. Allow to dry before re-use. SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills and stains as
soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of
the fabric. Apply proprietary cleaning agents
stric tly according to instructions to remove the residue of the spill. Do not
saturate the fabric or interior with
water or other cleaning liquids. May be spot cleaned with dry cleaning solvent.

4U            NON PILE FABRIC SOIL RESISTANT TREATED

REGULAR CARE: Protect from direct sunlight.
Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate reversible cushions regularly. CLEANING: Do not remove
cushion covers for separate cleaning or washing even though they may have zippers clean with hot water extraction machine
(hot) professional cleaning recommended. Use only upholstery detergent do not wet filling, dry in shade away
from heat allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR Clean using on-site dry cleaning machine (P) Professional
cleaning recommended do not wet filling with solvent, exhaust solvent outside building allow to dry before
re-use. Re-application of soil-resist treatment may be necessary. SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills and stains as soon as
possible gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the
fabric, apply proprietary cleaning agents strictly according to instructions to
remove the residue of the spill. Do not
saturate the fabric or interior with water or other cleaning liquids may be
spot cleaned with dry cleaning solvent. WARNING: This fabric has been
treated with a soil resistant finish do not shampoo clean. Do not apply a further treatment until necessary.

5U             CARE LABEL CHINTZ OR MOIRE

REGULAR CARE:
Protect from direct sunlight. Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate
reversible cushions regularly.
CLEANING: Do not remove cushion cavers for separate cleaning or washing, even
though they may have zippers. Do not clean
with hot water extraction machine. Do not sponge with water. May be cleaned
with dry powder cleaner. Sprinkle powder over fabric. Spread powder to ensure
uniform coverage. Allow powder to stand for recommended period. Vacuum powder from fabric with gentle suction.
OR On-site dry cleaning recommended (P). SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills and
stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Spot clean with dry
cleaning solvent or dry powder cleaner. Do not sponge with water or detergent
solution.

6D              For use on acrylic foam backed fabrics & flock coated fabrics of both man-made

Regular care will minimize the need for
additional cleaning. Gently vacuum regularly with appropriate attachment. Spot
cleaning: Always exercise caution when spot cleaning. Test cleaning on
non-exposed surface. Avoid excessive fibres & cotton rubbing & abrasion.
Cleaning Washing: DO NOT WASH.

Drycleaning:
Dryclean only. Use specialist curtain drycleaner, as recognised by the Soft
Furnishing Industry Association of Australia Inc. Remove Hooks, rings & trims before
cleaning. For perchlorethylene Solvent temperature 18 – 20o C No moisture
gently cycle moderate loading to minimise mechanical action. One Bath
Drycleaning Procedure: 3 minute passing through the filter, reduce mechanical
action, 2 minutes drain to tank or

 still, 2 minutes extract to tank or still. Two Stage Drycleaning
procedure: 25 minutes drying at 55o C, then 6 minutes drying at 35o
C. Deodorise 6 minutes or until curtains are cool. For white spirit or
hydrocarbon: Standard Drycleaning practices are appropriate. Hang
curtains upon removal from machine. Do not Iron/press coated sides. Warm
Iron/press on fabric side only. *For detailed code of practice for cleaning
coated fabrics, drycleaners are encouraged to contact the DIA.

6M           For use on acrylic
foam backed fabrics Remove hooks rings & trims before cleaning.
Regularly gently vacuum with appropriate attachment.

with
metallic print          Do not
soak. Do not Bleach. Do not rub or wring. Do not use soap. Warm hand wash in
synthetic detergent.

Warm rinse. Do not tumble dry. Do not use pegs or fold over clothesline.
For best results hang curtains by their hooks to dry Avoid wet coated sides
touching. Cool iron lengthways over dry cloth on fabric side. Dry cleanable P 30.
Possible shrinkage 3%.

6W          For use on acrylic foam backed fabrics Regular
care will minimize the need for additional cleaning. Gently vacuum with
appropriate attachment.

and flock
coated fabrics of both es Always exercising caution when spot cleaning.
Test cleaning on non exposed surface.

man-made
fibres and cotton Avoid excessive
rubbing and abrasion. Cleaning Washing: Possible shrinkage 3% Remove hooks,
rings and trims

before
cleaning. Curtains are heavy when wet. Professional wet cleaning recommended.
DO NOT CLEAN IN DOMESTIC WASHING MACHINE! Hand wash in cool-to-warm (Max
40o C). Mild detergents, such as wool mixes are recommended. Do not
bleach, soak, rub or wring. Drip dry in shade. Do not tumble dry. Hang curtains
by their hooks to avoid coated sides touching. Do not use pegs. Do not fold
curtains over clothes line. Do not iron/press coated side. Warm
iron/press on fabric side only. Drycleaning: DO NOT DRYCLEAN.

6U           PLASTIC OR PLASTIC COATED                         REGULAR
CARE: Protect from direct sunlight.

CLEANING:
Wipe with clean cloth dampened with mild detergent solution. Do not use
abrasive powder or paste cleaners. Do not wet excessively. A soft
bristly brush may be used to remove ingrained soil. Avoid scratching by gently
brushing. Wipe with a clean cloth dampened with water to remove residue
detergent dry in shade away from direct heat do not clean with hot water
extraction machine. Do not clean with on site cleaning machine. SPOT CLEANING:
Clean as above persistent marks may need a mild detergent. First check the
effect of any detergent on a hidden area of the cover.

8U           LOOSE COVERS —                        REGULAR CARE: Protect from direct sunlight.
Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate reversible cushions

WASHABLE AND DRY CLEANABLE regularly. CLEANING: Clean
using on-site dry cleaning machine (P). Professional cleaning recommended. Do
not wet filling with solvent. Do not scrub with stiff brush. Exhaust
solvent vapour outside building. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR
Gently machine wash. Do not use soap. Wash in synthetic detergent. Warm rinse well.
Normal spin. Do not wring. Dry flat in shade away from direct heat. Warm iron.
Dry cleanable (P) 60. May be shampoo cleaned using upholstery shampoo. Do
not wet filling. Gently vacuum to restore pile. Dry in shade away from
direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills
and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any
liquid from the surface of the fabric.

9U            LOOSE COVERS DRY CLEANABLE REGULAR
CARE: Protect from direct sunlight. Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate
reversible cushions

regularly.
CLEANING: May be shampoo cleaned using upholstery shampoo. Do not wet filling.
Do not scrub with stiff brush. Gently vacuum to restore pile in shade away
from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. Do not
iron. Do not steam finish. Dry Cleanable (P) 60. OR Do not wash. Clean with hot
water extraction machine (HOT). Professional cleaning recommended.
Use only upholstery detergent. Do not wet filling. Gently vacuum to restore
pile. Dry in shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before
re-use. Do not iron. Do not steam finish. OR Clean with an on-site dry cleaning
machine (P). Professional cleaning recommended. Do not wet filling with
solvent. Exhaust solvent vapour outside building. Allow to dry thoroughly
before re-use. Do not iron. Do not steam finish. SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills
and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the
surface of the fabric. Apply proprietary cleaning agents strictly according to
instructions to remove the residue of the spill. Do not saturate the
fabric or interior with water or other cleaning liquids. May be spot cleaned
with dry cleaning solvent.

10U         LOOSE COVERS NEITHER WASHABLE REGULAR
CARE: Protect from direct sunlight. Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate
reversible cushions

OR DRYCLEANABLE regularly. CLEANING: Clean using on-site
dry cleaning machine (P). Professional cleaning recommended. Do not wet
filling with solvent. Exhaust solvent vapour outside building. Allow to dry
thoroughly before re-use. OR May shampoo cleaned using upholstery shampoo. Do
not wet filling. Do not scrub with stiff brush. Dry in shade away from
direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR Do not use cushion
covers for separate cleaning, even though they may have zippers. Do not wash.
Do not dry clean. Clean with hot water extraction machine (HOT) professional
cleaning recommended. Use only upholstery detergent. Do not wet filling. Dry in
shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. SPOT
CLEANING: Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any
soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Apply proprietary
cleaning agents strictly according to instructions to remove the
residue of the soil. Do not saturate the fabric or interior with water or other
cleaning liquids may be spot cleaned with dry cleaning solvent.

11U         UPHOLSTERY LAVEL                           For fabrics which are not Dry Cleanable. For
cotton fabrics dyed or printed with pigments.

For polypropylene fabrics. NO NOT DRY CLEAN X Do not remove cushion
covers for separate cleaning or washing even though they may
have zippers. Shampoo clean using upholstery shampoo. Do not use dishwashing or
laundry detergents. Do not wet filling. Do not scrub with stiff brush. Dry in
shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR
Professional cleaning recommended. Clean with hot water extraction machine. Use
only upholstery detergent. Do not wet filling. Dry in shade away from direct
heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use.

IT’S CHEAPER TO BUY NEW THEN TO
RE-UPHOLSTER

There
I said it! Maybe we upholsterers should all go and do something else…

Although
maybe the title should have said it’s cheaper to buy poor quality furniture than to recover.

Below
are a couple of before and after photos taken of a recent job we did for a customer
who bought a new sofa from a well-known furniture retailer because she liked
the sofa but not the fabric and since it cost less than $1000 to buy she had it
recovered in a fabric of her choice.

The
photo of the poorly upholstered beige/brown sofa is the before shot!

 

Some
of this furniture is still ok and just needs some minor repairs and/or new
cushion foam, but sometimes you get furniture that needs a lot of repair work
and shows why it was very cheap in the first place as the manufacturer in China
used the poorest quality materials available to make the furniture, from poor
quality pine to poor quality webbing and foam (see below).

Generally
besides the quality of the webbing they have also not used the correct number
of strips (see below).

When
we come across this we repair all the rails and joins in the frame, re-web the
seat, and replace any foam that needs replacing using premium Dunlop Enduro
foam.

The
furniture is now far better than it were when bought new and will last for
years and would be able to be recovered again in the future without any
problems, as is the case with all quality furniture.

If
a quality fabric is chosen it will last for years!

Cheap
fabrics used by a lot of manufacturers won’t last very long at all and will
pill or wear through very quickly and unfortunately combined with a poor
quality frame and padding means that every year thousands of tons of this
rubbish ends up in land-fill

 

 

Retailers
also use a lot of misleading language in their description of furniture; an
example of this is a very common one where P leather or PU leather is used to
describe vinyl, making it sound like a higher quality product than it is.

There
are very high quality commercial grade vinyl’s available that feel and look
very “leather-like” but due to the cost of these you won’t find these used to
cover any furniture you’ll find in your average furniture store.

This
is also the case when terms like “Bonded Leather” or “By-Cast Leather” are used
to describe a very poor quality product that will peel (de-laminate) after
around 2 to 3 years of use (see below). This should never be sold as leather as it has
absolutely nothing to do with genuine leather. Genuine leather will NEVER peel!
Quality vinyl will NEVER peel!

 

 

Below are a few before and after photos to help us all feel better after what we’ve just seen.