Keeping Covered - Upholstery Guidelines
by Marla J. Ottenstein

   During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, “stuffing,” as upholstery was once called, was essential to the royal family’s comfort. As one of the oldest charters in the City of London’s Guilds and Liveries Companies, upholstery originated from the tent-making trade as far back as A.D. 1465. The title “journeyman upholsterer” was an enviable recognition and although technological advancements abound, upholsterers continue to be esteemed craftsmen.
   Upholstered furniture sets the tone for a room. No matter what the design style, traditional, contemporary or somewhere in between, there are two fundamental elements: the assembly, which is comprised of the frame, spring construction, deck, seat and back cushions, and the upholstery fabric. The most important thing is to remember that comfort is paramount. No matter how beautifully upholstered the piece, if it’s not comfortable, it won’t be used.
   When considering upholstered furniture, it is crucial that the base construction be rock-solid. It’s preferable to have a kiln-dried hardwood frame that is glued and double-doweled with a corner block, versus having the pieces simply glued and screwed together. One-piece construction, where the leg is part of the actual frame, is preferable, but most of the time the legs are separate giving the customer the opportunity to chose from a variety of styles.
   The internal spring construction is the assembly below the deck and within the frame that predicates the level of comfort and the amount of weight the frame can hold. Because different furniture profiles demand different construction and support, various systems can be employed. The three most accepted systems are: the 8-way hand-tied system, drop-in coils or webbing.
   Although the most expensive, the 8-way hand-tied system, where steel rings are individually tied together, wrapped with foam and covered in muslin and then tied to the frame, is considered to be the best for durability and support, there are other options.
   An equally durable but a more affordable alternative is the drop-in coil system. Robert Meer, general manager of the Ethan Allen showroom in Osprey, says, “We use a drop-in system that is similar to a bed’s box spring. It’s made up of 12 coils per seating section; the coils are wrapped in foam and covered in muslin. The system is tied to the frame, acting as a shock absorber under the deck for optimum comfort and durability.” The size of the unit depends upon the design of the furniture, as well as the size of the seating area.
   According to Claire Goldhagen, upholstery merchandise manager for Robb & Stucky Furniture and Design Studio, “Spring construction depends upon the design element of each piece, as well as individual preference. Where the design lends itself to different engineering treatments, such as a sleek, low-profile contemporary piece, there may be no room for the 8-way or drop-in coil systems. Many European manufacturers use the sturdy webbing system, which consists of crisscrossing resilient synthetic strips of webbing that are then strapped around the frame.”
   There are several options for the actual seat cushioning, but the majority of upholstered furniture applies one of three methods, depending upon the silhouette of the piece, as well as the comfort and durability specifications of the client. The most sophisticated and comfortable, but also requiring the most maintenance, is the 100 percent down cushion where a combination of duck feathers and goose down are blown into baffle-channel bags providing maximum comfort.
   Next comes the comfortable and easy to maintain spring down cushion where the individual coils are wrapped inside “socks” of foam. Enveloping the coils is a closely channeled bag filled with blown goose down. Sometimes, spring down cushions will have a combination of down and other fibers in the channel bag.
   The most popular, durable and best-valued cushion is the high-density foam and Dacron cushion where the coils are filled and wrapped with high-density foam and then the entire system is wrapped on all sides and top and bottom with a layer of poly-Dacron to create the crowning that gives the cushion its shape and appeal. Depending upon the different densities of foam, the look and feel will differ.
   Known for their sleek silhouettes and designs, several European manufacturers are now introducing “memory foam” upholstered furniture. The foam, similar to the Temperpedic“ mattress technology, is more responsive to a broader range of body weights and temperatures resulting in a gradual shift in the cushion firmness levels. The cushions retain their smooth appearance and luxurious feel longer.
   Detachable, loose back and semi-attached back cushions utilize similar filling methods as seat cushioning but without the springs. Tight-back cushions use either the “Marshall unit,” which is made up of tiny pre-fabricated coils that are tied together and covered in foam, or the “Z-system,” which utilizes a sinuous wire or webbing system that is covered in varying layers of padding to achieve a certain look.
   The specific tailoring of the furniture creates the final look. These details include: arm construction and style, skirting, stitching, such as “baseball” or “topstitch,” pleats, tucks, gussets, tufting, shirred boxing, boxed or knife-edged cushions, trims and cording, self-welt cording or contrast welting, single or double piping and nail heads in different metals, to name a few.
   Ultimately, the capacity in which the furniture will be used determines the fabric grade, color and tex-ture. Manufacturers put their fabrics through durability tests to ensure sturdiness, but the rule of thumb is: The tighter the weave, the more durable the fabric. It’s a good idea to look for fabrics that are synthetic blends because synthetics offer higher tear strength and durability and are easier to clean.
   Heavier, high-performance fabrics such as boucle, chenille, corduroy, duck, denim, velvet and tight woven blends like tweed are good choices for a family room. Micro-fiber nouveau suede is another alternative. Leather, cool and comfortable in the summer and warm in the cooler months, it is one of the most durable, versatile and universal materials for any room, and it’s easy to maintain. “Top grain, vegetable-dyed leathers are a luxurious choice for any room. As leather ages, a rich patina takes shape and the ensuing luster is what makes it so beautiful,” says Meer.
   Delicate woven silks and silk-blends are usually reserved for formal living rooms where the furniture doesn’t get as much use.
   “When purchasing upholstered furniture, it’s important to speak with a knowledgeable sales person who can individualize the spring construction, seat and back cushions, and fabric selections to the client’s particular specifications and needs,” says Goldhagen. “An expert can help the client select the right fabric.”
   Upholstery makes a significant visual impression. It’s important that the cushions fit snugly in place, that the deck does not show and that all the stitches are even and consistent. If the piece has nail heads, they should be evenly placed.
   The nap, as in velvet and corduroy, has to go in the same direction, and most important, if using a pattern or design, no matter how large the image, the design should be unbroken and lined-up side to side and back to front. Large motifs should be centered on the back and front and be appropriately aligned. The skirting and welting should also line-up. It’s the attention to detail that differentiates a great piece of upholstered furniture from all the rest.
   The exact patterns, prints and textures of the upholstery material will depend upon the look and style of the furniture and the design theme of the room. Generally, home fashion follows clothing trends; so expect to see the return of brightly colored, fanciful documentary prints like Marimekko and Lilly Pulitzer this year.