Faux Fur...

As someone who has worked with real hides I can tell you not only is fake fur cruelty free, it is also symmetrical, free from holes, and available in just about any pattern or color you want.  Running between $20 - $150/yd a two yard piece backed in either lightweight suede or cashmere makes a perfect blanket for your bed or throw for the couch.

You know you want to touch them.

And since I am asked all the time "What do you have?"  My wife and I have three of these we use as bedding, two in suede, one in cashmere.

If I didn't already have the fabric...

I would strongly consider this for my master bedroom window treatments.

http://www.fabricut.com/search/product_details.php?product_id=3497201&searchtype=advanced&return_search=set&page=&nav=&pre=&pos=&pages=2&product_use_id[]=D&application_id=F&color_id[]=81&application_id=F&category_id[]=22&application_id=F&searchclass=

Blackout-lined panels on a decorative rod, center open.

I can't justify not using the fabric I've already purchased right?

Just a quick one today...

I almost entitled this "Too much?"  but the answer is no.  That's one fine looking reupholstered chair.  I can't wait until the velvet room dividers are done.  I don't have explicit written permission to tell you whose fabric that it, but I'll give you a hint.  It rhymes with Island Shmort.  E-mail me if you can't figure it out, or want some.

The work continues

Today in the mail I received the restored piece from Mair Oriental Rug Services.  It looks great and I immediately ran it over to the workroom so that work could commence.  The chair is going to need new padding and spring retying.  Then the fabric is going to have to be very carefully put back on (we will likely attach it to another backing to help stabilize and strengthen it).  Finally new flat braid (gimp) and decorative tacks will have to be put on the whole chair.  By replacing all the flat braid and tacks we will maintain a uniform look rather than trying to match the old ones (which will never be quite right).  I can't wait for the finished product!

The latest update...

Here is what Doug Mair (http://www.orientalrugservices.com/about_us.htm) has done with the damaged needlepoint:

Can you tell what happened to fix it?  I can't.  It looks original to me.

The color is near perfect (although in Canada it is colour).

They went in and rebuilt the base that all of the pieces are attached to.  The arrows show the reconstructed areas.  If they had only fixed the holes then the piece would have fallen apart again in short time.  You'll never see all the work that was done, but we know it's there.

Lastly here is the reverse.  Once again, flawless.  I cannot recommend Mair Oriental Rug Services more highly.  On time, and for easily less than half the cost the work should have been.  Top notch!

Bad dog!

Ever wonder why it is so expensive to repair a "tiny little bit" of damage at the corner of your rug?  Here are a few photos of what has to be done to rebuild what looks like a small section.

It takes the right tools...

Part two of my epic restoration project.  Mair Oriental Rug Services
http://www.orientalrugservices.com/about_us.htm is working on the piece for my customer.

Here is a preview of some of their tools...

 Having the right color is really important...

But so is having the correct fiber...

And it has to be from the right time period...

In this line of work you can never have enough...

Hand dyed wool...

Hand dyed silk from Tabriz...

Up next, some photos of how the work is actually done.  Stay tuned...