What Makes Good Quality Upholstered Furniture?

Posted on 06/03/201730/05/2023 by Helen

What makes good quality upholstered furniture?

If you are looking to buy good quality upholstered furniture to be a feature of your living area for years to come, then there is one crucial question you must ask the seller: “How was the frame made?” This is because it is the quality of the frame that generally dictates the longevity of the furniture.

A well-made, good quality sofa or chair should have a frame made from a solid hardwood – ideally beech – with joints that are screwed, glued and dowelled.

A frame built in this way is ideal to survive the rigours of everyday use. And being solid and strong will ensure you can hold on to them for many, many years and can be reupholstered and recovered as many times as suits your needs.

Remember: Good quality furniture requires a good quality frame – and all sofas custom-made here at Hill Upholstery & Design leave our workshop with just that. Master upholsterer Scott Hill shows us in this video what was hidden inside this armchair and why the frame was certainly NOT built to last.

And here is an example of a good quality frame, which is part of a custom made suite the team are currently working on.

HALABALA Vintage Chairs

Posted on 03/03/201730/05/2023 by Helen

Arrived into our workshop this month are some beautiful designer Halabala Vintage Chairs. These are going to be recovered in leather from Futura’s Lena range, white leather with black piping. Keep an eye out for the fabulous finished chairs in our workshop in Essex.

Vintage furniture enthusiasts and design connoisseurs alike have long been captivated by the timeless elegance and exceptional craftsmanship of Halabala Vintage Chairs. These iconic pieces, designed by the renowned Czech architect and designer Jindřich Halabala, continue to hold a significant place in the history of furniture design. In this article, we delve into the fascinating world of Halabala Vintage Chairs, tracing their origins, examining their distinct design features, and celebrating their enduring appeal.

The Legacy of Jindřich Halabala:
Jindřich Halabala, a prominent figure in Czech design during the 20th century, crafted a range of furniture pieces that embodied both functionality and aesthetic beauty. Born in 1903, Halabala’s passion for architecture and design led him to establish his own furniture company in 1928. His innovative approach and focus on ergonomics revolutionised the field, with his creations leaving an indelible mark on the world of interior design.

Distinctive Design Features:
Halabala Vintage Chairs are celebrated for their distinctive design features that effortlessly blend form and function. The chairs often feature curved lines, organic shapes, and a harmonious balance between materials. Halabala’s innovative use of bentwood, tubular steel, and upholstery allowed him to create chairs that were not only visually appealing but also comfortable and practical.

Materials and Construction:
Halabala Vintage Chairs showcase a mastery of materials and construction techniques. The designer embraced the use of bentwood, a method that involved shaping and bending wood to create the chair’s frame and arms. This technique allowed for the production of elegant, lightweight, and resilient chairs. Additionally, Halabala incorporated tubular steel, which further enhanced the structural integrity of his designs.

Iconic Halabala Chair Models:
Halabala Vintage Chairs encompass a diverse range of models, each with its own unique charm. Some of the most renowned models include the H259 Armchair, characterised by its sweeping lines and distinctive armrests, and the H269 Lounge Chair, which boasts a low, reclining design that exudes comfort and style. The H367 Dining Chair stands out with its sleek silhouette and ergonomic contours, exemplifying Halabala’s commitment to functionality.

Enduring Popularity and Influence:
Decades after their creation, Halabala Vintage Chairs continue to captivate design enthusiasts and collectors around the world. Their enduring popularity can be attributed to their timeless aesthetics, exceptional craftsmanship, and the impact they have had on subsequent furniture designs.

Restoration and Preservation:
Given the age of Halabala Vintage Chairs, restoration and preservation efforts have become essential in maintaining their beauty and functionality. Skilled artisans and restoration specialists work diligently to repair and refurbish these iconic pieces, ensuring that their original charm is preserved for future generations to enjoy. These restoration projects not only breathe new life into the chairs but also highlight the importance of preserving design heritage.

Collecting Halabala Vintage Chairs:
Collecting Halabala Vintage Chairs has become a passion for many design enthusiasts. These chairs are not only sought after for their aesthetic appeal but also for their historical significance. Authenticity and condition are crucial factors when building a collection, as Halabala chairs have been imitated and reproduced over the years. Enthusiasts often engage in meticulous research and seek out reputable sources to acquire genuine pieces that hold true to Halabala’s original vision.

Halabala Chairs in Contemporary Design:
The influence of Halabala’s designs extends beyond the realm of vintage furniture. Today, contemporary designers often incorporate elements inspired by Halabala’s aesthetic into their own creations. The fusion of classic and modern design sensibilities allows for the creation of unique pieces that pay homage to Halabala’s enduring legacy while infusing a fresh and contemporary perspective.

Exhibitions and Museums:
Halabala Vintage Chairs have gained recognition not only among design enthusiasts but also in the art and museum world. Various exhibitions and museums showcase these iconic chairs, providing an opportunity for visitors to appreciate their beauty and learn about their historical significance. These exhibits celebrate Halabala’s contribution to the field of furniture design and educate the public about his innovative approach and lasting influence.

Halabala Vintage Chairs stand as testament to Jindřich Halabala’s remarkable talent and his profound impact on the world of furniture design. With their timeless elegance, distinctive design features, and exceptional craftsmanship, these chairs continue to captivate enthusiasts and collectors alike. As we celebrate their enduring allure, we recognise Halabala’s contributions as a visionary designer whose legacy remains an influential force in the realm of interior design and vintage furniture appreciation.

Upholstery repairs

Posted on 18/08/201606/02/2023 by Helen

When stripping this chair ready to recover for our customer we noticed the chair’s arms were loose as was the back. Scott Hill explains in this video what the problem is and how we can rectify it.

Looking for a new sofa or chair?

Posted on 04/01/201614/03/2022 by Helen

Lured by the sales?

THIS time of year almost every furniture shop will be trying to lure people in with their sales. But while your existing sofas or chairs may have seen better days, buying replacements is not the only (or the best) option.

No doubt you like your existing suite. It fits your room, it fits your family and it fits your needs. But will you be able to find the perfect replacement?

And how many superstores will you have to traipse around before your luck drops and you actually find it?

There is an easier solution, of course, and that is reupholstery.

As long as your furniture has a solid frame, then it can be upgraded, rebuilt or recovered to take it back to its prime or give it a new lease of life. Think about it. Your sofa or chair, the one that fits all your needs, back again as good as new.

It must be said that reupholstery is not the cheap option. But what you get back is a real quality item to your exact specifications. You can choose the colour and type of fabric, some examples on this page. You could change the type of cushions if you wanted or have a firmer seat. How about leather instead of fabric. Any and all options are open – the world is your oyster!

Why not design your own upholstered furniture from scratch – to fit perfectly in the spot you have in mind, ticking all the right boxes.

So, if you have a unique personality that your average store doesn’t cater for or you just want your chair back to its former glory, then an upholsterer is your perfect choice.

Get in touch with us today and see how Hill Upholstery & Design can help you.

Feel inspired by these photos, let us send you some fabric samples to consider…

Title image: Yarwood Leather, Tribe Collection
Image top right: Swaffer, Panache collection
Image bottom left: Osborne & Little, Maude Check collection
Image on News page: Swaffer, Fitz collection

What is reupholstery?

Posted on 28/10/201503/03/2016 by Helen

What is Reupholstery?

Here’s a thought, inspiring interiors are an essential ingredient to a happy life.

Whether it’s an occasional chair that’s been passed down through generations of the family, or a feature piece in the reception of your business, it is something that has become uniquely yours.

Whatever it is, there will ultimately come a time when a question mark hangs over its future. There’s a tear in the fabric, for instance, or the webbing is way past its best. Perhaps the pattern just doesn’t go with how you want your room – any of your rooms – to look these days.

Sometimes buying new furniture is not an option – the wrong colour or perhaps the wrong style – perhaps it just doesn’t tick all the boxes.

Quality furniture is not always easy to come by, but the good news is that as long as your existing piece has a solid frame to work from, then it can be given a new lease of life.

A simple recovering is the thing that will come to most people’s minds. That’s when an upholsterer changes the fabric on the outside, while leaving the rest of the chair alone. This can just be a straight replacement for an existing fabric that has seen better days or something entirely new totally suited to your lifestyle, your personality or your room decor. You can now spend many more Christmases entertaining your family on your newly recovered chairs or the change in colour scheme in your business can also spread to your office or restaurant seating.

It’s like when Doctor Who regenerates. He gets a new face and character, but is essentially the same dependable chap you know and love underneath.

Quite often, though, other things can go wrong with a piece of furniture on the inside. It may be the webbing, springs, fillings or a combination of all that go wrong. But as we said before, as long as there is a good quality solid base to work from, an upholsterer can strip the piece back to the frame and build it back up again to mint condition. That there is the art of reupholstery.

That family heirloom can be restored to the glory that your ancestors enjoyed it in, or it can take on your personality for many more years to come.

But an expert upholsterer’s skills can go even further than that. So once that occasional chair has taken pride of place in the corner of your bedroom, they could manufacture an identical one for the other side of the room or maybe a padded headboard for your bed to match.

Of course Hill Upholstery & Design can help with all of these examples and many more. So get in touch with any queries about what we do and what we could do for you on 01375 361155 or email [email protected]