Redo Rather Than Buying New

I have many a time gone into clients’ homes contracted to refurnish a room that needs updating. The first thing I ask is to see the other rooms in the home to get a feel of their space. Then we begin to speak about their needs. If it is a family room or great room where the family gets together to hang or watch TV, seating is important.

I often take notice of their existing furniture.  I am probably one of the only designers that believes in keeping old furniture.  I find that a lot of people have furniture with excellent built frames or sentimental value, that can be reupholstered into a brand new look. Reworking your spouse's not-so-contemporary “grandmother's chair” can be one of the most rewarding designing projects. 

In the photos shown, I have placed before and after shots of some my projects in Mahwah homes. Updating a chair or sofa does not have to be a serious job; it can be a mixture of fun trims and fabrics to place the piece into a playroom or teen’s bedroom. 

First and foremost, the piece must be worthwhile to redo, meaning “is it worth it to invest in the project.” A good reupholster will be able to reach that determination. Pillows can be restuffed, springs can be replaced, but is it worth it? That is the major question.

Most of all, if it is of sentimental value, it is a no-brainer.  Also, older frames are “built to last.” Since our parents lived most of their lives with the same bedroom set and sofa.  Some of the furniture of today is inferior quality as compared to years previous.

All said and done it is very rewarding to see the rebirth of a piece that can be placed in a home with a new look and a new place of honor!

This weekly Patch column, which looks at different homes in Mahwah for design inspiration, is written by Gina Avino, a Mahwah resident, interior designer and decorative painter, and Linda Wetterau, a Mahwah resident, floral designer and event planner, of Gina Avino Artistic Designs at 103 E. Main Street in Ramsey.

If you have a design question you'd like to see addressed in a future article, email the authors or visit their website.