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Reupholstery of Living Room Furniture | Custom Home on Table Rock Lake

July 30, 2016 by Bridge Upholstery & Drapery

I bet you thought we were taking the summer off, right?  You pictured us floating in the lake, soaking up the rays.  But in reality, we’ve been hard at work reupholstering a house full of furniture for our client’s beautiful home on Table Rock Lake.

The home was inspired by the Buffalo Bar at Top of the Rock and was skillfully built by Woodstone Builders.  The living room has hand hewn Amish beams that are curved to mimic the inside of a wine barrel.  The entry has brick and stone vault ceilings and there are beautifully distressed pine floors throughout.  The home has a cozy, traditional feel that is reflected in the fabric choices and upholstery details.

Our client has a great eye for finding estate sale treasures.  Much of the furniture was purchased at estate sales in our client’s previous home state of Michigan.  She initially brought us photos of the furniture and we worked with her to find the right combinations of fabrics and embellishments to give this quality furniture a face lift.

Living Room Sofa

We really gave this sofa an update.  We recovered it in Caledonia Sage Fabric by Luxury Fabrics.  We added distressed hammered nickel upholstery tacks and refinished the feet to a rustic walnut to coordinate with the distressed pine floors.

custom-reupholstery-ethan-allen-sofa-luxury-fabrics-caledonia-sage 005 Here’s a photo of the sofa before:custom-upholstery-before-pictures 021

Left and Right Chaises

These chaises turned out beautifully.  We recovered them with Duralee Crimson fabric in pattern 15567.  We enjoyed working with this tapestry and matching the pattern from the top to the bottom of the chaises.  These chaises truly were a labor of love and will be a cozy spot for our client and her two puggles for years to come.

custom-reupholstery-chaise-lounges-duralee-crimson-tapestry-fabric 003

Here’s a before photo of one of the chaises:custom-upholstery-before-pictures 018

Double Chair and Ottoman

Our client affectionately refers to this chair as Big Momma.  She (Big Momma) and her matching ottoman were recovered in Brilliant Burgundy by Luxury Fabrics.custom-reupholstery-double-club-chair-and-ottoman 002Here is a before photo of Big Momma:custom-upholstery-before-pictures 014

Foyer Bench

We updated this foyer bench with a black floral fabric and added coordinating sage and burgundy pillows.custom-reupholstery-wooden-setee 002Here’s the before photo of the bench:custom-upholstery-before-pictures 015Once the home is finished and our clients are settled, we’ll get photos of the furniture installed in their Table Rock Lake home.  Keep watching for the final “after” photos!

If Bridge Upholstery and Drapery can help you with your reupholstery needs, please Contact Us and send us photos of your outdated upholstery for an estimate.  We’ll look forward to hearing from you!

Filed Under: Articles & Resources Tagged With: Black Botanical Fabric, chair reupholstery, couch reupholstery, couch upholstery, cushion reupholstery, cushion upholstery, custom chair upholstery, custom pillows, Duralee 15567, Duralee Crimson, Duralee Fabrics, Duralee Tapestry, Hammered Nickel Upholstery Tacks, Luxury Fabrics, Luxury Fabrics Brilliant Burgundy, Luxury Fabrics Caledonia Sage, Patterned Fabric, Sofa Reupholstery, Sofa Upholstery, Table Rock Lake Home

How to Design Drapes using Patterned Fabric | Historic Springfield Home

March 13, 2016 by Bridge Upholstery & Drapery

Historic-Springfield-Home-Before-Dining-Room-Drapery-Installation 010

We recently participated in the redecorating project of a client’s formal dining and living rooms.  We made beautiful new linen drapes for three french doors in her dining room and Greek Key trimmed Roman Shades for windows and french doors in her living room.  I’ll explain a few of the basic design considerations for the dining room in this post.  Stay tuned for details about the Living Room Roman Shades.

1-custom-curtain-drapes-installed

Initial Design and Planning for Vertical Repeat

The client chose to use Thibault’s Gibraltar Embroidery Fabric.  We rolled out the fabric and began to study the pattern and make some design decisions.  The client chose to use her existing drapery hardware, so the drapery height was set at 100.5″.  The fabric has a vertical repeat of 15.5.  We know that we want each drapery panel to look the same at the top and bottom, so we will cut multiples of the fabric repeat.  For a finished drape of 100.5″, we will need to cut each panel face fabric to 114.5″.  This includes 6″ for the top hem and 8″ for the bottom hem plus 100.5″ for the drapery front.  The top hem will be a 3″ double fold hem and the bottom hem will be a 4″ double fold hem.  To make sure that the draperies always begin at the same place vertically, we need to cut multiples of 15.5 that are greater than 114.5″.  We needed to cut panels every 124″ vertically and then remove the excess 9.5″ before hemming the top and bottom.

Thibault-Gibraltar-Embroidery-Fabric-Horizontal-repeat 005

To determine the proper place to cut, we looked at the fabric and decided which part of the pattern would look best at the pleats in the top of the drapery.  We made some mock pleats and decided to cut 6″ above the fold at the top of the pleats shown below.  At this time, we also determined that we’d like to have this pattern on the front of each pleat.  To align the pleats, we’d need to match our pleats and pleat spaces to the horizontal repeat of the fabric.

Pleated-drapery-panels 005

Planning for and finding Horizontal Repeat

To find the horizontal repeat of the fabric, measure from the same spot on the fabric pattern to the same exact adjacent spot on the fabric pattern.  In this case, the horizontal repeat of the fabric is 10.5″.

Thibault-Gibraltar-Embroidery-Fabric-Horizontal-repeat 006

We constructed the drapery panel pleats to match the horizontal repeat of the fabric. As shown below, each pleat corresponds to the same section of the fabric pattern.  We accomplished this by making the pleat space (the flat horizontal area between the pleats) and the pleats (the fabric folded up into the pleat) add up to the horizontal repeat.  For example, if the horizontal repeat is 10.5″, and we know that 6″ is a good amount of fabric for pleats, then the pleat space needs to be 4.5″ to make the pleats align with the fabric pattern.  This gave us a finished drapery width of 23″.  This includes 2×2.5″ on each side and 4×4.5″ in pleat spaces.  In this case, the client did not plan to close the draperies.  Since they are stationary, the finished width did not need to be 1/2 the window width plus overlaps and returns on the sides.  23.5″ is a good width for decorative stationary drapery panels on these french doors.

1-custom-curtain-drape-cinched

Choosing Drapery Pleat Styles

After making five 6″ pleats, we chose 5 drapery panel pleat styles and sent them to our client for approval.  The pleats are shown below and are from left to right:  a cartridge pleat, a butterfly pleat, a triple euro pleat, a double pinch pleat and finally a triple pinch pleat.

1-custom-curtain-drape-top

Our client liked both the butterfly pleat and the triple pinch pleat.  We especially liked how the fabric pattern looked on the butterfly pleat, but after consideration of the client’s overall style, we chose the more traditional triple pinch pleat.  We believe she’ll be happy with the triple pinch pleat for years to come.

Pressing and Training Finished Drapes

One additional very important step when dealing with linen draperies is pressing and training the drapes.  As you can see below, we pressed the drapes and then loosely folded them and tied them for transport.  The process of folding drapes and tying them so that they hang with folds at each pleat is called training.  Linen drapes like these train (and wrinkle and crease) very easily, so we didn’t have to keep them tied up once they were installed.  If you are constructing drapes with heavy velvet or damask fabric, you may need to leave them hanging with their ties on for a few days to get them to hang with a fold at each pleat.

Pleated-drapery-panels-trained 008

Here they are trained and tied up to be delivered to our client’s home.

Pleated-drapery-panels-trained 009

Look at the difference ironing and training can make!  The drapes on the left are ready to go, the pile of draperies on the right haven’t been pressed yet.  My mom always says that half of sewing is ironing – you can really see it here.

Pleated-drapery-panels-trained 007

Installed Drapes

Here is a photo of the finished and installed dining room drapes.  As you can see, they have been trained to hang perfectly with folds at each pleat.

Dining-Room-drapes-pleated-linen-installed 011

We hope you have enjoyed reading about how to design draperies with patterned fabric!  We’d love to help you with your next drapery design project.  Please contact us for all your upholstery and drapery needs.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Custom Draperies, custom drapes, Design Considerations, Draperies, Drapery Design, Drapes, Gibraltar, Horizontal Repeat, How-to Design Drapes, Patterned Fabric, Pressing Drapes, Thibault, Thibault Gibraltar, Thibault Gibraltar Embroidery Fabric, Training Drapes, Vertical Repeat

How to Design Drapes using Patterned Fabric | Historic Springfield Home

March 11, 2016 by Bridge Upholstery & Drapery

Historic-Springfield-Home-Before-Dining-Room-Drapery-Installation 010

We recently participated in the redecorating project of a client’s formal dining and living rooms.  We made beautiful new linen drapes for three french doors in her dining room and Greek Key trimmed Roman Shades for windows and french doors in her living room.  I’ll explain a few of the basic design considerations for the dining room in this post.  Stay tuned for details about the Living Room Roman Shades.

1-custom-curtain-drapes-installed

Initial Design and Planning for Vertical Repeat

The client chose to use Thibault’s Gibraltar Embroidery Fabric.  We rolled out the fabric and began to study the pattern and make some design decisions.  The client chose to use her existing drapery hardware, so the drapery height was set at 100.5″.  The fabric has a vertical repeat of 15.5.  We know that we want each drapery panel to look the same at the top and bottom, so we will cut multiples of the fabric repeat.  For a finished drape of 100.5″, we will need to cut each panel face fabric to 114.5″.  This includes 6″ for the top hem and 8″ for the bottom hem plus 100.5″ for the drapery front.  The top hem will be a 3″ double fold hem and the bottom hem will be a 4″ double fold hem.  To make sure that the draperies always begin at the same place vertically, we need to cut multiples of 15.5 that are greater than 114.5″.  We needed to cut panels every 124″ vertically and then remove the excess 9.5″ before hemming the top and bottom.

Thibault-Gibraltar-Embroidery-Fabric-Horizontal-repeat 005

To determine the proper place to cut, we looked at the fabric and decided which part of the pattern would look best at the pleats in the top of the drapery.  We made some mock pleats and decided to cut 6″ above the fold at the top of the pleats shown below.  At this time, we also determined that we’d like to have this pattern on the front of each pleat.  To align the pleats, we’d need to match our pleats and pleat spaces to the horizontal repeat of the fabric.

Pleated-drapery-panels 005

Planning for and finding Horizontal Repeat

To find the horizontal repeat of the fabric, measure from the same spot on the fabric pattern to the same exact adjacent spot on the fabric pattern.  In this case, the horizontal repeat of the fabric is 10.5″.

Thibault-Gibraltar-Embroidery-Fabric-Horizontal-repeat 006

We constructed the drapery panel pleats to match the horizontal repeat of the fabric. As shown below, each pleat corresponds to the same section of the fabric pattern.  We accomplished this by making the pleat space (the flat horizontal area between the pleats) and the pleats (the fabric folded up into the pleat) add up to the horizontal repeat.  For example, if the horizontal repeat is 10.5″, and we know that 6″ is a good amount of fabric for pleats, then the pleat space needs to be 4.5″ to make the pleats align with the fabric pattern.  This gave us a finished drapery width of 23″.  This includes 2×2.5″ on each side and 4×4.5″ in pleat spaces.  In this case, the client did not plan to close the draperies.  Since they are stationary, the finished width did not need to be 1/2 the window width plus overlaps and returns on the sides.  23.5″ is a good width for decorative stationary drapery panels on these french doors.

1-custom-curtain-drape-cinched

Choosing Drapery Pleat Styles

After making five 6″ pleats, we chose 5 drapery panel pleat styles and sent them to our client for approval.  The pleats are shown below and are from left to right:  a cartridge pleat, a butterfly pleat, a triple euro pleat, a double pinch pleat and finally a triple pinch pleat.

1-custom-curtain-drape-top

Our client liked both the butterfly pleat and the triple pinch pleat.  We especially liked how the fabric pattern looked on the butterfly pleat, but after consideration of the client’s overall style, we chose the more traditional triple pinch pleat.  We believe she’ll be happy with the triple pinch pleat for years to come.

Pressing and Training Finished Drapes

One additional very important step when dealing with linen draperies is pressing and training the drapes.  As you can see below, we pressed the drapes and then loosely folded them and tied them for transport.  The process of folding drapes and tying them so that they hang with folds at each pleat is called training.  Linen drapes like these train (and wrinkle and crease) very easily, so we didn’t have to keep them tied up once they were installed.  If you are constructing drapes with heavy velvet or damask fabric, you may need to leave them hanging with their ties on for a few days to get them to hang with a fold at each pleat.

Pleated-drapery-panels-trained 008

Here they are trained and tied up to be delivered to our client’s home.

Pleated-drapery-panels-trained 009

Look at the difference ironing and training can make!  The drapes on the left are ready to go, the pile of draperies on the right haven’t been pressed yet.  My mom always says that half of sewing is ironing – you can really see it here.

Pleated-drapery-panels-trained 007

Installed Drapes

Here is a photo of the finished and installed dining room drapes.  As you can see, they have been trained to hang perfectly with folds at each pleat.

Dining-Room-drapes-pleated-linen-installed 011

We hope you have enjoyed reading about how to design draperies with patterned fabric!  We’d love to help you with your next drapery design project.  Please contact us for all your upholstery and drapery needs.

Filed Under: Articles & Resources Tagged With: custom curtains, custom drapes, Design Considerations, Draperies, Drapery Design, Drapes, Gibraltar, Horizontal Repeat, How-to Design Drapes, Patterned Fabric, Pressing Drapes, Thibault Gibraltar Embroidery Fabric, Training Drapes, Vertical Repeat

How to Design Drapes using Patterned Fabric | Historic Springfield Home

March 4, 2016 by Bridge Upholstery & Drapery

Historic-Springfield-Home-Before-Dining-Room-Drapery-Installation 010

We recently participated in the redecorating project of a client’s formal dining and living rooms.  We made beautiful new linen drapes for three french doors in her dining room and Greek Key trimmed Roman Shades for windows and french doors in her living room.  I’ll explain a few of the basic design considerations for the dining room in this post.  Stay tuned for details about the Living Room Roman Shades.

1-custom-curtain-drapes-installed

Initial Design and Planning for Vertical Repeat

The client chose to use Thibault’s Gibraltar Embroidery Fabric.  We rolled out the fabric and began to study the pattern and make some design decisions.  The client chose to use her existing drapery hardware, so the drapery height was set at 100.5″.  The fabric has a vertical repeat of 15.5.  We know that we want each drapery panel to look the same at the top and bottom, so we will cut multiples of the fabric repeat.  For a finished drape of 100.5″, we will need to cut each panel face fabric to 114.5″.  This includes 6″ for the top hem and 8″ for the bottom hem plus 100.5″ for the drapery front.  The top hem will be a 3″ double fold hem and the bottom hem will be a 4″ double fold hem.  To make sure that the draperies always begin at the same place vertically, we need to cut multiples of 15.5 that are greater than 114.5″.  We needed to cut panels every 124″ vertically and then remove the excess 9.5″ before hemming the top and bottom.

Thibault-Gibraltar-Embroidery-Fabric-Horizontal-repeat 005

To determine the proper place to cut, we looked at the fabric and decided which part of the pattern would look best at the pleats in the top of the drapery.  We made some mock pleats and decided to cut 6″ above the fold at the top of the pleats shown below.  At this time, we also determined that we’d like to have this pattern on the front of each pleat.  To align the pleats, we’d need to match our pleats and pleat spaces to the horizontal repeat of the fabric.

Pleated-drapery-panels 005

Planning for and finding Horizontal Repeat

To find the horizontal repeat of the fabric, measure from the same spot on the fabric pattern to the same exact adjacent spot on the fabric pattern.  In this case, the horizontal repeat of the fabric is 10.5″.

Thibault-Gibraltar-Embroidery-Fabric-Horizontal-repeat 006

We constructed the drapery panel pleats to match the horizontal repeat of the fabric. As shown below, each pleat corresponds to the same section of the fabric pattern.  We accomplished this by making the pleat space (the flat horizontal area between the pleats) and the pleats (the fabric folded up into the pleat) add up to the horizontal repeat.  For example, if the horizontal repeat is 10.5″, and we know that 6″ is a good amount of fabric for pleats, then the pleat space needs to be 4.5″ to make the pleats align with the fabric pattern.  This gave us a finished drapery width of 23″.  This includes 2×2.5″ on each side and 4×4.5″ in pleat spaces.  In this case, the client did not plan to close the draperies.  Since they are stationary, the finished width did not need to be 1/2 the window width plus overlaps and returns on the sides.  23.5″ is a good width for decorative stationary drapery panels on these french doors.

1-custom-curtain-drape-cinched

Choosing Drapery Pleat Styles

After making five 6″ pleats, we chose 5 drapery panel pleat styles and sent them to our client for approval.  The pleats are shown below and are from left to right:  a cartridge pleat, a butterfly pleat, a triple euro pleat, a double pinch pleat and finally a triple pinch pleat.

1-custom-curtain-drape-top

Our client liked both the butterfly pleat and the triple pinch pleat.  We especially liked how the fabric pattern looked on the butterfly pleat, but after consideration of the client’s overall style, we chose the more traditional triple pinch pleat.  We believe she’ll be happy with the triple pinch pleat for years to come.

Pressing and Training Finished Drapes

One additional very important step when dealing with linen draperies is pressing and training the drapes.  As you can see below, we pressed the drapes and then loosely folded them and tied them for transport.  The process of folding drapes and tying them so that they hang with folds at each pleat is called training.  Linen drapes like these train (and wrinkle and crease) very easily, so we didn’t have to keep them tied up once they were installed.  If you are constructing drapes with heavy velvet or damask fabric, you may need to leave them hanging with their ties on for a few days to get them to hang with a fold at each pleat.

Pleated-drapery-panels-trained 008

Here they are trained and tied up to be delivered to our client’s home.

Pleated-drapery-panels-trained 009

Look at the difference ironing and training can make!  The drapes on the left are ready to go, the pile of draperies on the right haven’t been pressed yet.  My mom always says that half of sewing is ironing – you can really see it here.

Pleated-drapery-panels-trained 007

Installed Drapes

Here is a photo of the finished and installed dining room drapes.  As you can see, they have been trained to hang perfectly with folds at each pleat.

Dining-Room-drapes-pleated-linen-installed 011

We hope you have enjoyed reading about how to design draperies with patterned fabric!  We’d love to help you with your next drapery design project.  Please contact us for all your upholstery and drapery needs.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Custom Draperies, custom drapes, Design Considerations, Draperies, Drapery Design, Drapes, Gibraltar, Horizontal Repeat, How-to Design Drapes, Patterned Fabric, Pressing Drapes, Thibault, Thibault Gibraltar, Thibault Gibraltar Embroidery Fabric, Training Drapes, Vertical Repeat

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