Retro Renovation » furniture

Shopping at Osgood Textiles for drapery and upholstery fabric

pam kueber — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:00:29 +0000

Cindy and I met up at Osgood’s Fabrics last week. It’s a megastore located in West Springfield, Mass., that has so much fabric that it will make your head spin… all at terrific prices. Cindy (pictured above) was researching fabric for pinch pleats. I was the one who was interested in this hippie patchwork, though. It was $14/yard. Yes, there are lots more pics from this tour.

Osgoods’ specialty is fabric for home interiors, and it goes on and on and on — so much so that if you go with a friend, you better both bring cell phones so that you can find each other if you get separated.

Cindy was looking for a mid-century modern graphic or floral pattern in basically this colorway.

It was hard not to like these big bold graphic designs, though, too. I would tend to call this a contemporary (today) interpretation of modern. The colors — fantastic.

This fabric had a terrific retro-inspired hand (feel), kind of like vintage rhino-cloth.

Again, a contemporary take on mid-mod.

Cindy found a local seamstress to make her pinch pleats. If it goes well, I think I will use the same seamstress to make me some pinch pleat sheers out of this fabric, but in ecru/natural. I am going to layer the sheers under my existing pinch pleats. I love that layered look.

My vintage pinch pleats have a design not too dissimilar to this. Although, my colorway is all beiges, ecrus and very light browns. These kind of tone-on-tone pastoral toiles were and are appropriate for Retro Renovation living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms — and convey a more formal look. I also found this same fabric, which is called Bosporus by 5th Avenue Design for Covington, at Fashion Fabrics Club online, which also has a big brick-and-mortar presence in Denver. Osgoods will do mail-order, too.

Ooooh, this would be great for an Early American basement. Actually, the fabric I made into pinch pleat for my cherry-paneled man-cave is very similar in overall feel.

Switching gears altogether, this polished cotton chintz — with its Asian toile on stripes — would look lovely in a formal living room, dining room or bedroom. That said, I think you need to be careful how you use red and gold, or else the room starts looking like the Washington Redskins.

Yowza, look at this. I know a lot of readers would like this fabric. It was stained, though. Cindy, should we go back, wheel and deal for it, clean it, then sew it into shower curtains to sell on etsy.com?

Cheap and cheerful decorating idea: Take webbing like this (which we presumed was intended for some sort of outdoor use) and craft it into pull shades. The fabric was such that, if you trimmed the edges, it wouldn’t unravel.

This would make for a pretty shower curtain in a pink bathroom. I’m nuts for novelty prints in pastel bathrooms.

Seriously, folks, if you have BIG needs for fabric, plan a vacation to Springfield/Hartford so that you can go shopping at Osgoods. Hartford has an airport servicing the region… the Basketball Hall of Fame is nearby… and Cindy and I might even come down to meet you.

Finally, I’m sure you’re curious what Cindy chose. But, I think we’ll leave that for a surprise reveal. Stay tuned.

Links: Osgood Textile.

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Drexel Declaration settee by Kipp Stewart

pam kueber — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:59:54 +0000

Drexel Declaration furniture is so beautiful. It definitely is one of my favorites, and I think it is still “around” at decent prices. This Kipp Stewart Drexel Declaration bench or settee, on craigslist in Washington, D.C. / Northern Virginia has such lovely lines.

To me, what this furniture line does so well is to bridge the colonial – modern divide. The modernism is not harsh, the early American is not precious. For example, this lister calls this “Danish Modern.” But, I think there is just as much Shaker in this bench. Benches like this (and there are many other lovely designs from other manufacturers, too) are perfect for a foyer, if you have the room.

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Mid-century modern den for fashion dolls

pam kueber — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:58:54 +0000

Maryann Roy’s fashion doll den is provides some decorating inspiration, although you must be no taller than 12″ to actually sit on one of those bolstered benches. I like the acrylic panels set into the paneling. On sale for $150. Suitable for 12″ fashion dolls. www.maryannroy.com

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Gorgeous mid-century sectional sofa + special offer to readers

pam kueber — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:01:38 +0000

Reader Lara spotted this amazing green brocade mid-century sectional, available from Etsy seller RedEyeVintage. The sofa is in Portland, Maine, and it’s $4,600. To be sure, that is a lot of money — but I have never seen a sectional this beautiful. And apparently it’s in phenomenal shape – kept under the proverbial plastic slip covers for years. Note the variation in the tufting on the sofa back. It also has side table built in at one end, and the ottoman converts to a coffee table. This one – pure lust. Update: Seller Marnie is thrilled I’m featuring this. If you are really interested – mention this site and she will take $250 off the purchase price.

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Vintage auto upholstery

pam kueber — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:59:34 +0000

This vintage auto upholstery for 50s and 60s Fords, Chevys and Chryslers would be good for any number of upholstery projects – and each design appears to be available in multiple yardages, at a reasonable price. There is certainly nothing more durable than auto upholstery. I love the colors and textures, too.

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Vintage souvenirs reborn: Tea towel chairs and teaspoon chandeliers

pam kueber — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:00:36 +0000

Someone in my house collects both new and vintage souvenir spoons. Someday, I think we must have them all transformed into a chandelier like this one by Australian artist Suzy Stanford. Ms. Stanford also upholsters vintage club chairs by patching together vintage tea towels. Love love love these big cozy hugs of chair. We have a nice little collection of tea towels going, too — but I actually use them to dry dishes, they are the best.

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Where to find vinyl upholstery fabric, with the vintage naugahyde look

pam kueber — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:00:51 +0000

I RECENTLY STUMBLED upon this company, C.F. Stinson, which seems to carry upholstery weight vinyl in about 2000 styles and colors. I am not kidding. For example, this very classic, retro-style “Avant” line, which reminds me of vintage naugahyde, comes in 110 colors alone. Surely one is just right to reupholster your vintage Daystrom or Arvin dinette? In addition, there are many other more ‘decorative’ styles.

Interestingly, I also seem to get questions from folks renovating their canned hams (trailers) about where to find vinyl or naugahyde. The catch, however, is that this C.F. Stinson supply is all “contract” – that is, sold only to designers, “the trade.” And I fear you may need to order 30 yards or something. To check this out, I suggest you work directly with an upholstery shop. The website is pretty terrific – lots of fun to browse around. There’s also an outlet store with smaller yardages available (contract only).

If you’re looking for vinyl and want to try other routes… Well, I have not done any more research on this question, but I think that you can have some luck at very large upholstery stores. Every region seems to have at least one. There’s a really big one an hour from me in Springfield, Mass. Osgoods. Blinding inventory. Be sure to eat protein beforehand or you will pass out from the exhaustion of it all. We also used to have a big Waverly outlet about 45 minutes north. They had GREAT stuff. It went out of business but I think that the chain still exists. If you’re looking for a specific fabric – vinyl, or vinyl in a specific color, best to call first before driving an hour. I’ve generally found the folks who work at these stores very nice and helpful – but alas, quite overworked. So, sometimes, you just gotta get in the car and drive and see what the retro decorating gods want to send you.

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Midcentury furniture legs and angled mounting brackets from Lowe’s

pam kueber — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:00:17 +0000

DO YOU HAVE FURNITURE that needs new legs? Or maybe you want to build an off-the-floor TV stand or bookshelf or…?

Well, reader Noah sent in this great find: Tapered legs…and Angled Mounting Plates…that can be found at Lowe’s and then used to update any piece of furniture. Inexpensive – stylish – and fun. You should see the TV stand he built in no time at all – terrific!

Noah writes:

Hey! So for an upcoming project, I am looking to use hairpin legs, but I also like the angled tapered circular legs on pieces of retro furniture that are extremely hard to find (paul mccobb desk, and many more)…

So I went to Lowe’s where they totally have those legs, in 5.5″, 4″, and something like 1.5′! They even have angled mounting plates that install into wood with ease! Maybe everyone already knew about these and I’m just overcoming some naive first stage of crafting, which could be understandable, but I was so into them that I had to tell you. Anyways, here’s a link to how I used them!:

Thanks, Noah – if you’re naive then I am, too, because I’d have never thunk to look for this. You are super handy, and I love your blog and have added it to the blogroll!

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Inexpensive upholstery for midcentury and Danish Modern furniture

Pam Kueber — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:00:45 +0000

Shelly found a wonderful Danish Modern side chair and wants some ideas for upholstery. She writes:

Hey there!
Just wanted to share my $8.50 Goodwill find….the original upholstery was still in tact on the seat, but unfortunately gone from the top…it’s marked Dux, original import made in Sweden…I would love to know more about it, and what fabric you think would be appropriate for reupholstering??? Thanks so much! Shelly

Shelly, as far as the “Dux” goes – I did a little online research and immediately turned up this example of what looks like your chair. It is a Scandinavian Modern design design in teak by Folke Ohlsson, who started the company Dux in 1953. This short biography here indicates that he is also credited with creating the concept of knock down, or KD furniture — pieces that can be flattened for shipment then reassembled at their final destination. Looks like you have acquired a little piece of mid century modern furniture history at a bargain price!

As far as upholstery goes, I think you have many options. But how about this for a start: Reader Femme1 gets points for advising that she has found Maraham upholstery on ebay for cheap. I checked recently – and found the two styles shown here on sale. These particular lots did not sell (there was a lot of yardage involved), but the starting price was totally reasonable given the top-notch quality of this stuff.

Another option: Estate sales. If you put your retro vibe out there, and give it some time, you should be able to find fabric that works for you. One note: I tend to prefer woven designs for upholstery – they stand up to much more wear and tear. Printed designs (such as barkcloths) are not as durable. Good luck and let us know how it turns

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Drexel Profile upholstered furniture from 1959-1960

Pam Kueber — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 08:00:35 +0000

You can now see the entire Drexel Profile furniture line – including five pages of upholstered furniture from 1959 and more than 20 pages of case goods from 1960 – available in our growing Furniture Favorites section. Thank to Femme1 for nabbing the additional images of the upholstered pieces from the nice folks at Drexel Heritage. And readers – keep letting me know of your favorite brands. I want to keep building the furniture history wonderland this year. Click thru here if you want a quick look at the upholstered pieces – I promise, they are delicious – absolute classics that everyone is mimicking today! Upholstered pieces from the 1959, Drexel Profile catalog now added to the Drexel Profile history page:

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