Q:1 – What is the cost of re-upholstering a sofa, let’s say compared to buying a new one?
Re-upholstering your furniture is not that much less expensive than buying a new sofa. Cost only 15% to 20% less, however price is not always the answer when shopping smartly for this.
Q:2 – If it’s almost the same price, then why shouldn’t I just buy new?
Simply put, newly made sofas or chairs are not constructed as well. In older models, the skeleton, literally what it all hangs on, is made out of good “old-fashioned” hardwoods (maple birch, etc.) which last forever. Newer ones, perhaps the same price as having your re-upholstered are probably made out of a manufactured pressed wood and could even be just stapled together, which will start wiggling and jiggling and sagging in a few short years.
Q:3 – And I guess if you really like the shape and comfort level, you should think about keep the old one.
Yes. Also current styles of sofas are designed for sprawling – they are built very deep. Older or shorter people find them difficult to sit on – their feet might not even reach floor putting pressure on their back – and they can be backbreaking to get out of.
If you love the way your sofa fits your butt, your taste buds or your room but the comfort level now disagrees with your body, that can be corrected by filling cushions to make them softer or harder with foam, dacron or feathers. Re-doing beats buying new since you can make the choice of what goes inside your cushions. New ones might flatten out in months.
If it’s color no longer suits your tastes or decor, the sky’s limit with re-upholstering. You can pick any kind color or fabric your heart desires. When purchasing from store, you are stuck with whatever fabrics that manufacturer chose for this season.
Q:4 – How do slip covers fit in to this discussion?
If it’s just the look you want to change, you can have slip covers made – and you can even change the colors of your room for each season. Those of you with pets might like the ability to remove covers and have them cleaned – some slip cover fabrics are even machine washable.
Q5: Can you make some suggestions of who can make these magic transformations for us?
Four Season Slip Covers specializes in making – yep – slip covers. They have done furniture for Debbie Travis’s Facelift TV shows and decorators like Scott Yetman. This is a shop-at-home service. An arm chair takes about 5 – 6 yds. of fabric, a 2-seat loveseat needs 10 – 12 yds., 3-seat sofa 13 -15 yds. Dining room chairs take 2 1/2 yds. and can have pleats, bows, etc.
Phone: 450-465-0650.
Opened in 1903 Farrar – Daoust is still going strong in the third generation. Free quotes are given. They give couches a complet overhaul – stripping pieces down wood, changing springs, checking glue, re-staining scratches. They offer about 3,000 fabric samples and can get drapes made. It all comes with a five year written guarantee.
Phone: (514) 768-6785 or or 450-671-6660
In the Elmaleh family, seven children (out of 10) learned the re-upholstery trade from their Dad and opened in a few places in Montreal. Specializing in custom-made sofas, chairs and chaise lounges, they are also furniture magicians and can cut up a sofa into three arm chairs or slice to downsize into a condo.
David, at this location, can re-cover your furniture and other siblings can add drapes, bedspreads and wall coverings to match. The showroom has imported chair frames in Chippendale, Louis XV, XVI, etc. for you to choose from. Antique furniture restoration and French polishing can be handled here as well.
Location: 1001 Lenoir St, Suite A408
orner: St-antoine 514-935-5944
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8-5, Fri 7:30-2
Location for Albert and other siblings: 685 Brunet (514-332-0516).
When you need a bit of hand-holding to get you through a room make-over, a move or a down-sizing, Kathryn Osborne Design is an interior designer who has the resources and 20-year background to make it all feel stress-less. When re-upholstering (or making slipcovers), you have to buy the high-end fabric from her atelier (Brunschwig & Fils, Robert Allen, Waverly, Kravet, Colefax & Fowler, Designers Guild).
She can design a whole new floor plan or suggest ideas for designing bed or window treatments, wallpaper or selecting furniture (custom-made sofas too).
Beyond the norm, she can arrange a move, then place the furniture, hang the pictures and even offers a lending library of 200 decorating books for you to peruse.
Location: 1357 Greene Ave, 2nd floor, Westmount
corner: Sherbrooke
Phone: 514-931-1357
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-5:30, Sat by appt.
www.kathrynosbornedesign.com
If you have a small job, like a dining room chair, wing-back chair or occasional chair, Creations And Stuff By Me is an option. The main function of this company is to re-purpose furniture (turn it shabby chic, make a chest into a baby changing table, pad your headboard). You can look at her website to get an idea of the amazing transformations possible and what she has for sale.
You can also find her creations at Vie de Campagne in Westmount, Buk & Nola and Gilgamash Decor. She can help you with: furniture painting and refinishing; light fixture rewiring (custom lampshades), and redesigning as well as custom furniture searching for the piece you want. It’s also possible to visit her workshop to buy directly from her.
Location: 705 Laporte Ave.
corner: St- Jacques
Phone: 514-707-2365
Hours : Tue-Sat 10-3, Please call ahead
www.creationsandstuffbyme.com
