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Tag Archive | "Upholstery"

Chair Story

Monday, December 12, 2011

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I hadn't intended to revamp my high back chair at my upholstery class but the pair of mid-century beauties I coveted could not be secured affordably so I turned to this chair, which has languished in my storage locker for a year. My original plan was to do something totally "outside" like the wingbacks below, photo by Eric Roth from Glamour, Making it Modern. But I wasn't sure I'd actually keep the chair so I wanted it to appeal to as wide a group as possible in case I ended up selling it on Craigslist, hence my choice of the neutral, gray poly-blend that looks and feels like linen but is "bullet proof" according to the fabric store clerk.

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Upholstery Class Wrap Up

Saturday, December 10, 2011

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Last Saturday was a happy day, my upholstery class ended giving me back my weekends and I brought my chair home completed and comfortable, not perfect, but what is? And that description neatly sums up the class itself, which was frustrating in lots of ways but ultimately satisfying because instructor Robby, pictured, was able to guide me to a good result. In the end, I felt a lot of empathy for Robby and a bit of resentment toward the Toronto District School Board, which runs the class without nearly enough resources. There was one sewing machine and three staple guns for 11 students. Madness.

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Excuses, Excuses . . .

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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I've been wanting to blog, I really have, but gosh darn it, life just keeps getting in the way. The photo above is me working on the chair I've been re-upholstering Saturday mornings; somehow the class consistently eats most of the day and then I'm left with only Sunday — a day previously reserved for blogging — to catch up on ALL the other things that need to be done. What's more, I'm working with a new decorating client on an exciting project and doing some paid outside writing. Oh, and then there's been the little issue of finding a new place to live. So forgive me, dear readers, for my absence. I've got half a dozen styleNorth posts in the can just waiting for me to pull together and as soon as I find a little time I'll be all yours once again, I promise!

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Fit For a King

Monday, October 24, 2011

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Out of the blue, I received an email yesterday from Catherine, the woman who purchased my Louis XV sofa back in early July. She and her husband had been hunting for a French-style sofa for many months and immediately fell in love with mine (see it here on my About page). They paid me what I was asking with no haggling, I booked an Autoshare van on the spot and within an hour it was at their house. But that's not where the story ends. Catherine wrote to me yesterday with these photos of her reborn sofa and the following story . . .

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Thoughts on Selecting an Upholsterer

Thursday, August 25, 2011

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A quick post on my recent re-upholstery experience, which ended well, all things considered. I solicited five quotes and got back only two, one for $725, the other for $350. Two of the craftsmen — yes, they were all men — are old school and don't do email, the others I sent photos of the daybed with dimensions and specific requirements. I know some mid-century collectors who highly recommended Steve’s Custom Company (235 Carlaw Ave., 416-462-0218) but Steve, an older gent with probably 30 years experience, would only give me a quote when he saw the job. So I schlepped the daybed over to him and was satisfied with his price of $450.

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