Your sofa is falling to pieces, your padded headboard is in shambles, your armchair is dog-eaten, the piano stool is losing its cushy face….. and you have a dilemma….. do you throw it away or can you salvage it?

We all know the feeling of wanting to hang on to something that seems ready to hit the tip, but in reality all may not be lost. Re-upholstering may be the key solution which will allow you to keep grandma’s beautiful mahogany settee frame but give it a fresh new look. Is it always that straightforward?

Kenneth Tanti of Tanti Interiors has several years of expertise in the field, especially since he comes from a long tradition of upholsterers. When is it not feasible to re-upholster? “It is not such a dilemma really. When even the structure of the furniture is failing, then the damage is not limited to the upholstery but has infiltrated down to the frame. Rebuilding the frame can be complicated and this will push up costs. In such instances, the final verdict is usually to throw it away.”

So let us assume that grandma’s sofa has been checked out -the frame is sturdy and firm, no infestations, just plain clean wood. What can go wrong with the re-upholstering? Kenneth says, “The worst mistake people make is playing safe, and choosing a fabric that just blends into the surroundings…. They prefer to use textiles they are used to seeing and nothing different. This is a pity since splashing out on colourful patterned or beautifully textured fabric that is especially created for upholstering purposes, may completely refresh the character and feel both of the furniture and of its surroundings.”

Kenneth, a seasoned and expert interior designer in his own right, has had his fair share of interesting upholstering and re-upholstering experiences. We wonder….. what is the most impressive re-upholstering job he completed with success? “Every time I re-upholster any one of the many antique sofas that were manufactured by my late grandfather, I love to cover them in a strong bold modern fabric. There are so many exciting ones to choose from. The end result look stunning.. even though my grandfather might be rolling in his grave!”

About Tanti Interiors
At Tanti Interiors, we offer professional interior design in Malta and overseas and pride ourselves in having worked on some of the most exclusive homes and commercial properties. Backed up by almost twenty years of experience we have built up a name on trust and knowledge on how to get it right.