+ SHOW US YOUR PAD/ FLAT/ CAVE/ PENT-HOUSE/ CARDBOARD BOX/… +
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I visited The Original Sofa Company in
NewcastleGateshead yesterday. They manufacture and restore Chesterfields in the way that they used to.Originally sofas were built on a heavy wooden frame, with springs hand-sewn onto webbing, the cushions would have been stuffed with hair from a horses' tails, and all the fixings would have been held in place by hand tacks, which are evil looking nails.
Since tanneries couldn't dye entire hides, the pieces were hand dyed by having the colour painted on, which gives a fantastic character.
Over time the production process was streamlined as it became industrialised: Staples replaced hand tacks, as these are much faster to apply; coil sprung seats were dropped in favour of separate cushions, as these are cheaper and easier to make; and foam took over from natural fibres.
The OSC can build a sofa in various historically accurate manners, depending on your budget, with the top end being around £20,000. However, I was more interested in their antiques for restoration.
The stand-out was this 1830s sofa, which would have been one of the first fully upholstered pieces of furniture. It's not much to look at now, due to being recovered in a poor DIY job, but when restored in leather it'll be spectacular.
There was a mid-century piece by Howard and Sons, which looked a bit like something your Granny would own. However it was possibly the most comfortable sofa I've ever sat on. Incidentally, the green fabric on the cushions is actually their lining, and would be covered up in restoration.
I think that I'd probably get this Art Deco sofa. It's a bit different, comfortable, and dates from a period when staples had taken over from hand-tacks, so would be significantly cheaper to restore.
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^^ while living near HK we ran into this little shop that did Art Deco chairs and sofas in textile or leather using old methods and materials - we had two buy 2 club chairs that we plan to grow old with…best investment ever.
Not unlike your example.
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@Bob and other forum members, here are some snaps of our house - 120 yr old Victorian/Craftsman mashup. This house was rode hard/abused while it was rented as apartments back in the 70s - the last owner converted it back to a single family home, and we've been here ~15 years and done complete remodel, incl. kitchen, baths, paint, lighting, fireplaces, closets, deck/yard, and restoration of original features when possible and appropriate. Best part is great central city neighborhood, we can walk to Olmsted parks, shopping and entertainment…
Foyer & living room
Dining room
Living room looking out to back screen porch & deck
Sitting room and wet bar - "adult kitchen"
Kitchen and master
View to sitting room with closets
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wow!
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Speechless.
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Fantastic!
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And then there's my palace…
I look forward to my shit arriving next Monday.
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@Bluegrass Where do I begin? Yours is the style and era of house we have always wanted to live in. You have impeccable taste and style in furnishing and finishing it in the manner you have! An American classic, full marks. Frohe Weihnachten!
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The funny thing is that those are my furnishings and this is my coffee corner, to give a sense of my priorities.
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@mclaincausey you will be up and running in no time - we've all been there, new place, new adventure, settling in… very exciting, good times.
Thanks to all for the comments/compliments - our place has evolved over the years and it's been fun - we've been fortunate to inherit some beautiful antiques from loved ones who cherished and enjoyed them as we do now - and it's been fun collecting the rest of the furnishings, including the art, little by little over the years.
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It could be worse @mclaincausey - this is my current pad…
Currently somewhere between Kent and Australia.
