Cause A Frockus

Vintage Expert | Spruce Upholstery

Mar 23, 2016 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns

One of the questions readers most often ask us is where to find reliable upholstery and restoration experts. Our standard reply: reach out to your local network of vintage shop owners for a recommendation. I followed my own advice recently and that journey led me to Spruce Upholstery.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Like many of you can relate to, I had one of those unique vintage chairs – a piece with sentimental qualities but verging on the edge of embarrassment. You know the type: the chair that requires a hearty monologue before anyone sits in it. My guests would hear things like: “don’t lean on this arm because it’s wonky, watch out for that spring popping out, and don’t mind the scratchiness of the fabric there.” But I’d always finish my description with a spirited “but it’s a lovely chair.” This is the rocking chair that my grandmother bought with S&H Green Stamps, the chair that rocked my dad and my uncle to sleep when they were young boys, and the chair that became a testing ground for my grandfather’s unique DIY experiments. Beneath its burlap, staples, and bright red fabric was history – and I felt – a lot of potential. As any collector will tell you, when the soul of a piece speaks to you, you feel honor-bound to help. And this chair was screaming – it longed to be the conversation starter for reasons other than its flaws. So on a fateful trip to the Austin Antique Mall I was introduced to the ladies at Spruce and a quest, years in the making, began.

When you first enter Spruce it’s easy to feel wowed (their showroom is filled with inspiring pieces, awakening the possibilities of your own project). In all of this splendor, I suddenly felt a bit insecure about my “special” chair. But Adrienne and Emily made me feel right at ease. After showing them pictures of the rocker in question, they went to work on an initial quote and allowed me to peruse the mountain of fabric options. At this point I felt overwhelmed – the pressure of paying homage to my family, to the memories of this chair, mounted.

At the moment when I considered curling up in a ball on that amazing watercolor chaise, they returned with a detailed quote and some sage advice. In talking with them I understood clearly what I was trying to achieve; their experience helped me put everything into words. They left me with some fabric books to look at and from there the choice presented itself. I wanted something cheerful, bold, and joyful. These qualities are exactly the emotions conjured up by being in Spruce and interacting with the team, so I knew I was in good hands.  As you begin looking for your own upholstery team, trust your gut. If you like their aesthetic you are well on your way. It’s important to know you have a partner with a keen creative eye because your precious piece is their new canvas – trust is critical.

I’ll get to the big reveal of my chair later, but first some helpful tips from the gal who founded Spruce, Amanda Brown. For anyone interested in this subject, her book is a must-read and vital addition to your reference library. A purchase link is available at the end of this article, but we’ve offered a few helpful tidbits below. Enjoy!

Amanda is a kindred spirit – an avid collector herself she loves a good thrift store find and sees the beauty in the unique. Which brings me to my next point – in addition to finding someone who shares your creative inclination, you want someone who is as excited about the process as you are. Let’s be honest, reupholstering a chair is an investment: both one of time and money. You don’t want to spend either of these limited resources on someone who isn’t passionate. Katherine at Spruce would email me questions from time to time and her cheerful emails became the highlight of a frantic work day. She also was happy to take “in progress” pictures for me. An ideal upholstery partner will offer the same service for your project.

Getting started

In her book, Amanda reminds us that the most critical part of getting started is perspective. Don’t let yourself feel overwhelmed by the possibilities – the blank canvas. In other words, no curling up in fear on chaise lounges (no matter how tempting the beautiful fabric!). Next, decide your approach: practical or fanciful. Each has their place and they’re not mutually exclusive. But it gives you a guidepost – a light on the path through the multitude of options.

Reader tip: Other key considerations include defining your expectations, identifying allergy issues, and your budget. With the plethora of options out there, you can find creative ways to bridge gaps between your goals and your economics. And if you decide to tackle a project on your own, Amanda’s book offers step-by-step instruction, giving confidence to enthusiasts everywhere!

Ask yourself what you want this piece to say. Keep in mind that a big part of this early stage is the environment. What room will this piece live in? Should it play nicely with others and blend in or does it beckon to be the life of the party? As you weigh these questions, consider the role of the piece in the room. Will it be heavily used? If so, you’ll want a cleanable and long-lasting fabric choice. These early days are all about putting on your investigator’s hat and asking the tough questions. The more prepared you come to the upholstery firm, the better they can guide your decisions. Now that the groundwork is laid, the details take over. In the following sections, we’ll speak a bit about key furniture elements to help you have an informed chat with your upholsterer.

Accessories

Just as a statement necklace or brooch will make the outfit, so do the details in furniture. Buttons are a fun way to add some texture and dimension to your piece. Buttons vary from small to large. For reference, as size #60 is considered large. Buttons are incredibly versatile and can be placed in nearly any setting. You’ll want to get the right back to ensure a solid fit. Prongs are good for thinner panels, while nails are best for thick wood. If you want to go through padding, you’ll use a loop.

Reader tip: What’s sub-stapling? Sub-staples are temporary staples that allow the upholsterer to adjust the fabric without damage. Rather than lie flat, they will look like an upside-down V.

Tacks are another design element available in your toolbox. Don’t resign yourself to basic possibilities – tacks now come in a variety of finishes, shapes, and sizes (from 1/4″ to nearly 1″ in diameter). In addition to playing with scale, you can customize the arrangement. Consider the composition – rather than common spacing, go wild and make a pattern with your tacks!

A word on padding

There are three major padding options: horsehair, cotton batting, and foam. Each has their positives and negatives. Horsehair, as you can imagine, is the go-to for antique restoration projects. While it’s famous for its longevity, it’s also very expensive and will lose its volume over time. Cotton batting is great for smaller projects. Because it comes from the cotton plant it has the benefit of being an eco-friendly choice. However, it suffers the same fate as horsehair – losing volume over time.

Reader tip: What’s a picture back? This happens when the outside back of a chair is visible through a finished frame. Having a chair with a picture back allows for some fun design opportunities. Don’t be afraid to splurge on a statement fabric here!

Foam is the most commonly used of this trio. Foam is made from several different recipes, but all kinds hold their shape well. You won’t see the volume loss common in the other two options. And this final choice is largely the most economical.

The power of patterns

It can be fun to go big and bold, but you want to make sure it’s purposeful. Playing with patterns is best done with thoughtful consideration. Amanda offers these expert tips: large patterns do best with pieces that have an abundance of surface area. If you have a piece smaller in nature, consider small-scale patterns or a design with an abstract feel. When you consider the budget of your project, you want to remember that large-scale patterns commonly need more yardage and will be more costly than their counterparts. To navigate this, be specific with your pattern work. Maybe the pattern only lives on the inside of your chair, for example. One final point Amanda alerts us to – patterns often become the rock stars of a room. If you select a fabric that brings in the palette of the surrounding furniture, you’ll find that you’ve unified your space in one glorious step!

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The author would like to thank the amazing team at Spruce, her supportive family, and the folks at Austin Antique Mall for the introduction!

For our readers: What questions do you have the toughest time answering when it comes to your upholstery journey?

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