A blog for upholstery enthusiasts to discuss industry news, events, tips, issues, and everything important to upholstery and fabric fanatics, like us.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Create Your Own Look with an Upholstered Bed



The versatility of owning an upholstered bed is huge; they have the ability of being customized to fit almost any style of décor. In fact, your bed, in any different array of detail or fabrics, could transform it from simple and classy, to eclectic and bold!

If you are looking to change your bedroom without having to replace all your furniture, buying an upholstered bed is truly a smart option. You are investing in something that is considered a wise investment and you don’t have to worry about having to match up any of your other furniture.

If you are looking for an upholstered bed, the options are endless. There are plenty of options out there and it is just a matter of choosing the right one that fits your style. Here are a few choices that might peak your interest:

·      Tan Vanguard- The best thing about the Vanguard is that you can give your bedroom a whole new look by choosing a bed with a new finish, nail head and fabric options.
·      Teal Vanguard- This popular option offers you a line of colored fabrics and colored prints. The Teal Vanguard is great for someone who wants to go bold, especially if you choose a pattern look for your headboard.
·      Pattern Upholstered Bed by Dwell Studio- This customized, neat, upholstered bed is perfect for people who want to choose everything from the style and size of the headboard to the border detail and fabrics.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Guide to Vinyl Upholstery Cleaning



Nowadays it is easy to find companies that will clean your upholstery fabrics for you, but it is good to be aware of the methods used so you will not be harmed in the process. Some methods consist of the dampening the cushion with a cleaning solution (usually detergent), which is aspirated quickly. This method is not very effective because it removes only part of the dirt (usually on the surface). Another method is the suction, this is more effective than traditional methods since does not allow the padded cushions to soak during washing. Moreover, the drying is faster and avoids odors which cleaning tends to leave. But what if you want to clean your vinyl upholstery yourself?

Here are some tips to use when cleaning vinyl:


  • Use baking soda along with normal dishwashing liquid soap and add a little water to a soft cloth
  • Rub it in and ensure you gently use circular motions
  • Never let the vinyl dry in the sun

 Some other things to keep in mind:


  •  Do not use bleach or chlorinated products
  • No scrubbing with stiff brushes or abrasive, use only soft brush, sponge, cloth or foam
  • Preferably use dry cleaning
  • Do not use hot water for cleaning
  • Never use oil to clean

 You should always know the structure of the upholstery you are cleaning. Sofa fabrics are places that insects love to stay, so it is smart to spray every 15 days with a water-based insecticide. If you follow the instructions in this article, the upholstery in your home will look as new as the day you bought them. Keep up to date on cleaning the furniture in your house and your furniture will thank you for it.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Trendy Christmas Decorations To Try



Christmas is right around the corner and that means people will be decorating their homes, both inside and out. But what can you do to spruce up your home without spending a lot or putting up a huge display?

Decorating for the holidays doesn’t have to be hard. With a few simple touches, your home can have the same festive atmosphere as even the most decorated house on the block.  Try a few of these simple, easy decorations to help set your living place firmly in the holiday spirit.

1.     Bring the snowballs inside - You don’t have to have snow for snowballs anymore. Make them yourself indoors. Styrofoam balls, sprayed with adhesive and rolled in fake snow look great and are easy to make too.
2.     The ideal fir - For traditionalists, the tree should include heavy jewelry and real candles. If you’re going for a real tree, try the blue spruce. Blue spruce branches are strong and grow tier-shaped, perfect for heavy ornaments.
3.     Snow falling on firs - You can make your Christmas tree feel like mulled wine and a winter’s walk when you add some fake snow. Flocking can help give the appearance of freshly fallen snow and snowflakes are easy to make yourself.
4.     Bring the forest to you - After you have aligned your tree successfully so it sits up straight, you should dress the Christmas tree stand with moss. Your tree will look like it grew right where it is.
5.     Glam up the presents - Stick small stickers or decals on the tape of gifts to add another element of fun to the gift giving. Or write a poem on the tape to provide a poetic, and elegant, touch.
6.     Window decorations - Flower stands wrapped with floral wire and holiday fabrics can turn normal garland into a masterpiece when hung from a window.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Clean Car Upholstery the Right Way



Car fabrics are sometimes a challenge to clean properly. In fact, experts say your should vacuum your car on a weekly basis to prevent heavy dust and grime buildup. In addition to that, once or twice per year you need to shampoo the fabrics in your car’s interior. A protective spray is also a good idea since it repels dust and stains. When spills happen, the protective spray will cause most liquids to bead up and not soak into the fabrics of your car. If your vehicle has leather upholstery, remember to use a conditioning product at least once per year.

Dust repellent for car fabrics is one of the best values in the automotive cleaning arena. Go to a parts store and ask the sales associate to look up the fabric type for your make and model. After that, buy one or two cans of the protective spray and apply it one or two times each year. For less than $20, you will be able to buy about four years’ worth of protective spray, which is an inexpensive way to keep your auto fabrics looking and smelling fresh. 

Don’t skimp on the price of a car vacuum either. These little machines are worth their weight in gold, as they prevent dust and mildew buildup on your car’s fabrics. They are lightweight, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive. 

Upholstery shampoo is another low cost way to protect fabrics. Try to get to spills and stains as soon as they happen, apply the shampoo, and use a soft brush to get the problem area clean again. Otherwise, do a complete shampoo of your upholstery about once per year. 

As you can see, most of the cleaning tasks for car fabrics need not be done very often, except for weekly vacuuming. Car upholstery care is not an arduous job, but it needs to be done if you want the fabrics to stay fresh, clean, and new looking.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Tips on Choosing Upholstery Fabric



The possibilities are endless when it comes to choosing upholstery fabric for your dining room, living room, or other home décor needs. Though the fabric choices are boundless, the best choices are ones that take into account what type of fabric you want to use and how you want to use it.

The first step in choosing upholstery fabric is knowing what you want to make out of those fabrics. Certain fabrics serve different purposes, and you would never want to use an inappropriate fabric for an item (i.e. using silk on outdoor furniture).

Synthetic materials are cheaper and they are also easier to maintain. For making sofa covers, direct your choice to very thick treated upholstery. If you are new to the field of sewing, start work on woven fabrics, otherwise it will seem more difficult.

After you have chosen a fabric, you have to measure heights and widths. Then calculate what to add to the seams and eventually folds if necessary. Upholstery fabric is available in several widths, which is why we need to calculate what you really want to use. The quality of weaving can also encourage choice as well as how much you need.

Choose fabric according to a color that will be designed. The stretch fabrics and silk are more difficult to work with. Striped colors and large print patterns will cost a little more. This is due to falling connections or patterns that are well centered which will require a higher budget. If you want to do something for the environment, there are natural fiber fabrics such as linen and cotton, for example.

Finally, if you are still unsure, take a look at what is on your furniture now. If you’ve been happy with it so far, finding something similar can be a place to start.