sofa

When buying a used sofa, check to see that frames intact, the style is good, the arms sturdy and the springs are in the good condition. Think twice before bleaching or striping old furniture if its antique you might ruin its value and patina. And beware of antique pieces that have been altered look older. Tip-offs strange looking stains, new hardware, peeling veneer, staining on insides of drawers antique drawers were never stained inside.

When using a large print on chairs, be aware of where the print falls. Large prints on small chairs are not good. Since the average dining table is 28” to 30” high, the chairs seat should be at least 18” from the floor. Also allow 18” between sofa and coffee table. Sometimes a new upholstery job is all an old sofa need to look terrific. Changing cushions or skirt style works wonders, too. Good buys today’s are nineteenth-century antique or turn of the century pieces.

Some tips of placements: don’t pile a lot of pieces on one side of a room. “Floating” furniture (setting it away from a wall) is a more attractive use of space than pushing everything up against walls. When choosing printed fabrics, start with one you love and balance it with another print of equal strength, then work smaller patterns around its if you choose to mix patterns in a living room, don’t use more than four six.