There’s a big advantage to doing upholstery

When I walked into Tortola Carpet to sell an ad for this publication my timing was spot on. I was just in time to see Mr. Potter and his crew loading a reupholster chair in the back of their company truck for delivery to a customer.

In my amazement at the beauty of the refurbished sofa, I asked a rhetorical question. “That chair was done here?” Then of course my mind started working in overdrive. I ran to my truck, grabbed my camera and had them stalled with this heavy piece of furniture in hand so I can get some photos. Mr. Potter the store owner being an elderly gentleman didn’t think that was good idea, so we placed it in the truck and I got my shots.

I then continued to ask Mr. Potter more about the reupholstered chair and the art of reupholstering and after years in the business you can sense his authority.

The great idea to reupholster Mr. Potter said is, “If you have good quality furniture and you like the style, there’s a big advantage to doing upholstery, because you can keep that better quality furniture. A lot of times, people think that if something breaks, they have to replace everything. One thing about repairing something is you can keep the sets together.” He added, “If the chair last you 15 years or so with children who are now grown up, fixing it can give you another 15 years or a lifetime.”

Reupholsterers typically offer a large variety of fabric types, colors and patterns to choose from. When you step into Tortola Carpet Mrs. Potter greets you, listen to your request and offer suggestion while allowing you to see the fabric samples in house and offers free pickup and delivery of furniture they reupholsters.

“If you’re expecting upholstery to be cheaper than new furniture, it’s probably not going to be most of the time,” added the Potters. “But what you get is attention to detail and a more custom fit. You can address certain issues if you like the furniture you have. You’re going to get something more customized to what you want. We have a wider selection of fabrics you can pick and choose from so you can get the look you want. You get a selection of fabrics, pickup and delivery, and a much more personalized service.”

With more and more first-time buyers entering the new housing market, refurbishing furniture can become hotter than ever by outfitted your home with pieces from your parents’ or grandparents’ homes and giving them your creative flair.

My brother took an old four post bed that belonged to our grandparents and refurbished it himself. If you had seen the bed, at first glance, who would have thought to save it, but my brother closely examined it and it became clear to him that the bed was much better made than most beds on the market today.

On the other hand, my mother-in-law has a couch on her porch that my wife kept insisting that she throw out. I suggest to my wife maybe it could be upholstered and she insist that there is nothing that can be done with the chair except to throw it out. So I asked teasingly, “Have you ever noticed that when you throw out a piece of furniture or appliance that you no longer want, no sooner than it is place in or by the dumpster someone grabs it and take it home?” Someone’s garbage is another man’s treasure.

Despite being more relevant than ever, the Potters say reupholstering is a trade under threat. These days reupholstering is a relatively small part of their business. Tortola Carpet specializes in carpet sale & installation, residential & commercial cleaning, cleaning & waxing tiles, chair cushions, carpet & rug cleaning, vehicle upholstery and interior detailing & accessories. And yes upholstery and refurbishing of old furniture.

VIHG encourages you to seriously consider reupholstering rather than buying new when creating your home environments.