Reasons to Own Leather Furniture

Of all the fabrics available to homeowners, leather is king. It is the most popular, best looking, and most durable of household fabrics. People all over the world desire leather furniture for their homes and offices. For those who are in the market for some leather pieces, it is best to consider the wide array of options when it comes to leather furniture. Leather stands tall in the world of home décor. Typically, consumers who want leather furniture pieces will start out small, acquiring one at a time over a period of years. Leather is timeless, so as time and trends pass others by, you will always be in the mainstream.

Leather is as good as it gets, and that’s pretty darn good! Aside from the truly exquisite look of leather furniture, the pieces themselves emit an atmosphere of solidity and extreme comfort. Perhaps you have seen an office where most of the furniture items are made from leather. No doubt you would remember such a visit, since leather office chairs and sofas create a lasting impression. They add spice, class, and zip to an ordinary structure. They turn regular retail rectangles into artwork, and drab digs into showplaces. Leather has personality. It talks. It screams. It laughs. It says, “Look at me! I am leather. Hear me roar!” Leather stays cool in the hot seasons and warm when it’s cold outside. Every single piece of leather furniture is unique. People often mistake moderately priced pieces for high-end furniture; such is the power of leather’s elite aura

If you have leather furniture in your home, pets and teenagers pose no threat. Spills are a snap to wipe up, and pet hair does not adhere to leather, so you’re off the hook in that department as well. Many people look at fine leather furniture as a wise investment.

Leather is simply the very best of all fabrics. In fact, even referring to it as a fabric seems odd, since it is in a class by itself. Leather gives in to your body when you sit on it. It supports you just enough at each juncture where bony bodily protuberances meet seat backs and cushions. Those who have interior decorating talent notice that leather, because it is a natural fabric, blends with any color scheme. Leather’s ambiguous hues are a perfect match for every color in the rainbow.

Leather is unique, durable, beautiful, and classy. Most modern furniture is mass-produced and no match for leather’s artistic countenance. Leather furniture will turn your home into a warm, classic showplace.

Sewing an Easy Slip Cover for Your Square or Rectangular Ottoman

If you have an old ottoman hanging around your house, you know how useful an ottoman can be. Sadly, it may be looking outdated or dingy if you have had it for a while. Whether updating your ottoman to go with your current decor, or add some texture or color, you can give your old ottoman new life with an easy and inexpensive slip cover!

1. To determine how much fabric you will need, take a tape measure and place it on the bottom of the ottoman at the floor.
   
2. Keeping that side of the tape measure in place, run the tape measure up the ottoman side and over the top, down the other side to the floor.
   
3. Then repeat this process in the opposite direction, even if your ottoman appears to be square. Add one inch to each total measurement (width and length). You will need to get a large square or rectangle of fabric, using these measurements.
4. Next, you will want to decide on a trim. To know how much you will need, take a measurement all the way around the lower edge of the ottoman, then add an extra two inches. Take a look at your options while at the fabric store. There are fabulous fringes, fun braids and beading available.
5. The supplies you will need for the project include: approximately 2 yards (see your measurements to be exact) of upholstery fabric, approximately 3 yards (see your measurement) of decorative trim, measuring tape, iron and ironing board, sharp scissors, sewing machine, straight pins, heavy duty thread to match fabric and trim.
6. Here are the steps to make your slipcover. Iron all of your fabrics, using the appropriate setting for the fabric type.
   
7. Lay the fabric piece over the ottoman evenly, with the right side facing down. With straight pins, create four flaps of fabric by pinning the sides together at each corner.
   
8. Trim the excess fabric, with your scissors, at each corner, leaving a 1-inch seam allowance.
   
9. Take your fabric off of the ottoman carefully. Sew along the line of pins at each corner, remove pins as you sew.
   
10. Turn cover right side out, check fit on ottoman. Pin the bottom edge of the ottoman under ½ inch to form a hem and sew.
    
11. Add decorative trim by pinning and sewing in place.
12. Slip the new cover on your ottoman and enjoy your newly refurbished ottoman!

How to Reupholster a Wingback Chair

The simplest way to give a wingback chair a make over is to learn to reupholster it. Often a solid wingback chair can become outdated looking due to the fabric it is covered in. Even a sleek, modern looking chair becomes a problem if it does not fit in with the décor of the rest of the room. With a bit of persistence, however, you can give your chair a whole new look.

1. Remove the existing material from the chair intact. This will provide you with a pattern when applying the new covering.
   
2. Using a pair of needle-nose pliers, pull out the old staples. Label the pieces as you remove them from the chair.
   
3. Lay out eleven yards of the upholstery you will be using to recover the chair. Make certain the upholstery is laid out in a single layer, not folded over.
   
4. Place the pieces of material, which you removed from the chair, out on top of the new upholstery. Lay pieces so that they fit when laid flat, and do not allow the pieces to overlap one another.
5. Open a package of one-half inch thick batting. Fill in any bare spots found on the chair with the batting. You want to achieve a smooth foundation without lumps and grooves.
   
6. Begin draping the upholstery over the back of the chair. As you pull it through the backside of the chair, tuck the upholstery in the side.
   
7. Use one hand to keep the upholstery material taut as you use a staple gun with the other hand to staple the top of the back. Be certain that the staples are long enough to be going through to the wood frame of the chair.
8. Using the same piece of upholstery, pull the bottom section firmly through the back of the chair and staple at the upper wood bar. Stretch the sides around the back of the chair, keeping them taut, and staple to the frame of the wood bar.
   
9. Cover the “wings” of the chair and the front of the chair in the same manner, tucking and stapling as needed.
10. Carry on in the same fashion with the other pieces. Be mindful of pulling the material tightly around chair and making tucks neatly before stapling.
    
11. Add finishing touches, such as cording or fringe by applying fabric glue to the seams. Apply glue sparingly to avoid dripping.