Reupholstering Furniture

By Jacquelyn Francis

When Vince Infusino of Grand Duke?s Design steps into your home to assess a reupholstery job, you can sense his authority. After years in the business he arrives shortly after nine on a Saturday morning (having seen one client already), puts both hands on the back of a green hand-me-down chair, rattles it a little for strength, and quietly scratches a few notes onto a piece of paper.

The great idea to reupholster said green hand-me-down came after flipping through a home décor magazine where I found a feature on the bergere chair. The coveted bergere is famous for its upholstered sides, armrests, and back; the signature carved wooden legs lend the piece an air of class. The green hand-me-down is similar to a bergere, but it has seen better days. The back is pretty dirty, the seat pretty flat from wear, and the wooden legs pretty scuffed. Yet, with a genuine bergere costing in the thousands, and me on a strict budget, reupholstering seemed worth investigating.

In fact, refurbishing furniture is hotter than ever with more and more first-time buyers entering the new housing market in droves, outfitted with pieces from their parents' or grandparents' homes.

"My husband's family gave us an old matching couch and chair which, at first glance, were very worn," says Jennifer Austin Champ, a communications consultant. "Upon closer examination, however, it became clear that the furniture was much better made than most furniture on the market today."

"As it turned out, the cost of reupholstering both the chair and the couch were much less than we would have spent on a new set. What we ended up with was well made furniture that depicted a style and era that matched the decor of our home."

Toronto area reupholsterer Sen Ho of Avenue Upholstery and Interiors says sentimentality can play a big role in why people choose to reupholster rather than buy new.

"People are born in Canada but maybe their grandmother wasn't, maybe they left something behind for them, and that person wants to remember them. It could be something from Europe or England," he says. "It's hard to complain about the price [to reupholster] because the chair is something left behind from generations."

Austin Champ considers her home's sofa set an icebreaker of sorts. "We enjoy the history behind the furniture as it serves as a conversation piece and adds charm to the room."

Vince Belfiore of JVM Interiors in Markham echoes that opinion: "If it's an antique or of sentimental valuethen it's worth it. Look at the cost of reupholstering and new, and you're looking at half the cost, only you have even more selection in terms of fabrics. Besides if a sofa has lasted 15 or so years and it's still in good condition, then it will last you another 15."

Despite being more relevant than ever, Infusino says reupholstery is a trade under threat. These days reupholstering is a relatively small part of his business. Infusino's company appeals to the high-end of the furniture market, film sets, builder model homes, custom orders, and even a millionaire who gets the furniture in his home completely reupholstered almost every spring. "Toronto used to be number one in terms of furniture," he says. "As years go by, people are retiring and there are less skilled in the trade."

In the end Infusino tells me the green hand-me-down is not an authentic bergere. It's probably Canadian-made, French provincial is the descriptor, and it's at least 30-years old. Infusino quotes $375 for a reupholstered chair, not including the fabric (range of prices) and whether I decide to get the wooden arms and legs rebuffed ($70). Green hand-me-down might lack sentimental value but there is certainly something special about this chair, something that seems worth a second chance.

Things to consider:

Make the distinction between old and sentimental. A sentimental item can never be replaced but something old might just be a money pit.

Are there nails holding it together? If so it's going to be weaker. If it's screwed together then it's put together better.

Hardwood is heavier and softwood is lighter.

Grip the frame. Is it rickety or does it keep?

Shabby chic is deemed 'out', therefore don't assume a slipcover will make it all better.

Perhaps your sofa fits in the room, getting a new sofa might require you get something customized. If you reupholster you can change the entire look without changing the frame.