The art of cover with upholstery, leather or fabric seats of all kinds is called upholstery. It is something that combines art, design and manual skill, because beyond the final result a good upholstery job gives us a comfortable and durable seat.
As a decorator, I consider fundamental the presence of upholstery elements, and derivatives, in a project of decoration or interior design. Its use often becomes the definitive touch when defining the character of a room, whether based on a harmony of colors, shapes or textures.
Upholstery in interior decoration
If there is something expensive in the world of decoration, it is upholstery. I would say that it takes a good part of our budget. There are cheap options, there always are, but they end up lasting much less. A good sofa, good chairs, well upholstered, last for years. That's why, a good upholstery job has its cost.
The upholstery of a new sofa or chair it's a great investment and you don't want to have to do it again a few months after that furniture arrived at your door. Choose the wrong material and soon you will be battling loose threads, stains or marks. Get the color or pattern wrong and the whole room will suffer. Your eyes will hurt so much that you will end up spending more money. Then, before choosing new upholstery it is advisable to investigate, read, browse materials, compare durability, comfort and style.
Upholstery includes materials, fabrics, types of padding, straps and/or springs, which together make up the soft covers of chairs, sofas and other furniture. This process began way back in the Middle Ages and was popular in the XNUMXth, XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. Over the years, different materials have appeared, from wool to horse hair, for example, but with the development of the textile industry and new synthetic materials the upholstery has taken a great leap.
And here, what is not seen is as important as what is seen. Namely, what materials you fill your armchairs and chairs with is as important as the design or color of the exterior because it is what will determine the durability of the comfort and the structure of the piece. Then, How to choose well the upholstery elements that are best for furniture? First and foremost, you must follow your practical needs.
That is to say, where you live, who will use the furniture and how. Is it a sofa for watching TV or will it be in a room where hardly any people live? Usage is an excellent guide for choosing upholstery material. A silky velvet sofa may be beautiful, but it will quickly be destroyed if you have children or animals. If the piece of furniture is in a space with high circulation, such as a family room or a living room, you will need hard, resistant fabrics, on the contrary if the space is a bedroom or, for example, the head of the bed.
Another aspect to consider is how the chosen material will age. Look at the brand and always ask about this aspect. How do you clean it, how should you maintain it? Is it a high maintenance material if it doesn't get ruined? What will it look like in five years? Am I going to vacuum the sofa as many times as the manufacturer recommends, or not? Am I going to call someone to come to the house to do a general cleaning once a year? Do I have money and want all that?
If you have children then yes or yes you have to consider this variable, and the best thing is that today there are good materials that go hand in hand with durability. For example, nowadays you can get good synthetic suede, easy to clean, or sheathed upholstery which protects the original fabric. The cover is removed, washed in the washing machine and voila, you have a new chair.
Same with him aged leather, it's great because you don't have to worry about occasional scratches. The main thing is to know that if you have a large or busy family, you should stay away from delicate textures such as silk or quality velvet, very unpleasant with stains or loose threads.
Now, if children or pets are not your problem (you don't have any of that), you can lean towards one finer upholstery. Here you have great materials like Tibetan wool, velvet, Belgian linen, durable and colorful. Of course they are expensive and not as durable options, so you can always include these fabrics not in large furniture but in accessories: cushions, headboards...
Nor should we forget the size and shape of the piece that we are going to upholster, when choosing the material. If it is a curvaceous sofa, it is advisable to stick with full and solid colors, since patterns or textures with a distinctive direction can age poorly. Some stripes, some flowers, can be beautiful when they are new, but if they get stuck, get stained or lose color in sectors, they no longer look good. The key is to upholster large pieces with a single color, without patterns, and add those details in the accessories or in smaller pieces.
Environments of Classic They require noble and sophisticated fabrics, which stand out for their distinguished applications and patterns. Velvets and silks They are ideal for composing elegant curtains in an imposing living room, accompanied by brocades, damask, embossed geometries and embroidery (either in cushions or in the upholstery of some style armchair). And it is that they are preserved over time, updating themselves progressively.
TOURISTIC FARMS colonial or rustic with an ethnic air, they request linens, canvas, ethnic prints and fibrous, lively textures. Aged-looking fabrics, leathers, degraded and coatings made of natural fibers (such as Japanese papers) are great options.
The contemporary styles support more functional and looking elements «clean«. Which is not to say that you can't be surprised by applying a pattern vintage or a 'toile de jouy ' in some key element located in a minimalist atmosphere. In my projects I always try to develop a balanced mix of styles and compositions, in order to create unique environments and convey satisfaction and well-being to its inhabitants.
I recommend some houses that are among my favorites. The german Zimmer-Rohde fascinates me, and I was pleasantly surprised when he presented his line Ardecora. The proposals of Designer's Guild they are pure positive energy. One of his latest collections of coordinated fabrics and wallpapers designed by fashion designer Christian Lacroix it's just amazing. The one with spectacular rooms that can be designed with such materials excites me… A very chic dressing room for the most Fashionistas, a very cool cafe in the most cosmopolitan area of the city ...
In short, with these incredible elements we can make the most of any space or furniture, changing their appearance with small details.
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