Upholstery

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A New England easy chair with its upholstery sectioned New England easy chair.jpg
A New England easy chair with its upholstery sectioned

Upholstery is the work of providing furniture, especially seats, with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather covers. The word also refers to the materials used to upholster something.

Contents

Upholstery comes from the Middle English word upholder, [1] which referred to an artisan who makes fabric furnishings. [2] The term is equally applicable to domestic, automobile, airplane and boat furniture, and can be applied to mattresses, particularly the upper layers, though these often differ significantly in design. A person who works with upholstery is called an upholsterer. An apprentice upholsterer is sometimes called an outsider or trimmer. Traditional upholstery uses materials like coil springs (post-1850), animal hair (horse, hog and cow), coir, straw and hay, hessians, linen scrims, wadding, etc., and is done by hand, building each layer up. In contrast, today's upholsterers employ synthetic materials like dacron and vinyl, serpentine springs, and so on.

History

Armchair, designed in 1869 by George Jacob Hunzinger and patented on March 30, 1869. Wood, original upholstery. Brooklyn Museum George Jacob Hunzinger, American, born Germany, 1835-1898. Armchair, designed 1869 patented March 30, 1869. Wood, original upholstery.jpg
Armchair, designed in 1869 by George Jacob Hunzinger and patented on March 30, 1869. Wood, original upholstery. Brooklyn Museum

The term “upholder” is an archaic word that was historically used to refer to an “upholsterer”. However, it seems to carry a specific connotation of repairing furniture rather than creating new upholstered pieces from scratch, similar to the distinction between a cobbler and a cordwainer. [3]

In 18th-century London, upholders often took on the role of interior decorators, managing all aspects of a room’s decor. These individuals were members of the Worshipful Company of Upholders, [4] a guild whose traditional role, before the 18th century, was to provide upholstery, textiles, and fittings for funerals. In the prominent London furniture-making partnerships of the 18th century, it was common for a cabinet-maker to pair with an upholder. Notable examples include partnerships like Vile and Cobb, Ince and Mayhew, and Chippendale and Rannie or Haig. [5] [6]

In the United States, cities like Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Hickory, North Carolina, are well-known centers for furniture manufacture. Similarly, in England, Long Eaton, Nottinghamshire, is recognized for its furniture industry, and many of the best upholsterers can still be found there. Nottinghamshire is also home to Webs Training Ltd, a company that specializes in training apprentices in the furniture manufacturing industry. These skilled artisans continue to create or recreate a wide range of antique and modern furniture pieces. [7] [8]

Furniture reupholstery remains a thriving industry in the UK, with numerous small and large businesses offering these services. This ongoing tradition ensures that both antique and contemporary furniture pieces can be restored and maintained for future generations. [9] [10] [11]

During the reign of James VI & I (1603-1625), the Baroque style emerged, and stitched edging appeared, meaning bespoke shapes could be created by stitched cushion pads on wooden frames, allowing for the first time design and artistic flair to become a hallmark of upholstered furniture of the age. Farthingale chairs (without arms, see below) were introduced, due to the popularity at the time of the large hooped skirt from which the chairs take their name. The use of velvet in upholstered furniture becomes popular.

During the reign of Charles I (Caroline Era), the Baroque style took hold in mainland Europe, and this style remained popular into the 18th century. It was characterised by the use of abundant ornamentation in furniture, and was initially promoted by the Catholic church as a response to the Protestant reformation, which perhaps explains why this style very quickly became popular in France, Spain and Italy yet Northern European nations and the British Isles took a lot longer to warm to Baroque-style furniture. England eventually adopted a lot of baroque-style furniture during this period, as a maritime nation with expanding trading links to Asia, heavy tropical woods were imported which allowed furniture of this style to be created, as well as Asian decorative techniques becoming fashionable.

Also during this period, although their origins were thought to be in the early 16th century, that ladder chairs became very popular. This type of chair has a tall back constructed of horizontal slats or spindles between the two uprights, a very practical chair design. [12]

Types

Traditional

Traditional upholstery traces its roots back to ancient civilizations, where the need for comfort and functionality led to the creation of padded seating surfaces. From ancient Egypt to ancient Rome, early upholstery was primarily concerned with cushioning and supporting chairs, seats, and sofas. However, it was during the Renaissance period in Europe that upholstery flourished as an art form in its own right. Skilled artisans painstakingly handcrafted upholstery using techniques passed down through generations. One of the defining characteristics of traditional upholstery is its reliance on manual craftsmanship. Upholsterers, or "upholsterists", as they are sometimes called, possess unique skills that enable them to transform raw materials into exquisite furniture pieces. [13]

Traditional upholstery is a craft that evolved over centuries for padding and covering chairs, seats, and sofas before the development of sewing machines, synthetic fabrics, and plastic foam. Using a solid wood or webbed platform, it can involve the use of springs, lashings, stuffings of animal hair, grasses, coir, wools, hessians, scrims, bridle ties, stuffing ties, blind stitching, top stitching, flocks and wadding all built up by hand. [14]

An upholstered chair ready to be covered with the decorative outer textile. Upholsterychair.jpg
An upholstered chair ready to be covered with the decorative outer textile.

In the Middle Ages, domestic interiors were becoming more comfortable, and upholstery was essential in interior decoration. The decorations consisted mainly of what we would now consider as "soft furnishings". However, there were simple platforms of webbing, canvas, or leather for stools, chairs, and elaborately decorated coverings that already demonstrated the rudimentary beginnings of upholstered furniture. By the start of the 17th century, chair seats were being padded, but this upholstery was still fairly basic. All sorts of stuffings from sawdust, grass, and feathers to deer, goat, or horsehair were used, although, in England, the Livery Company forbade goat and deer hair and imposed fines for misdemeanors. The stuffing was heaped on a wooden platform and held in place with a decorative top fabric and nails. This produced a simple dome shape sloping towards the seat. Only towards the end of the 17th century did upholsterers start developing techniques to distribute and shape the stuffing into more controlled shapes. Curled horsehair was used more consistently for stuffing, making it easier to hold in place with twine stitches developed from saddlery techniques. Thus, layers of stuffing could be distributed evenly and secured to stay in place. On a basic level, squab cushions were made more stable using tufting ties. Stuffed edge rolls appeared on seat fronts, providing support for cushions to be retained and later for deeper stuffing to be held in place under a fixed top cover. [15] : p12 

What we now consider "classic" upholstery shapes and techniques flourished in the 18th century. Frames of elegant line and proportion were sympathetically matched by expertly executed upholstery. By now, the upholsterers' technical knowledge meant that stuffing could be controlled along upright and sloping lines, giving new comfort levels and a stated elegance. Later in the century, the border was replaced by a single piece of linen or scrim, which took over the stuffed seat and tacked to the frame. At the same time, the locked blind stitch and top-stitching combination (pulling the side and top surfaces together and bringing the stuffing up to make a firm top edge) evolved. [15] : p15 

In the Victorian era, fashions of luxury and comfort gave rise to excesses of stuffing and padding. Mass production techniques made upholstered furniture available in large quantities to all sections of society. The availability of better-quality steel springs and the development of lashing techniques enabled upholstery to be built up on seats, backs, and arms independently of the frame shape. Stuffings became even more complex, edges became elaborately shaped into rolls and scrolls, and fabrics were folded into soft padded shapes using buttoning. [15] : p12 

Modern

Modern furniture is more likely to be partly or wholly made with cellular Polyurethane foam. This foam provides structure, resilience (recovery from loading), and, most importantly, lightweight. It is then covered with an outer decorative textile.The synthetic polymer will age and lose performance within a "reasonable" time and be significantly lighter than the traditional fillings. [16] (In this context, foam is graded by its weight per cubic metre. 50 kg per cubic metre or 5% mass is typical). It is also relevant to include a reference to the way furniture has evolved with regard to recreational use, e.g., television watching. Lower cost allows more regular change to take account of such issues as design, moving accommodation, and deterioration due to the way it is used. Bed Mattresses may be considered the same way, with appropriate allowance for different usage, although the amount of time in use is probably higher. This has significant implications for the end of life of the materials used in manufacture and the end value of the materials.It is also worth noting that the above includes a high availability of air within the article, leading to ignition risk concerns and the introduction of the UK Furniture Fire Regulations (FFR).

While modern advancements have introduced new materials and techniques to the world of upholstery, the artistry and attention to detail that define traditional upholstery remain unparalleled. Although sewing machines and synthetic foams have expedited the manufacturing process, they have not replaced the skill and expertise of the upholsterer. Traditional upholstery continues to thrive as a niche craft, appreciated by discerning individuals who seek timeless beauty and unparalleled comfort in their furniture. [17]

Automobile

Leather-upholstered car seats Ferrari 360 Spider F1 - Flickr - The Car Spy (18).jpg
Leather-upholstered car seats

An automotive upholsterer, also known as a trimmer, coach trimmer, or motor trimmer, shares many of the skills required in upholstery and can work with carpets.

The term coach trimmer derives from the days when car frames were produced by manufacturers and delivered to coach builders to add a car body and interior trimmings. [18] Trimmers would produce soft furnishings, carpets, soft tops, and roof linings often to order to customer specifications. Later, trim shops were frequently an in-house part of the production line as the production process was broken down into smaller parts manageable by semi-skilled labor. [19]

Many automotive trimmers now work in automotive design or with aftermarket trim shops carrying out repairs, restorations, or customer conversions directly. [20] [21] A few high-quality motor car manufacturers still employ trimmers, for example, Aston Martin. [22]

Commercial

This is the type of upholstery work offered to businesses. Examples would be restaurant seating consisting of booth seats, dining room chairs, bar stools, etc. Also, churches, including but not limited to pews and chairs for the congregation, hospitals, and clinics consisting of medical tables, chiropractic tables, dental chairs, etc. Also common to this type of upholstery would be lobby and waiting-area seating. Upholstered walls are found in some retail premises.

Marine

A motorboat cockpit. Riva junior.jpg
A motorboat cockpit.

Upholsterers may be called upon to repair or replace seating, cushions, cabin furnishings, headliners, and boat carpeting. Marine upholstery, in particular, requires special considerations due to the harsh marine environment. Factors such as dampness, sunlight, and hard usage must be taken into account. Many sources now offer marine-grade vinyl, such as Spradling and Morbern, in hundreds of colors and styles. [23]

Each style of marine-grade vinyl is rated according to cold crack, rub counts, and mold resistance. [24] These ratings ensure the material can withstand the challenging conditions at sea. Stainless steel hardware, such as staples and screws, must be used to prevent rust and early breakdown of hardware and fasteners. [25] The newest products for fastening vinyl in marine applications include Tenara thread and Monel staples. [26] Tenara thread is known for its durability and resistance to UV radiation, while Monel staples are highly resistant to corrosion.

Any wood used in marine upholstery must be of marine quality to resist rot and decay. [27] Typically, high-resiliency, high-density plastic foam with a thin plastic film is used to keep out water that might get by the seams. Closed-cell foam is often used for smaller cushions, which can sometimes double as flotation devices. [28]

The evolution of boat seating reflects a journey of creative adaptation and technological advancement. Initially, boaters made do with simple wooden benches or flat surfaces. The advent of more resilient materials like plastic and vinyl in the 20th century revolutionized seat design, offering greater durability and water resistance. This change enabled more diverse and ergonomic designs. In the 21st century, technological progress has ushered in high-end features such as padded cushions, UV-resistant fabrics, and adjustable settings, enhancing comfort. Some contemporary seats even boast luxury features like in-built heating or massaging systems, signifying the transformation of boat seating from a fundamental element to a sophisticated, comfortable experience. [29]

See also

Materials

Skills

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cushion</span> Soft bag of ornamental material filled with soft material

A cushion is a soft bag of some ornamental material, usually stuffed with wool, hair, feathers, polyester staple fiber, non-woven material, cotton, or even paper torn into fragments. It may be used for sitting or kneeling upon, or to soften the hardness or angularity of a chair or couch. Decorative cushions often have a patterned cover material, and are used as decoration for furniture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Couch</span> Furniture for seating two or more people

A couch, also known as a sofa, settee, chesterfield, or davenport, is a cushioned item of furniture that can seat multiple people. It is commonly found in the form of a bench with upholstered armrests and is often fitted with springs and tailored cushion and pillows. Although a couch is used primarily for seating, it may be used for sleeping. In homes, couches are normally put in the family room, living room, den, or lounge. They are sometimes also found in non-residential settings such as hotels, lobbies of commercial offices, waiting rooms, and bars. Couches can also vary in size, color, and design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slipcover</span>

A slipcover is a fitted protective cover that may be slipped off and onto a piece of upholstered furniture. Slipcovers are usually made of cloth. Slipcovers slip on and off; they come fresh and may be removed for seasonal change, cleaning, moving, or storage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Webbing stretcher</span> Upholstery tool

A webbing stretcher is an upholstery tool used to stretch webbing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upholstery hammer</span>

An upholstery hammer is a lightweight hammer used for securing upholstery fabric to furniture frames using tacks or small nails.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mattress</span> Large soft sheet for lying on to sleep

A mattress is a large, usually rectangular pad for supporting a person lying down, especially for sleeping. It is designed to be used as a bed, or on a bed frame as part of a bed. Mattresses may consist of a quilted or similarly fastened case, usually of heavy cloth, containing materials such as hair, straw, cotton, foam rubber, or a framework of metal springs. Mattresses may also be filled with air or water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upholstery frame</span>

In furniture-making, the upholstery frame of a piece of furniture gives the structural support and determines the basic shape of the upholstered furniture. The frame may be a basic piece of wooden furniture before it is upholstered. Like a finished piece of furniture before the upholstering, the frame establishes the final quality, including its durability, and limits the final design, padding, cushioning, or cover.

Upholstery coil springs are an important part of most modern upholstery. The consumer usually never sees the construction features of an upholstered piece. The overall quality of the materials and construction dictate the comfort level of an upholstered piece and its ability to satisfy the consumer over the long term. A basic upholstered piece may be composed of a frame, springs, foam, cushioning, padding, and textiles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ticking</span>

Ticking is a type of cloth, traditionally a tightly-woven cotton or linen textile. It is traditionally used to cover tick mattresses and bed pillows. The tight weave makes it more durable and hinders the stuffing from poking through the fabric. To make it even tighter, ticking could be waxed, soaped, or starched. Tick materials designed to hold foam may be knit, or more porous. In English-speaking countries ticking commonly has a striped design, in muted colors such as brown, grey or blue, and occasionally red or yellow, against a plain, neutral background.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morris chair</span> Early type of reclining chair

A Morris chair is an early type of reclining chair. The design was adapted by William Morris's firm, Morris & Company, from a prototype owned by Ephraim Colman in rural Sussex, England. It was first marketed around 1866.

Stuffed article is a legal or industry term describing items such as mattresses, beds, upholstery, pillows, plush toys, teddy bears etc., i.e.: fabric items stuffed with an inert, resilient material, such as cotton, kapok, or polyurethane foam. Such articles sold as new in the United States usually are required to have a tag called a law label describing the fabric and stuffing used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Folding chair</span> Portable chair

A folding chair is a type of folding furniture, a light, portable chair that folds flat or to a smaller size, and can be stored in a stack, in a row, or on a cart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Club chair</span>

A club chair is a type of armchair, usually covered in leather. It was created and made in France. Before it came to be known under its current name, it first appeared as the fauteuil confortable, the 'comfortable armchair'. It was given this name to distinguish it from the fauteuil de style, which had straighter lines and was less enveloping.

Charles Randolph Pollock was an industrial designer who created sleek furniture, most notably an office chair held together by a single aluminum band that became known as a Pollock Chair. This iconic chair, introduced in 1963 and still in production, became a staple of executive offices in the United States in the 1960s and can be seen, appropriately, in the period television show, Mad Men, as well as institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservation and restoration of wooden furniture</span> Preservation of heritage collections

The conservation and restoration of wooden furniture is an activity dedicated to the preservation and protection of wooden furniture objects of historical and personal value. When applied to cultural heritage this activity is generally undertaken by a conservator-restorer. Furniture conservation and restoration can be divided into two general areas: structure and finish. Structure generally relates to wood and can be divided into solid, joined, and veneered wood. The finish of furniture can be painted or transparent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poäng</span> Wooden armchair by IKEA

The Poäng is a wooden cantilever armchair that has been sold by the Swedish furniture retailer IKEA since 1978. As of 2016, about one-and-a-half million Poängs are sold annually, and a total of 30 million have been produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turkeywork</span> A knotted-and-cut pile furnishing textile produced in England

Turkeywork is a knotted-and-cut pile furnishing textile produced in England from the sixteenth to the mid-eighteenth centuries. Turkeywork was used for table carpets, cupboard carpets, cushions, and especially for matched upholstery sets for chair seats and backs.

Furniture repair is the craft of making broken or worn furniture usable again. It may include the preservation of old furniture, which is referred to as restoration. The craft of furniture repair requires a number of different skills including woodworking, metalworking, wood finishing, caning (furniture), woodturning, and upholstery.

References

  1. ↑ Partridge, Eric (1977). Origins: A Short Etymological Dictionary of Modern English. Routledtge. p. 3633. ISBN   978-0-415-05077-7. New edition of 4th Revised edition (5 Sep 1977)
  2. ↑ "upholder and upholdere - Middle English Compendium". quod.lib.umich.edu. Retrieved 2021-01-05.
  3. ↑ OED
  4. ↑ "A short history of upholstered furniture". Grist & Twine Upholstery. 2017-01-05. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  5. ↑ philipcarter (2019-10-09). "Mapping 2750 furniture makers on Layers of London". On History. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  6. ↑ "Seddon, George snr; Seddon & Sons; Seddon, Sons & Shackleton; Seddon & Co. (1753-1815) | BIFMO". bifmo.furniturehistorysociety.org. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  7. ↑ "WEBS Furniture Training | Apprenticeships Nottingham". www.webstraining.com. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  8. ↑ "Apprenticeships | WEBS Training". www.webstraining.com. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  9. ↑ "Retailers as a share of upholstery market UK 2021". Statista. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  10. ↑ "Upholstery market size in the UK". Statista. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  11. ↑ "UK Upholstery Market Size, Share, Insights, Dynamics & Forecast".
  12. ↑ Admin, Paul (2019-12-17). "History of Upholstery - Foundations". Signature Upholstery. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  13. ↑ "News Entry - The Chaise Longue Co". www.thechaiselongueco.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  14. ↑ "Traditional Upholstery Techniques". Plumbs. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  15. 1 2 3 Gates, Dorothy, Essential Guide to Upholstery, Merehurst Press, 2000
  16. ↑ "Decca Europe Foam for Upholstery Craftsmanship". www.deccaeurope.com. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  17. ↑ "News Entry - The Chaise Longue Co". www.thechaiselongueco.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  18. ↑ "Coach trimming". Heritage Crafts. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  19. ↑ Mims, Sterling (2024-04-28). "The Evolution of the Automotive Industry". ArcGIS StoryMaps. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  20. ↑ "Auto Molding-Body Side Molding-Wheel Well Molding-Door Edge Guard : Trim-Gard". trim-gard.com. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  21. ↑ "Automotive Interior Trim: Key Types and Materials for Vehicles" (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2024-05-14. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  22. ↑ "Aston Martin - Jobs". careers.astonmartin.com. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  23. ↑ "Marine Upholstery Explained: Fabric Selection, Care and Maintenance". Midwest Fabrics. 2024-07-23. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  24. ↑ "How to Choose the Right Marine Upholstery Fabric for Your Boat?". Canvasdesigners. 2024-08-05. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  25. ↑ "How to Choose the Right Boat Upholstery for Your Needs". 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  26. ↑ Perry, Coty (2021-12-22). "Boat Upholstery Guide: My Top 10 Favorite Boat Upholstery Fabric Picks". Boat Bub. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  27. ↑ "Marine Upholstery And Seating: Why Functionality Is Key - YachtWorld" . Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  28. ↑ "The Evolution Of Boat Design: Charting The Course From Old To New Tech - Vanquish Boats". vanquishboats.com. 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
  29. ↑ "Sailboat Design Evolution | Cruising World". 2020-06-10. Retrieved 2024-09-07.

Bibliography

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