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 Amelia Island Design: Spring 2007
 
 

DECOR |

 

 

furniture to fit

your lifestyle

 

               Custom designing furniture has numerous benefits

                                        By Arlene Rowland-Scott

 

 

MANY OF US HAVE A VISION of the perfect piece of furniture before we even start shopping for it. But, more often than not, the hunt becomes frustrating when that perfect piece is nowhere to be found. One way to get exactly what you want is to have it made to order. While “custom-made” can be an intimidating term, having a one-of-a-kind item created is much easier and less expensive than you might think. Moreover, when you create custom furniture, you can be sure it will be high-quality and perfectly suited to your taste.

   Seating is a vital element to every home, so it is imperative to have chairs and sofas that you love. Whether you’ve found a photo of your ideal piece in a book or magazine, or you just have a mental image, a piece of furniture can usually be created for about the same price you would pay for a high-end store-bought item. Besides getting a one-of-a-kind furnishing perfectly suited to your taste, your furniture can fit your stature or your space. Whether you are 6’5” or 4’5”, or you just need your furniture to fill an unusual space, custom-made furniture is the easiest option for hard-to-fit people and areas.

   When building custom furniture, there are no limits to your options, and a qualified professional will help you make smart choices to ensure your end result is beautiful, comfortable, and functional. As I have learned from my experience in the field as well as from other designers, there is never a right or wrong to designing your home. The most important thing in decorating is to decorate with things you love. A trained eye can guide you to make those elements come together to create a finished look.

   The number-one key to quality furniture is the frame and how it is put together. The most important elements of a chair or sofa are the frame, springs, and padding. It is the combination of these things that give a piece its durability and comfort. Quality construction begins with solid hardwood, a well-reinforced frame, and quality springs or webbing for long-lasting strength.

   The springs and cushions are what give furniture most of its comfort. Cushions also help to give the furniture much of its shape. A soft blend of down and feathers will create a comfy seat with a casual look. For firmer and more formal cushions, the most popular choice is high-density foam wrapped in Dacron. Those who want support and softness may choose a combination
 

of springs or foam and feathers. This luxurious blend retains its shape better and provides more support than a feather cushion, with a similar feel.

   Choosing the upholstery for your piece is the most fun, although it is sometimes the most challenging because of the countless options. This is where you really get to personalize your piece and make it fit your home perfectly. The color, design, and feel of the fabric are what will make you really fall in love with a piece of furniture, and a professional can help you narrow down the myriad choices.

   By the time you have finished, you have spent no more and sometimes less than you would if you had shopped for a high-end sofa, chair, or loveseat. The difference is you are able to get exactly what you want to your own specifications. High-quality, personalized furniture often becomes an heirloom that your children and grandchildren will cherish—an advantage not always found in manufactured furniture.

   Whether you are in the market for furniture, re-upholstery, draperies, rugs, or wall-hangings, having something custom-made gives you the best value and quality, and is a fail-proof way to ensure you get exactly what you are looking for.

 

  

 

Wallace Rowland and Arlene     Rowland-Scott (WFCP)own        Rowland's Upholstery   Plus, a local, family owned upholstery shop and custom decorating     center that has been in        business since 1953