questions about refurbishing couch cushions

[unhappycamper]

I've been trying to find a place that does a good job replacing seat cushions. To date I found one place that looks promising --> http://www.repairbypaulluna.com/

Does anybody know this guy or have experience with him?

Since I live in Boston, is there anyplace closer than California?

Thanks,
uhc

[NMDemDist2]

1. I'm not sure I understand the question

any upholstery shop can redo cushions

:shrug:

[lavenderdiva]

2. hi, unhappycamper!

AZDemDist6 is right-- any good local upholsterer can refurbish your seat cushions, OR make you new ones. I am not sure what is in your current seat cushions, but we usually do a down-wrap foam core for great comfort. These are then upholstered. I am an interior designer, and we do this all the time. A local upholsterer would be a LOT less expensive than shipping your cushions off to California! :hi:

[unhappycamper]

3. Thanks Guys

I went nutz on google trying to find someone who replaces the foam in couch cushions. A local upholsterer is is. :hi:

[eleny]

4. Are the down wrapped foam cushions stiffer?

I have some chairs I want to get reupholstered and would like a little understanding ahead of time. I'd like something really comfy instead of firm. Is this the kind of cushion "innards" that you've described? It sounds like a good quality, long lasting cushion.

[lavenderdiva]

5. No, down-wrap cushions are not stiffer

they are a bit softer, but the foam innards give them the structure they need to maintain their shape. Usually, you will only want the down wrap on sofa or chair seat cushions or back cushions. The main structure of the chair will be foam wrapped.

For cost savings, some people elect for a poly wrap over the foam instead of the down-wrap. This version is quite a bit cheaper, but it tends to grow lumpy over time and is then uncomfortable.

What sort of chairs are you thinking of reupholstering?

[eleny]

6. Thanks so much!

The two chairs are older. One is a barrel back chair from maybe around 1940. It looks like this shape.
&size=200

The other is from the 1920s.

They've both been reupholstered once before. But it's time to get it done again. The seats are awful. So this time I'm going to be careful. The down wrap sounds perfect.

I'd like to get the barrel backed chair redone with a pattern for winter and also get a slipcover made for the summer. When I was little, mom had a barkcloth slip cover for it that was chartreuse background with the jungle leaves. It was gorgeous. :D Our living room was barkcloth heaven during the summer.

[lavenderdiva]

7. that's a great chair, eleny!

yeah, you'll really enjoy a down-wrap foam core seat cushion in that chair. I love barkcloth! There are so many great patterns and I love the retro colors. Consider putting a short skirt, say 4-6" drop, on your slipcover. I think you'll find that it will soften the legs and make the bottom of the slipcover prettier. You might try a bias-cut flounce or a more tailored version that is pleated at each of the four legs. Either skirt is a very nice look for slipcovers- :hi:

[eleny]

9. I didn't get that far in my thinking - skirt

But I'm so glad you advised about it. Now, I'm trying to remember how mom's slipcover looked. Since I was so little, you'd think I would recall! I think there was a skirt that was somewhat gathered on that chair. When I picture the tailored version with the pleat, I seem to recall the sofa was done that way.

Since you like barkcloth, too, then you know how people mixed up the colors back then. Mom's drapes on the bay window had the pink background, the sofa and a club chair had the dark green and the barrel back was the chartreuse - all with the same jungle leaves and flowers in lighter greens, yellow, red and white. The walls were originally a soft pink waterfall wallpaper. And the wood floors had carpets that were the gray background with the big roses. I think that's still being made. All the wood was mahogany, of course.

Mom's living room sounds wild. But it was actually comfortable and inviting.

[lavenderdiva]

10. The colors sound very 40's - 50's

and I'll bet it spoke 'home'! yes, they were fearless with their color combinations, and I love the chartreuse and pinks- Post a picture of your 'new' chair when its completed. I'd love to see it! :hi:

[eleny]

12. I'll post a pic for you when the chairs are done

Thanks for your help and suggestions! :pals:

[Longhorn]

8. Hey, Sweetie, since you did such a great job helping unhappycamper and eleny, can you help me?

I have a white leather couch that is pretty scratched up from the dogs. I can clean it with leather cleaner but the scratches are here to stay. I can't find a slipcover that fits it. They seem to be designed to be tucked in under the seats and this couch doesn't have removable seat or back cushions. I've tried tucking in throws and blankets but they always work their way out (again, due to the dogs jumping on and off.)

I don't think the couch is worth the money it would cost to reupholster. Do you know of any good way to cover the couch, or at least the seats, with something removable and washable? It's a tall order, I know, but thanks! :hi:

[lavenderdiva]

11. Hi!

I just checked in on your Lounge thread, and was glad to see your update!

All of us at the design firm I work at have dogs and we have the same problem with our furry kids wanting to be near us on our sofas, leaving hair and marks. We use washable throws that we spread out over the sofas in our homes. They aren't 'fit' to the sofa, just laid over it. We can throw them in the machine when needed. They are soft for us and our babies to sit on. I saw a great throw at Restoration Hardware yesterday that would be perfect for your solution, and they come in different colors. They're called 'Luxury Plush Throw':

http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1459027&navAction=jump&navCount=4

that link is to the white one, but shows the other colors available at the bottom. They are on sale for $39.00 and are machine washable.

Leather is going to show scuffs and scratches easily. I have a leather sofa that my sweet Libby insists on snoozing on. I keep a throw on the seat cushions and back to prevent scratches from her dear little paws.

:loveya:

[Longhorn]

13. Oh, that looks perfect!

The eucalyptus color is perfect for my living room, too. Thanks for sharing that with me! I think at that price, I'll get more than one for variety and also for a quick change when company comes. :hug:

Does it stay tucked in pretty well? My dogs seem to like the leather so they sometimes paw at the cover until they get it off. ;)

[lavenderdiva]

14. we just keep ours draped over the back of our leather sofa

and tucked into the seat cushions. Libby isn't too bad about wanting to move it around, and we only have the one parti-variety cocker spaniel!

Who knows? your angels may decide they like the new throw better than the leather itself!

[Longhorn]

15. I ordered two throws and two matching pillow covers to match each throw --

four covers in all. They should really spruce things up! Thanks again for the advice and link! :hi:

[lavenderdiva]

16. glad to help!

I know you'll enjoy them! :hi: