Upholstery Journal, Oct/Nov 2008, Digital Edition

UPHOLSTERY
JOURNAL
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
Bring outdoor
fabrics indoors
New technology and changing
lifestyles mean more
furniture opportunities
Custom couch case study
Efficient, inexpensive
door panel redo
Subscribe at www.upholsteryjournal.info
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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
VOLUME 16 NUMBER 5
FEATURES
10
ON THE COVER
Bring outdoor
fabrics indoors
Technological advancements and
changing lifestyles mean more
furniture options for you and
your customers
by Janice Kleinschmidt
14
Labor of love
Communication, problem solving and
experience help upholsterer create
unique custom sofa for an
Adirondack ranch
by Mark Weller, Sterling Upholstery
20
Solving a door
panel dilemma
Rejuvenate tired door panels with this
inexpensive, but efficient technique
by Marshall Spiegel
2 EDITOR’S DESK
Dollars, sense and change
4 UPDATE
Sustainable materials used in performance auto; record jump
in jute; One Good Chair award winners; fabric recycling program
8 NEW PRODUCTS
From Clauss, Dehnco, Mauritzon, Omnova,
Phifertex, Teknor Apex, Tri Vantage, Unifi
4
24 MIND YOUR BUSINESS
Plan for the coming boom
27 CALENDAR
27 AD INDEX
28 SAVE MY SEAT
A New Yorker’s chair takes a ride on the Western side
8
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Editor’s desk
Dollars, sense
and change
Publisher Mary Hennessy
[email protected]
Y
ou may have noticed some aesthetic changes to this issue of Upholstery
Journal—an obvious change to the cover, and subtle changes on the
inside to improve the magazine’s look and organization.
Just as upholstery styles and fabric designs change—annually, seasonally
and what often seems like weekly—to keep up with the latest trends, so do
magazine designs, although less frequently and with
less fanfare.
A trade magazine should provide its readers with
topical and useful information that is relevant and
helpful to running and improving their businesses. So,
while the look of Upholstery Journal is different—some
may even say cooler and prettier—the content has not
changed. The magazine’s staff will continue to provide
you with specialized technique and how-to stories for
building and maintaining upholstered products, along with substantial information on how to grow your business.
Considering the uncertainty of the current economy, it is my feeling that
trade publications—pretty or not—take on a more important role as companies like yours work to maintain a customer base and find new revenue
streams for lost business.
In order to keep making positive changes, we’d like to hear from you. Tell
us what type of stories you’d like to see that would be helpful to your business
or would teach you a new technique. Tell us the hot products you’re using in
your shop or that your customers are requesting. Tell us if you want to write a
story or be a source for an upcoming article. Let us know how your company
is doing.
Without your input, the magazine would contain a lot of what I think you
want to hear. Instead, I know it’s what you need to hear because you provide
the ideas and expertise.
And those changes make sense for the magazine and more than cents for
your business.
Chris Tschida
Editor
+1 651 225 6970
[email protected]
2
Editorial Director Susan R. Niemi
[email protected]
Editor Chris Tschida
[email protected]
Associate Editor Kelly Frush
[email protected]
Contributing Writers (this issue)
Patrick Astre, Janice Kleinschmidt,
Marshall Spiegel, Mark Weller
Production Manager Russell Grimes
[email protected]
Art Director Marti Naughton
Graphic Designer Cathleen Rose
Production Coordinator/Graphic Designer
Kristen Evanson
New Business Development Sarah Hyland
[email protected]
Advertising Sales
Jane Anthone, Katie Bryant Lang,
Terry Brodsky, Vivian Cowan, Julia Heath,
Mary Mullowney, Sandy Tapp,
Elizabeth Welsh
800 225 4324
Advertising Account Coordinator Shelly Arman
[email protected]
Circulation Manager Mary Moore
[email protected]
Circulation Assistant Manager Susan Smeed
[email protected]
Published by the Industrial Fabrics
Association International
IFAI President Stephen M. Warner
[email protected]
MFA Managing Director Beth Hungiville
[email protected]
Upholstery Journal educates readers in
the art and craftsmanship of aftermarket
and custom furniture, commercial and
auto upholstery.
Upholstery Journal® ISSN 1072 5628, Volume 16, Issue 5 is
published bi-monthly by the Industrial Fabrics Association
International, 1801 County Road B W, Roseville, MN
55113-4061. Periodicals Postage Paid at St. Paul, MN and at
additional mailing offices. Ridealong enclosed. Post master
send address changes to Upholstery Journal, County Road B
W, Roseville, MN 55113-4061. Return Undeliverable Canadian
Addresses to Station A, PO Box 54, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5.
Subscription inquiries, orders and changes contact: Sue
Smeed, Assistant Circulation Manager, Upholstery Journal,
1801 County Road B W, Roseville, MN 55113-4061 Phone 800
225 4324 or +1 651 222 2508, fax +1 651 631 9334 e-mail:
[email protected]. 1-year USA $39, Canada and Mexico
$49, all other countries $69, payable in U.S. funds (includes
air mail postage). Reprints: call 800 385 9402, rdgrimes@
ifai.com. Back Issues: call 800 225 4324, generalinfo@ifai.
com, www.ifaibookstore.com.
www.upholsteryjournal.info
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2009 MFA National Convention
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UPHOLSTERY JOURNAL | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
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UPDATE
Sustainable
materials used in
performance auto
The Eco Elise from Lotus uses unique green
materials in innovative ways that don’t revolve
solely around tailpipe carbon dioxide.
Traditionally, auto makers concentrate on
reducing tailpipe carbon dioxide, however
the Eco Elise uses sustainable materials, such
as hemp, eco-wool, sisal, and high-tech, waterbased paint during production and throughout the vehicle’s
lifecycle to make it
earth friendly.
Hemp is used
for the composite
body panels, the
hard top and the
spoiler, as well as
in the lightweight
seats. Hemp is a
strong fiber that
absorbs carbon
dioxide through
natural photosynthesis and is manufactured using low energy. The hemp material is used with a polyester resin to form a
hybrid composite.
The two flexible solar panels embedded
in the composite hemp hardtop contribute
power to the electrical system and save energy
that would have come from the engine. The
solar panels are integrated into the hard top
to showcase this technology’s feasibility.
The Eco Elise is 70 pounds lighter than
the standard Elise S, which means higher
fuel economy and better performance. The
philosophy of the Eco Elise is “performance
through light weight.”
The materials sourced for this automobile
were studied carefully to ensure that each
technology used reduces the environmental
impact of the vehicle. The life of the components was analyzed during the production
stage, in-use and at the end of the vehicle’s
life. The technology used to produce the car,
as well as during the lifecycle of the vehicle,
aims to offer lower emissions of both solvents
and carbon dioxide.
Visit www.lotuscars.co.uk.
4
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One Good Chair
award winners
The One Good Chair
International Design Awards
announced winners at the
Las Vegas Market. Jessica
Konawicz of Raleigh, N.C.,
and Jittasak Narknisorn of
Woodland Hills, Calif., won
the top prizes.
The Pandanus Lounge
Chair designed by Konawicz
is constructed from a single
biodegradable and renewable
resource material. Positive, the
chair designed by Narknisorn,
uses metal, plywood and felt
in its design.
Fabric recycling program
The Sample Waste Initiative for
Furniture and Textiles industries
(SWIFT) started a fabric recycling program called the Green
Initiative for Furniture and
Textiles (GIFFT). Discarded fabric
is collected and reused in quilts,
wheelchair bags and other items
for children in need.
The organization aims to collect 10 tons of fabric this year. All
donations are tax-deductible. After
fabric is collected, it is taken to volunteer quilting organization Quilts
for Kids, where quilts are created
and delivered to children in hospitals and other care facilities.
Visit www.swiftproject.org.
Silicone softener from
Dow Corning launches
Dow Corning introduced its OP-8800 Premium
Hydrophilic Softener, a technology that helps fabric finish formulators produce better-performing
fabric finishes.
The technology provides improved softness and
wickability, little to no impact on whiteness and stain
release properties, process stability, and because of
the low levels of solvents or volatile organic compounds, is more environmentally sustainable.
GIFFT founder Sue Patrolia
Westlake fabric production
moves to China
Decorative upholstery fabric line
Westlake will now be produced
by Westlake-Rugao in Rugao,
China. The line had previously been produced by
various Asian mills.
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UPDATE
Glen Raven receives environmental award
Glen Raven Custom Fabrics earned membership in the
South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program. A voluntary initiative, the program recognizes facilities exercising
environmental leadership in the state.
Glen Raven prevents more than 400 tons of materials, packaging and paper from going into landfills. The
company reclaims 500 tons of raw material waste for other
product applications.
Record jump in jute
The jute industry achieved a record production high
by around 30 percent to 1.78 million tons in 2007-08,
up from 1.35 million tons in 2006-07. Sacking materials saw the highest rise, followed by hessian, carpet
backing cloth and yarn production.
The leap is attributed to a high crop yield and
demands from the market.
6
Restricted
substances list
published
The American Apparel
& Footwear Association
(AAFA) published its
third release of the
global AAFA Restricted Substances
List, which covers home textiles, apparel and footwear.
The list is available free of charge on the AAFA web site. A set
of chemical management tools is also available for viewing.
Visit www.apparelandfootwear.org.
Sunbrella and Glen Raven
on the greens
Glen Raven and Sunbrella are
sponsoring Jerry Richardson
Jr. and his quest for a PGA
Tour card.
During the next two years,
Richardson will wear Sunbrella and Glen Raven logoed golf
shirts, and participate in corporate and customer events.
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Mills increase
green fabric output
Fabric mills are receiving more requests
from their customers for eco-friendly
upholstery fabric options.
This trend began with contract
sources and has recently crossed over
into residential upholstery. Organic
cotton and hemp are offered as alternatives for upholstery manufacturers
to consider when covering new pieces.
Carpet manufacturer acquired by textile supplier
Textile supplier Milliken & Co. acquired carpet manufacturer Thomas
Industries, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Milliken intends to maintain Thomas’ two plant locations and operations
without interruption.
Quality
automobile, marine and aviation trim products
and service for over 35 years.
Aircraft
FAA certified cloth, leather, sheep skin, vinyl, carpet and foam
Some manufacturers are not willing
to spend 50 percent more on organic
fabric for their furniture, however price
does not always influence decision.
Manufacturers still consider the way finished furniture looks and feels,
and whether consumers
will buy. Customers
still want beautiful products,
and are willing to pay for
them.
Some
customers, however, value an
attractive product
over environmental support.
Also,
some
companies offer
environmentally
friendly finishing
agents in addition
to natural and
recycled fabrics.
Automotive
OEM cloth, vinyl, and headlining, Leather, Convertible tops, back glasses and
curtains, pads and cables, Haartz topping materials, Dorsett carpet, jute
underlayment pad, Foss non-woven carpet, trunk liner and sound insulation,
Molded carpets, Enduratex & Futura vinyl, and High Spec nylon thread
Marine
Enduratex & Futura marine vinyl, Marine hidem, Dorsett Bay Shore and
Aqua-Turf carpet, Recacril Acrylic Topping, Top Gun polyester marine topping,
Sunguard polyester thread and YKK marine zippers
Upholstery Supplies
Osborne tools, Spradling cloth windlace and embossed pvc welts, Ardwyn
bindings, hidem and wire on, SEM Color Coat and Classic Coat dyes and preps,
Snap fasteners, Auveco products and More
Service
A trained, knowledgeable customer service staff
Prompt attention to your needs
Same day shipment for in stock orders
1(800) 333-TRIM
Call or visit
our website
for PremAir
information!
(651) 645-8126 Fax (651) 645-3645
576 North Prior Avenue • St. Paul, MN 55104
Visit our website at www.pyramidtrim.com
UPHOLSTERY JOURNAL | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
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NEW PRODUCTS
Boltaflex offers three new styles
Viva, Vista and Venue from Omnova feature bright,
vibrant colors and metallic sheens for contract applications. The newest 28-ounce vinyls in the Boltaflex
contract upholstery line are leather-like in appearance,
but still soft and pliable. Patterns in all three styles coordinate, and 49 colors are available.
Designs can be used for interior or exterior projects
and include Omnova’s protective Prefixx finish. Custom
colors and weights are available.
Visit www.omnova.com.
New fabric line from Phifertex
Marquésa from Phifertex is 100-percent recyclable and
suitable for indoor or outdoor use. The line is based on
four design trends and color combinations Phifertex
calls Tribal Council, Seaglass Coast, Eclectic Whimsy
and Tennis Match. Woven designs are available in dobbies, wicker weaves, stripes and jacquards. All fabrics are
antimicrobial and stain-resistant, and are ideal for deepseating cushions, sling applications and umbrellas.
Visit www.phifer.com or call 800 221 5497.
Abrasion- and fire-resistant fabric
Fire-Foil poly cotton fabric from Mauritzon uses a Solarbloc
Bionic finish that is water- and abrasion-resistant. The fabric is 79 inches wide and comes in 11 colors. A seven-year,
full fabric replacement warranty is included.
Call 877 827 7634.
8
No-glue berber carpet
Berber carpet from Tri Vantage features a specially
designed backing that doesn’t have to be glued down.
The Aqua Trac backing is baked onto the carpet, preventing delamination, cracking and wrinkling, and
allowing water to drain.
The carpet mats are constructed of 100-percent UV
stabilized polypropylene/olefin fibers. The berber carpeting is available in two patterns of neutral colors and
includes a three-year limited warranty.
Visit www.trivantage.com.
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Compression cutter
Shears for cutting Kevlar
Bent Kevlar Shears from Clauss are specially designed
for cutting Kevlar materials, as well as plastic, canvas and
upholstery. The shears feature micro-serrated blades
made from high carbon alloy steel with molybdenum
and vanadium, and a lifetime warranty.
Visit www.claussco.com.
The Advanced Performance Compression Cutting
System from Dehnco combines compression cutting
technology with precision linear motion for straight
cuts with no threading or rough edges. A rotary blade
enclosed in the cutter housing cuts in both directions.
The machine retains the leading edge of the material for
easy access, and multiple materials can be loaded into
the cutting system simultaneously.
The Advanced Performance Compression Cutting
System can be used on canvas, vinyl, fiberglass, cloth,
foam,
rubber,
natural and synthetic fibers, and
woven and nonwoven materials.
The system has a
cutting capacity
of up to 100 inches and can be table-mounted or freestanding. Pneumatic drive systems are available.
Contact Jeri Shadrick at +1 847 382 1579.
Titanium bonded utility knife
The SpeedPak utility knife, a titanium bonded, cartridge-based knife from Clauss, features easy and safe
blade replacement and an ergonomic, slip-free grip. The
SpeedPak knife includes one disposable blade cartridge
and a lifetime warranty. Round point, hooked and serrated blades are available.
Visit www.claussco.com.
Low VOC vinyl trim product
Recycled nylon
Repreve nylon from Unifi Inc. offsets the need to produce virgin nylon by using all recycled materials for its
product, conserving the equivalent of 6 million gallons
of gasoline.
Unifi partnered with Burlington Worldwide, a division of International Textile Group Inc., and United
Knitting to develop eco-friendly woven and knit fabrics
using Repreve nylon yarn.
Visit www.repreve.com.
Teknor Apex Co. uses a new innovative formulation
technology to manufacture flexible vinyl compounds
for trim profiles in furniture applications. The formulation reduces emissions of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) by 80 percent or more compared to conventional counterparts.
The compound can be used to manufacture molded
items, extrusion coated fabrics, and extruded and calendered sheet used in furnishings. Applications include
wall coverings, window treatments, office partitions, furniture trim and baseboards.
Visit www.teknorapex.com.
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BRING
10
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Technological advancements and changing lifestyles
mean more furniture options for you and your customers
by Janice Kleinschmidt
OUTDOOR FABRICS
G
ina Wicker scoffs at the notion that her mother called the place in their
house with the sofa the “living” room. “We were never allowed to go in
there,” she says. “It was off-limits to the kids.” Today’s living rooms justify
the name, thanks to the transition of outdoor fabrics to interior aesthetics.
“When people hear ‘outdoor fabrics,’ they think ‘stiff,’ ‘boardy,’ ‘plasticky,’” says
Jeff Jimison, vice president of sales and marketing for Shuford Mills of Hudson,
N.C. “They tend to think of fabrics they might have found on outdoor furniture 10
to 15 years ago.” Now, performance fabrics such as Shuford’s Outdura are woven
just like indoor fabrics, with finishing techniques that create softness and draping.
“You really can’t tell the difference between indoor and outdoor fabric,” Jimison
says. The differences being that “outdoor” fabrics are fade-, moisture- and stainresistant and are easy to clean.
Pretty is as pretty does
“We only use solution-dyed acrylic fibers; the color is locked in, so it can’t be
bleached out,” Jimison says. “Even acetone can be used as a cleaning agent without
damaging the fabric. We put a water- and additional stain-resistant finish on the
fabric, so it repels spills, like water, orange juice and wine.”
Even high-end furniture makers and upholsterers are jumping aboard. “People
can spend $12,000 for a sofa and it’s not cleanable,” notes Wicker, design director
at Glen Raven Inc., which manufactures solution-dyed acrylic Sunbrella. “I think
as Sunbrella becomes more prevalent in that market, furniture makers are saying,
‘You know, it makes perfect sense if we make that sofa in Sunbrella.’
“Customers are finally understanding our story,” Wicker continues. “It has taken
a long, long time with interior designers. Every time we are at a trade event, about
50 percent of the designers there have never seen velvet, window treatments and
decorative products made with performance fabrics.”
CRYPTON SUPER FABRIC
INDOORS
Crypton Super Fabrics’ In & Out features an integrated
moisture barrier that makes it not only useful outdoors,
where cushions can be rained on, but also indoors, where
spills can occur.
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CRYPTON SUPER FABRIC
12
SUNBRELLA FABRICS
If using an outdoor fabric indoors
brings to mind a red-checked picnic
tablecloth upholstered onto Queen
Anne dining room chairs, it’s time to
step outside and smell the colors.
Gina Wicker of Glen Raven, which
makes Sunbrella, notes a few trends
from the International Textile Market
Association’s Showtime semiannual
trade show in High Point, N.C., in
early June.
“Textures and basics seem to
be very prevalent,” she notes.
“We saw a lot of interest in warm/
cool combinations.”
Examples include gray, which
typically comes across as icy, combined with buttercup; charcoal gray
and cocoa (which, Wicker notes,
complements today’s black finishes
and accents); and soft green or ginger/clay combined with cocoa.
From a pattern perspective, she
adds, people are looking for fresher,
more upbeat styles, such as “traditional Jacobian floral or frame damask colored in a contemporary way,”
and replacing navy, forest green and
burgundy with clay, peridot, cocoa or
charcoal gray.
Sarah Hardy, manager of Michael’s
Custom Built Inc., an upholsterer in
San Rafael, Calif., notes a trend away
from earth tones to crisp white and
bright colors, such as lime green,
bright orange and hot pink.
“In times when the economy is
not good, people tend to look for
patterns and colors trending to a
happier place,” Wicker says. “People
gravitate toward things that make
them feel good.”
Jeff Jimison of Shuford Mills,
which makes Outdura, says he’s
seeing a trend toward woven jacquards, medallion weaves and dobby
textures. “Texture is very big right
now, whether by weaving technique
or novelty yarns,” he says. “Anything
that goes in the home in terms of
style is expected of us.”
C.R. LAINE FURNITURE
The color of
contentment
Top: In 2002, Glen Raven
Inc. and designer/ TV host
Joe Ruggiero forged a
partnership. Since that time,
Ruggiero has developed a
line of about 500 patterns
and colors for Sunbrella,
including Luxor III (shown
here on the sofa and chairs)
and Colony (on the ottomon).
Bottom: Today’s performance
fabrics, such as Shuford Mills’
Outdura (shown here on the
sofa) are so similar in look
and feel to non-outdoor
fabrics that they can be easily
integrated into just about any
interior design scheme.
Let the sun shine in
Since its debut in 1961, Sunbrella has become well known and respected in boating
and coastal communities, where awnings and cushions must withstand the rigors
of the sunny, wet and active marine environment. More recently, the fabric sells
particularly well in residential areas of the Midwest and New England states. Wicker
attributes that development to “the trend toward atrium windows and open floor
plans where a lot of light is allowed to penetrate into the house.” In Florida and
California, where strong ultraviolet rays often pass through glass walls, fade resistance is a key selling point, but that alone doesn’t address the “living” room issue.
“We really sell the customer on cleanability,” Wicker says. “Sunbrella warranties
its fabric to the worst-case scenario: three years outside in Phoenix, Ariz. It will last
longer than you want it to in some cases.”
Since developing proprietary pigment technology with Monsanto years ago,
Glen Raven has used advancing technology to tap into the interior market in the
last few years. “We have taken the same fabrics used in awnings and created chenille
and bouclé yarns,” Wicker says. “We have changed our weaving construction to
make the fabric less boardy.” Because faded detailing can make an otherwise quality piece of furniture look cheap, Glen Raven recommends upholsterers also use
Sunbrella trims and thread that can withstand the elements, as well as bleach.
Shuford’s Outdura began as a line for the casual furniture industry in 2003. Now,
it comes in more than 1,200 colors and patterns. “We introduce 300 to 400 new
styles every fall,” Jimison says. “We have a strong domestic business with traditional
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SUNBRELLA FABRICS
residential furniture manufacturers, and we have a growing international customer
base. These fabrics are becoming very popular in Europe.”
“We are online right now looking for hot pink outdoor fabric,” says Sarah
Hardy, manager of Michael’s Custom Built Inc., an upholsterer in San Rafael, Calif.
“Performance fabrics have become a huge trend. “My collection has more than
quadrupled in size.
“I think what happened partly is technology, because it used to be that outdoor
fabric came in canvas and awning weight in limited colors,” Hardy says. “They came
up with a furniture weight that’s softer and more flexible. I have even gotten velvet.
“If I have somebody come in and they’ve got dogs or kids, and they can take the
furniture out and hose if off, that’s pretty major, as opposed to something that’s
‘don’t spill on it; don’t eat around it.’”
Although Hardy caters to a high-end clientele in the San Francisco area, she cautions that performance fabrics sometimes cost too much when customers weigh
their options. “I have gotten over $100, even close to $200 a yard, so some people
will turn back because of the price,” she says.
However, Jimison says performance fabrics are no different from other fabrics
when it comes to a range of price points. There are indoor-only fabrics also in the
$100 to $200 range. And Wicker notes that furniture manufacturers are recognizing economic value beyond the longevity factor of performance fabrics. For the
past few years, she says, they have been buying inexpensive fabric from China, but
have to buy more at a time, which results in warehousing expenses, and have been
disappointed in the quality.
“Several manufacturers have done surveys on whether people would pay a
couple hundred dollars more for a sofa with Sunbrella than silk, cotton or linen,”
Wicker says. “Overwhelmingly, results show people are willing to pay extra for furniture that lasts longer.”
SUNBRELLA FABRICS
The price of performance
Seamless living
Consumers aren’t just looking for performance fabrics that have the right look and feel
for interior applications. The growth of “outdoor living rooms” has further spurred a
focus on designs that create a seamless transition between the indoors and out.
“People don’t want to sit on some outdoor fabric,” says Lance Keziah, executive
vice president of fabric sales for Crypton Super Fabrics of West Bloomfield, Mich.,
which manufacturers In & Out at its North Carolina plant. “There are beautiful
fabrics out there, and the hand of the fabrics is such that you don’t know they’re
performance fabrics anymore.”
In business for 15 years, Crypton, which also makes dog beds and has partnered
with William Wegman and Michael Graves for designs, holds 14 patents on technology and introduced In & Out two years ago. The 200-SKU line includes polyester,
solution-dyed acrylic and polypropylene.
“Every yard of fabric we make is highly cleanable, stain resistant, resistant to
mold and mildew, and has an integrated moisture barrier,” Keziah says, adding that
In & Out is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as disinfectable, and the company has garnered independent certifications for making green
products through a green chemical process.
While sunrooms, family rooms and dining rooms comprise the largest segment
of the market, performance fabrics are even working their way into bedrooms, especially for children and for window treatments. And manufacturers continue to tap
into new applications. Glen Raven, for example, has a line of 118-inch-wide sheers,
and Crypton is working on wall-covering applications.
“This is a segment of our business that is rapidly growing, and we are spending a
lot of attention and money on the In & Out portion of our business,” Keziah says.
So let the kids be kids, the dogs be dogs, and the living room be the “living” room.
Top: Performance fabrics make their way into more intimate
areas of the home, as shown by this bedding in the Joe
Ruggiero Collection for Sunbrella. Bottom: The technology
for performance fabrics has advanced such that they can
be made in chenille, as shown by this loveseat upholstered
in Sunbrella fabric. Accent pillows are covered in Sunbrella/
Ruggiero designs.
Janice Kleinschmidt is a freelance writer based in Palm Springs, Calif.
UPHOLSTERY JOURNAL | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
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9:25:28 AM
LABOR of
LOVE
Communication, problem
solving and experience
help upholsterer create
unique custom sofa for an
Adirondack ranch
story and photos by Mark Weller, Sterling Upholstery
14
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M
y shop, Sterling Upholstery in Moscow, Pa., received this
unique project because of recommendations from our
satisfied clients. We don’t advertise much; we obtain most of our
business through word-of-mouth. And it seems we always get better qualified customers that way.
This particular customer was looking for a sofa to fit a specific area in front of
a large stone fireplace in his ranch house. The customer wanted the piece to be a
dividing line along a walkway leading to a home theater area, so we designed it with
visual interest on all sides. That aspect was a creative hurdle, which came together
after we got started.
We had several problems to solve from the start. The clients wanted the piece
to have as much seating as possible and include attached table surfaces, but they
didn’t want the piece to overpower the area and they had to be able to see over it. I
explained to them that they would have to compromise in some areas. The clients’
on-site craftsmen had made cardboard sofa prototypes in an attempt to find a solution, but the models would only seat four with a 15-inch depth on the seat and 12-inch
height on the backs. The clients didn’t understand proper lumbars and arches for
backs, and minimums of 18-inch depths on the seats—dimensions necessary to allow
for proper foam densities, heights of table areas and, most importantly, comfort.
As we discussed these aspects, the shape and sizes of the cardboard prototypes
changed drastically. The clients were confused, but I explained all the changes I
suggested and that they should allow me to go home, create some sketches, do
some figuring and get back to them. They were relieved—but I left more confused
than they were.
Top: This custom-built sectional by Sterling Upholstery
in Moscow, Pa., contains more than 525 individual sewn
leather pieces. Repeated designs and figures in alligatorpattern leather were used to book match and create
new, original designs. Depending on the look desired in a
particular section, regular seam stitching and various size
top stitching were used to join leather sections. Heavy
density foam rubber was used in the seat cushions; lighter
density foam in the backs. Varied thickness Dacron layers
and foam applications were used in the sides, panels and
outside. This project, which took 120 hours to complete,
won a Platinum award in the 2008 Upholstery Journal
Design & Craftsmanship Contest. Above: The Sterling
staff (left to right) Judy Shaffer, Clint Lamfers, Scott Wilson,
Chuck Nahlen, Mark Weller, Andee Weller.
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1
2
3
I’m not good at proposals, so I knew
I would have to get some type of creative license from the client and that I
would need to convince them to trust
me. At our second meeting, I had some
sketches that I didn’t like and measurements I wasn’t happy with. I couldn’t
solve any of the original issues. It just
wasn’t working. I brought large rolls
of paper to lay out pattern ideas, and
importantly, I was in charge now and I
could sense the clients’ excitement as
they began to see the project unfold.
I started laying down paper and
making measurements. I placed long
pieces in all the available space, then I
began to get the clients’ input on walkaround areas, close-to-the-wall areas,
and depths and lengths. I filled as
much space as I could with allowances
I told the clients that I could meet all
their needs if I could make one large
sectional instead of two sofas. They
never considered that option, but I
knew they were open to new information and I wasn’t disputing any of their
original ideas. That’s also when their
craftsmen left.
Now I could get the depths I wanted,
increase the seating capacity to seven
or eight and include 12-inch by 28-inch
attached curly maple table tops. Most
to adjust. I got final approval from
them on sight, said thank you and went
back to my shop.
Now I had to figure materials and
cost—the part I dislike the most. Cost
can deter creativity. I can see a project in my head, but as I move forward something else—usually something better—appears. I’m not patient
enough to figure to the last screw, so I
add a creative charge of unexpected
costs, and then I get started.
My experience has taught me that I
never charge enough. My price on this
piece was lower than it should have
been. I needed more plywood and
more leather due to changes I made
to enhance the overall shape and final
aesthetics of the piece.
I laid out the pattern on my shop
floor (photo 1) and showed my crew.
They gave me that familiar “you’ve
lost your mind” look.
The first task was to determine the
size. We have to be able to carry it
and it must fit through doorways. We
decided to break it into three pieces:
a main center piece and two removable, bolt-on arm pieces (2, 3). The
entire piece needed to be supported
effectively throughout and be level
when assembled.
The unorthodox shape creates a
90-degree angle at the outside arms,
and the inside seating angles presented
lots of problems. The side seating is
1½-inches deeper than the center area
(4). I had no idea why, so I just adjusted
as I went. I didn’t like the outback being
so straight, so I rounded it (5). I can envision shapes and angles I want, but then I
have to fit them into construction—and
that’s where the difficulty lies.
4
5
6
The leather design and application was the
biggest challenge. I stared at the frame for a
week; I had no idea where to start.
16
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7
The fabric applications must flow
into the designs. I find ¾-inch and
Over 75 years experience | Service our byword
5
⁄8-inch plywood works best for construction. It’s easy to cut shapes and
angles, and it’s easy to add support to
or change a measurement.
I usually shape angles by eye, then
make a jig for duplicating the angle
on the overall design. This piece had
the same shape from the center left to
right. I was able to cut double shapes,
then reverse them from left to right,
which saved time.
To figure final measurements for
height and depth, lumbars and the
angle of the back, you must know
0308_RodenLeather.indd 1
the fillings you are using. Densities
are important too. Leather is stiff, so
we used softer foam in the seats and
backs. A lot of my construction information comes from general practical
knowledge and years of experience
with furniture. Different manufacturINDUSTRIES INC.
ers, styles and shapes seem to repeat
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I wanted a hidden floating base. I
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main seating area I angled the back
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UPHOLSTERY JOURNAL | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
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9
10
11
about 2 inches and made separate seat
units that sit on top. This made for easy
installation and upholstery. I always
break down my pieces into as many
parts as I can, then install each part to
build the piece.
I had to make sure that the plate,
the front deck and the front bands
were in proportion. The deck front
should be bigger than the cushion
front band, and the bottom kick plate
should be the smallest. The measure-
ment must add up to standard height
for the cushion surface, with allowance for depression in the seats when
sat upon. That’s where all my general knowledge of furniture comes
in, just from upholstering thousands
of pieces.
Another detail is the height of the
sofa’s arms, so a person’s arms rest
comfortably. The arms on this piece
are larger than normal, so I had to
make sure of their proportion (6).
The tops ended up being a 12-inch by
32-inch flat surface.
I had some really groovy 1¼-inch,
highly-figured curly maple planks. I
wanted them that large to show off the
natural dark veins and figures. The
table tops lift off and expose large
storage compartments, which are twotoned upholstered and matched inside
(7). This is one of the variables I didn’t
figure into the proposal, but it presented itself and I just had to do it.
Three-quarter-inch plywood is easy
to shape and cut into cool designs.
It makes glue joints well and usually
needs no clamping.
I used drive screws. I have three guns
and buckets of different screws—always
square-head for torque.
The leather design and application
was the biggest challenge. I stared at
the frame for a week; I had no idea
where to start. I knew I wanted an
Adirondack-lodge look mixed with
American Indian elements. I’ve always
appreciated American Indian quilts
and rugs. The designs are geometric,
but flow nicely.
We took some measurements and
got started laying out strips of leather,
switching colors and moving pieces (8,
9, 10). That lasted another week. Judy
Shaffer, our expert sewer and pattern
maker, was always next to me to make
sure what I wanted could be done.
When something couldn’t be done one
way, we made another way work.
I love the look of top stitching,
and it never looks better than when
it’s done on leather. We made designs
with top stitching by crossing it certain
ways (11, 12). We thought we made
a mistake in the flow of the stitching
by not reversing it in the center book
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12
13
14
matching of the feather design, but it
created a groovier look. We carried it
out over the entire piece, which needed centered designs on 12 panels. I
was able to cut that by centering two
large designs, one on the inback and
one on the outback. I matched the
two side seating areas on the inback
and outback. Then I matched the
arms all around (13).
Once I saw the inback, I had to
design something cool and large on
the seat surface (14). Then I had to
design something on the side seats to
complement their inbacks. I used twice
as much time in design and preparation, which was necessary to achieve the
ultimate look of the art.
The last hurdle was delivery and
acceptance. I drove an hour and a
half to the clients’ home, thinking
about this huge project that I loved
and wanted to keep for myself. Well,
they freaked out; they just loved it.
It looked like the house was built for
this incredible sofa. The piece was surrounded by all sorts of similar designs
in furniture, wall hangings and wonderful art and accessories.
On the way home I looked at my
wife and said, “What’s next?”
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Solving a door
panel dilemma
Rejuvenate tired door panels with this
inexpensive, but efficient technique
story and photos by Marshall Spiegel
ow often does a customer roll into your shop with a problem that he
wants you to solve for practically nothing? Whatever your answer to
this question, the fact remains that this scenario happens too often.
Take door panels, for example. The average vehicle owner is convinced,
based on his very limited experience, that you, the auto upholsterer, should
be able to perform your magic on his almost irreparable door panels for just
less than 13 bucks an hour to cover materials, labor and whatever profit to
which you are entitled. By now, you should be smiling broadly and remembering the many times this has happened to you.
There are, however, techniques to economically repair some door panel
problems. These techniques have evolved from vast experience in the industry and the unparalleled creativity of some trimmers and their willingness to
“try anything.”
Such a situation happened recently at Bud’s Auto Upholstery in Long
Beach, Calif. The customer brought his beautifully maintained 1995 black
Audi 90 to shop owner Tom Benson to have the bedraggled interior rebuilt.
Apparently, the dozen years of service and the damage done by several
“washings” of the interior had left the foam and glue dried and crumbling.
Although the vinyl fabric was still in good order, the door panel inserts were
flapping in the breeze, and the interior was literally falling apart.
Pricing a rebuild like this with new fabric, new foam and hours of labor
could make the average customer cry, especially those guys with that preconceived budget of $13 an hour. Fortunately for this customer, one of Bud’s
star upholsterers, Max Chavez, is a 50-plus-year veteran of the upholstery
industry and a very inventive craftsman. The accompanying photos and captions show how Chavez put the doors of the Audi back in shape beautifully,
without destroying its owner’s pocketbook.
H
20
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This 1995 Audi 90 looks great, runs beautifully and is good on gas, so the owner decided to
have the upholstery shop restore the interior, the car’s only real flaw.
After the owner explained that he had a limited budget, upholsterer Max Chavez began by
removing the dried foam and glue from the front door panel. Chavez uses a piece of scrap
foam to thoroughly clean the dried foam and glue from beneath the vinyl door panel section.
Chavez then carefully loosens the vinyl panel surrounding the door handle.
The final step in removing the dried foam and glue is blowing off the area using a
pressurized air hose.
Masking tape is applied to protect the faux-wood trim
on the door panel. When Chavez is satisfied that the area
beneath the vinyl panel is thoroughly clean, he prepares to
begin the next step. Masking tape is applied to the border
of the section to be covered.
Chavez then very carefully begins to bond the vinyl section
back into position with spray-on upholsterers’ glue. Chavez
continues applying the spray adhesive until the vinyl panel
and the area beneath it are both saturated.
After the spray adhesive has been applied thoroughly, the
protective masking tape is removed.
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9:26:16 AM
Now Chavez’s artistry begins as he works the edge of the
vinyl panel into the existing depression in the door panel
with a screwdriver.
Next, Chavez introduces a strategically placed clear plastic
panel that facilitates the rebonding of the vinyl panel.
Chavez then adds another layer of protective masking tape.
With the plastic sheet still in place but not bonded,
Chavez carefully puts the vinyl panel in position and
begins bonding it.
Satisfied that the vinyl panel is perfectly positioned, Chavez
slips the plastic sheet out and bonds the vinyl panel
permanently in place.
Chavez deftly manipulates his scissors to trim the excess
vinyl from the panel so it fits perfectly. Chavez continues
trimming the vinyl panel until he is satisfied the edge of
the vinyl will fit into the pre-existing depression in the
door panel.
Chavez then gently but firmly works the outer edge of
the vinyl into the depression in the door panel. Chavez
performs each step in the restoration process to both
front doors in turn.
Chavez manages to stretch the original vinyl smoothly over the original section it covered,
and carefully positions the outer edge into the groove in the door panel.
22
After carefully bonding the trimmed section of vinyl in place, Chavez applies silicone to the
seams to lock it in place and prevent the vinyl from “lifting.”
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Look closely at this restored door panel, a work of art and craftsmanship utilizing the original vinyl without replacing the dried foam. Pretty and inexpensive. Although the rear doors have a
different door panel configuration, Chavez employed the same technique to restore them.
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP
UPHOLSTERY JOURNAL | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
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Mind your business
Plan for the coming boom
by Patrick Astre
A
s the song “Dedicated to the One I Love” by The
Mamas & the Papas goes, “...and the darkest hour,
is just before the dawn,” it seems that the darkness
of an economic slowdown will never end until it swallows
your business like a pelican gulping down a fish. Well relax,
that’s not the way it is. Good times follow tough times—
it’s inevitable. It’s called the economic cycle, and it’s been
around since people started measuring such things. It’s just
as important for a business owner to plan for the coming
boom as it was for them to prepare for the recession. But
when do you start? How does a small business owner know
it’s really over?
There are no clear, defining lines from recession to
boom. It isn’t like throwing on a light switch in a room; it’s
more of a slow, gradual dawn lighting up the eastern sky,
taking its time to arrive. We want to find trends, not sudden
eruptions from good to bad. We want to go from bad to just
a little less bad.
for the inevitable resurgence of economic growth with
two questions: Are we at bottom? And, what business steps
should we take if we are entering a recovery period?
To answer the first question, we must first realize that it’s
a regional game more than a national one. Las Vegas may
be in a boom while New York is in recession. As of this writing, home prices, which are one economic indicator, reflect
this regional disparity. US News and World Report states in
the June 3, 2008, edition that home prices are up 11.8 percent in Mobile, Ala., and 6.7 percent in Jacksonville, Fla.,
from a year ago. During that same period, the Washington
Business Journal’s May 27, 2008, edition states the Standard
& Poors/Case-Shiller Home Price Index fell nationally by
14.4 percent.
So to figure out if we’re in a less-bad period, (no one can
find the actual, exact bottom) look locally for the signs:
A surge in residential home sales, or at least a drop in
the length of time homes stay on the market. Best bet:
speak to local realtors.
It’s different this time
Sure it is, and the check’s in the mail and you’re my one
and only. Don’t believe what you hear from the economic
pundits. Economics was invented to make astrology look
good. In the late 1950s and early ’60s we had an economic
boom partly based on new technologies, like transistors.
The “nifty fifty” stocks reigned supreme, and surely it was
different this time. Then along came the early ’70s and the
Arab oil embargo. We were going to run out of oil in eight
years, they said. It was different this time. Then we had
the inflation and high interest rates of the late ’80s, stock
market crash of 1987, the ’90s Internet boom, technology
meltdown of 2000 followed by 9/11 and now the sub-prime
crisis. Every downturn was followed by an economic boom
and vice versa. It’s never “different this time” and this is
no exception. So let’s
start planning
24
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Increase in new construction means
builders are experiencing a demand
that will have a ripple effect on the
local economy—think appliances,
local building materials outlets, etc.
Decrease in vacant commercial
properties and increase in commercial construction.
Easier credit from local banks.
Lower interest rates for mortgages
and consumer credit.
Decrease in local unemployment.
Increase in “help wanted” ads.
All these signs indicate improving
economic conditions locally, in your
area of business, which is what matters most to you as the business owner.
Once you see these positive signs, it’s
time to analyze your business for the
right course to take.
Examine how your business
performed in similar times
You should be using a computerized
accounting system. QuickBooks is
the premier one right now. If you’re
using an old paper system and doing
your own bookkeeping, your first
task is to change immediately. If
you’re in a new business, this will not
apply, but if you’ve been in business
a while, go to the report section of
QuickBooks (or the equivalent section if you use a different system).
Examine two sections for a similar
period of time:
Sales by item summary. This will
tell you what sold best for the equivalent recovery last time. Similar items
will usually do well.
Income by customer summary.
Who’s buying your products and services during a recovery? Is it mainly commercial clients, individuals,
young, old, blue collar, professionals?
This is crucial so you can target your
marketing toward those clients.
Now apply the particular and
unique aspect of your business to this
information. Factor in changes to your
market since the last boom time:
Has technology changed? The pace
of technological change can be daunting sometimes. Be sure you’re not
caught using outdated technology in
booming times.
Have the demographics of your
market changed? Do you have younger customers instead of older ones,
families instead of singles, industrial
or commercial as opposed to individuals? Such changes in your market will
require different sales strategies, pricing and inventories.
What’s the competition like now?
At the risk of sounding ghoulish, look
around for competing businesses that
didn’t survive the recession. Move
aggressively to grab the market shares
of moribund competitors. Likewise,
be aware of aggressive competition
and match them blow-for-blow.
What are the factors unique to
your industry? Some industries thrive
in recession and don’t do as well in
recoveries. Look to the unique aspects
of your industry.
Loosen the purse strings a tad.
Now’s the time to increase advertising
and marketing, add to inventories,
hire sales people. Be cautious, but
move forward.
So there you have it, the basic
steps to take advantage of the coming
economic expansion. And remember,
when things are looking super good
and it seems like this boom will never
end, that will be the time to prepare
for the next recession.
Patrick Astre, Certified Financial Planner, Enrolled Agent, Registered Financial Consultant,
is an author, speaker and a recognized tax and
financial expert specializing on the economic issues of longevity. As the founder of Astre Planning
Inc., Astre has been advising individuals, small
businesses and corporations for nearly 40 years.
He is the author of, “This is Not Your Parents’ Retirement,” (Entrepreneur Media Publishing) and
“Educated Investing and the Four Seasons
of Money.” Contact Astre at +1 631 744 9100
or visit www.prosperousboomer.com.
MARKETPLACE
For Sale
UPHOLSTERY BUSINESS
22 Year Old Upholstery Business in
Southwest Arkansas. Asking $50,000.
Email:
[email protected]
Call: Jimmy 870-642-5452 days
central time.
Help Wanted
Experienced Upholsterer Wanted
We are a very active upholstery shop in the Sunny Okanagan,
British Columbia
Must have a minimum of fifteen years
experience with furniture upholstery plus some auto and
marine. Wages option: Piece work or hourly.
Please send resume to:
[email protected].
For more information on classified advertising
in IFAI’s Upholstery Journal, contact Kristen Evanson at IFAI,
1801 County Rd. B W., Roseville, MN 55113-4061 USA.
Phone: 800 382 0134, fax: +1 651 225 6966,
e-mail: [email protected].
UPHOLSTERY JOURNAL | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
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❑ Other (please specify) ___________________
PRIMARY BUSINESS (check one):
❑ Upholstery Shop
❑ Marine Fabricator
❑ School/College/Government Facility
❑ Supplier of (please specify) _______________
❑ Other (please specify) ___________________
9/29/08
9/30/08
9:28:57
2:01:12 AM
PM
CALENDAR
Oct. 21–23
IFAI Expo 2008
In Charlotte, N.C. The largest
specialty fabrics show
in the Americas.
Contact IFAI Conference
Management at 800 225 4324,
[email protected] or
visit www.ifaiexpo.com.
Related workshops include:
Airbags & Electronics: An
Evolution in Automotive
Technologies; Nanotechnology in
Fabric Treatments and Finishes;
Pattern Matching Techniques;
and Antibacterial Seating Vinyl
Cleaning Solutions.
ADVERTISER INDEX
19 Fasnap Corp. )
800 624 2058
www.fasnap.com
Cv2 Italo Leather Co.
800 344 8256
www.italoleather.com
18 Keeton Supply Co.
800 792 8777
www.keetonsupply.com
6 Larry Dennis Co. )
800 772 7542
www.larrydennis.com
6 LeBaron Bonney
Nov. 4–7
SEMA Show
At the Las Vegas Convention
Center. The Specialty Equipment
Market Association’s (SEMA)
premier automotive specialty
products trade event in
the world.
800 221 5408
www.lebaronbonney.com
17 Roden Leather Co.
800 521 4833
www.rodenleather.com
3 Rowley Company )
800 343 4542
www.rowleycompany.com
17 Tedco Industries Inc.
+1 410 247 0399
www.tedcoindustries.com
Cv4 Tri Vantage, LLC )
800 786 1876
www.trivantage.com
18 Vinyl Pro
800 750 7939
www.vinylproleather.com
7 Pyramid Trim Products
800 333 TRIM
www.pyramidtrim.com
Visit www.semashow.com.
Nov. 7–8
MFA Great Lakes
Regional Workshop
) IFAI member
At Sawmill Creek Resort in
Huron, Ohio. Hosted by the
Marine Fabricators Association.
Visit www.marinecanvas.com.
Jan. 11–13, 2009
MFA 2009 National
Convention
At the Hyatt Regency Riverfront
Hotel in Jacksonville, Fla.
Hosted by the Marine
Fabricators Association.
Visit www.marinecanvas.com.
The bolded advertisers are exhibitors at IFAI Expo 2008. Plan to attend
and visit their booths at the show, which will be held at the Charlotte
Convention Center on October 21–23, 2008.
For more information on IFAI Expo 2008, please visit www.ifaiexpo.com.
For advertising rates and information, contact Sarah Hyland
at 800 319 3349 or [email protected].
Jan. 29–31, 2009
NECPA Expo 2009
At the MassMutual Center
in Springfield, Mass. The
North East Canvas Products
Association’s annual convention,
in conjunction with the Marine
Fabricators Association Upper
Atlantic Regional Workshop.
Visit www.necpa.org,
www.marinecanvas.com.
:28:57 AM1008UJ_p24-cv4.indd
UPHOLSTERY JOURNAL | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008
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27
2:01:16 PM
Save my seat
Urban cowboy
A New Yorker’s chair takes a ride
on the Western side
by Kelly Frush
H
er client is a “cowboy
kind of guy,” says Raken
Zielinski, which manifests itself in this custom designed
and upholstered cowboy-style
reading chair and ottoman.
Zielinski decided to saddle
up with leather and large-wale
corduroy for a Western-style yoke
design. The material combination
proved challenging for Zielinski.
“I don’t usually work with two
different types of fabric at once,”
she says. She also used velvet for
the welt trim. “The corduroy and
velvet were a challenge to work with, and getting the curves
right was challenging too.”
The armchair was in good shape, so stripping it down
and reupholstering it was a breeze.
“In that sense, it was your basic reupholstery job,” says
Zielinski. But she soon felt that the chair was missing something. “A reading chair has to have an ottoman.”
She roped her
client into the
idea, and the forProject: Cowboy chair
mer New Yorker
and ottoman
and avid reader
Upholsterer: Raken Zielinski,
of the New York
Raken Leaves Industries, New
Times gave her the
York City, N.Y.
high sign. Zielinski
designed an ottoman to hold the
large-format newspaper, and her partner thought to build
in a briefcase organizer for holding scissors and clippings.
One side of the ottoman is concave to fit snugly into the
chair. When the pieces were finished, however, Zielinski
thought the bare legs looked out of place. She considered
painting them, but ultimately decided that this cowboy
needed some chaps, and she covered the legs in leather.
It took over 50 hours of work before the sun could set
on Zielinski’s cowboy chair and ottoman. Unforeseen roadblocks made for more work and time involved, but all those
challenges and hours went towards reviving her customer’s
favorite reading chair.
28
The cowboy chair and ottoman took upholsterer Raken
Zielinski much longer than anticipated. Unexpected
challenges, like naked-looking legs, popped up along
the road. “The legs looked funny,” Zielinksi explains.
“I thought about painting them, but decided to cover
them in leather.”
Do you have a project you’d like us to feature in Save My
Seat? Send details of your project, along with before–and–after
pictures in the form of print photos or electronic images (tif, eps,
or jpeg of 300 dpi or greater) to Kelly Frush, Associate Editor,
Upholstery Journal, 1801 County Road B West, Roseville, MN
55113, or e-mail them to [email protected]. All images become
the property of Upholstery Journal and cannot be returned.
www.upholsteryjournal.info
1008UJ_p24-cv4.indd
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NEWu!cation
Ed
c
i
n
o
r
t
osiums
Elec
p
m
y
S
7
po 200
DVD
now on
IFAI Ex
resource
Your upholstery know-how
Find books
in these categories
» Automotive interiors
» Upholstery basics
» Upholstery techniques
» Sewing machines
Order online or contact IFAI Bookstore
+1 651 222 2508, Fax +1 651 631 9334
[email protected], www.ifaibookstore.com
1008UJ_p24-cv4.indd
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9/30/08
2:01:21 PM
It’s all about
family
_____.
It’s the very definition of a family business. A son works for his parents.
Learns the trade. Then ventures out to start his own business.
Years later, with parents approaching retirement, the son and his wife
acquire the original family business. And for
more than 40 years, we’ve been part of their
extended family. Meeting their company’s needs.
No matter what they might be.
Dan and Barb Lesch
Husband, Wife and Grandparents
Lesch Boat Cover Co.
Norwalk, Ohio
We’re all about
your goals.
trivantage.com
Visit us at IFAI Expo Booth #7087
Tri Vantage, LLC, a Glen Raven Company
1008UJ_p24-cv4.indd
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