Furniture Fix Up

You know the old saying, "Out with the old, in with the new." How about this spring you think more along the lines of rejuvenating the old? In our current Green issue we feature tips and advice on taking old furniture pieces and reupholstering them to become brand new additions to your home. STYLE sought out expert Paul D'Orazio of Paul D'Orazio Custom Upholstery and compiled a step-by-step guide to get you started on your next home project: The furniture fixer-upper!

1. Assess the situation Make sure that the chair is worth the effort of reupholstering. Split, broken and shoddy legs aren't worth the effort. You want a piece that is durable enough to withstand the redo and look wonderful.

2. Material girl Picking the right fabric is key. You want fabric that is heavy and durable and will last through many sittings. D'Orazio says that most any fabrics are acceptable but cautions, "Stay away from silky fabrics. They show more pulls and wear and tear."

3. Staple surgery Use needle-nose pliers to remove staples and take off the old fabric and batting. D'Orazio suggests that you check the interior parts of the chair for any loose springs or repairs that may be needed before moving on.

4. More stuffing, please "Always replace old batting," D'Orazio says. Replacing old batting is crucial, since most furniture has had a long life prior to being reupholstered. Even if it appears to be in good condition, you want to change it and staple new batting to the chair board.

5. Cover it up Drape your fabric around the chair cushion and attach with staple gun, and then cut excess material. Expert tip: Tack your fabric in place first before the final staple. This allows you to make changes if the fabric is not straight or lined up properly. When satisfied, staple and remove tacks.

6. Re-attach chair Screw the cushion back into the chair, making sure it's secure and tightened.

Voila! You've just completed your first DIY project. But remember that these instructions are for a simple seat cushion chair, and for more advanced projects you should visit Paul D'Orazio Custom Upholstery located at 1410 Bethlehem Pike in Flourtown, or call 215.836.1057 to make an appointment.