WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN INVESTING IN UPHOLSTERY
A designer’s guide to choosing custom sofas, chairs, and reupholstery with confidence
Upholstered furniture is the quiet backdrop to daily life. It’s where conversations unfold, books are read, and moments of pause are enjoyed. Choosing a sofa or chair - or deciding to reupholster a piece you love - is not simply a functional decision, but an investment in comfort, craftsmanship, and timeless design.
Here’s how we think about upholstery when guiding our clients:
Start with the Frame: Invisible but Essential
Every graceful piece begins with structure. A kiln-dried hardwood frame, carefully joined, is the foundation of longevity. When a chair or sofa is well-built, you feel it immediately - the solidity beneath the upholstery gives the piece weight, balance, and a sense of permanence. Think of it as architecture in miniature: unseen, but essential.
Fabric: A Dialogue Between Beauty and Living Well
The fabric is what you see and touch every day. Its choice sets the mood — relaxed linen, luminous velvet, or a performance weave that stands up to children and pets without sacrificing beauty. Beyond durability, fabric has personality: a neutral backdrop, a soft herringbone that whispers texture, or a bold pattern that becomes the room’s exclamation point.
We encourage clients to imagine how they want to live with the piece. Do you want a sofa that feels light and airy? A chair that cocoons you in softness? The fabric tells that story.
Shape: Elegance That Endures
Truly timeless upholstery isn’t dictated by trends. A well-proportioned silhouette — whether a tuxedo sofa with tailored lines or a classic rolled-arm chair — holds its place gracefully in a room over decades. Scale is key: the depth of a seat, the height of a back, the way arms curve or square off. These subtle decisions shape both comfort and aesthetics.
Details: The Designer’s Signature
Welt or no welt? Tufted or tailored? Exposed legs in a rich finish or a skirt that grazes the floor? These details refine the personality of a piece. They are the couture elements of upholstery - subtle, but impactful - and can transform a simple sofa into something quietly luxurious.
Why It Matters
When chosen with care, upholstered pieces become more than furniture. They anchor a space, invite conversation, and age gracefully alongside the lives lived in and around them. Investing in upholstery is investing in the rhythm of home life — in beauty that is both seen and felt.