The Best Seat In The House
What should you look for when purchasing a quality piece of upholstered furniture? The answers come from a respected tradition that has been passed down through the centuries from one craftsman to another.
Most historians believe that the craft of upholstery evolved from tentmakers. They brought their skills of working with fabric and structure into interiors starting with wall hangings and draperies. In the year A.D. 1626, The Upholsterers’ Company was granted a charter and remains today as the oldest of the City of London’s Guilds and Liveries. Its coat of arms is a shield with three tents emblazoned on it.
Up until the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the only comfort one got while sitting on a chair was a cushion. That began to change and the stuffing of furniture began to evolve. The craftsmanship continued to increase in quality reaching its height during the Victorian era when there was a high demand for opulence and comfort.
So what should you look for? The first thing you should do is pick it up by the corner. It should have some heft to it and not torque. If it is light, then it is made from lower quality materials. Ask what frame made from. Is it a kiln-dried hardwood frame with joints that are double, corner blocked, glued and screwed for support?
Pull off the cushions and look at the inside of the back. Does the fabric go only half way down the back? Over time the staples can become loose and the fabric will fray. Is there welting or piping where the fabric meets the legs? This helps the fabric remain attached to the legs.
What types of springs are on the inside? Coil springs are the sturdiest and should be hand tied in eight ways to the frame to provide even support.
Check inside of one of the cushions. See what kind of padding is inside. Look for added material at the crown of the cushion and a bag surrounding the padded material.
Just like tailoring in a man’s suit or that little black dress is important to the overall fit, so is the tailoring of a piece of furniture. Do the patterns match up front to back? Check the seams on the fabric. Are they smooth and not puckered? Are they double stitched? Do they pull apart easily?
By looking for these things, you are insuring that your piece of furniture will be the best seat in the house giving you many years of comfort and beauty.
Advertisement
