reviewed

After an overly long adjournment in proceedings I'm back with a book review.*

The book in question is Contemporary Upholstery by Hannah Stanton, a former graphic designer who caught the bug and signed up for a course in Traditional and Modern Upholstery taught by the 'legendary' Malcolm Hopkins.  And he is legendary - even I've heard of him, spoken to him (before I was 'legendary' that is) and have his book sitting on the shelf.

Now I suppose at this point I should come clean - I've dabbled in upholstery, spent two years in a workshop learning how to upholster chairs using traditional methods and materials, took courses in traditional and modern upholstery and so on - I know a bit about the subject matter and just how tricky it is to master this craft.  I also have a handful of books on upholstery - some good, some not so good.  And for all these reasons I was eager to see how Hannah was going to approach her chosen topic and convey her expertise to the novice, would-be upholsterer.

To give you the blurb, the book is divided into three main sections, beginning with an overview of the essential tools and materials needed. This section includes photographic descriptions as well as a helpful narratives.  A good start.  The second section includes detailed advice on choosing and working with fabric. This section is comprehensive, and I particularly liked the general considerations that should be thought through when selecting a fabric as well as the chapter which discussed making fabric - digital printing, screen printing and the like.

Lastly, section three provides step-by-step tutorials that are technique rather than project driven and range from quick makeovers to simple solutions for particular upholstery processes.  Accompanied by colourful illustrations, I like the way Hannah has included both modern and traditional techniques in this section, giving the reader the option of trying out different methods. And this section is truly comprehensive, covering topics ranging from a drop-in seat to lashing springs and tufting.  My only criticism here would be the use of illustrations over photography.  That being said, the book deemed the upholsterer's bible - Practical Upholstering by Frederick Palmer - contains nothing more than illustrations all the way through.  So perhaps there is something to be said of utilising illustrations to convey what can sometimes be complicated instructions.

Alongside the techniques are case studies of projects by contemporary upholsterers which feature before and after photos of salvaged pieces alongside an explanation as to how the upholsterer tackled each project, the challenges faced and the knowledge they learnt.  There are some great upholsterers featured here whose work I really admire - think Eleanor Young.  And throughout the book there are contributions from other names which I have previously featured on the blog - Claire-Anne O-Brien, Tortie Hoare and Urban Upholstery, to name but a few.

Overall, the book is well presented with each page containing something informative or inspirational.  Whilst I've tackled all of the projects covered in the book, there are one or two I haven't tried in a while, and this book had me thinking affectionately about laid cord and double cone springs and the huge sense of personal achievement that can be gained from taking on and completing any of the projects covered in Hannah's book.  All in all, I'd like Contemporary Upholstery to sit on my book shelf, I'd like to flick through it from time to time and I know I would definitely refer to it in times of 'oh crumbs, now what do I do, does the needle go in this way, or that way, how does that knot go again?'.


* So we're all quite clear, I've not been paid (in money or in chairs) to write this review and I do not know and have never met the author.  The only thing in it for me was the potential enjoyment of reading a good book.  End of.

teardrops

Take two iconic chairs designed by Hans Olsen for Frem Rojle, add a dash of Eleanor Young of Fun Makes Good, and what you end up with is something quite unexpected.  These beautifully re-worked pieces have been re-upholstered in a teardrop design - reflecting the chairs natural curves - using a patchwork of blue-hued vinyl in keeping with the chairs original vinyl covering.  We love the originality of the design and the complementing colour palette ...... how about you?

Images:  Fun Makes Good

seeing red

We normally do the talking bit first and then leave you with the pictures, but this chair knows how to make an entrance and so we're happy to make an exception!  We spotted this gem over on Olive & Joy sometime ago now and it blows us away each time we look at it.  The shape ticks all the right boxes and the exposed frame is particularly pleasing, especially when viewed from the side.  With its red wool upholstery, those polished brass tips to the legs and the beautiful tone of the wood, this chair is, without doubt, a firm favourite.

Images:  Olive & Joy

credit where credit's due

We've long been admirers of the work of Andrea Simonutti, an upholsterer who, together with artist and designer Patrizia Sottile make up Urban Upholstery, a London based company that rescue abandoned pieces of furniture and expertly reinvent them.  So we were intrigued to learn that Barbara Chandler - a journalist best known for her design writing, but also an accomplished photographer who has been exhibiting and selling her work for nearly 25 years - teamed up with the creative duo on her recently launched Love London project.  For us, it is so refreshing to see the upholsterers being credited for their work, and here are some great images of the Urban Upholstery team working with some unique collages that make up the Love London fabrics.

Credits/Images:  Barbara Chandler via Flickr

room service

Whilst putting together our Cornish Cool post some months ago, we stumbled across these images of The Falmouth Townhouse - a boutique hotel which 'fuses vintage modernist furniture with bespoke pieces and contemporary design - after it's makeover by Kathryn Tyler, founder of interior design consultancy Linea Studio.  Muted tones, brightly coloured upholstery, stylish lighting and some teak thrown in for good measure .... and hey-presto, a haven of mid-century cool for those in need of a bed for the night!

Images:  Linea Studio, The Falmouth Townhouse

cover up

We found this picture of Marco Zanuso's 'Martingala' chair for Arflex so intriguing that we decided to find out a little bit more about it.  Designed in 1952/3 and exhibited at the X Triennale in Milan in 1954, it was the first example of 'dressing design' ..... or, in today's language, the first armchair with removable covers.  The very first!  On closer inspection, the decorative detailing to the back of the chair is simply a means of disguising the ruched fabric which has been gathered - using nothing more than drawstrings - to provide a tailored fit to the 'dress' or cover.  Ingenious!

Image:  Jacksons

A change of tack

When we began this blog it was meant to be a means by which we could record our passion for two things:  chairs and upholstery.  The blog subsequently took on a form of its own and quickly became a place to find a design classic or two, with posts on upholstery fairly thin on the ground.  So, in an attempt to redress the balance we're turning our attention (for today at least) to a dusty old book we found over the weekend - none other than the upholsterer's 'Bible'.  Although originally written by Frederick Palmer in 1921, 'Practical Upholstering' is still the most complete work on the subject, admirably describing the timeless techniques and best practice of the traditional upholsterer.  Without a photograph in sight, the book contains over 400 hand-drawn illustrations as a result of Palmer's habit of making sketches of chairs and settees at different points in their construction.  It's a wonderful and insightful book into the handicraft that is traditional upholstery.

Images:  chairsmith ©

Budge up

Today we are mostly digging this four seater sofa by American furniture designer Milo Baughman.  Designed in 1965, the original upholstery ain't looking too shabby - no missing buttons, no frayed arms ..... and that fabric doesn't appear to have lost any of its vibrancy and just oozes mid-century charm.  If only we had the room! 

Credits/Images:  The Good Mod

Piping hot

We're partial to a bit of good upholstery, especially on a shapely specimen.  This 1960s armchair, with its delightful turned teak legs, has been beautifully reupholstered in a grey marl wool with contrast black piping.  Nice!

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Images:  Ravenwares

Looking good

OK, so the majority of the surface buttons seem to have gone AWOL and the upholstery is generally looking a little on the tired side, but that doesn't detract at all from the beautiful proportions and delightful shape of this 1950s sofa.  Oh, and those legs .... just look at this legs!

Images:  City-furniture