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

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Reupholster: New Patio Furniture at a Fraction of the Price


We all know that quality backyard furniture is an expensive investment. A table with four chairs, a matching umbrella and with upholstered cushions could cost well over two thousand dollars.

Sadly, most people do not take the time to care for their expensive "outside" furniture. Often, people will forget to bring the furniture cushions inside when a storm comes through, soaking the cushions. Falling leaves, bird excrement and other natural events can lead to diminished integrity and fading of your outdoor fabrics. Years of use and occasional abuse from raucous parties can also lead to excessive wear and tear.

The average backyard furniture set starts to show signs of wear after only five years. That is not long enough to get the benefits of such a substantial investment. Fabric Maven can now help you revitalize your patio furniture for much less than buying a whole new set. We bring you Sunbrella fabric for all your outdoor needs.

Sunbrella outdoor furniture and awning fabrics can rescue your backyard furniture. Sunbrella fabrics are an excellent value in performance outdoor fabrics. These fabrics feel like cloth fabric, making them much more comfortable than your traditional plastic mesh outdoor fabrics. Also, it is able to resist stains, mildew and fading from the sun.

Now, Fabric Maven's line of Sunbrella fabrics will help you reupholster your backyard furniture at a significant savings over buying brand new. Simply bring a representative sample to your local upholsterer and they will tell you the proper number of square yards that will be needed to reupholster your cushions or seat-backs. Spruce up your backyard furniture today with Fabric Maven.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Top Five Mistakes When Attempting to Clean Upholstery

Furniture has become more and more expensive. You probably already know that you can save a ton by upholstering your hold furniture rather than replace it. A quality upholstery job can spruce up your furniture and give your room or home a new look. However, proper maintenance of your upholstery furniture can still leave you with unsightly stains or spills. If you find yourself facing a stain removal dilemma, do not be too quick to rush out and clean it yourself. Here are the top five mistakes made by individuals attempting to clean their upholstered furniture:


1. Not properly maintaining the furniture to begin with. Stains will be harder to remove if you do not take care of your upholstered furniture from the start. For example, make sure you treat the upholstery with a sealant. Remove dust by frequently vacuuming.

2. Using a spot stain removal product. We have all seen the infomercials regarding miracle spot stain removers. The truth is that most stain removers only clean the surface and the stain is likely to reappear or cause more serious damage to your furniture.

3. Soaking the furniture or cushion. By adding tons of moisture, you can do permanent damage to your furniture. This extra moisture can build up and cause mildew and mold.

4. Using excessive amounts of cleaner. Using more detergent for large stains may actually do more harm than good.

5. Renting a machine when the problem is too big to do yourself. Do not be afraid to get price quotes for furniture cleaning when the job is too big to handle. This is especially true for sentimental or extremely valuable upholstery.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Tips for Removing Stains

Proper fabric protection is important, especially when it comes to upholstered furniture. However, we all know that accidents can happen. Although the best stain removal tips are dependent upon the type of fabric as well as the specific substance you are trying to remove, there are some general tips that apply to any stain removal process. Here are some helpful things to keep in mind next time you go to tackle an unruly stain:

1. Treat stains as soon as they appear or when you first notice them. Removal will be much more successful the early you attempt to treat the stain.

2. If the stain is liquid, begin to blot it immediately with a clean, dry towel.

3. If possible, work from the backside of the fabric to treat the stain.

4. Test your stain removal product on a less visible part of the fabric. Do not use on the stain if there is visible discoloration that occurs.

5. If you aren't sure of the stain, make sure to avoid hot water as this could actually help set the stain. Likewise, do not use an iron on the stain.

6. Avoid using chlorine bleach on wool, silk or spandex.

7. Use a clothesline to dry the fabric during stain removal. Again, heat can help set the stain.

8. Once the stain is gone, launder the item to remove any residue left from the stain itself or the removal product you have used.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Designing With Fabric

Coordinating fabrics correctly is a great way to add visual appeal to a room without breaking the bank. Consider these simple suggestions to help achieve design success throughout your home or office space:

1. Keep in mind that coordinating color should be one of the primary focuses in your design. Try to find colors that coordinate by scheme or family type.

2. Make sure to vary the textures that you use. Doing so will add depth and keep you from repeating looks and feels in the space.

3. Combine patterns that do not overwhelm the eye. Repeated patterns, for example, should be avoided whenever possible. Crazy or overused patterns will overwhelm your guests and make your design scheme look sloppy.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Protecting Upholstered Furniture



Finding high end furniture is expensive so taking the necessary precautions to keep them looking new is important. Proper care can keep your furniture looking and feeling new for years to come. For example, if a spill occurs, wipe up the substance immediately. To keep dust and dirt from building up, make sure to vacuum or brush the furniture weekly. Rotate the cushions weekly. Doing so will help keep the cushions full. The sun can be harmful and damage the vibrant colors in your furniture so try to keep them out of direct sun exposure. If you can't do this, rotate furniture so that the same pieces are not always exposed. Minimize the effects of dirt and stains by using covers or treating the fabric with stain repellent products. It is a good idea to hire a professional cleaner once each year to make sure and clean up deeply embedded dirt and grime.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Selecting Upholstered Furniture

Selecting upholstered furniture for your home can be confusing considering that theres a lot to choose from. The wide range of quality and price can certainly drive anyone nuts so its vital that you know what youre looking for. Here are some tips to consider:
Before buying anything, determine how you will use the furniture, the amount and kind of care it needs, and the length of time you think it will last. Start by knowing the kind of fabric it uses. If the manufacturer's tag fails to show this, ask someone to give you that information.
In general, there are two kinds of fabrics - natural and synthetic. Natural fabrics are cotton, linen, silk and wool while synthetics are acetate, acrylic, nylon, rayon and polypropylene. Often fabrics are a combination of natural and synthetic fibers to make the item beautiful and durable.
As a rule, fabrics with tighter weaves and durable ones like polypropylene or nylon last longer and are best for an active household. Other fabrics like satins, damasks and brocades are nice to look at but should be used only when seating isnt a major factor.
Naturally, beauty and comfort should be considered when choosing upholstered furniture. But while the fabric is usually the first thing we see, what lies beneath makes all the difference. Make sure you have an idea of the furnitures frame, supporting foundation, and the cushioning or padding.
The frame and supporting foundation are vital to comfort since they lay the groundwork for the other materials. In the past, the best frames were made of kiln-dried hardwood that resisted warping but good frames nowadays come in steel, plastic, laminated boards or a combination of materials.
To get more bang for your buck, examine the labels and compare prices. Dont make a decision based on price alone since this does not always reflect quality. A less costly fabric could serve your purpose as well as a pricey one. For high-quality fabrics for your indoor and outdoor furniture, visit the leading provider at FabricMaven.com/.

Monday, March 29, 2010

How Samson Holding Company Plans to Become the Leader of the Global Furniture Industry. Also, Fabric Maven's response as a niche industry leader!

In the face of a challenging global market environment, Samson Holding LTD. , a multinational furniture manufacturer and wholesaler, has been actively expanding into new markets and venturing into new business developments.

In order to keep pace with the ever-changing market, the group has strived to enhance product development capabilities and shorten sampling period to best cater to existing OEM customers.

Further, the company has made a tremendous effort to diversity its products from residential case goods to upholstered furniture serving both residential and hospitality markets, mostly hotels. This move to diversity has helped the company enhance its core competitiveness.

The company states to strive to become the leader of the global furniture industry.

Now this is all great for that company but something we must remember is that being the best at every segment of the furniture industry isn't always the best strategy for everyone. For instance, FabricMaven.com has made itself a leading provider in the niche segments of upholstery fabric and discount decor fabrics. This is the focus and expertise of our company and our customers know this! Nevertheless, we salute Samson for their efforts and will continue to keep an eye on their developments for other industry professionals and subscribers to our fabric and upholstery industry blog!

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Friday, March 19, 2010

Upholstery Producer and Youth Bedroom Specialist to Debut at High Point Market Furniture Show

Utilizing upholstery fabric is a fantastic way to make old furniture new again. Companies like Fabric Maven excel in the production of these types of fabric. Upholstery producer, Oyimay, a Haining brand China-based manufacturer also known as Happy Leather Co., is a new exhibitor debuting at the High Point Market show this April. The company will introduce 25 stationary and motion upholstery groups covered in leather, fabrics, bonded leathers with a primary focus on power motion groups. The styles will range from casual, contemporary to traditional.

Arizona based company, Trendwood, will be introducing a new line of youth bedroom which will include solid-pine groups in various finishing options at the show. Over the past 25 years, Trendwood has grown with distribution to almost 50 states and international locations and they are very pleased and excited to be debuting their new line in the April Furniture Show.

Read more about the story and the new lines in Furniture Today.