Exactly what sort of work do you do? What types of upholstery?
We specialize in the the reupholstery or slipcovering of home furnishings and making custom cushions. Think chairs, sofas, ottomans, window seats, and the like. We don't do automotive work.
This is a new concept to me. Why should I recover in general?
At a basic level, most people recover for one of two reasons. Either they're ready for a new look, or the piece has gotten worn out in some way and needs to get fixed up.
Why should I reupholster or slipcover instead of buying new furniture?
There's a lot of different reasons, but at the end of the day it's something you have to decide for yourself. Here's a few common reasons that might apply:
- Many people have a sentimental attachment to a piece; we see a lot of heirlooms, antiques, and family remembrances.
- Many types of designs are no longer being produced.
- They're just a great fit for the space they're going in.
- They're a terrible fit for the space they're going in; we're great a repurposing for totally new uses.
- Feeling green? Recovering has a smaller carbon footprint and overall envionmental impact than a totally new piece.
- They just don't make 'em like they used to! No, really. Older furniture (think '70s and earlier) as a rule was made with hardwoods and high quality joinery. Most modern furniture is made with plywood, joints that won't stand up to long-term use, and is manufactured in other countries under ethically questionable working conditions. That's not to say you can't find something new that's of high quality, but you'll be paying a good deal more than it costs to recover.
- Or perhaps you just really like the piece you have because you do, darn it!
Okay, but why is it so expensive?
It's a very labor-intensive process, much more-so than a factory making dozens or hundreds of the same thing at a time. Not to mention the additional issues that come out of wear and use over time. Every piece is different and requires a different process. We're not just going to staple a new layer of fabric on top of everything that's wrong with what's there already (oh, the stories we could tell) and glue on some trim with an upholstery job; there's so much more to it that we take care of.
No, I mean, why are you so expensive!
Oh! Well, because we're worth it! We're an artisan shop. We'll make sure everything's done right, from the frame all the way to the trim. No band-aid fixes for the stuff under the cover that you might not ever see or know about, and we use the best supplies that we can find. For more detail check out The Buffalo Gals Difference, or for an idea of the experience of working with us see how you might get started. Believe us, we are at least as picky as you about our work! Though you don't have to take just our word for it; our work has been seen in a number of design and decorating publications, several movies, and featured in a national park.
What kind of turnaround time can I expect?
That will depend in large part on the nature of the project. Small, simple things like pillows, cushions, and dining seats we can frequently work in between other jobs and have back in a few days. Most typical projects take two to four weeks. Of course, these are rough ideas; actual turnaround will depend on the complexity and size of your particular project and our current workload. Slipcovers will always be quicker than upholstery.
What on earth happened to your site?!
Yeah, it's a little different. It's (almost) completely redesigned, please bear with us as it gets finished up. If you have any comments or feedback please feel free to let the designer know via email.
This is a horrible FAQ page, it didn't adress my questions at all!
I'm sorry, could you phrase that in the form of a question? Oh, right. Get in touch and ask away! We'd be happy to answer any additional questions you have.