Completely restored: Pierre Paulin Tulip Chairs

We just finished a complete restoration (and reupholstery) of these two Pierre Paulin Tulip Chairs. I wish I had been able to snap a photo before the work started, but they were quite eager in the workroom! I did, however, get a shot of one of the chairs completely stripped down:

These chairs were in pretty bad shape, so we removed everything and replaced it, all the while staying true to the original technical specifications. Pierre Paulin designed this chair in 1965, like a flower, with the petals opening around the sitter. It's quite comfortable, and quite complicated to reupholster (but we like that!).

Custom Sofa

We just finished this custom sofa for a project. The fabric the client chose has a distinct bohemian vibe, but it really resonates well with the design of the sofa. The details on this piece are beautiful, and you'll notice that the fabric is aligned perfectly on the seat to the base so the pattern appears almost seamless. Here are a few fun workshop photos of it in production:

The exposed tapered legs are fitted with antique brass casters in the front, and yes, it is as comfortable as it looks!

Before & After: Jacobsen Egg Chair

We just finished the restoration of this Egg Chair, shown above when it arrived at our workshop. The Egg Chair was designed in 1957 by Arne Jacobsen, and many believe the inspiration was taken from Eero Saarinen's Womb Chair (which is somewhat similar). One of the traits the Egg Chair has in common with the Womb Chair is the use of molded foam. While this adds to the beauty, practicality and comfort of both pieces, it has its' drawbacks.

The above picture shows the foam after the fabric has been removed. Many times, if the chair is older than 2 or 3 years, the foam almost always has to be replaced during the reupholstery of the chair. This is because the foam actually adheres to the fabric, making the removal of the fabric alone nearly impossible.

Another issue is that oxygen destroys and dries out the foam as it breathes through the fabric. Think about it this way: each time you sit in the chair, the foam compresses and when you get up, it decompresses. The oxygen breaks down the foam and after a while (granted, usually a long time!) the foam has dried & deteriorated. Interestingly enough, this does not happen if the chair is covered in leather - the foam will remain intact.

After a complete restoration & reupholstery, the chair is back to its' original condition! I love the way it looks in white boucle!

The Egg Chair is still in production and is available through Fritz Hansen.

Modern Prototype Design

I was going through my images yesterday and noticed a lounge chair & ottoman that we fabricated a while ago for furniture designer, Shawn Littrell. It was a prototype for his upcoming line (which is now on his website). We have made several prototypes for designers over the years, and while it's so rewarding to be involved in something new, there are always challenges (which we like!). We often hear that they've been told their design won't work, or can't be done. As far as we are concerned, anything can be done! Nothing is impossible.

We've been working on another big prototype project that we can't reveal just yet. But soon it will be released to the public, and we will have quite a story! Stay tuned!

Before & After: Knoll Womb Chair

I hope everyone enjoys a good before & after shot as much as I do! I love seeing these pieces come in, worn and tattered, because it reveals just how much they are used and enjoyed. And, of course, they have passed the test of time, which is something you don't see much of in an industry that is rampant with low price/low quality goods. The lesson is: spend extra for quality and you'll enjoy it for a lifetime.

A lot of our referrals are directly from the manufacturers (Knoll, Herman Miller, etc.) and while we love and appreciate every single one of them, it's always nice when an actual Knoll employee brings their own piece to us for a complete restoration. Here is a before shot;

And after a complete restoration, including reupholstery, new foam and metal work:

The metal actually needed quite a bit of work, here is a closeup:

More of our restorations can be found here!

Houzz that?!

Have you explored Houzz? If not, please do! It's a great resource, not only for seasoned decorators, but for people who are interested in design and interiors as well. You can source product, find inspiration, create idea books, and find pros to help you. That's where we come in! We've set up our profile and I am in the process of uploading photos and descriptions (a lengthy process), but it's one more way for our friends to find us. I've also added the little widget to the sidebar there on the right for easy access. Anyone can set up a profile, and it's easy to follow the businesses and designs that inspire you. Check it out.

Classic Design in Architectural Digest Italia

It was a nice surprise to receive a link to this beautiful apartment in Paris, which featured a sofa we made last spring for Beverly Hills designer, Carole Katleman. The chairs seen in the magazine feature above were restored by our friend, Jean Paul Phelippeau in Paris. Here is a photo showing the entire sofa in our studio; we call this the CK Sofa.

Admittedly, it looks so much more beautiful in its' gorgeous setting. The entire story can be found here.