apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

So I finally got the cool chair I was looking for off Craigslist - but now upholstering it seems to be quite the hassle. I stopped by Zarin and they wanted to charge $900 for labor only (fabric change only, no cushioning or spring/frame work); Sukhai in LIC was right in my price range ($400-450) but will not pick up and deliver; and I have a fax into Lore but am a bit concerned about the feedback I've seen on the site.

So does anyone have any suggestions for affordable upholsterers? And does anyone know where I can source Designers Guild fabrics here in the city - or where I can see a catalog of their fabrics online? While I know lots of people carry them, diligent searching has yet to turn up listings with style numbers AND PHOTOS which is what I would need to place an order with most of the mail order sources.

Some colleges with upholstery classes will give you a break on labor. You might try looking in the yellow pages for upholstery schools and giving them a call.

But like anything else that requires skill, you get what you pay for. The upholsterer I used to restore my own Craigslist finds isn't cheap (one chair was about a grand to restore), but when I compared his quality of work and attention to detail to other shops, I decided the "extra" money was worth it since he knew all the tricks to maintaining period looks that other places didn't seem to consider.

Good luck!

Thanks for the thoughts, Boomer. I think I would be less price-sensitive if I had a one-of-a-kind antique, but I could have ordered this particular chair new for $1300, so it does kind of sting to pay $900 for labor alone.

FYI, here's a link to the chair: http://www.nuovomelodrom.net/catalog/product.asp?pro=50 Wouldn't it be nice with a cut velvet from Designers Guild?

I had a huge, mid-century modern sofa reupholstered for about $500 through the guys at Two Jakes in Williamsburg. Two Jakes was just the middleman, and i heard that they no longer offer this service, BUT I'm sure they'd be happy to give you the contact info for the person they used. Their upholsterer did an IMPECCABLE job on my sofa! Worth looking into.

Sorry - that last comment was for Eeeek!

Does anyone have a nice sublet in lower manhatten for august 13th-september 1st?????

A fellow ATer will take care of your stuff better then any shlub off-a craigslist!

KRISTIAN
kristian dot lazzaro at gmail dot com

I am a new poster and I have a problem already. I am moving into a new apt in Galveston, TX that is a second floor of a former department store. It's a loft so it has a high ceiling. However, it's a rail road style with only a small window at the front of the living space. What color scheme to choose for a wall for a high ceiling space with a small window, a fireplace and a beige carpet? Thanks in advance.