The Upholstery Blog

Eco Salvage

2009-05-01T15:30:00.004-04:00

There's an excellent article in this month's Design New England magazine by Jill Connors on the growing trend she's calling "Eco Salvage". Certainly, this isn't "new", we've all heard of architectural salvage yards. But, there are now companies that specialize in the field of "Deconstruction" where materials are carefully removed from a building slated for renovation or demolition. Companies such as ReStore in Springfield, MA might go in and do a full 'whole-house' deconstruction or only a partial 'soft-strip' where they might remove only the kitchen, for instance. Even Habitat For Humanity is getting into the act and is just beginning to offer deconstruction services. Again, this isn't a new concept. The Shakers where known for deconstructing their unused buildings and salvaging all the materials. This is why there are so few original Shaker structures still standing.

Heller Furniture has also worked hard to make use of original materials - salvaged from older pieces - in our work. From horse hair to cotton batting - these all natural materials are hard to come by today and can be reused - once they have been sterilized. An Eco-Friendly alternative to expensive, and sometimes unhealthy, newer materials.

Here's a great example of a salvage project that we just completed:

Our client had this sofa with a handsome wood base including curved wooden arm fronts and arms. They wanted more seating in their room, but still loved the shape of this sofa. They came to Heller Furniture to seek a solution.

After an initial site visit, Walter presented the clients with his vision of a sectional sofa that could be created from their original piece.

We were able to carefully strip and disassemble the sofa, saving (or should we say salvaging) the arms and frame.

And here is this wonderful sectional sofa - providing our clients with plenty of seating for the entire family, all the while retaining the feel - and materials - of their original sofa.

And, this from the clients: "Thank you, thank you, thank you! We just wanted to let you know how happy we are sitting and lounging on our new sofa. Everyone in the family thinks this is the most comfortable sofa we have ever sat on. Thank you so much. Regards, K.B."

Heller Furniture is uniquely positioned to provide this type of extraordinary service. Call us now for your special upholstery project.

Designers are only as good as their workroom

2009-04-07T13:56:00.004-04:00

Here is an excellent blog post by Renee Fineberg, an interior designer based in Florida about the value of a great workroom.

For Sale: Antique Side Chair

2009-02-18T16:15:00.002-05:00

We have in our showroom this gorgeous antique side chair that we just upholstered in an embroidered Chinese silk. Colors are pink, gold and green on a cream ground.

Outside dimensions are: 25-1/2"W x 29"D x 33-1/2"h.
Inside dimensions are: 19"W x 20"D

Price: $2,400.00

Shipping is available. Call for details.

Matchy Matchy

2009-02-11T15:20:00.008-05:00

Sometimes, matchy-matchy is a good thing. Case in point: The Calvin Tub Chair (above) at Pottery Barn. I was wandering through the mall this weekend with a friend and we passed by Pottery Barn and this chair prominently displayed in the window. Nice looking chair with a very nice looking print on the cushions - but the mismatched pattern was fairly screaming out at me!

The pattern on the box cushion should be matched so that the front face of the cushion is a continuation of the seat pattern. As you can see, in this case, the circular medallion is simply lopped off. Nothing makes upholstery (or window treatments) look cheaper than a mismatched fabric pattern. And, this chair is upwards of $1,000!

And, this isn't the only example of this in the PB catalogue:
This is the Pottery Barn Brooks Slipcovered chair. The pattern on the top seat doesn't extend down the sides, nor does the skirt match up to the drop it's attached too. And, again, this is a pretty expensive chair, rendered cheap looking by bad matching.

Here is a similar looking slipcovered slipper chair that we did recently. Notice that the pattern on the seat extends down the sides of the seat cushion in the front. While it's not always possible to match up every pattern, at least the front of the piece should match.
Here is another example. The client selected a very graphic, yet fairly regular overall pattern. It was important that the front facing pieces match and as you will see - the fern like scrolls extend from the seat to the front face to the skirting - thus creating a harmonious and beautiful piece.
Here is an example of a very unusual block print fabric applied to a traditional wing chair. Clearly, the fabrics had to be very carefully matched, not only vertically, but also horizontally.

Some retail stores do get it right - such as Anthropologie's Antwerp Chair below. They do a beautiful job of matching the pattern from the seat down the face and onto the upholstered front of the chair. Of course, this chair is significantly more expensive than the PB pieces, at $1,400.00.

Matching patterns is more expensive, there is no question. It takes more skill and time on the upholsterers part and it takes more fabric. However, if you are going to spend real money on a piece of furniture - and at $1,000 for the Pottern Barn Calvin Chair, we are talking real money - then shouldn't it look as good as it can?

When shopping for upholstered furniture - always pay attention to how the pattern is placed on the piece. If you are having an existing piece of furniture recovered, or are selecting your fabric for a new piece - be very careful with the fabric you choose. A qualified upholster will be able to advise you on how to best lay out the fabric. And don't hesitate to ask to meet with the upholsterer (where available) in order to go over these issues and to make sure that they are going to lay out the fabric appropriately. Saving 20% on the cost of a job might leave you with a piece of furniture that looks 50% less appealing. And, if corners are being cut with the layout, what other corners are being cut?

Heller Furniture Showroom Makeover

2009-01-08T22:43:00.003-05:00

We wanted to share our showroom makeover project that we tackled just before the holidays. Everyone can use a makeover and we were no exception! Our business has expanded to include The Classic Collection our new line of fine casegood furniture and we needed to make room!

Our large selection of fabric hanging samples and books needed to be moved and while we were at it, we stripped the walls of the dark maroon fabric and painted them a much lighter and brighter cream color.

before

After

before

After

We also re-arranged one of our back rooms and we now have this wonderful new fabric room with a large tabletop workspace for our residential and designer clients use as they make fabric selections.

Our new fabric room - all set up for our recent Holiday Open House!

If you are in the neighborhood, please stop by for a visit - we'd love to show off our new space and more importantly, our beautiful new furniture line.

Heller on the Big Screen!

2009-01-08T22:32:00.005-05:00

Last year, we blogged about the move "The Women" that was then filming here in Boston. The set decorators had ordered a custom headboard for the movie from Heller Furniture. This remake of the 1939 classic stars Eva Mendes and Meg Ryan reprising the Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer roles, respectively.

It's been a long year waiting to see how this satin, fullsize, headboard would be used.

And here it is! Complete with Meg Ryan, a little girl, and a dog! What do they say about never playing a scene with children or animals??

A big thanks to the production design and decoration team for selecting Heller Furniture to make this piece!

Production Designe: Jane Musky
Art Direction: Mario Ventenilla
Set Decoration: Debbie Cutler and Mimi Watstein

With the movie industry heating up here in Massachusetts - Plymouth Rock Studios is just down the highway - we are looking forward to "playing out parts" in movie sets to come!

Happy Holidays

2008-12-19T14:25:00.002-05:00

~ Walter, Cathy, Nancy, Linda, Jim and Carlos ~

Image from the Shirley Eustis House Restoration Project. Click here for details.

Heller Holiday Open House

2008-11-20T10:25:00.000-05:00

Casegoods shown are from The Classic Collection - NEW at Heller Furniture!

Take a break from the mayhem of holiday shopping and stop by for some holiday cheer at our newly redecorated showroom!

Come in and pick up your complimentary copy of our holiday how-to guide "Holidays By Design" where you'll find cost saving decorating tips, recipes and other goodies to make your holidays merry and bright!
Fridays and Saturdays in December.

The Classic Collection: Inlaid Sidetable views

2008-11-07T15:23:00.002-05:00

We are very excited about our new line of casegood furniture - The Classic Collection. We have a beautiful assortment of side tables, bureaus and occasional pieces that are made by hand using traditional methods and environmentally friendly finishes.

One of the most interesting aspects about all of these pieces is their design flexibility. Whether your style is traditional, transitional or modern - these pieces can work in many interiors. I thought it would be fun to create room vignettes around a few of the pieces to showcase their flexibility.

This snazzy inlaid marquetry side table has a strong geometric pattern that is softened by the cabriole legs.

Transitional Style

Modern Style

This beautiful demilune sideboard has a lovely inlay pattern and strong textural graining.

Glossary: Antimacassar

2008-10-20T14:20:00.006-04:00

An antimacassar is a small cloth placed over the backs or arms of chairs, or the head or cushions of a sofa, to prevent soiling of the permanent fabric.

Macassar oil was a very popular grooming product for men in the early 19th century (much like Jheri Curl in the 1970's and '80's) but was not popular among housewives who had to deal with the resulting soiled seat backs and arm covers. To combat the problem, doilies and fabric covers were fashioned to protect the permanent upholstery from permanent damage.

Antimacassars are still used today on upholstered furniture and commercial vehicles such as plane and train seats.

And there's your word of the day!

Extreme Makeover - Sofa Edition

2008-09-26T16:45:00.009-04:00

Green products are all the rage today and it's all good for the environment. One of the best things we can do is to stop filling up the landfill with old furniture that's perhaps faded or no longer in style. If the general shape and size still work, then reupholstery is an option to consider.

One of our clients brought in this beaten up looking old sofa. While many would have discarded this piece, she had the foresight to see that this little love seat was a good candidate for an extreme makeover, especially as the size was right for their needs.

before

Sketches of different configurations were made to update the look. The biggest structural change was to the arms from thin to a nice rolled style with pleats. The back cushions on the original love seat were attached and we re-designed them to be taller and loose. The two seat cushions would be replaced with a single bench cushion for a cleaner look. And finally, the skirt was changed to a waterfall style - also adding to the fresher, cleaner look. Of course, we also rehabbed the frame and tightened up the seat springs for maximum comfort and longevity.

And here we have the finished piece! Fresh, clean and like-new!

After

While the price was ultimately comparable to buying something new, there is one less old sofa making its way into the landfill.

The mantra of the day is "Reduce, Reuse & Recyle", to which we can add "Reupholster"!

Take a seat

2008-08-15T15:53:00.001-04:00

We've been busy restoring and recovering many beautiful chairs recently and wanted to share some before and after shots. From family heirlooms to new purchases - our clients have been bringing us some great pieces to bring back to life.

before

These carved chairs were made by a family relative of the client. The woodwork was dull and cracked in places and the fabric worn and faded.

after

The natural beauty of the wood was brought back to life in our wood shop and an unexpected fabric was added to the seat creating a restored and one of a kind piece that's good to go for many years to come.

before

This country French cane back arm chair was updated in a beautiful silk mini-plaid with corded trim.

after

chair detail - after

This designer wanted to create a coordinated mix 'n match look. She used two different styles of chair - cane back and upholstered straight back - and had them covered in the same fabric.

before

after

before

after

before

New cane back chairs were covered in a snappy blue check with contrast fabric on the reverse side of the seat back. In this case, the design called for us to remove the existing cane insert and add upholstery in its place. Changes to the original design on an existing piece of furniture can almost always be accommodated - just ask your upholsterer!

after

detail of back of chair - after

before

This particular client likes to mix it up with traditional fabrics on contemporary forms and, as with this chair, more modern fabrics on traditional style furniture.

after

before

This was quite a unique set of two chairs and a sofa. Made in Europe - these pieces had wooden backs and tufted seat backs. The new gray fabric really shows off the detailing of the tufting.

after

detail of back of sofa and chairs - after

We are all becoming more aware of our environment and giving consideration to the effect that piles of discarded furniture has on the planet. Reupholstery is environmentally friendly and offers so many custom choices to design and style. So, before you run out and buy a new chair, take a look in your attic or your local second hand store and see what you can find. You never know - grandma's old rocking chair could be the perfect fun - and funky - addition to your space!

Upholstered Headboards are Hot!

2008-08-08T14:18:00.012-04:00

We see them everywhere - in magazines, movies, high end stores and Target. The luxury of an upholstered headboard cannot be matched. We want our bedrooms to be soft and comfortable, cocoon-like.

A custom upholstered headboard is the ultimate luxury. You have virtually a limitless selection of fabrics (including leathers) and design styles to choose from. We've been making a lot of the beauties over the last several months as the designers we work with are right on trend.

Here are a few of our favorite projects:

Upholstered headboard with hand finished wooden surround, upholstered drop-in unit clad in a hot pink linen.

And hand stained and distressed round wood surround with upholstered inset.

Our Florence style headboard in a modern geometric print.

A simple shape takes on a new level of sophisticating with dramatic tufting and nail head trim.

Even a basic square headboard such as our Athens style stands out with well coordinated bedding and textiles. This particular project was part of a bedroom makeover for WHDH televisions' "Room for Improvement" series.

Our Geneva headboard is soon to be making it's movie debut in The Women, which shot here in Boston last year.

We have a wide selection of headboard styles to choose from or bring your own design to us and we can talk about your options. Our showroom is filled with fabric selections as well. And if you need the bedding to go with your beautiful headboard, no problem!

The Craftsman's Eye

2008-07-28T12:29:00.001-04:00

There's more to custom upholstery than meets the eye.

Floor Plans, Sketches & Specifications

Architects sketch of location for custom banquette seat

When you visit your furniture designer, don't forget to bring along a detailed floor plan that indicates where furniture will be located, as well as exact dimensions of the piece. Be sure to also include measurements for all doorways, halls, stairways and elevators through which the furniture will travel to reach its final resting place. Even the most experienced designers make fatal errors that are evident only upon delivery. Almost any space constrictions can be accommodated if they are known in advance. For instance, a sofa can be made to come apart and re-attach on site. Forethought is key.

What is the style you are looking for? Do your homework before you meet with a furniture maker. Take time to go through design magazines, trade journals and design books. Pull photographs of details such as tailoring, trims and the overall look you are hoping to achieve. Don't be afraid to take an upholstered arm from one photo, a back from another and a skirt treatment from a third --- good custom furniture makers are skilled in bringing the varying elements together. Pictures that show what you want will save a thousand words of explanation. If you are able to do a schematic sketch on your own - that's great. But if you are not, your furniture maker can still create a design from your photos and conversation for your approval.

Above all else, be as specific in your instructions as possible. Once you have instructed the manufacturer, ask for written confirmation of your instructions that includes a drawing of how the piece will look. Take the time to read the manufacturer's instructions and look the drawings over carefully. Design deadlines and budgets rarely permit costly errors.

Construction and Customization

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Let's face it, custom furniture is expensive. Ask the manufacturer tough questions to ensure that you're getting quality merchandise. Is kiln dried wood used for the frame? Are the frames dowelled, glued and screwed on corner blocks? Are stretchers used when required for added support?

Go over fine details of the design with your manufacturer. The thickness of the back, the seat and the seat cushions will affect the overall depth. The width of the arms can affect the seating space. Inside and outside pitch will determine the angle of the back. Discuss your client's special requirements with the manufacturer. If your client is especially short or tall, large or slight, the manufacturer can make design changes for which your clients will be grateful. After all, comfort is the final determining factor in the overall success of your design.

Fabrics, Fillers and Flame-proofing

Example of a client's purchase order for custom kitchen banquette

Don't forget fabric samples. Your upholsterer will need to see what you have selected and can help you make your final choice. Will the fabric run horizontally or vertically? How wide is it? How often does the pattern repeat? Will seams show? Wait until you consult with the upholsterer before you order the fabric. Even the slightest style change can dramatically alter the amount of fabric you need. It is also a good idea to bring along samples for any welts, gimp, fringe or tassels you plan on using.

Next, take a moment to consider fillers. Once again, be specific. Will the furniture be used extensively or only occasionally? Standard cushions are generally made of a medium density urethane foam wrapped with a Dacron fiber. A more luxurious, comfortable cushion, however, is made of innerspring and cotton wrapped in foam. White goose down is also favored for comfort.
If flame proofing is required, be sure to let the upholsterer know at the beginning of the project. This is especially essential for commercial projects such as restaurants or salons.

Of course, organic and green materials are also available for any upholstery project.

Tailoring, Treatments and Toss Pillows

Custom upholstery adds a new dimension to your design talents. The final details --- tailoring, treatments and toss pillows --- are crucial in determining the end result.

Ask your upholsterer to show you samples of how the cushions can be tailored (knife edges, box welted and weltless, Turkish corners, waterfalls and hand-sewn are among the finishes available). Finalize treatments for the arms (round arm tuxedo, square arm tuxedo, roll arm, and flair arm, to name a few); the bases and legs (plinth; will they be upholstered, painted or laminated? Will the radius corner have a recessed bull nose base? Harem, upholstered bun feet?, parsons legs, or castors?) If there is to be a skirt, how will it be treated? (Kickpleat, dressmaker's, pleated corners, ruffles?) What about the overall upholstering? Will it be tufted (diamond and biscuit), hand channeled, quilted, trapuntal? And, what form, if any, will the final topstitching take? (Double needle, french-style back, fox edge?)

When choosing toss pillows, talk with the upholsterer about how they will be used. Do they have to hold up for a family of five? Ask questions. A good upholsterer will cheerfully answer your questions and respond quickly to your special requirements. Your design reputation is on the line; never allow yourself to be intimidated or pushed into a hasty decision.

Details and Delivery

Prepare a checklist. Go over it twice. Make sure your order is confirmed in writing and is accompanied by a sketch. Don't be afraid to ask for a specific delivery date, but make sure you do your part and get all fabrics and trims to the manufacturer as promised.

Don't leave the final detail --- delivery --- to chance. If your manufacturer leaves delivery arrangements up to you, and many do, locate a reputable firm and take prompt possession of your merchandise.

Finished custom made kitchen banquette for This Old House, Newton project.

"The secret of success," said Benjamin Disraeli, "is constancy to purpose."

By seeking out quality workmanship and working in tandem with your suppliers to ensure faithfulness to the most minute detail, success will be yours.

Introducing Naturtex

2008-07-10T14:11:00.008-04:00

We're pleased to announce that we're now carrying this fantastic line of woven fabrics by Naturtex. Made in Spain, Naturtex has a huge range of different fabrics for all residential and contract purposes.

The woven materials can be used in: Upholstery, Wall Covering, Headboards, and more!

We have a selection of samples so don't hesitate to come by the shop to check them out and we'll help you figure out the possibilites!

Hot off the bench: Restoration of sofa & chairs

2008-07-09T15:17:00.011-04:00

Before

This fantastic late 19th century sofa was in desperate need of woodwork repair as well as upholstery. New veneers and fills were applied to the woodwork as needed and a fantastic floral fabric was applied, making this quite an eye-catching piece! The best part of the story is that the client paid $1 for the sofa at auction several years ago!

Upholstery work in progress.

These chairs belong to the same client and were made by a family member many years ago.

Before.

It's amazing how far back old wood will come with expert attention!
Fabrics by Robert Allen.

"Discontinued"! The backup plan

2008-04-23T15:30:00.003-04:00

One of the most frustrating aspects of interior design - whether you're a homeowner or professional - is how quickly a fabric, wallpaper or other item can become discontinued. Manufacturers are constantly evaluating their wares for availability and saleability. If an item is either deemed too difficult or expensive to produce, or the sales haven't been worth the cost to produce, then quicker than you can imagine, the item is no longer available.

When we're searching for beautiful fabrics for our projects, we often "fall in love" with a particular item and it's not uncommon for us to base an entire project around a single design. So, it can be a real bummer if the fabric we've been dreaming of is suddenly not available. So frustrating!! Unfortunately, it's a pretty common experience and the only way to avoid such disappointments is to either purchase the fabric as quickly as possible, or have a back up selection.

For vendors and stores, this is an equally frustrating issue. It's very time consuming to keep one's sample library updated - whether it be fabric, wallpaper or whatever. Our sources don't often send out "discontinued" lists, so often we don't know either until we try to order an item for a customer.

At Heller, we are on the front lines of this situation all the time. In business, it's always a balance between doing everything you want (having a perfectly updated sample library) vs. the time and salary cost of keeping up with it. I've been in the slow process of updating our sample library as it's been a couple years since it was done last. We were noticing that more and more fabric samples our clients were selecting were discontinued, so it was time. What a chore! But, in some cases, over 20% of our samples have been discontinued by the manufacturer so it's worth the time.

The moral of this tale of woe is that it's aways a good idea to have a plan B when selecting fabrics. Often, we're asked if the manufacturer can tell us what stores have the fabric. This information isn't generally possible and finding a desired, but discontinued, fabric is like finding a needle in a haystack. It's not impossible, but not probable.

Meanwhile, another management aspect of our business is keeping our sample library fresh and appealing. Sometimes, the most dated and blah fabrics are sold for years. I assume someone is buying them, but they often don't make for beautiful displays.

We're also in the process of rotating out the blah and making room for newer, more appealing lines. These are a few of the wonderful line of Pierre Deux upholstery fabrics we just got in. The patterns are traditional, but the colors are always bright and beautiful.

And here is a treasure trove of beautiful, textural neutrals from Kravet that are waiting to be unpacked.

So many fabrics... so little time!

How to measure and calculate repeats

2008-04-21T11:35:00.007-04:00

A difficult aspect of working with fabrics is how to calculate the fabric yardage needs. Whether it's on window treatments or on upholstered furniture, understanding how the fabric repeat effects the yardage required is paramount. Underestimating can mean not having enough fabric to do the job and over estimating can mean significant added expense. In fact, this is also true when working with wallpaper, although the calculations are different.

For those who don't know, the repeat is the size of the pattern as it appears once on a piece of fabric. This is measured vertically and horizontally. Many decorator fabric samples come with the repeats listed, especially if you're working with the fabric house or a decorator. However, when buying at retail, often the repeats are not referenced and you will need to measure yourself, or hope the sales person is able to provide the information.

It's really pretty easy. Spread out the fabric, making sure you have a large enough piece to see the full repeat and then some. Determine the pattern from side-to-side and from top-to-bottom. As you can see above, I have determined that the horizonal repeat runs across 3 flowers: 1 large and two smaller. Measuring from the center of the pattern, to the next time that same pattern appears, I have a measurement above of approximately 18.5" across (horizontally).

Do the same up-and-down and you have the vertical repeat, which is 11-3/4".

Often, when we are quoted yardage requirements for a particular application (furniture, window treatment) assume that if you have not provided the repeat information, then you are getting a quote for plain material that has no repeat. The chart below shows how much extra fabric is needed depending the repeat you are using.

So, for the fabric above that has a vertical repeat of 11-3/4" and a horizontal repeat of 18.5", your total repeat is 31" (rounding up). If you are told you need 10 yards of plain 54" fabric, then to use the fabric above, you will need to order an additional 25% or 12.5 total yards. Make sense?

So, why, you may ask, is the repeat so very important? Because, quality workmanship dictates that the pattern matches. This means that the flowers line up across seam lines and other breaks. If you notice, the damask pattern on the top of this upholstered headboard continues across the break of border to padded middle section. Without enough fabric, your upholsterer or seamstress is not able to match the patterns and the result will be amateurish.

A little tip when selecting fabric - the larger the repeat, the more fabric is required to do the job. Obviously, the more fabric you buy, the more you spend. So, if you are looking for a way to do a job in the most economical way, a smaller repeat will save money. This can really make a difference if your job takes 25 yards of fabric and your fabric is $100/yard or more. An additional 6 yards of fabric (25% of 25 yards) at $100/yard is an additional $600.00 you may or may not wish to spend.

In a followup post, we're going to talk about the placement of pattern. We're currently recovering a standard wing chair in a very cool batik fabric that has a bold pattern. How the fabric is placed will make the difference between blah and wow!

Media Talk: This Old House sneak peek

2008-01-10T14:51:00.001-05:00

A couple of months ago we wrote about our participation in the currently filming This Old House Newton Project. Interior designer Abbey Koplovitz tapped Heller Furniture to build a custom banquette for the kitchen, plus some window seat and dining chair cushions. The filming has officially wrapped and we wanted to share the work we did on the project.

This is the banquette seat for the kitchen table. One thing about Victorian homes, there are lots of wonderful elements like window seats throughout. Walter Heller and Tommy Silva collaborated to create this unit, which is a functional yet elegant use of the space under the bay window which looks onto the wrap around porch.

In the dining room, designer Abbey K put together a beautiful mix of new and old, with hints of the Victorian - such as the beautiful tasseled drape - along with with more modern touches such as the grass cloth shades. The beautiful bench cushion adds a warm and inviting touch.

The French country style dining room chairs are topped with comfortable pads made specifically to fit the seats.

And sitting on the top of the house is the slightly mis-named "Man Cave". Misnamed only because the "Billiard Room" is filled with light and hardly a cave at all.

We were thrilled to take part in this project. The house was certainly beautiful to begin with, but the combined talents of the This Old House crew, designer Abbey K and homeowners Paul Friedberg and Maddy Krauss really came together to create a comfortable home for a contemporary family that still pays homage to the past. Bravo to all!

Click here to read homeowner Paul Friedberg's posts on Old House My House about this project.
Click here to read interior designer Abby Koplovitz's posts on her blog On Interior Design. She includes lots of before and after photos.
Click here to find out when This Old House is airing in your area.

And don't forget to check out an upcoming This Old House Magazine for more photos!

Photos by Linda Merrill for Heller Furniture.

Preserving History: A restoration story

2007-11-14T10:52:00.001-05:00

The recent exhibition at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts "Napolean: Symbols of Power" got us to thinking about a restoration and reupholstery project we did last year for the Shirley-Eustis House Museum in Roxbury, MA.

These beautiful Empire era pieces were in desperate need of careful restoration and it was very important that any repair work be undertaken with the greatest thought and knowledge of historically accurate methods and techniques.

Once stripped, it became apparent that a previous upholsterer had altered the frame and harmed the structural integrity of the sofa.

The antique sofa from the Shirley Eustis House was originally constructed with three evenly spaced hardwood bars from side to side. These “stretchers” fastened the front of the frame to the back, providing stability and strength to the frame (see red arrows on Figure A). Next webbing was applied on top of the frame from front to back and woven through side to side. The next step was to cover the webbing with a layer of horsehair topped with a layer of cotton for padding and covered with fabric, creating the decking for a cushion. (See Figure B) Next a loose cushion was placed on top of the decking.

At some point in the past the sofa was reupholstered. Whoever performed the work cut the stretchers out, added wood to the underside of the frame (see green arrows on Figure A) to which was covered with webbing. Springs were used to form a fully upholstered seat, eliminating the cushion. This frame was not designed to handle springs, and the jerry-rigged method by which it was altered left the frame weak and subject to damage, which is exactly what happened.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Walter, in consultation with furniture historian Edward S. Cooke, Jr., editor of Upholstery in America & Europe from the Seventeenth Century to World War I, (Norton, 1987) came up with the recommended repair work on this beautiful piece.

Stretchers were once again built into the seat and new wood was applied to the sides and back for structural integrity.

New webbing added to the seat and arms.

The seat and back are padded with cotton and horsehair, just as it would have been when new. A new cushion is made, also using cotton padding and horsehair.

The finished sofa - back where it belongs!

We want to thank the Shirley-Eustis House for entrusting us with the repair of these beautiful pieces of furniture - and history.

Media Talk: This Old House

2007-10-18T13:30:00.000-04:00

This Old House Newton Project - image courtesy of PBS.org, photo by Anthony Tieuli

Heller Furniture has been tapped to create a custom kitchen banquette and several box cushions for the latest This Old House project in Newton, MA. Walter Heller and Tommy Silva meet to discuss the kitchen built-in banquette.

This beautiful old Victorian is a beehive of activity as they prepare to finish up the project in the next couple of months.

Watch the webcam and get a sneak peak!

For more photos of this amazing home - check out PBS.org.

Project interior design Abbey Koplovitz of AbbeyK, Inc., who brought us into the project, is showcasing this renovation on her blog On Interior Design. She includes images of her design boards and fabric samples and other interesting tidbits about the project.

And finally - the hardworking homeowners - Paul Friedberg and Maddy Krauss - are blogging on their experience here on Old House My House. Lots of interior shots are available!

This Old House Newton is currently airing on PBS stations around the country. Check your local listings and check back here for updates on our work on this exciting project!

Beacon Hill Trunk Show

2007-10-18T13:07:00.001-04:00

We hosted a very fun designer event and luncheon yesterday. Devin Arbabi, sales rep for Beacon Hill / Robert Allen fabrics showed us their new fall lines of fabrics and trims. They are really beautiful and her enthusiasm is catching!

Thanks to all of the designers for taking time out of your schedules to come over and spend time with us and a big thanks to Devin for all your hardwork as well!

Slip on a slip cover

2007-10-18T12:46:00.001-04:00

Here is a recent project just completed in the workroom. These slipper chairs were treated to fresh new fabrics and pillows.

Before

After (note, pillows actually for sofa)

Well tailored slipcovers can be the perfect option for furniture that is still in good shape structurally or if you want to be able to change the look with the seasons. A well made slipcover such as this is not necessarily a lot less expensive that a full reupholstery job, however. It takes a lot of hours and fittings to get the size just right. The desiger was able to specify such detailing as a banded hem and inverted pleats in a contrast color. Even the direction of the small stripe was discussed. A lot of work, but, as you can see, the outcome can be fabulous!

I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. Heller

2007-09-11T10:00:00.001-04:00

Heller Furniture was tapped to make this beautiful upholstered headboard for the production of the new movie "The Women" , which is currently filming in Boston. Based on the Claire Boothe Luce satirical play about the idle lives of wealthy women and divorcees, the all-woman cast stars Meg Ryan, Candice Bergan, Eva Mendes,Annette Bening and Jada Pinkett-Smith.

The classic 1939 movie version starred Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer and Rosalind Russell.

Of course, we don't know which character will be lounging in the bed, but my bet is on Meg Ryan, the sweet but not that sweet woman who loses her husband to the conniving Eva Mendes, only to win him back. Much of the 1939 movie was set in this characters' bedroom.
We'll just have to wait and see. The movie is set for a 2008 release.

The Green Sofa - When what is old is new again

2007-08-30T15:50:00.000-04:00

Why a green sofa?

The craft of custom upholstering gives you the choice of owning furniture that is comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, yet insures that you are surrounding yourself with materials that are healthy for you and the environment.

What is “comfort”? It varies from person to person. The perception of comfort changes with the use – what we find comfortable in a dining room or office or formal living room is not at all comfortable in the great room or media room. The style and sizing of the piece as well as the materials used all need to work in harmony to create a truly comfortable –really livable - piece of furniture.

There is no doubt - all of the options and benefits of a custom upholstered piece of furniture come at a higher up-front cost. But like our ancestors, shouldn’t we get back to the mind-set that furniture is meant to last a lifetime?

It is becoming more apparent that the chemicals that allowed for less expensive woods and materials to be used in our homes and furnishings have come at a long term cost – to our health and even to our pocket books. Overtime, many people have experienced an overload to their immune systems causing, among other things, higher rates of allergies and asthma in children. Additionally, products made from lower quality materials have a much shorter “shelf” life than those made from the old school methods. It’s hard to imagine that much of what we purchase at retail today will become tomorrow’s antiques. Yet, it is the antiques in our homes that are actually the “greenest” products we own. Made prior to the “chemical” revolution, antique furniture and rugs, made with all natural materials such as silk, cotton, wool, hardwoods and vegetable dyes, have lasted longer and are ultimately less expensive to the pocket book and the environment over their lifetime.

The Green Sofa by Heller Furniture is based on a design by Benjamin Thomson, FAIA, renowned architect and founder of Design|Research, Cambridge.

Available exclusively through Sedia, Inc. Boston.