Do you find yourself daunted by the idea of reupholstering your
well-worn furniture pieces? Fear not! It’s much easier and less
expensive than you might think to get your old furniture looking
like new—the green way, naturally. Whether your cat mauled what was
once your grandfather’s favorite chair or you just found a stellar
thrift store sofa in desperate need of an update, we’re here to lay
down the fastest and simplest methods for eco-chic
reupholstering.
To get started, here’s a short list of what you’ll need:
1. A piece of furniture. (Duh.)
2. An upholsterer. If you don’t have one already, check with
friends for referrals.
3. Enough fabulous eco fabric & decorative trim for the project
(see resource suggestions below). To estimate the proper amount,
either consult your upholsterer—if the piece is too large to easily
transport, take photos and dimensions with you instead—or use an
online upholstery calculator (we like the one at Designers
Sketchbook).
4. And finally, what no eco upholstery project would be complete
without…kapok! What’s Kapok, you ask? Why, it’s a soft and
super-sustainable fiber found in the tropical forests of Central
and South America, and Asia. It’s similar to cotton, sans the
environmental impact, because it falls naturally from the trees
rather than needing to be harvested or treated with pesticides.
Kapok is the perfect replacement for down—equally cushy and
luxe-feeling, but completely animal friendly. And it’s far superior
to any sort of toxic poly option.
Now that you know what you need, let’s talk about where to get
it!
You’ve probably got the furniture already. If not, hit Craigslist
or your favorite secondhand shop.
So, now let’s focus on the fabric. There are so many great
organic-cotton, upholstery-weight fabrics out there. The hardest
part of this whole endeavor may be having to choose!
Mod Green Pod, with their oh-so-appropos tagline “shaking the beige
off organic,” was a pioneer of eco-style upholstery fabrics. As
pictured on our home page, their organic cottons are durable,
reasonably priced and super chic, and a dose of MGP gives your room
an instant B12 shot. From whimsical, colorful damasks to bold retro
prints, all Mod Green Pod fabrics are printed with non-toxic dyes
and made in the U.S.
If you’re going for more of a classic vibe, check out the bright
and elegant designs of Rubie Green, from whom we borrowed the
adorable pictured above. (Who doesn’t want to be that girl.
Seriously.) From 1970’s-inspired contemporary to airy but
traditional pineapple prints, Rubie Green’s selection of high-end,
high-style fabrics has something for everyone. And, of course, they
too are printed on 100% organic cotton with low-impact dyes. You
just can’t go wrong!
Finally, your must-have item: Kapok. First check with your
upholsterer to see if they stock it—and prepare to be surprised.
Even non-eco upholsterers have been known to work with Kapok
because it’s abundant, affordable and easy to use. If not, buy it
yourself and bring it along—any decent upholstery shop will be
happy to oblige!
And—presto change-o—you’ve got a refreshed, recycled, eco-beautiful
piece of furniture to sit on and show off.
Get 20% off all fabric yardage and wallpaper through August 31st at
Mod Green Pod with “stiletto” at check out.
