Today, I get to play matchmaker, and I can’t wait! During our popular Special Order Upholstered Furnishings Sale, which goes until July 15 at Nell Hill’s Briarcliff, I get to see that giddy, love-struck look in my customers’ eyes as they fall head over heels for a custom sofa, chair or ottoman we designed just for them.
I know that all furniture love stories don’t have happy endings like these. So before you give your heart to a piece of upholstered furniture, make sure it’s the real deal by asking yourself these four key questions:
1. What kind of relationship are you looking for?
The first step toward a happy match is to set some expectations for your relationship with your new furniture. Realistically, how long are the two you going to be together? How you answer will determine what kind of frame you pick to go under all that lovely upholstery fabric. I know relationships can be complicated, but when it comes to saying “I do” to a piece of furniture, you really only have two options:
- A Long Term Marriage
Do you want a sofa or chair that will stand by you in the good times and bad, never sagging or swaying, going lumpy or limp? Then pick a high quality frame. That means one that’s kiln-dried with eight-way, hand-tied coil springs. If you’re looking at a sofa on a showroom floor, quiz the sales associate about how the piece is made. If they don’t know, that’s a bad sign.
Try this test: Pick up a corner of the sofa and see what the body does. If it stays really stiff and straight, with no twisting or sagging, it’s a quality frame.
Another test: See if the legs and arms of the sofa are made from the same piece of wood. It the legs screw into the base, that’s a sure sign of a lower quality sofa or chair.
One more test: See if the pattern on the upholstery fabric lines up where the cushions rest against the back of the sofa. If it’s a stripe, for example, the stripe should run straight from the pillow up the back of the sofa without jogging out of alignment.
While top quality frames aren’t cheap, they are a good investment. You can reupholster them time and again, saving you lots of money in the long run. A quick note on furniture reupholstering: I hear folks say that it costs just as much to have a piece recovered as it does to buy a one new. I have not found that to be the case. With an affordable upholsterer and a mid-range fabric, you can easily recover a sofa for less than you’d buy a new one.
- A Seven Year Fling
No everyone wants to spend decades with the same sofa. I can totally understand that. It may be a matter of changing tastes and styles. On the plus side, you’ll pay considerably less for a lower quality sofa–$1,000 or more—because of the time, skill and materials necessary to craft better furnishings. If you decide to go with a less expensive piece, I’d recommend against having it reupholstered when the fabric starts to wear out. Most likely, the frame will be falling apart too.
2. How will the furniture be used in your home?
Where your furniture will be placed and how it will be used are huge considerations when deciding what type of piece to get and what kind of fabric you want to cover it with. Is this the place where you will watch TV every night, or will the furniture be more for show in a rarely used room? Are pets, kids or messy husbands going to be sitting in it? Where will the furniture be placed – by a sunny window?
Your answers to these questions will determine how durable of a fabric you’ll need. If the piece won’t get a lot of use, the sky is the limit on fabrics—you can pick the weight, pattern and texture you like best. But the more it’s used, the more durable, and camouflaging, the fabric has to be. Unfortunately, your choices begin to narrow a bit as you go up the durability scale.
Right now at Nell Hill’s, we are crazy about outdoor fabrics and are using them on lots of upholstered pieces. You can find them in a wide array of colors and patterns, and the texture doesn’t feel scratchy and stiff like it used to back in the day. It’s an ideal option for seats where people will be eating or pets will be sleeping. I also recommend linen for people who want a fairly durable fabric. I had two printed linen chairs (which doubled as the dog’s bed) in my home for 12 years and finally replaced the fabric because I had grown tired of it, not because it looked bad.
One word of caution: Don’t assume that because a fabric you pick is more expensive that it is more durable. Some upholstery fabrics are higher cost because they have a bigger pattern with a large repeat, so more of the fabric is used in crafting the piece.
Another tip: remember that solids can show spills more than patterns. If you spill a few drops of wine or juice on a solid color sofa, it can leave a ring.
3. What kind of fabric fans your flame?
The color and style of your upholstery fabric is a very personal decision. Right now at Nell Hill’s, our customers are loving solid fabrics, from trendy brights to timeless classics like cream and navy. We’re also selling lots and lots of geometric prints and stripes. Another fun trend I’m seeing are traditional patterns, like a Williamsburg, reinvented using wild, bright colors, making them fresh and new, not stuck in the past. Floral fabric is back too, but today’s florals are color saturated with cleaner graphic elements.
If you are upholstering a big investment piece like a sofa, avoid a pattern you will grow tired of quickly. I recommend a solid or muted pattern in a classic color. Then, bring in color and pattern through your accent pillows. I get a bit more daring on occasional chairs, maybe picking a graphic pattern, floral or plaid. For an upholstered ottoman, walk on the wild side and indulge in a bold, statement fabric. These pieces are the perfect place to experiment because they are inexpensive to recover if you ever grow tired of the look.
4. Do you want to trick up your furniture with trim?
People always forget about the role trim can play in taking furniture from ordinary to extraordinary. When you go with custom furniture, the sky is the limit. On the funky chairs above, we celebrated the out-of-the-box silhouette of this remade classic by trimming it in poppy coral cord. I also love to do a mini flat flange trim in a high contrast fabric when I am going for head-turning drama.
A classic look is to trim your furniture in the same fabric used on the cushion. It looks clean and simple, and is always a safe choice.
Right now, nail head trim in big. It’s a great way to add some sizzle to a piece of furniture.
Here’s a fun look: This nail head trim really stands out on the contrasting cream colored tape.
Next Week … Got 15 minutes? Remake your fireplace mantel for summer. I’ll have three great looks to inspire you.
P.S. Ready to get a new piece of upholstered furniture? Stop by or make an appointment today at Nell Hill’s Briarcliff and our designers will help you create the furniture of your dreams. During our Special Order Upholstered Furnishings Sale, now through July 15, all our upholstered furniture is 20% off!
Fall Shop Tour
Pretty and Painted: A New Way to Look at Wood Furniture
Stunning Summer Bedding 2022
Finding the Perfect Upholstered Piece
Miggs Gillis says
June 17, 2013 at 12:50 pmThanks
Shirley Fleming says
June 17, 2013 at 2:26 pmHello!
Was wondering…I have just had my bedroom completely wallpapered with Thibault wallpaper – a large beige/cream damask. Could I send a sample of the wallpaper to your Briarcliff store and would it be possible for one of your staff to see if you have any fabrics in stock or custom order that you would recommend to go with? I am stuck – thought it would be easy to find what I want in the Dallas area, but no!
I would like to do floor to ceiling drapes (106″ x width to cover double 8′ French doors – 4 widths of fabric), need a new chair/ottoman and pillows for our king bed and possible bed skirt. Would really like a large buffalo check as one of the fabrics. I will be using a cream (off white) matelassé coverlet on the bed. If this is possible, I will send the wallpaper immediately!
I have ordered fabric from you before (after a visit with friends – brought a sample home for checking).
Thanks so much!
Shirley Fleming
aggiemom7@gmail.com
817-291-3025
Barbara Jones says
June 17, 2013 at 3:33 pmMary Carol, I am interested in the blue and white fabric in picture #1 to redo my master bedroom window treatments, dust ruffle, and pillows. Can you give me more information about the fabric – repeat, price per yard, etc. Thank you, Barbara Jones
Linda Klein says
June 17, 2013 at 4:23 pmYou and team are the BEST at helping us to select furniture, fabrics, and trims!!! You LISTEN!! I have not tired of my older pieces or my new ones. I simply love the way you pull fabrics together with the accessories such as pillows, trim, and nail heads!!!
Mary Carol says
June 17, 2013 at 4:35 pmLinda, I’m so glad to hear it! You made my day!
Barbara, I want to make sure I have the right fabric: Were you referring to the sofa covered in the blue and white floral, under point #1? Or the blue and white chevron fabric on the pillow in the very top photo?
Polly Hada says
June 17, 2013 at 4:42 pmMary Carol, this is my first time to respond to your blog. Gee, if I lived near your store it would be my “go to” place for my furnishings. I’m in sunny southern Orange County, CA. I have one of your books and want more, but just wanted you to know that I do so enjoy your postings and have learned so much from you. I notice that they’re repeated in my local newspaper and that’s a bonus. 😉 I’m a traditional girl too, but really appreciate your knowledge on keeping current and mixing periods and pieces. Thanks for all the great pictures. It really helps.
Katie Tracy says
June 17, 2013 at 8:10 pmI want out door upholstery material for my seating. Where would you go to purchase this material?
Katie Tracy says
June 17, 2013 at 8:11 pmas an addition to the above post I live in Kansas City, MO and don’t know where to go to purchase this fabric
Bobbie Pullen says
June 18, 2013 at 12:24 pmHi Mary Carol,
Thank you for the tips on purchasing quality furniture. Is the blue/cream herringbone fabric available through your store?
Mary Carol says
June 18, 2013 at 9:24 pmKatie, we have gobs and gobs of fabulous outdoor fabric for sale by the yard at Nell Hill’s Briarcliff! Come see us soon!
Mary Carol says
June 18, 2013 at 9:26 pmPolly, I’m so glad to welcome you to the Nell Hill’s family. I hope you can come visit some day! We have folks fly in from all over for our Fall Open House and Holiday Open House, when my historic home is open for free public tours. We fill my home with ideas for seasonal decorating, and it’s a blast. Check out our website for upcoming events: http://www.nellhills.com.
Mary Carol says
June 18, 2013 at 9:27 pmBobbie, give our Fabric Goddess a call at 877-746-4320 and they will be able to answer all your questions about what fabric is in stock right now, what can be ordered by the yard, prices, etc.
Mary Carol says
June 19, 2013 at 5:27 pmBarbara, I have your answer about the fabric. Yes, we carry it and it’s called Venitioan Ottoman Celestial. The repeat is 42″ both vertically and horizontally. And, it’s $40 a yard. Give us a call if you’d like some for your bedroom redo (sounds lovely!). Toll free- 877-746-4320.
Sherry Cat says
June 20, 2013 at 1:59 pmI am needing fabric to do in a bedroom and wondered if your fabric is also on sale, or just the upholstered pieces? Also could you do a blog on bedrooms, spicificly on bedding pieces and how to tie the look together with window treatments, chairs and benches to get that pulled together look you pull off so well?. We now have a master suite!! I’m not sure what to do on the side by side windows that have little space (2-3 inches) on the sides outside the window frame. And should the fabric be repeated to bring a connection to the area? Thanks for all the inspiration.
Sherry Cat says
June 20, 2013 at 2:02 pmOh Golly! Forgot to say the window I mentioned is in the bathroom. Thanks for any ideas.
Andy Nolan says
June 23, 2013 at 1:07 pmGreat tips on choosing fabric for furniture! You definately want to pick something that you will make you happy and you can live with for a long time. Good article!
Mary Carol says
June 24, 2013 at 12:40 pmHi Shirley,
So sorry — somehow I missed your comment and questions before. I’m so sorry! I am going to ask our very talented fabric designers to give you a call to talk with you in more depth about your project. It all sounds lovely!
Mary Carol says
June 24, 2013 at 12:46 pmHi Sherry! Great questions! First, no our fabric by the yard is not on sale during our Special Order Upholstered Furnishings sale. So fun that you requested a blog on bedding — I have one scheduled. However, it doesn’t delve into exactly what you described, so let me give you a bit of info that may be helpful as you do your bedroom project. Usually when it comes to picking out fabrics for the same room, we tell a story. We start with one fabric that is the show stopper (usually that is on the bed), then we build off of that. You can repeat fabrics, but we tend not to because we like to bring in more visual interest. We would love to work with you individually. Let us know if there’s any additional help you might need! Our toll free line is 877-746-4320 and just ask for our fabric room.
Deanna says
June 17, 2014 at 10:28 pmMary Carol
I love my sofa but it needs to be recovered. Remember the navy, burgundy and forest green days–in a huge floral pattern!
I’m such a fan of gray that I can’t seem to look at any other upholstery fabric for my beloved sofa except gray and am so tired of pattern that I would like to go with a solid this time around.. The style of the sofa is country French, high wing back, button tufted back cushions sits on curved legs with no skirt. Can you help with fabric selections on furniture we already own and do you have recommendations for upholsterers?
Thanks.
Patty says
March 4, 2015 at 1:10 pmMary Carol,
I’m wild about those green wing chairs. Are the chairs and the fabric something you carry at Nell Hills? Thanks! – Patty
Sarah says
March 27, 2016 at 7:27 pmI would love to know what the blue-and-white herringbone fabric is…wool, linen, Cotten blend? it’s exactly what I’m looking for.
Mary Carol Garrity says
March 30, 2016 at 8:54 amHello Everyone! Thanks so much for the comments! For all your questions, just give us a quick call at the store: 816-746-4320, so we can make sure we answer your question thoroughly and correctly. Enjoy your day!
Betty Meyer says
June 3, 2019 at 3:57 pmPlease tell me where to buy and who makes the fabulous green print on the wing back chairs with the coral trim.
Many thanks!
Katie Laughridge says
June 4, 2019 at 4:20 pmThat would be us! This post is from a while ago so I don’t know if we have the exact fabric still but if you give the shop a call and let them know what blog you saw it in they can look for it or a similar fabric!