Christie’s Interiors recently teamed up with Beacon Hill to test whether old or unsightly upholstery means the end of the line for a beloved furniture piece with the estate of the late Amy Perlin, who passed away in May of 2010.
Beacon Hill’s Director of Fabric Design, Alexis Audette, explained how to restore your most lived-in product.
CI: Why slipcovers have you chosen here?
AA: The short, corner pleated slipcover is a tailored and casually elegant design. I chose Laurel Stripe in Frost, a blend of linen and Egyptian cotton, which combines the texture, and strength of linen with the softness of cotton. The stripes are ideally suited to the small-scale chairs, and they help create an updated, contemporary look.
The more formal, traditional of the two slipcovers I call a “frog eye” design, referring to the decorative passamenterie that secures the pleat on the chair back and is repeated on the legs in the front. The fabric is a wool and linen blend from Italy called Ashland in a color known as Driftwood. Mixing wool with linen creates a more durable textile with a crisp, sculptural quality.
CI: How should one go about selecting a fabric?
AA: Seek expert advice. Interior designers have the training and experience to know what types of fabric and what colors and patterns will work best in your interior space. Another option is to seek advice from a good upholsterer.
Beacon Hill fabrics are sold exclusively to interior designers. We design singular and bespoke fabrics, and work with boutique textile mills around the world. We specialize in natural fibers, including silk, wool and linen. The designers who purchase our fabrics consider usage and the kind of frame to be upholstered, and also fabric weight and texture.
An additional consideration is color and pattern scale and type. If the sofa will be used daily, they’ll choose a fabric with high durability. For a lighter look, linen and linen blends are durable and easy to clean. A more delicate fabric, such as silk, won’t stand up to daily use but is a good choice for a decorative bench or occasional chair.
Check back with GoDesignGo for more with Alexis Audette's tips on old and new.
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