Choosing an upholsterer

This article taken from Habitat Magazine, written by Deirdre Coleman, highlights some of the key reasons it makes sense to recover your furniture rather than buy new when the furniture you own is of good quality and/or has sentimental value.

But choose your upholsterer wisely as many will not do the work that is necessary.
Below this article are before and after photos of a lounge suite Cover It Upholstery Sydney restored recently and will show the extent of the work that was required.


When it comes to furniture, it seems we’re
finally waking up to the insanity of buying
something only to toss it out the moment
it starts to look a bit shabby or outdated.
Retro and antique furniture, and even pieces
that are a couple of decades old, are finding
new favour with design-savvy homeowners
who see past the faded fabric and worn
springs to the treasure beneath.
“There’s a lot more interest now in
refurbishing existing furniture,” says Mark
Waters from Upholstery Craftsman. “Some
people have been burned by buying cheap
imported pieces, and are starting to see the
value in quality second-hand purchases.”
His Wellington-based boutique upholstery
business specialises in restoring older pieces,
repairing timber frames and replacing springs
and wadding, as well as re-upholstering and
alterations. Waters receives regular enquiries
from would-be bidders on online auctions,
asking for quotes to repair a couch, dresser
or other item of pre-loved furniture.
Classic furniture “like Parker Knoll, Cintique
and Don furniture is good quality and very
popular because it suits everything from
apartments to bungalows,” he says. “People
are realising that it doesn’t take a lot to redo
this ‘50s to ‘70s furniture, and that you
end up with something pretty groovy.”
So how do you know if the piece you have is
worth restoring? According to the experts,
quality, age, good design and sentimental
value are the key indicators. If you have
something that’s well made, unusual or has
sentimental value, then it makes sense to
have it reupholstered and restored.
“An old piece with a good frame that has
borer has far more integrity – when the borer
riddled wood is replaced – than some of the
modern imported furniture we see today,”
says Waters. “Anything can be repaired.”
For Garth Clarke from Dunbar Furniture
Restorations in Auckland, restoring retro
‘60s and ‘70s pieces is an everyday job. He
sees a lot of empty-nesters who’ve had their
dining suite for 30 years and now want
to make it presentable again. With items
like this, he says, it’s generally cheaper to
refurbish something than to replace it with
something of the same quality.
“A good rimu dining suite will cost you
around $6000, but having one refurbished
might only cost $2000,” explains Clarke.
“If it’s 20-plus years old and still structurally
sound, it’s worth doing. You get what you
pay for, so if it was expensive when it was first
bought, it’s worth keeping. And anything
made from native timber would definitely
be worth holding onto and restoring.”
Clarke recently worked on a 150-year-old
Welsh dresser for a client. Water spilt on
the top had bleached out the colour and
removed the old French polish. Rather than
stripping the entire top, he was able to
carefully sand and stain the damaged area,
retaining the original surrounding patina
and enhancing the dresser’s value.
However, like all good craftspeople, Clarke
isn’t afraid to give advice when required.
While something as simple as changing the
upholstery on a chair can visually transform
it, much more can be achieved. A good
upholsterer or furniture restorer can update
the style of a piece of furniture, or customise
it to suit your needs.
They can change the feet, remove a skirt on a
sofa or chair, raise or lower the legs and back,
re-web chair bases and adjust the composition
of cushion filling to provide added comfort
and support, and even shrink or extend
couches. Details such as piping, buttoning
and diamond pleating can also be added, and
timber lacquered, stained or polished.
With collectible and antique pieces, it pays to
invest in traditional restoration by someone
who knows what they’re doing, advises
Mark Waters. “A 1920s settee that’s in
original condition will take around 40 hours
to rebuild, as it’s all hand done,” he says.
“We rebuild pieces the way they were, using
things like horse hair and reed stuffing, and
where possible, we try to use environmentally
friendly products like recycled cotton, spun
flax and hessian cloth.”
Irrespective of the value and heritage of
your furniture, it’s important to have good
rapport with your craftsperson and to clearly
communicate your needs and expectations.
The end result will be obvious each time you
admire your ‘new’ treasure.

Cover It Upholstery Sydney - CARE & RESTORATION OF TIMBER FURNITURE - prt2

CARE & RESTORATION

Gesso is plaster-based and therefore highly susceptible to water and moisture. Once the gesso becomes damp it will perish and the piece of furniture will have to be both regessoed and thus regilded. Do not hang gessoed mirrors on damp walls, in bathrooms, or in rooms with a high degree of humidity. When dusting elaborately carved gilt furniture use a light feather duster rather than a cloth to avoid breaking off pieces of decoration and gilt. With painted furniture a damp cloth can be used, but never solvents. Afterwards a light coat of wax should be applied, but pay attention to any flaking decoration. Restoration and Repair At some time you may need the services of a restorer. However, it can be a false economy to go with the cheapest estimate as once a piece of furniture has been badly restored and the colour spoilt there is very little that can be done to rectify someone else's mistakes! Ideally select a member of the British Antique Furniture Restorers' Association (BAFRA, or Australian equivalent, such as FIAA), who will have been vetted and, should a dispute arise, there is a structured complaints procedure. It is always a good idea to ask to see examples of previous restoration work or seek recommendations from a previous client. All restorers will be happy to provide a written quotation before work commences.

A George III chest of drawers, found in an outhouse where the damp had caused the glue to perish, the feet to fall off and the veneer to peel. All furniture will need to be put in a workshop at some stage. Drawers that do not run easily have worn runners but their life can be prolonged by applying candle wax to the runners and sides of drawers. This can be done at home. Every 30 or 40 years chairs need to be knocked apart, the old glue cleaned off and the joints reglued and re-assembled. The work must be undertaken once chairs become noticeably loose, as at

this stage it is a standard restoration task. If left, the chair will get worse, and eventually collapse, possibly breaking joints in the process and incurring extra expense as false tenons will have to be cut to repair the shattered joints. Daily Care Climate can affect furniture greatly although it is more to do with very dry air than soaring temperatures. Should table leaves warp they should be put in a damp atmosphere and hopefully they will straighten themselves. If card or tea tables develop a 'smile', open them up overnight and by the morning they should have straightened up. If this does not work they will have to be straightened by a qualified restorer, who will remove the core material from the inside down to the exterior veneer then lay the old surface veneer on to a new, stable, flat piece of timber. As this is a very costly process, it is wise to remove all furniture from direct strong sunlight, allow a room a few draughts and, if furniture is beginning to move, invest in a small humidifier. By taking care in the day-to-day handling of furniture costly accidents can be avoided. When moving a chest, never lift it by the top as this can result in the top breaking away from the base, always open a drawer and lift it by the carcase. Be aware of drawers in side tables which, if the table is tipped forward when moved, may crash to the floor. Never rock back on chairs as this puts great strain on the joints. When transporting furniture always wrap it with a clean blanket to avoid damage and scratches. To avoid damage to yourself it is important to lift furniture by bending the knees and not the back and, when lifting a bookcase, never put your hand on the glass doors. Always put small felt pads under the feet of clocks, caddies etc to stop them scratching the furniture. Never lock a bureau fall, because if someone decided to break into it the damage to the furniture could be more than the value of the goods taken from it. Also never lock a piece of furniture when it is in transit, as a jolt can jam the lock resulting in a major operation to release it. Keep an eye out for woodworm. If small piles of sawdust appear the worm is live. The best remedy is to contact a reputable company and arrange for the piece to be fumed for 48 hours under pressure. This will not damage the timber or upholstery but is guaranteed to kill the worm. Antique furniture, like property, was here before us, and will be here after us. To enable future generations to enjoy it as much as we do, it is our duty to cherish and care for it throughout our own lifetime.

                                     

 COVER IT UPHOLSTERY SYDNEY

CARE & RESTORATION OF TIMBER FURNITURE - prt1

During the 18th and early 19th century nearly all antique furniture was made to order, and consequently great care was taken in the selection of timbers and veneers as well as the quality of workmanship of the cabinet-maker, carver and gilder. It is testament to the excellence of all those involved that so many pieces have survived the test of time and have been either inherited or bought by successive generations. The following suggestions should enable current owners to preserve, and even improve, the appearance of such pieces for the next generation. One of the most important aspects to furniture is that of patination. Patination is the name given to the build-up of wax, grease and dust that, when combined over a period of many years, gives the timber a 'skin' and can be described as the furniture's history in its surface and is therefore very desirable. Waxing To keep and improve patination, furniture should be waxed with a natural wax-based polish product (never a silicon-based one) no more than once a month. More frequent waxing is actually counter-productive as wax will soften previous layers and, if frequently applied, the furniture will take on a smeared appearance. The best technique is to apply a thin layer of wax, allow it to stand for a short while and then burnish with a soft, clean cloth. Always rub in the direction of the grain and, if leaning over a dining table or other large piece of furniture, pay attention to belt buckles, rings or buttons which may scratch the surface. A mixture of vinegar and water should never be used to clean the surface as the vinegar acts as a solvent and can remove generations of patination in a matter of minutes. It is essential to place mats on the furniture before putting hot or cold dishes on to polished surfaces, and cold water in a flower vase can reduce the temperature of the polish and produce a white 'chill' mark. As with any surface damage, such a mark needs the specialist's hand. A French polished surface is made up of many layers of shellac polish which has been applied with a 'rubber' — a linen cloth enclosing a wadding material inside. The 'rubber' is coated with shellac polish which is applied with the aid. of linseed. An area no bigger than a finger-nail is actually in contact with the surface, and thus numerous thin coats are built up over a period of time that enhance the grain and colour of the timber. When water damage or the like occurs, if the polish and not the timber has been affected, a skilled polisher can remove one layer of polish at a time until he reaches the undamaged surface. He will then carefully reapply polish to the localised area, binding

it to the original untouched areas, thus eradicating the water mark etc. Such a technique takes many years of training and application, and should never be attempted by a novice as inexperience could result in a dark area which actually looks worse than the original water mark. The cleaning of brasses is very much a case of personal taste. Some people like brass handles to develop a bronzed patination and therefore will never clean them, whilst others will clean handles until they shine like soldiers' buttons. I prefer the middle ground. with only the highlights being cleaned, and leaving a natural build-up of wax around the backplates and knobs. Should traces of original lacquer or fire gilding be in evidence use just a damp cloth to lightly wipe them when required. A wadding cleaner is best used when cleaning handles as a liquid spillage on a patinated surface will once again remove all traces of patination. Gilding Great care must be taken with gilt furniture and mirrors. Their are two types of gilding, water and oil. Water appears more yellow in tone than the deeper orange gold of oil gilt. Most English 18th and 19th century furniture was water gilded. Layers of gesso (plaster) were applied to the carved wooden base and then 'recut' to redefine the carved decoration. A liquid clay base, or bole, was then applied and gold leaf laid upon it. The final tone was achieved by burnishing the gold leaf. With oil gilding, the gesso was applied with an oil size to which the gold leaf then stuck. Oil gilding was not frequently used on English furniture.

A Regency gilt overmantel mirror, which had been attacked by damp, in the process of being restored. It is not a good idea to try and clean gilt as if water is applied to it the gold will wash off and expose the coloured bole beneath. Seek specialist advice from a qualified gilder and liaise closely with him or her to agree the finish, as this can differ from workshop to workshop. Ask to see various examples of work and decide how bright you wish your restored piece to be.

AN EXAMPLE OF GOLD GILDING

Recently we were asked to restore an old Italian 3-seater. Gold gilding was applied to the frame before being upholstered.

This photo is what inspired our customer

The following are a few before and after photo's of our customer's 3-seater.

The black and white striped fabric used was from Warwick Fabrics called Welland Ebony.

Fabric Care and Cleaning

We get asked about this often by our customers so think it may be helpful to post this.

The below advise is from one of our fabric suppliers, Warwick Fabrics, and is offered in good faith and you should always consult a professional cleaning company.

  

Alcoholic Beverages

 After the moisture has been blotted up, dab at the stain with a clean cloth dampened in rubbing alcohol. Then blot repeatedly with liquid detergent mixed with cool water. Blot dry with a towel. Dab again with clear cool water and blot dry.

Blood

 Mix one teaspoon of ammonia in a cup of cold water and apply it sparingly to the spot. Blot with a clean towel. Repeat the procedure until the spot is gone. Then dab the area with cool water and blot. Wait 15 minutes and moisten the area again with white distilled vinegar. Blot thoroughly with a dry towel.

Chenille Yarn Fabrics

Shampoo cleaning or hot-water extraction, taking care to restore the pile orientation in finishing will produce a satisfactory result. Care must be taken not to undertake concentrated rubbing on a small area, which may produce irreversible disruption of the chenille fibre. It should be noted that even the simple act of wetting the fabric is likely to produce an appearance change even if the chenille fibre is not disrupted. This is largely due to flattening of the chenille fibre while it is wet and may result in a 'dappled' or 'mottled' surface. Warning: Some high pile viscose rayon chenilles, velvets and pocket weave jacquards may change in surface character if stain repellent treatments are applied. Extra care should be taken to pre-test for these fabrics.

 Chewing Gum

 Rub an ice cube over the gum to harden it, then scrape off the excess with a dull knife. To remove what's left, use dry cleaning fluid. Chocolate and other soft candy) This is a .combination greasy/non-greasy stain. Scrape excess away, then go over the spot with cool water mixed with a liquid detergent. Blot thoroughly and then clean with dry cleaning fluid.

Coffee and Tea

Sponge with warm water. Apply warm glycerine. Leave for 30 minutes. Flush out with water and dry quickly.

Cosmetics

 Sponge with warm water. Apply warm glycerine. Leave for 30 minutes. Flush out with water and dry quickly.

Fruit and Fruit Juices

 After excess is blotted up or scraped away, blot the spot with cool water. If a stain remains, add liquid detergent and a drop of vinegar to the water. Dab the spot with this mixture and blot until there's no trace of a stain. Then go over the area lightly with clear water to remove traces of vinegar.

Grease (including hair grease and oil) Scrape away excess if necessary and then dab repeatedly at the stain with dry cleaning fluid. If any stain remains, go over the area with a lukewarm mixture of liquid detergent and water. Always make sure you use a clean portion so you don't put the stain back in the fabric. Last, go over the area with a clean cloth moistened with cool clear water.

Ice Cream

 Scrape away excess and apply cool water mixed with liquid detergent, blotting frequently with a dry cloth so as not to saturate the fabric. Let dry and then go over any remaining stain with dry cleaning fluid. Blot dry.

Ink

Moisten with warm glycerine. Leave for 10 minutes. Apply liquid detergent and brush lightly. Flush out with water and dry quickly.

Iodine

 Rub with cut lemon before sponging with warm water. Apply small quantity of detergent with clean cloth. Blot stain then remove soapy residue with cloth wrung cut in warm water and white vinegar solution (1/3 vinegar to 2/3 water).

Milk and Vomit

 Blot or scrape away the excess, then take a clean soft cloth and blot. Apply clear cool water to the area, blotting frequently. Then blot with a detergent solution to which you've added a small amount of ammonia. Blot dry and wait a few minutes. Go over the area with dry cleaning fluid, blot dry. Finally, blot the area lightly with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol.

 Professional Cleaning Frequency

Is determined by the furniture use, your own maintenance, upkeep and environmental conditions. As a good 'rule of thumb' overall cleaning is recommended every 12 months for most family room lounges.

Professional Fabric Servicing

Warwick Fabrics recommend that water-based Fluro chemical' type fabric protectors such as DuPont Teflon® and 3M Scotchgard®) be applied by licensed applicators only. Check your care label first to see if a mill-applied protection was incorporated during fabric manufacture. It is not necessary to apply an after-market protector over mill-applied protectors on new fabrics. Fabric protectors do not eliminate the need for vacuuming, routine cleaning or proper care. They will, however, make spot cleaning and vacuuming quicker, easier and more efficient between professional cleans and keep your fabric looking cleaner longer, as well as extending its life. Professionals applying fabric protectors must always pre-test to qualify fabric suitability.

Shoe Polish

Apply liquid paraffin to loosen the stain, then sponge with dry cleaning fluid. Soft Drinks, Sweets and Syrups Sponge with water, add warm glycerine and work into stain. Flush out with water and dry.

 Spot Cleaning

Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Test on hidden area to ensure fabric and colour are not removed. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Use of soap or detergent with water should be approached with caution since overzealous rinsing to remove soap residue may result in over-wetting, water marking and possible wetting of substructure this may create other stains or damage products). Spot cleaning advice is offered in good faith and should not be considered as a guarantee that all stains may be removed. For severe stains please consult a professional upholstery cleaning company.

1 For Non Oil-Based Stains

Use warm water and non-toilet soaps which do not contain optical brighteners (consider Velvet soap, Lux Flakes, Softly). Mix a small amount of soap and warm water solution and apply to the stain, rubbing gently. Blot dry with a clean towel. Apply cool water (preferably rain or distilled water) and blot dry again. Then with a hair dryer working out from the centre of the stain, dry quickly to prevent rings forming. It is generally preferable to clean whole panels of fabric in this way rather than trying to spot clean specific areas.

2 For Oil-Based Stains

 Following the same basic guidelines as above, apply a proprietary brand solvent based cleaner and try to clean generally in panels rather than spot cleaning specific areas. A helpful industry 'secret' is for spot removal of oil based biro marks by the application of a conventional hair spray.

Urine

It is especially important to treat this stain right away, before the urine dries. Otherwise, the urine may react with the fabric dyes and cause permanent discolouration. First, dab at the stain with a solution of white vinegar and water and blot dry. Then apply a mixture of liquid detergent and cool water, blotting frequently and with a dry cloth to avoid saturating the fabric. Finally, dab the spot with clear cool water and blot thoroughly.

Velvet Curtain Care

 Curtaining velvet needs care in handling and use. Window fittings coming in contact with the curtain should be avoided. Stiff brushing or strong vacuum cleaning on the reverse side of velvet can also pull at the pile. Draw cords or other methods of drawing without handling the curtain itself are recommended, as grasping, particularly with fingernails, can cause crushing and other damage. Velvet curtains should be dry cleaned. Water Spots Blot thoroughly and then dampen the entire spot with clear white vinegar. Wait a few minutes. When the area is dry, moisten it again with clear water, blotting with a dry cloth after every application of the damp cloth. If the fabric has a pile, brush in the direction of the pile when it is dry.

FABRIC CARE

UPHOLSTERY CARE CODES

REGULAR CARE: Protect from direct sunlight. Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate reversible cushions regularly. CLEANING: Do not remove cushion covers for separate cleaning or washing, even though they may have zippers. Shampoo clean using upholstery shampoo. Do not use dishwashing or laundry detergents. Do not wet filling. Do not scrub with stiff brush. Gently vacuum to restore pile. Dry in shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR Clean with hot water extraction machine (HOT). Professional cleaning recommended. Use only upholstery detergent. Do not wet filling. Gently vacuum to restore pile. Dry in shade away from heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use OR Clean using on-site dry cleaning machine (P). Professional cleaning recommended. Do not wet filling with solvent. Exhaust solvent outside building. Allow to dry before re-use. SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Apply preparatory cleaning agents strictly according to instructions to remove the residue of the spill. Do not saturate the fabric or interior with water or other cleaning liquids. May be spot cleaned with dry cleaning solvent.

REGULAR CARE: Protect from direct sunlight. Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate reversible cushions regularly. CLEANING: Do not remove cushion covers for separate cleaning or washing. Even though they may have zippers. Shampoo clean using upholstery shampoo. Do not use dishwashing or laundry detergent. Do not wet filling. Do not scrub with stiff brush. Gently vacuum to restore pile. Dry in shade away fro direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR Clean using on-site dry cleaning machine (P). Professional cleaning recommended. Do not wet filling with solvent. Exhaust solvent outside building. Allow to dry before re-use. SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Apply proprietary cleaning agents stric tly according to instructions to remove the residue of the spill. Do not saturate the fabric or interior with water or other cleaning liquids. May be spot cleaned with dry cleaning solvent.

REGULAR CARE: Protect from direct sunlight. Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate reversible cushions regularly. CLEANING: Do not remove cushion covers for separate cleaning or washing even though they may have zippers clean with hot water extraction machine (hot) professional cleaning recommended. Use only upholstery detergent do not wet filling, dry in shade away from heat allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR Clean using on-site dry cleaning machine (P) Professional cleaning recommended do not wet filling with solvent, exhaust solvent outside building allow to dry before re-use. Re-application of soil-resist treatment may be necessary. SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills and stains as soon as possible gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric, apply proprietary cleaning agents strictly according to instructions to remove the residue of the spill. Do not saturate the fabric or interior with water or other cleaning liquids may be spot cleaned with dry cleaning solvent. WARNING: This fabric has been treated with a soil resistant finish do not shampoo clean. Do not apply a further treatment until necessary.

REGULAR CARE: Protect from direct sunlight. Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate reversible cushions regularly. CLEANING: Do not remove cushion cavers for separate cleaning or washing, even though they may have zippers. Do not clean with hot water extraction machine. Do not sponge with water. May be cleaned with dry powder cleaner. Sprinkle powder over fabric. Spread powder to ensure uniform coverage. Allow powder to stand for recommended period. Vacuum powder from fabric with gentle suction. OR On-site dry cleaning recommended (P). SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Spot clean with dry cleaning solvent or dry powder cleaner. Do not sponge with water or detergent solution.

Regular care will minimize the need for additional cleaning. Gently vacuum regularly with appropriate attachment. Spot cleaning: Always exercise caution when spot cleaning. Test cleaning on non-exposed surface. Avoid excessive fibres & cotton rubbing & abrasion. Cleaning Washing: DO NOT WASH.

Drycleaning: Dryclean only. Use specialist curtain drycleaner, as recognised by the Soft Furnishing Industry Association of Australia Inc. Remove Hooks, rings & trims before cleaning. For perchlorethylene Solvent temperature 18 - 20o C No moisture gently cycle moderate loading to minimise mechanical action. One Bath Drycleaning Procedure: 3 minute passing through the filter, reduce mechanical action, 2 minutes drain to tank or

 still, 2 minutes extract to tank or still. Two Stage Drycleaning procedure: 25 minutes drying at 55o C, then 6 minutes drying at 35o C. Deodorise 6 minutes or until curtains are cool. For white spirit or hydrocarbon: Standard Drycleaning practices are appropriate. Hang curtains upon removal from machine. Do not Iron/press coated sides. Warm Iron/press on fabric side only. *For detailed code of practice for cleaning coated fabrics, drycleaners are encouraged to contact the DIA.

6M           For use on acrylic foam backed fabrics Remove hooks rings & trims before cleaning. Regularly gently vacuum with appropriate attachment.

with metallic print          Do not soak. Do not Bleach. Do not rub or wring. Do not use soap. Warm hand wash in synthetic detergent.

Warm rinse. Do not tumble dry. Do not use pegs or fold over clothesline. For best results hang curtains by their hooks to dry Avoid wet coated sides touching. Cool iron lengthways over dry cloth on fabric side. Dry cleanable P 30. Possible shrinkage 3%.

6W          For use on acrylic foam backed fabrics Regular care will minimize the need for additional cleaning. Gently vacuum with appropriate attachment.

and flock coated fabrics of both es Always exercising caution when spot cleaning. Test cleaning on non exposed surface.

man-made fibres and cotton Avoid excessive rubbing and abrasion. Cleaning Washing: Possible shrinkage 3% Remove hooks, rings and trims

before cleaning. Curtains are heavy when wet. Professional wet cleaning recommended. DO NOT CLEAN IN DOMESTIC WASHING MACHINE! Hand wash in cool-to-warm (Max 40o C). Mild detergents, such as wool mixes are recommended. Do not bleach, soak, rub or wring. Drip dry in shade. Do not tumble dry. Hang curtains by their hooks to avoid coated sides touching. Do not use pegs. Do not fold curtains over clothes line. Do not iron/press coated side. Warm iron/press on fabric side only. Drycleaning: DO NOT DRYCLEAN.

6U           PLASTIC OR PLASTIC COATED                         REGULAR CARE: Protect from direct sunlight.

CLEANING: Wipe with clean cloth dampened with mild detergent solution. Do not use abrasive powder or paste cleaners. Do not wet excessively. A soft bristly brush may be used to remove ingrained soil. Avoid scratching by gently brushing. Wipe with a clean cloth dampened with water to remove residue detergent dry in shade away from direct heat do not clean with hot water extraction machine. Do not clean with on site cleaning machine. SPOT CLEANING: Clean as above persistent marks may need a mild detergent. First check the effect of any detergent on a hidden area of the cover.

8U           LOOSE COVERS —                        REGULAR CARE: Protect from direct sunlight. Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate reversible cushions

WASHABLE AND DRY CLEANABLE regularly. CLEANING: Clean using on-site dry cleaning machine (P). Professional cleaning recommended. Do not wet filling with solvent. Do not scrub with stiff brush. Exhaust solvent vapour outside building. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR Gently machine wash. Do not use soap. Wash in synthetic detergent. Warm rinse well. Normal spin. Do not wring. Dry flat in shade away from direct heat. Warm iron. Dry cleanable (P) 60. May be shampoo cleaned using upholstery shampoo. Do not wet filling. Gently vacuum to restore pile. Dry in shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric.

9U            LOOSE COVERS DRY CLEANABLE REGULAR CARE: Protect from direct sunlight. Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate reversible cushions

regularly. CLEANING: May be shampoo cleaned using upholstery shampoo. Do not wet filling. Do not scrub with stiff brush. Gently vacuum to restore pile in shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. Do not iron. Do not steam finish. Dry Cleanable (P) 60. OR Do not wash. Clean with hot water extraction machine (HOT). Professional cleaning recommended. Use only upholstery detergent. Do not wet filling. Gently vacuum to restore pile. Dry in shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. Do not iron. Do not steam finish. OR Clean with an on-site dry cleaning machine (P). Professional cleaning recommended. Do not wet filling with solvent. Exhaust solvent vapour outside building. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. Do not iron. Do not steam finish. SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Apply proprietary cleaning agents strictly according to instructions to remove the residue of the spill. Do not saturate the fabric or interior with water or other cleaning liquids. May be spot cleaned with dry cleaning solvent.

10U         LOOSE COVERS NEITHER WASHABLE REGULAR CARE: Protect from direct sunlight. Vacuum regularly using low suction. Rotate reversible cushions

OR DRYCLEANABLE regularly. CLEANING: Clean using on-site dry cleaning machine (P). Professional cleaning recommended. Do not wet filling with solvent. Exhaust solvent vapour outside building. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR May shampoo cleaned using upholstery shampoo. Do not wet filling. Do not scrub with stiff brush. Dry in shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR Do not use cushion covers for separate cleaning, even though they may have zippers. Do not wash. Do not dry clean. Clean with hot water extraction machine (HOT) professional cleaning recommended. Use only upholstery detergent. Do not wet filling. Dry in shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. SPOT CLEANING: Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Apply proprietary cleaning agents strictly according to instructions to remove the residue of the soil. Do not saturate the fabric or interior with water or other cleaning liquids may be spot cleaned with dry cleaning solvent.

11U         UPHOLSTERY LAVEL                           For fabrics which are not Dry Cleanable. For cotton fabrics dyed or printed with pigments.

For polypropylene fabrics. NO NOT DRY CLEAN X Do not remove cushion covers for separate cleaning or washing even though they may have zippers. Shampoo clean using upholstery shampoo. Do not use dishwashing or laundry detergents. Do not wet filling. Do not scrub with stiff brush. Dry in shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use. OR Professional cleaning recommended. Clean with hot water extraction machine. Use only upholstery detergent. Do not wet filling. Dry in shade away from direct heat. Allow to dry thoroughly before re-use.

10 reasons to make Cover It Upholstery Sydney your Upholsterer

• Attention to detail
• Quality workmanship guaranteed
• We come to you with fabric, leather or vinyl samples
• Free quotes
• Free pick up and delivery (within Sydney Metro - except very difficult access)
• No job too big or small
• We go the extra mile and won't charge for minor repairs etc
• Customer satisfaction is our number 1 priority
• We cover all suburbs of Sydney
• We always deliver when we say we will

But don't just take it from me, below are some testimonials from our happy customers.

Hi Marcel

Thanks again for the great job you did on the chairs we are very pleased with the outcome, nice leather, nice look, nice detailing and craftsmanship, comfortable seat - great! It’s been good doing business with you, we will certainly recommend you to anyone who needs upholstery work.

Cheers Rob

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Hello

Marcel , it was great job …looks very good ..everyone liked it .

Thank you

Regards,

Bikash

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Thank you for doing such a great job with our armchair.

When we gave it to you it was a decomposing 1950’s holiday house armchair - but of great sentimental value.

You brought our grandfather’s favourite chair back to life - restoring the frame & doing the upholstery beautifully.

Thanks again,

Cheers,

Caroline

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Marcel

I wanted to say thank you for not only a job well done, but also arriving when you said you would for the quote, pick up and drop off and the courteous way you told us what would be done, and the time you took to explain the options with the leather.
Certainly the finished product met our expectations and the 100 year old lounge is ready for another 30 years! We will call you again then.

Maree and Phil

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Hi Marcel,

Thank you so much for your great work we are delighted with the final product, it looks fantastic!

Great service!

Cheers

Mike

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Hi Marcel

I'll take some photos of the lounge, hopefully this weekend.  I love the way it looks now, even Frank likes it, He admitted it turned out better than he expected!!!

Thanks for doing such a great job, I'll get the photos to you soon.

Cheers

Marion

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Good morning Marcel

Many thanks for such a great job.

Regards,

Phillip

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Thanks so much for your follow up etc – it’s rare to find efficient people these days so I just wanted to say thank you. Often people only comment when things are bad but I think it’s also good to acknowledge the good people and you are one of those.

Thanks again.

Regards,

Julie

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Hi Marcel,

Thanks for the great job on the sofa bed and lounge chair. 

Vanessa Chalker

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Hey Marcel,

Just wanted to send you a quick email to say thank you the benches look awesome!!

So great.

Thanks again.

Cheers
Julie

Dinki Di

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An excellent fairly priced job. First rate help with fabric advice and choice. Everything worked as promised, quoting, pickup, job duration and redelivery. Difficult pick up and delivery effected without a hitch. Marcel is a thouroughly decent man offering a service "as good as it gets!" 
Tim

We collected our antique chair from our ancestral house and are delighted with the wonderful job you have done on restoration and recovery. The results speak for themselves because the chair looks wonderful in our living room and we could not be happier with the fabric we chose with your assistance.Thank you, Cover It Upholstery.
Carlos Julian

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Hi Marcel,

just a quick note to thank you for your excellent work on the chairs, very pleased and very impressed.

Best regards

Christian Gostelow

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Hi Marcel,

Jeff and I both want to pass on our thanks for the excellent work you have done on our chairs. They look fantastic, and they are many times more comfortable than when we first inherited them! My extended family is thrilled that we have been able to restore my grandmother's chairs to their former glory (probably even better than their former glory!) and that they will stay in the family for many more years to come. 

I definitely won't hesitate to recommend you to anyone who I hear is looking for an upholsterer! 

Thanks again 

Kirstin

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Marcel, a quick note to thank you for the wonderful work you did with recovering our 2 Danish deluxe chairs. They look fantastic in our lounge room and thanks to your advice re fabric choice, have become a real talking point…we no longer sit on our lounge! I am so delighted with your workmanship and service, that I would like you to recover my dining chairs as well. Thanks again for a great job.

Genevieve Palmer

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Dear Marcel,

We collected our antique chair from our daughter in law Susan and are delighted with the wonderful job you have done on restoration and recovering.

Prior to meeting you at Northbridge we both had doubts as to whether it would be possible or worthwhile going through the exercise.

The results speak for themselves, the chair looks wonderful in our bedroom and we could not be happier with the fabric we chose with your assistance.
Many thanks.

Yours sincerely,

Jill & John Livingstone

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Hi Marcel,

Just wanted to say thank you for your work on the chair, you've done a beautiful job. 

We're really pleased with it. 

Kind Regards,

Emma.

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Dear Marcel, 

Thanks so much for a truly fantastic job and for all your help and advice on it!   

All the best, 

Briony and Nick

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Hi Marcel,

Thanks for everything, you have been absolutely spot on, professional, wonderful!

Will contact you for any upholstery jobs in the future, hopefully they wont be as hairy as this one!

Thanks,

Laura

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Hi Marcel,

I just wanted to say thank you for a fantastic job on the dining chairs. We are very happy with the job and appreciate your attention to detail.

regards,

Vlad and Adam

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Dear Marcel

How absolutely refreshing to deal with an artisan who does what he says he will do, right on time with updates along the way and carries out a truly amazing professional job.

My lounges and chairs look utterly fabulous and I could not be happier with your work.  Your attention to detail is truly outstanding.

And all this with the greatest courtesy and a smile on your face.

Simply the best!!!

With grateful thanks

Kerri

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I joined TrueLocal just so I could share this review with you. Marcel is a delight to deal with - a real person but a consummate businessman too. After one tricky job I then backed up with another challenge for him almost immediately. The willingness to fit around our busy schedules with emails, texts, pics online etc plus a few home visits made the entire process a pleasure - it felt like he was only working on our projects! Highly recommended and once I find another piece of furniture to recover I will be back in contact with Cover It Upholstery

Nancy Incoll

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Hi Marcel,

I wanted to thankyou for the outstanding job you did reupholstering and polishing our Javi lounge and dining chairs.  I couldn't be any happier with the result.  You are obviously passionate about what you do, and your attention to detail makes all the difference!  I will certainly recommend you to friends.  (I had a few friends call in today, and every one of them commented on the lounge!)

Kylie, Roseville

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Dear Marcel

Thank you the professional job you did with recovering our lounge suite and providing cushions for our dining suite chairs.

We are very pleased with the result and would recommend you to others.  We also appreciated your timeliness.

Regards

Janet Chelliah

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Fantastic job on recovering our chairs. I was really impressed with the attention to detail and the customer service. Extremely easy to deal with and very quick service. I would recommend Marcel at Cover It for all your upholstery needs.

Moyra, Surface Art

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I had been carting around this old club chair in its hideous loud brown-and-white velour upholstery for twenty years. I thought I was the only one you could see its promise, but Marcel must have seen it, too, because he's totally rejuvenated the chair and it has finally realised its potential - it is now a gorgeous-looking, sturdy, beautifully comfortable chair and the new velvet covering feels lovely to sit on. Marcel was very helpful when I was choosing the fabric, and prompt in fitting in with my pickup and delivery times, replying to my email queries etc, and the job was completed with a fast turnaround and an excellent end result. I would totally recommend Cover It!

Yvonne Smythe

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Hi Marcel,

Just want to say thank you for the beautiful job you did on our couches.  I absolutely love them and they look perfect in our new home - plus your service was so great.

I will certainly recommend you to any friends who may be needing their couches covered!

Best wishes

Jean

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Hi Marcel

Just tried to call you to tell you what an amazing job you have done with recovering the lounges – the fit is perfect and looks fabulous – thank you so much.  It has been so easy dealing with you, nothing was a problem and you accommodated everything we needed – even the packing of the finished product was perfect.  Will send you a photo. Will certainly be recommending your work to everyone needing an accomplished upholsterer.

Many thanks from 2 extremely satisfied customers – thanks also to your machinist.

Best wishes

Carmel

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Hi Marcel

Many thanks for the great work you have done with my furniture, I really appreciate it and will highly recommend you to my friends.

Suzane

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Having unpleasant memories of our recent dealings with the trade professions( unreliability, unskilfull work and over pricing practices)I was anxious if I will be able to find a skilfull upholsterer for my antique leather furniture.

Marcel Albert from Cover It Upholstery has returned my trust in trade craftsmanship - courteous, professional, efficient , with great skills and attention for detail, he did an excellent job in realistic price range. 

I highly recommend Cover It Upholstery, hoping that in this country, we will have more such skilful and professional tradesman, which take pride in their chosen profession.

Lola Markovic

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cover it is a very professional organisation with highly skilled upholsterers. The advice I was given was great, things were collected and returned on time, the prices were very competitive. I have been thrilled with all three jobs I have contracted them to do. They turned my old fashioned tacky chairs into up to date fashion statements which enhance the decor in my home.

Lesley Graig

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We were delighted with the work done by Cover-it, in particular the attention taken in matching the pattern on a very difficult item. We were also dlighted with the efficiency and the pricing

Brett Courtnay

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I recommend Cover It Upholstery. I was happy with the advice I was given on the daybed i needed to cover. Marcel included features in the upholstering that I hadn't considered - extra padding and protection where needed and valuable advise on cleaning.

The quote was done in person, and Marcel took into consideration, not only the piece, but how it will be used. Marcel is good to work with, and has a great customer focus, and personal approach

Georgina Andrews

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Dear Marcel,

I am delighted with the lounge suite you re-upholstered for me“It’s better than new”. It’s a 2 seater lounge, chair, footstool all Queen Anne style – all perfect, As is the antique bedroom chair you also re-upholstered.

My Daughter, Dr S.A. Wallace was also very pleased with the work you did for her and recommended your work to me, as I would also. 
Best Wishes,

Sincerely,

Billie Wallace

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Dear Mr Marcel Albert: 

Thank you for doing such a wonderful job on the bucket chair… 

You repaired and recovered it so very well - - now comfortable to sit in. My dear husband Jay is pleased too, thank you. We are grateful to you for your fine work, on both chairs.

Sincerely, 

Mrs Christine Greco

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Marcel, 

Thank you for such a great job on our couch & for your extra service. Please accept our gift voucher for a complementary massage.

Thanks,

Deborah (Shire Chiropractic)

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Marcel has just delivered to me my recovered Tub chair. It is beautiful. From the moment I contacted him by email, I have had nothing less than excellent service. He replied to my emails almost instantly, his price was very competitive & the quality of workmanship is excellent. He arrived at my house, both to pick up & deliver on time & it was a pleasure to deal with him.

Thank you Marcel.

ANN LOGAN

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What a wonderful experience! I have a beautiful leather lounge but I noticed tear in one of the seat cushions some months ago. Repair was not an option as the tear was in a prominent position. I contacted a number of upholsterers in the area to see what could be done. The biggest problem I could see was how to match the colour. I found Cover-it and sent off an enquiry. I received an immediate response and the service from Marcel has been fabulous throughout the whole exercise. Nothing was too much trouble. Marcel replaced the covers on the three cushions and I couldn't be more pleased with the result! The leather is superb and the craftsmanship is first class. I'm already starting to think about the next jobs I can send his way!

Thanks to you and your team, Marcel for a magnificent job!

Bernie

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Everything went smoothly. Marcel was a pleasure to deal with. Excellent attention to detail, prompt pickup and delivery. Superb restoration work, very good quality. When the revised quote turned out to be quite a bit cheaper than the original, Marcel revised the bill downwards. I have nothing put compliments. Highly recommended.

Stevie Bee

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Thank you Marcel and your team for the wonderful job you did on our late Mum's rocking chair and footstool. As we explained Mum got them as a wedding present from her own upholsterer father in 1939 and treasured it till she passed away last December. We are thrilled with the work and the price, as well as the prompt and efficient service. I would recommend Cover It to anyone who values furniture and needs a master craftsman.

Carmel Woods

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I will keep it brief - Marcel is a helpful young guy that does fantastic work. He did a 15 y.o Queen Size sofabed for me and the craftsmanship is fantastic. Without charging extra he reinforced the entire frame and straightened out bends in the bed mechanism so it is now better than when it was brand new. To buy a sofabed of this quality and fabric would at least be 50% more than what I paid for Marcel to do.

Basically, nothing is a real hassle, the only issue you will have is that he is so busy because he is so good. Unless you want something done within an unreasonable timeframe you are going to be very satisfied.

He can do anything, fix wood, frames, restore breakages, as well as any fabric from canvas, cotton, delicates and leather. He has done an awesome job with the cushions for me, and basically the cushions are far superior to what they were when the bed was brand new. I would have no hesitation in recommending Marcel to anyone, and I will be sending all my future upholstery work to this guy.

Stephen Alleyn