A classic French Provincial sofa in a lively contemporary print.

I love antique furniture and classic shapes and I know many of you do too.  It is fun to find old pieces and renew them with new upholstery.

Be careful when choosing pieces to reupholster or refinish.  True collector’s items are best left as is or sent to a professional who can preserve as much of the original piece as possible. That old, somewhat worn upholstery may be just what a collector desires. While the classic wood finish of a true antique piece of furniture should generally be left as is to retain its full market value as a collector’s item, reproduction pieces can be beautifully refinished with no harm to their value.  New paint or varnish can make an old reproduction piece look like new.

Reupholster the refinished piece in modern fabric and your guests will “ooh” and “ah” over it. A contemporary fabric on a traditional sofa or chair is perfect when you like an eclectic décor.  Traditional pieces mix well with more contemporary styles and can be used as focal points for your room.

There are so many contemporary design upholstery fabrics from which to choose.  Fabrics from Waverly, Covington, Robert Allen, and Richloom are among my personal favorites, but there are numerous others.  OFS carries over 20,000 décor fabrics in virtually any fiber you desire.  Embroidered and textured upholstery fabrics are beautiful for occasional furniture, such as chairs in a foyer or a sofa in a seldom used formal living room.  Sturdy wovens, leathers, and faux leathers are a durable, practical choice for furniture that will receive a great deal of use.