Every now and then we see newly upholstered vintage furniture that is totally striking and totally one-of-a-kind. This fully restored and re-upholstered
Vintage Swedish Biedermeier Sofa, which popped up on eBay this week for a cool $4,500, is inspiring to us because it shows the happy results of a very creative approach to re-upholstering vintage or antique furniture.
The restoration team started with a clean-lined sofa frame from the 19th century and chose a luxe upholstery material (mohair velvet). So far pretty safe choices. But then they stirred things up with a high-contrast, thoroughly contemporary color-blocked treatment. The resulting piece is a bold pairing of old and new, of contrasting styles and colors that will up the style quotient of whatever room it ultimately lands in, whether traditional or modern.
A reminder that if you're undertaking an upholstery project, don't be afraid to be bold! Check out
these for more inspiration.
That's not happy, that's horrible. I can think of a zillion better ways to have done this piece and have it be modern.
view boomer's profile
This sofa is hideous. The upholstery devalues the sofa.
view wortham's profile
Seriously. If you're going to be bold, don't experiment on something as wonderful (and valuable) as a Biedermeier.
By the way, the use of piping on that piece shows a lack of sophistication. It's an amateurish job.
view boomer's profile
http://www.biedermeier.net/so6_detail.htm
http://www.biedermeier-vienna.com/biedermeier.php?section=gallery&type=sofas#BV609
http://www.decodame.com/decofurniture/decosofaschairs.htm
If you want to try your own, here's a frame only for $4800:
http://www.decodame.com/decofurniture/fadsc23.htm
view boomer's profile
I think this is great even if I wouldn't have it in my house.
Boomer, as a seamstress, I can say that there is no piping on the piece. Where are you looking??
In the pictures you can clearly see that it is decorated with braid and brass nails just as it would have been in its original state.
view Lisa from VA/lsaspacey's profile
It looked like it had piping under the nailheads. I'll take your word for it.
view boomer's profile
Horrid.
view DubTriptych's profile
I think it looks great.
view clarice's profile
wow some people can be sooo nasty!!why not take something as 'serious' as a beidermeier sofa and 'take the piss out of it' have a little fun, life's too short!!!
view bball's profile