It’s always something.
The good news is that the furniture is back from the upholsterer’s, and for the most part, it looks terrific.
The sofa in particular looks beautiful. The upholsterer did a lovely job craftsmanship-wise.
The cording is straight, as are the hems. I asked that the new cording be thinner than on the original, and I think that looks good, too.
I especially appreciate that she folded the fabric on the fronts of the arms rather than ruching (bunching) it. That makes the sofa look less…well, less granny.
Yep: sofa, check. Thank you, upholsterer.
For the most part, the chair upholstery look great, too – hems straight, fabric tight, etc. But can you see what the problem is?
The pattern of the fabric doesn’t line up on the vertical seams. It’s a BIG repeat, so there may have been a good reason for doing it this way, but I’m asking the upholsterer about it. I just think it looks choppy.
And I ordered a LOT of fabric – there should have been plenty, even with the large repeat, to match the pattern.
I do like that she didn’t break the pattern horizontally between the chair and the skirt, as I’d asked. See how the chairs used to be (at right)?
But on the “new” chairs, the fabric falls straight from the arm.
A little bend in the fabric is inevitable in the back, where the chair curves, but I don’t mind that. Here’s another example of this style (I took the picture below at the Design Center).
(What is it called, designers among you? I know there’s a term, but it’s escaping me…)
The other thing is that I wanted the patterned fabric, not the orange, to be below the seat cushion. The chair on the right is the example – understanding, of course, that my chairs have loose seat cushions.
Right now, I love the idea of the chairs, but they look a little goofy. Judging from the excellent craftsmanship, though – and did I mention that these were done in record time? – I think this upholsterer can make it right.
You know I’ll keep you posted :)