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Good Questions: Great Upholstery Resources in DC?

JocelynSittingRoom.jpg

ATDC reader Jocelyn needs to reupholster a new find for her sitting room:

I recently bought this chair (unsigned and not original upholstery) and table to create a nice sitting/reading area by the window. I'm not crazy about the fabric, and it's is much dirtier than shows up in the picture. Where can I get reasonably priced upholstery fabric? Also, does anyone know the maker or style of the table? It was a great find on ebay for about $30, the chair I bought locally for $60. Thanks!

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Jocelyn,

We love the existing fabric- too bad it is too dirty to retain! We've always been impressed by the selection of upholstery fabric at G Street Fabrics in Rockville. They have periodic sales where you can get a hefty percentage off both the fabric and the reupholstery work (if you don't plan to do it yourself).

Does anyone else have suggestions for fabric resources? Can anyone help Jocelyn ID her table?

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Comments (16)

It looks like the upholstery fabric is in great condition - rather than reupholster, I'd call in a professional cleaner and let them at it - When they're done, your chair will look as good as new.

posted by bepsf on November 11th 2008 at 6:33am
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Totally up to you, but I personally think that upholstery rocks. I'd get it cleaned (typically less than $75 bucks...).

posted by I Love Upstate on November 11th 2008 at 7:00am
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G Street is good. Knoll Textiles are also cool for a modern take on mid-century designs. You can check them out online at www.knolltextiles.com or see the fabrics in person at Vastu - a store here in DC. Good luck!

posted by SqueezeMonger on November 11th 2008 at 7:11am
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ebay. search subheading upholstery fabric, under crafts. ask your upholsterer to estimate yardage (but it looks like you'll need 3.5 or 4 yards). if the chair swivels it may be milo baughman for thayer coggin. this chair was done in walnut and chrome and then copied alot.

i agree with you. the fabric is wrong (too traditional). i'd go with a solid midcentury weave or a mohair or a really bold print, depending on whether you want it to blend or be a statement piece.

posted by healthyhome on November 11th 2008 at 8:00am
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www.winterbeachmodern.com

they have a lot of vintage upholstery fabric for really great deals. lots of wool. I love wool.

posted by revolution9 on November 11th 2008 at 8:05am
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I don't know the style or maker of the table, but it is at least 30 years old. I had three of these (they stacked, to make a fine little etagiere) in the early eighties, and they were found in some curbside trash! I lost them to a bad cross county move, about 8 years ago.

posted by ~W on November 11th 2008 at 9:54am
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Calico Corners (Jennifer Street at Friendship Heights metro) now carries Annie Selke (of Pine Cone Hill) and other new collections. Several showrooms at The Washington Design Center are open, not just "to the trade." For that chair, it might be worth the money you would spend. If you have a designer friend, visit the Maharam showroom on 23rd Street. Depends on what you want.

posted by avianmission on November 11th 2008 at 9:55am
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I'm TOTALLY crazy for the fabric!| Have it cleaned! It's feminine and makes for a dreamy little corner. I love it!

posted by ce_pelle on November 11th 2008 at 11:38am
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Found that table here: http://www.factory20.com/furniture/chrome-modern-nesting-tables/

(Thanks to the AT NY link to that store)

posted by 22209 on November 11th 2008 at 12:09pm
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Oh, forgot to add -- the table isn't really identified by the Factory 20 website but I thought I'd post the link in the hopes that an email to them might yield more info.

posted by 22209 on November 11th 2008 at 12:13pm
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Into Marimekko prints? There's a Marimekko store in Silver Spring, and I have frequently seen more "striation-type" Marimekkos at the Crate & Barrel outlet store in Alexandria.

G Street (both upholstery and fashion/quilting fabrics) has a lot of variety, but be prepared to spend a bit of time going through the stuff, especially if you hit the remnant tables.

posted by pammyfay on November 11th 2008 at 3:35pm
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Actually....I bought those tables too! They are a couple of inches larger than the one in the photo. I don't think they knew who the maker was either....

posted by short giraffe on November 11th 2008 at 6:57pm
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I live in DC and frequent G street fabrics. The Rockville one has a better selection (my opinion) in the remnant section. You can find some really funky fabric for 3.97 a yard or 7.97 depending. Take time to look through everything, since there are lots of gems hidden in the batch of uglies.

posted by Coopers_mama on November 12th 2008 at 5:16pm
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Upholstery fabrics
I like G street but find they are too pricey. Since I am an interior decorator, here are the places I frequent...
JoAnn's in Columbia...it is a bit of a drive but worth it since they have lots of fabrics, remnants and on the roll. It is not uncommon for their fabrics to be 50% off or have coupons of 40% almost weekly.
Yi's Fabrics in Rockville - they have tons of books as well as a decent section of fabric on the roll available.
Rockville Interiors - have locations both in Silver Spring and Rockville but only have fabrics books nothing on the roll.
If you find something you LOVE in a fabric book, send me the details (book name, fabric name and pattern name) and I can check pricing through my contact in North Carolina. They have a four yard minimum but they are also typically 30-40% off of retail.

Good luck!

posted by RA of ra redoes rooms on November 14th 2008 at 11:23pm
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Thanks for the great info everyone!
-Jocelyn

posted by short giraffe on November 17th 2008 at 9:04pm
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I don't know if anyone's suggested this but I've always liked Mill End Shops in Shirlington VA. They have a huge selection of upholstery ranging in a lot of different styles, colors, and textures. The prices are the best I've seen around too.

posted by House of Peanut on November 26th 2008 at 1:07pm
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