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Custom upholstering w/ Kvadrat fabric

post #1 of 11
10/3/10 at 3:18pm
Thread Starter 
I am looking for an upholstery service that will build a custom couch cover using fabric of my choosing.

I recently purchased an IKEA Kramfors couch, and I am not sure whether I will keep it.



This couch uses a slip cover attached to the bottom and the seat with Velcro, and the Velcro is secured by the metal base, which is screwed in place over it. I like the fabric, but I far prefer Kvadrat Flora 226, which is carried by Maharam.

My question is whether there are any upholstery services online that might be able to use my existing ikea couch cover to build a custom cover using fabric of my choosing.

Also, just by the way, I wouldn't mind hearing fabric recommendations. I saw flora 226 on a chair at Design Within Reach and was stunned.
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post #2 of 11
10/3/10 at 7:55pm
IMO, I wouldn't spend any money to have a slipcover made for an Ikea sofa. Live with the sofa as is, and use the reupholstery money towards saving up for a high-quality piece. The money spent on a good sofa is usually a good investment.
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post #3 of 11
10/3/10 at 8:17pm
Thread Starter 
I wanted to do both, i.e. save for a quality couch and reupholster this one. I'd be using this one for my sitting room. Until it falls apart, I think this couch approximates in style the sort of thing I want in the long run, so having a test go with the right fabric might help inform my long run decision.

I might just find a well regarded upholsterer I suppose, if anyone has a recommendation.
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post #4 of 11
10/4/10 at 12:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by voxsartorla View Post
Reupholstering an IKEA couch gives putting lipstick on a pig a run for its money.

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post #5 of 11
10/4/10 at 10:11am
Thread Starter 
Does the same sentiment apply to reproductions? Is the most basic problem quality of construction?

I thought this couch looked nice and was comparable in design to things available at the higher end retailers. In fact I thought it might have been a knock off.

In any case, point taken. The couch is indeed cheaply made.
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post #6 of 11
10/4/10 at 10:27am
I agree with the others, just buy a quality couch in the first place. One of teh GF's clients is having a vintage Eames chair re-upholstered with leather and I know the bill is at least $2K. And come to think of it, my parents are having a couch done sometime and this bill will still be a few thousand for a quality job. IMO only worth it for very well made pieces in the first place.
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post #7 of 11
10/4/10 at 2:41pm
I agree that some Ikea pieces have nice, clean lines. While this can appeal to your modernist aesthetic, the quality is usually lacking. I'm not knocking Ikea, the furniture is great for decorating on a tight budget while still looking fairly good.
The Kvadrat and Maharham fabrics are fairly high quality and definitely overkill for an Ikea sofa. If you can't live with the upholstery as is, perhaps a slipcover in a cheaper fabric would suffice.

Another option: My freind was reupholstering a Knoll sofa and found some Kvadrat fabric on eBay for +50% less than retail.
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post #8 of 11
10/4/10 at 2:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcqueen View Post
I agree that some Ikea pieces have nice, clean lines. While this can appeal to your modernist aesthetic, the quality is usually lacking. I'm not knocking Ikea, the furniture is great for decorating on a tight budget while still looking fairly good.
The Kvadrat and Maharham fabrics are fairly high quality and definitely overkill for an Ikea sofa. If you can't live with the upholstery as is, perhaps a slipcover in a cheaper fabric would suffice.

Another option: My freind was reupholstering a Knoll sofa and found some Kvadrat fabric on eBay for +50% less than retail.

Roger that.

Btw, if you're in Toronto, I've noticed some good looking pieces here:

http://guffonline.blogspot.com/
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post #9 of 11
10/4/10 at 3:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcqueen View Post
IMO, I wouldn't spend any money to have a slipcover made for an Ikea sofa. Live with the sofa as is, and use the reupholstery money towards saving up for a high-quality piece. The money spent on a good sofa is usually a good investment.

Just what I would answer.
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post #10 of 11
10/6/10 at 1:07am
i really like the Knoll boucles which are on the lower end of their spectrum pricewise.

-Jeff
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post #11 of 11
10/6/10 at 1:40am
Those shoes would be eminently wearable if it weren't for the ugly last.
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