Classic Chair & Sofa Studio

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I'd thought about buying new ones but the prices I saw for high-quality reproduction were just too high, and I liked mine better -- they just had a more classic design than the new ones. This company was recommended to me by mutual friends. I went to look at fabric and was bowled over by the choices they had on site in their studio in Trappe, Md. -- I could tell that their business is geared toward restoration of antique or at least older pieces, ranging from arm chairs to occasional chairs to dining chairs to love seats to settees to chaises to love seats, you name it. They even do boat interiors! They helped me select a fabric that was attractive but also practical, and they picked up the chairs from my house. In their studio they stripped the chairs down to the frames and made a few minor structural repairs that I had not even realized were needed. They advised me that the springs still were intact (so I did not have to pay for re-springing, just new webbing). They also did light standing and a new finish on the legs and arms, which had scroll-work on them, and then did the re-upholstery. Both chairs were done in about weeks and they matched perfectly -- they look SOOO much better and they feel much sturdier. All of this, including the total 16 yards of fabric I bought from them, was $1600, of which $650 was labor. In addition to the good service and high quality results, I think the price was good because they buy fabric by the bolt so they don't have to charge the customer say, $50 a yard...I expected that this job would be total more like $2,000 because of fabric prices I had seen elsewhere. Also, upholstery is different because a lousy job can literally ruin something of value, and if that happens you don't have much recourse because it's so subjective. So you need to feel like you REALLY trust whoever your hire. Donna and Tony, the two principals, are great to deal with, they know furniture and their business very well.