5 Essential Pieces That Won't Crowd Your Living Room

When you’re living in a townhome or another similarly sized urban space, large furniture becomes somewhat out of the question.

 

There simply isn’t enough room to accommodate bulky pieces while still remaining functional and roomy. At Creative Classics, we understand this balance better than most. When it comes to small spaces, the right proportion of items makes all the difference.

 

Here are five essential pieces that won’t crowd your living room but will make it feel like home nonetheless!

 

1. Sleeper Sofa

 

The sleeper sofa is perhaps the most functional piece of furniture you’ll ever buy. It’s especially useful in homes where a guest bedroom is not an option. These comfortable, multipurpose sofas are essential for modern living.

 

If you live in a home where you’re able to have a guest bedroom, consider modular seating when it comes to your sofa. These unique pieces can create different styles and you can make them smaller or larger as needed.

 

Regardless of which style you choose, sofas are an essential that will make your living room actually feel like a living room, even when the rest of your apartment is sharing the space.

 

 



 

2. A Great Coffee Table

 

Your ideal coffee table will be roughly half the size of the sofa and have multiple functions in order to maximize space in your living room.

 

A great coffee table can be practically anything you’d like. Nesting coffee tables provide additional ottomans that function as seats or footrests underneath the table itself. Lift top coffee tables can function as desks, eating tables, contain storage space, and more.

 

Coffee tables are more than just a place to put drinks or books. A great coffee table will maximize urban living room space and become a staple piece you can’t live without.

 

 

3. Ottoman or Bench

 

Ottomans or benches in living rooms may seem like a waste of space at first, but these essential pieces are more than just fun additions to your relaxing zone.

 

The right pieces will provide storage such as for blankets and also be used for additional seating space when you need it. These are perfect for people who love to entertain or just want additional surface space in their living room.

 

Your best bet is to invest in pieces that can work in a variety of ways, such as function as a table, extra seating, and storage for items that don’t need to be in view.

  

4. Armoire That Functions as a Desk

 

If your living room also functions as your office, it’s likely you have a hard time separating the two spaces.

 

When you’re tired of having to move your computer, unplug cords, and hide the printer in the closet when friends come over, try something that’s more elegant and functional. An armoire that functions as a desk is the perfect way to close off your working space from the living room when you’re not on the clock.

 

Select a piece that can easily hide your desk with the closing of a cabinet or the shutting of a drawer when company’s coming. It’s effective and you won’t have to rush to put away things!

 

 

5. End Tables

 

Skip sofa tables—the tables that sit behind the sofa—when you have limited space in your living room. End tables can hold lamps and whatever else you need so you can save space. These can also function as seating or just go at the end of couches.

 

When placing end tables, ensure that people have enough room to pass by on both sides of the sofa. The height of the table shouldn’t be taller than the arm of the sofa, but shouldn’t be any lower than the height of the sofa seat. This ideal height makes reaching for something while sitting quite easy.

 

These tables are full of possibilities when it comes to your living room!

 

 

At Creative Classics, we only sell high-quality furniture that’s been made right here in the United States. We aim to meet the challenges that often come with living in the DC Metro area. With multiple size options and custom selections, we help you achieve the perfect balance for your living room space.

 

Learn more about these essential pieces that won’t clutter your living room and how you can customize and stage them perfectly in your home!

We Love Hearing from Our Customers!

The entire staff at Creative Classics takes great pride in satisfying our customers and providing the quality bedroom, living room and dining room furniture that they fall in love with and enjoy for years to come.

We enjoy from time to time sharing reviews from actual furniture customers, and here is a recent one shared on Google.

"Their selection is beautiful, but more importantly, their customer service is unmatched. They spent hours assisting me over two visits, using software to spec out my floor plan and then showing me configurations of the pieces I love. Their insight and guidance is superb, and they're friendly, patient, and extremely helpful."

- Carrie S.

Introduction to Dining Room Tables

At Creative Classics Furniture, we understand that dining room tables can make the dining experience in your home.

In this video, one of our owners, Scott Hughey, discusses what handcrafted means when looking for quality dining room furniture. Dining furniture that can be made small but is able to become large is difficult to make, but is both flexible and extremely nice to have in smaller homes or rooms where making the most of your space is essential.

In our Alexandria furniture store, Creative Classics customers will always choose their woods and stains to suit their individual needs.

Small Space, Big Ideas- Part II: Design Ideas

Most people attribute a lot of negativity with having a small space. It can be hard to find furniture that fits, it can feel cramped and seem like you don't have the same design liberties as with a larger space. BUT, we beg to differ. Having a small space can actually have more positives than you realize!


1. Any change you make, no matter how small, has a big impact. New pillows and a freshly painted wall in a 10x10 room is a WAY bigger statement than getting lost in an oversized living room.

2. You need LESS furniture to fill the space!

3. Faster to clean (that’s not a design positive…but it’s a positive!)

Here are some fun design tips to help enhance YOUR small space!

A LITTLE goes a long way!





Our selection of fully customizable ottomans ranges the gamut of sizes

and covering styles.

 

LAYER, LAYER, LAYER: Textures, patterns and variety enhance a small space

STATEMENT PIECES: Bold ottomans, Funky colors, Contrast pillows





Our Edward Apartment Sofa has lots of configurations!



 

Our Blake Sofa is petite and has perfect lines for a small space!

 

NEUTRAL SOFA: Add pops of contrast and interest with art and accessories. (Easy to change!)

We have a huge assortment of fabrics to make your space perfectly coordinated!

We are here to help you select and pull together the perfect schemes!

 

SIMPLE Color Schemes don’t overwhelm a room

 

We have lots of accessories in our showroom and many vignettes

to help get your creative juices flowing!

 

All About ILLUSIONS: Light colors, mirrors and simple lines can really open a space

 

 

Small Spaces- BIG Ideas Part I: Multi-Function Furniture

Creative Classics caters to the small scale living community. The DC metro area is scattered with condos, apartments and historic homes. This equates to small rooms, lack of guest rooms, narrow staircases, and the need for multi-function rooms. We are here to be a furniture resource for you! How to make the most of your small space? Here are a few ideas!


Office

Let’s be honest, having an office space is as much of a luxury as a guest bedroom! But when you have really great storage pieces that can morph into laptop desks, ladder bookshelves that have a computer space and a coffee table that can be a desk—who needs to hide them away in a small office? Disguise it as part of your living room!

Linden Leaning Bookcase (Also Available as desk!)
 

Copeland Catalina Laptop Desk









Simply Amish Loft Laptop Desk 

Simply Amish Loft Lift-Top Coffee Table

Simply Amish Loft Lift-Top Coffee Table (Open)



Bedroom

Space is always a consideration in a bedroom…Especially in this region: Winter and Fall clothes vs. Summer and Spring; bedding, towels with no linen closet and of course no wall space. Solution: Underbed storage. It takes up no more space than your bed (which is obviously the #1 criteria of a BEDroom) and can add the equivalent of a 6 drawer dresser! We also have convenient bedside tables that accommodate the drawers!



Copeland Berkeley Under Storage Bed and Nightstand




Gat Creek Evelyn Storage Bed and Eastwood Nightstand
 

Living Room/Potential Guest Space

Everyone has a living room- even studios. No matter how small the space, we can get a sleep sofa in (It fully disassembles!). Not just any sleep sofa though…but the Comfort Sleeper Sofa by American Leather.

Gina Sleeper Sofa

Payton Sleeper Sofa (Space Saver Arm)

Comfort Sleeper Pulled Out

 

Dining Room/Eating Area

3 words: Self-Storing Leaves. A table that can grow up to a couple feet and be able to store the additional leaves is priceless in this area. We have the capability to make almost any sized or shaped table with North American hardwoods and in an assortment of stains.

Simply Amish Brookfield Pedestal Table

Butterfly Leaf

Brookfield Table Extended

 Come on by and see how we can make your space more functional and effective!
~Team CC

Wood Species and Their Traits: What WOOD You Use?

When it comes to selecting the right wood for your piece of furniture, there is a lot to consider.
First, you should choose the wood species. The type of wood you select will affect the look, cost and durability of your furniture. Next, the stain color - dark, light, medium or natural (no stain). And lastly, the finish or protective coating. These 3 decisions will play a key role in finding the right piece of furniture to fit your lifestyle.

Let's start with the basics: hardwood vs. softwood.
Hardwood comes from deciduous (leaf shedding) trees that have broad leaves, usually bear nuts or fruit and go dormant in the winter. They are slower growing, denser and are typically harder and stronger than softwood trees. Examples of North American hardwoods include Maple, Oak, Cherry and Walnut. Imported hardwoods include: Mahogany, Rosewood and Zebrawood. Softwood comes from coniferous (cone bearing) trees that have needles and are evergreen. They grow at a faster rate, are less dense, less durable, split easier along the grain and are more combustible. Examples of Softwoods include Pine, Spruce, Fir and Cedar. The grain of hardwood trees is generally considered more attractive than softwoods and that, combined with the slower growth rate and superior durability, makes furniture constructed from hardwoods more expensive.

Ideally, if you live in North America, you should select a North American hardwood for a couple of reasons:
1. Stability: If it grows here, it is acclimatized. Variation in humidity levels throughout the year will cause your wood furniture to expand and contract.  When furniture is constructed from imported woods (especially from tropical areas such as Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc.) the effect can be much more dramatic. Humidity levels that vary greatly from where a tree "grew up" can cause cracking and undue stress on joints.  This is one reason that furniture made with exotic species such as African Zebrawood are usually veneer vs. solid wood.

2. Durability: Hardwood lumber is typically more dense and stronger than softwood species making it the preferred choice for heirloom furniture.

3. Environmental: Regionally sourced American hardwoods do not require burning fossil fuels to transport them across the ocean. They come from managed forests that practice sustainability to ensure a continuous supply of wood. Hardwood furniture can also be refinished for reuse and it's biodegradable.

At Creative Classics all of our wood furniture is handcrafted from North American Hardwoods.

Which hardwood is right for you? Consumers often confuse or associate a wood species with a stain color.  Many furniture stores add to the confusion by offering furniture made of lower quality woods or, more commonly, composite materials with labels of “Oak or Cherry finish”.  Wood species refers to the specific type of tree the wood comes from (i.e.: Oak, Maple, Cherry, etc.) NOT the color. Why does this matter? Different wood species have different types of grain, density and characteristics that influence the look and durability of the furniture. Also, the natural, unstained color of the wood will affect the appearance of any stain applied. High-quality furniture is never described by the color alone. Beware of furniture where the wood species is not specified separately from the stain color, this is frequently a sign that the furniture is not even made of wood! 

Popular Types of  North American Wood

SOFT MAPLE - Natural Color

Soft Maple (sometimes referred to as Brown Maple) is a straight-grained, fine textured wood. Despite its confusing name, it's actually a hardwood. Derived from red or silver maple trees, soft maple is not as durable as its hard maple cousin, but is more capable of accepting stain. Soft maple has roughly the same density as cherry, with colors usually ranging from light cream to pale brown with occasional dark streaks. Price: $

CHERRY - Natural Color

Cherry is a dense, even-grained wood, widely considered the finest of the fruitwoods. Prized for its beauty and color, it is considered an excellent choice for both formal and casual applications. Natural  coloration varies from a light cream to a dark reddish brown; however, cherry will darken with age, developing a deep, rich patina over the course of several years. Cherry wood contains mineral deposits which create the beautiful swirls of grain and occasional dark depressions and indentations. Cherry may also contain light steaks of sapwood. These are not defects, but are normal, desired and to be expected in natural cherry.  Price: $$

RED OAK - Natural Color

Red Oak is a very popular hardwood, chosen for its traditional, coarse-textured look, as well as its excellent durability and strength. It accepts stain consistently and wears well over time, making it a great choice for furniture with heavy, every day use. Red Oak is the most common species used in oak furniture and has a natural color from yellow to pale brown. Price: $

QUARTERSAWN OAK - Natural Color

Quarter Sawn White Oak: Quarter sawing is a different way of slicing a log that provides a unique aesthetic and superior performance to traditionally milled oak. Quartersawn boards have greater stability of form and size, as well as less warping and shrinkage.  Quartersawn White Oak shows a prominent ray fleck, striations that prompt some to refer to it as "Tiger Oak".  It has all the same properties as Red Oak but has more straight grain and varies in color from light tan to nearly white or bright grey. Price: $$

HARD MAPLE - Natural Color

Hard Maple or Rock Maple, comes from the sugar or black maple trees. It's a tough, moderately heavy wood with a fine and uniform texture. Hard maple finishes very smoothly and is extremely durable. Commonly seen with no stain (because it does not absorb stain well), it's natural color varies from nearly white to light tan, with an occasional reddish tinge. Price: $$

WALNUT - Natural Color

Walnut is a dense wood, ranging in color from light to deep chocolate brown. The black walnut tree produces one of the finest cabinet woods available. Slow-growing and highly desired, walnut is more expensive than many of the other woods. Walnut becomes lighter and develops a rich, golden hue with age, it may also contain occasional light sapwood streaks. Natural Walnut (no stain) should be protected from direct sunlight as the ultraviolet light can bleach the wood. Price: $$$

Why stain your wood furniture? Wood Stains are dyes or pigments suspended in a solvent that deepen the color of a wood. Most woods, with the exception of Cherry and Walnut, are very light in their natural color. Staining the wood provides a way to achieve a variety of wood tones and colors from light to dark. Stains are translucent and typically enhance and increase the prominence of the natural grain variations in the wood. Very dark stains may mask and unify the grain appearance.

The natural color of a wood and its grain characteristics will greatly affect how a stain appears on each wood species. For instance, Cherry wood is naturally red-orange in color so any stain over Cherry will have a rich underlying reddish hue that influences the stain appearance. Compare the same stain finish (Michael's) on the different wood species shown below. Notice how each species of wood has its own unique appearance even though the stain is identical.

Wood Finishes
The final touches to any piece of furniture is the finish. There are numerous options to protect your piece of furniture to keep it long lasting and beautiful!

Hand Rubbed- This is a traditional method of hand-rubbing an oil and wax finish comprised of many coats of natural linseed oils that condition the wood, provide moisture resistance and enhance the natural color and beauty of the wood. It does not seal the wood or provide protection. It will also need to be re-oiled regularly.

Polyurethane- Resin is what remains behind to form a film once the solvent has evaporated. The resin defines the nature of the coating. In general, polyurethane or urethane resins (the terms may be used interchangeably) provide finishes with good durability, including resistance to heat, abrasion, chemicals, stains, and solvents- however, they have a tendency to yellow over time.

Pre-Catalyzed Lacquer and Conversion Varnishes- Instead of curing by the evaporation of a solvent only, they also cure chemically. The catalyst is added ahead of time and the finish is very durable as a result of the chemical curing process.  This is the most durable of finishes.

Now that you have the basics of wood selection, hopefully making a decision will be a lot easier! And don't worry we are here to help! Come by the store and we can help you find the PERFECT wood (and color) for your piece of furniture!

Come on over,
Team CC

Sources: http://www.hardwoodinfo.com/articles/view/admirer/3/202

Mix It Up!

Last month, Creative Classics attended High Point Market in North Carolina- the largest furniture market in the world. As we searched for new, original designs from our American manufacturers, we kept spotting one new trend everywhere we went- CONTRAST!! Leather frames with fabric cushions and color blocking was seen on upholstered pieces like sofas and accent chairs while inlay and 2-toned woods dominated the hardwood showrooms from dining room tables to buffets. 

Our favorite examples of this extremely versatile, stand-out trend include a subtly chic pale yellow leather swivel with microfiber seat, a funky grey leather chair with fabric seat in complimentary stripes of gray, taupe and cream and a beautiful live edge solid walnut dining table with a thick piece of wormy maple running down the middle- quite the conversation piece for your dinner guests! Take a look at what inspired us...

FROM THE WOOD WORKERS

Clockwise from top left: Fuzed Table by Valley View Oak (shown in rustic walnut with wormy maple center); Custom Stool by Cabeen Originals (Natural Walnut with stained maple strip surrounded by natural cherry stripes running down the middle); Copper Top Table, part of the Craftsmen colletion from Treecrowns by Valley View Oak (Laeg table shown in a stained quarter sawn oak wood with copper patina surface); Custom stool by Cabeen Originals (made of repurposed cherry, walnut and maple wood pieces from former designs); a unique walnut and cherry ping pong table by unknown designer; Eastwood Nightstand by Gat Creek (stained cherry with natural cherry drawer)

FROM THE UPHOLSTERERS

Clockwise from top left: The Ewan Swivel Chair by C.R. Laine (a white band flowing down the middle creates contrast to give an elegant and unique vibe to an otherwise plain black piece); The L-3153-C1 Leather Chair by Precedent (The shades of the seat fabric work both as a contrast and compliment to the grey waxed leather of the chair); The Camden Chair by Norwalk (the black painted Maple wood painted arms and legs perfectly frame the blue and white pop of a pretty ikat pattern); Wing Back chair by C.R. Laine (cream and grey taupes as well as the wing back style give a fresh, new, modern vibe to a southwestern pattern; The Philippe Swivel by C.R. Laine gets a new twist with a tape of embroidered fabric in a neat geometric pattern

From subtle contrast to a wild statement, this trend can work in any room and will liven up your small space- guaranteed:) Come by the showroom and let our talented design associates show you how to make it work for you!!

For all information on these designs or to see what else if offered from our manufacturers, please visit our manufacturers page: http://www.creativeclassics.com/mali.html or just contact us directly at the store!

For the Love of Leather: The Whole Story

 

Leather is a natural material created through the tanning of hides and skins of animals- most commonly cattle/cow hides. Leather can come from numerous types of animals- including: snakes, alligator, and shark- however, common practice is to be paired with the dairy/meat industry and use the by-products of the cattle already being used. Hides come from across the world and vary according to location due to temperature (the thickness), feed (size of cattle), and where they were raised (wood vs. barbed wire fences affect their hide imperfections).

Leather is cleanable, repairable, breathable and has different textures and grades. Each hide is unique to the animal, but can be treated to be identical for certain purposes.

Let's start at the beginning:

Diagram of Leather Grains

 

 

Types of Leathers:

Full Grain- Upper section of hide that contains the skin layer and all the imperfections. Only hair has been removed. It is considered the highest quality and instead of wearing out, it will develop a natural patina. It has the highest durability and can be bought as either aniline or semi-aniline. Nothing is done to correct it.

 

Full Grain shown on a bag..."bomber jacket" look

 

 

Top Grain- Top grain leather has often been buffed or sanded to remove scars. This pigmented leather is the top portion of the split hide. The original grain can be removed and the surface is sanded and refinished to produce a consistent grain pattern. In some cases, the surface is only lightly buffed and refinished.

Top Grain- high quality and only slightly corrected

Corrected Grain- Top grain leather that has been sanded and buffed to remove any imperfections due to bug bites, scars and brands. It will be embossed or printed and can be finished as semi-aniline or pigmented.

Corrected Grain- Rid of scars, markings and very "perfect" looking.

Split- Made from the bottom part of the hide. It will have an artificial layer applied to the surface and will be embossed. It is typically used in lower priced furniture. Splits are used to create suede.

Suede: Low quality but perfect for the right look!

Bonded Leather- This is a man-made material composed of leather fibers and latex binders. It can create a look similar to leather at a fraction of the cost but is less durable and not recommended on furniture.


Bonded Leather- lowest quality-seen on less expensive furniture
(think: discount furniture shops)

How is it made?

1: Pre-Tanning
Soaking - When the leather arrives at the tannery it may be soaked to extrude salts used in preserving leather. This is done in revolving drums which can hold up to 200 hides.

Liming - Hair and epidermis are removed and a solution of lime (calcium hydroxide) and sodium sulphide is applied to soften and enhance hide for softness and flexibility needed for upholstery leather.

Splitting - The hide is split into layers. The top, or grain, layer will produce a fine, smooth grain leather. The bottom is used for suede or split leather for other uses.

2. Tanning Process: This converts the skin/hide into a durable, long-lasting and versatile material.
The 2 most common processes are:

Vegetable Tanning: This is a more environmentally sound process because of the lack of chemicals.
It uses tannin and ingredients found in vegetable matter and tree bark. It can discolor and harden when wet. This is better for "natural" colors.

Chromium Tanning: This is the most common method and uses chromium sulfate and salts of chromium. This stabilizes the leather and making it more pliable and supple than vegetable tanned. It will not discolor or lose shape. This process allows for more "vibrant" colors.

3. Selecting: After tanning excess water is removed from hide. Hides are then graded according to the quantity and locations of natural features and flaws. Top, Full and Corrected Grain leathers demand the best quality hides. Heavily coated or embossed leather can utilize a lesser quality of hides.

4: Dressing: This involves different steps shown below:
Shaving - Hides are given a uniform thickness; Dyeing - Dyes are added to color leather. (See below)
Re-tanning - Additional tanning substances are sometimes added to modify the physical characteristics of the leather to suit its final use.
Setting - A process which mechanically removes creases and excess water.
Drying - The hides are stretched dried on large frames or vacuum dried.
Trimming- The rough and ragged edges are removed.

5: Finishing: This is the stage to give the required degree of gloss, ensure the leather is soft, malleable and moldable, to give a more protective surface which is easily cleaned.

6. Embossing: This adds pattern to the leather to hide the unwanted characteristics and create visual appeal. (Not always done.)

An example of embossing.

7. Protecting the hide: Topical applications to protect the surface.
 
Dying Differences

Aniline: This is a bi-product of the petroleum industry. Pigments are added to achieve the desired color. Then they are mixed with the hides to color them.
Full Aniline: Leather hides fully dyed using aniline dyes and then a layer of protection added to the top.
Semi- Aniline: Leather hides that are fully dyed first, then a color surface coat is applied.

What Should I Buy?

Hopefully after reading this article, you will feel more empowered on what to look for when buying leather. Key words: Full or Top Grain, (or Corrected IF that is the look you want!); Aniline Dyed; and/or Vegetable (if you are going GREEN). Steer clear of "Split- leather," and  "Bonded leather." And ASK questions! That's why we are here!

Thanks for stopping by!
-Team CC

Sources:
American Leather
Keleen Leathers

How to Choose The Right Upholstery Fabric For YOU

Decisions, decisions!

 

SO many fabrics, so many options- how to choose? There are 4 basic criteria when selecting the right upholstery fabric for your piece of furniture:

1. Location (This will drive all the other factors- is this in the basement where the kids get rowdy? or the front room where you only occasionally entertain guests?)

2. Durability (Do you have kids, pets and/or a messy husband?)

3. Aesthetic (What do you like? loose weaves, suede-look or perhaps a wrinkly linen?)

4. Hand (How does it feel- do you want it soft or prefer a crisp touch?)

These are the basic questions you ask yourself when selecting fabric. It will help guide you in the right direction of the fabric that will best suit you and your needs. The beauty of fabric is there are SO many options! The 2 categories are Natural (Cotton, Leather) and Synthetic (Polyester, Olefin). However, they are often blended to get the best of both. For instance wool is typically mixed with nylon to add toughness.

Below is a breakdown of different fabric types, typical locations and uses. This is a great guideline for upholstery and how it can best work for you.

Cotton/Cotton Blends: $-$$, durable, easy to clean

This natural fiber provides good resistance to wear, fading and pilling, but is less resistant to soiling and wrinkling. For everyday use, it’s a good idea to apply a stain-resistant finish. Cotton blends are recommended over 100% cotton.


 

 

Leather: $$$$, very forgiving, easy to clean, gets better with age

This tough material can be gently vacuumed, damp-wiped as needed, and cleaned with leather conditioner or saddle soap. It's timeless and just keeps looking better (IF you take care of it!).



Luxurious leather- So many varieties, next post will be all about leather!

Linen: $-$$, stays clean, absorbs moisture, not very durable

Although it may look perfect for your beach house....think again! It is prone to mold and mildew and will not tolerate very high humidity. Because of its high maintenance, it is more often used in drapery and wall coverings instead of upholstery. It's best suited for formal living rooms or adult areas because it soils and wrinkles easily.



Linen: Easy, breezy and beautiful!

Silk: $$$-$$$$, delicate, soft

This fabric is only suitable for formal areas. Must be professionally cleaned if soiled. Skip on upholstery and save it for window treatments, wall covering or pillows!

Don't sit on me! Please just look! love, Silk

Wool: $$-$$$, water repellent, durable, expensive, flame resistant

Wool and wool blends offer good resistance to pilling, fading, wrinkling, and soil. Generally, wool is blended with a synthetic fiber to make it easier to clean. Blends can be spot-cleaned when necessary. Wool is warm in the summer and cool in the winter.



Wool- Always a classic-- watch out for moths!

Acrylic: $$, resists wear, lightweight, good for outdoor use

Developed as imitation wool, acrylic resists wrinkling, soiling and fading. Low-quality acrylic may tend to pill excessively in high-wear situations. Better-quality acrylics are manufactured to resist pilling. (Sunbrella is a good example of acrylic durability.)



Acrylic: Example of Sunbrella fabric- great for outdoors!

Microfiber: $, durable, easy to clean, family-friendly

Microfiber fabric is lightweight, highly absorbent and does not stain or wrinkle easily. It's extremely durable but can have static and make you feel like you "stick" to it.



Microfiber: Most popular fabric for family sofas and sectionals.

Olefin: $$, durable, powerhouse of fabric!

Use olefin if your furniture is likely to receive heavy wear. The fibers have low moisture absorption, but they can wick moisture and dry quickly. Olefin is abrasion, stain, sunlight and chemical resistant.

Patterns, bright colors, all possible with Olefin!

Polyester: $-$$, Very durable, easy to clean

It is strong and durable with good resistance to abrasion. It stands up well to sunlight, mildew and insects. Traditional polyester can be subject to pilling and soil easily. However, microfiber has excellent resistance to soiling and wrinkling. Polyester blends beautifully with other fibers, such as cotton, and can have a silk like appearance. It is also used in outdoor fabrics. Stains can be easily cleaned with solvents or detergents.

Polyester comes disguised in many forms! Wovens, Prints, Tweeds, Microsuedes....

Rayon: $$-$$$, durable, wrinkles easily

Developed as an imitation silk, linen or cotton. Rayon is the oldest manufactured fiber. Rayon is made from wood pulp, which is passed through spinnerettes to form filaments. Recent advances have made high-quality rayon very practical for upholstery.

Rayon? Who ME? I can be anything you want!

Vinyl: $-$$, easy to care for, less expensive than leather

Popular because of its affordability. It CAN imitate leather in look and feel, but is not as durable and never looks real. It's affected by the surrounding temperature and can be uncomfortable in high heat or extreme cold. It tends to show crack and damage over time.



Vinyl: Can be fun and funky...don't imitate leather...never looks real.

 

So many things to think about!! Well let's add a few more....

Cost :

Fabrics are typically graded for cost. On the tag it will say Grade or Group. Every manufacturer is different. For instance, at our store American Leather starts at Grade 8, but Comfort Design starts at Group 100. The lower the number the cheaper the fabric cost, typically each grade bumps up the price anywhere from $30-70. This is important to keep in mind if you have a set budget and the sofa is $2000. If you know you don't want to pay a penny over $2200, don't look at the higher grades! It is very important to remember, the grade does NOT represent the quality or durability of the fabric. It is an indicator on how expensive it was to make the fabric. Some of our least expensive fabrics are the most durable!

See the fabric tag below:



The Cleaning Code is S  and the Fabric Grade is 11.
The blend is polyester and acrylic-- so super durable too!

Cleaning Code:
Also, on the fabric tag is a cleaning code, sometimes spelled out or just called "CC."
The options are:

"W"- Use only water-based cleaning agents or foam. Mix two tablespoons of ammonia or ammoniated detergent to a quart of water. Wipe the stain gently with a cloth dampened with the solution. Continue turning the cloth so you are always using a clean portion.

"S"- Use only mild, pure, water-free dry cleaning solvent. Wet a cloth with the spot cleaner and follow the same procedure as described above.
 
"WS"- Either of the above methods may be used.

"X"- Clean fabric only by vacuuming or light brushing to remove soil. Do not use liquid cleaning agents of any type.


Now you are armed with lots of information on upholstery! You can confidently walk into a store and have an idea of what you want and why you want it. Lucky for you, we have lots of choices here at Creative Classics and all of our pieces have lots of fabrics to select from! We are open 10-6 M-Sat and 12-5 Sun. Come on by!

Happy Fabric Selecting!
-Team CC

Sources:

Onlinefabricstore.net- for pictures of fabrics

http://www.design-char.com/how-choose-right-upholstery-fabric

https://www.homeminders.com/Articles/HomemindersArticle/tabid/77/ArticleId/246/Default.aspx