Owner Sean McFadden and partner Derek Artz hold the original Pohan’s Upholstery sign that survived Calistoga’s Glass Fire. They are now located in Napa.
Upholsterer Rafael Helguera, adds a skirt to a newly reupholstered chair. The underside shows an example of sinuous springs.
Seamstresses, Andrea Garcia and Erika Herrera, apply their 25 years experience in Pohan’s new upholstery showroom.”
Pohan’s upholsterer made sure to match the pattern of this floral fabric at the seams and along the brass nail heads
Reversible cushions give the client the option to change the look of her breakfast niche. All fabrics coordinate with other fabrics in the adjacent family and living rooms.
Patti Cowger designed reversible and color-coordinated cushions for her client’s breakfast niche. The black floral side matches draperies (in the works at Napa’s Royal Drapery) and the pink side matches the magenta wall. The aqua pillows coordinate with a newly reupholstered sofa.
Over the years, I’ve been asked many times whether it is better to reupholster existing furniture or to buy new.
I’ve developed a habit as I contemplate my answer. I walk over to the piece in question and squeeze its arm and back and also try to lift at one corner. If I can feel the wood frame and it’s easy to lift, I typically suggest a new purchase since these characteristics usually signal poor quality. Why throw good money after bad?
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On the other hand, if the piece seems to be of good quality, then there’s more discussion to be had.
For the sake of comparison, let’s use a sofa as an example and also assume that you like its shape and size. Let’s also assume that the cost of a new sofa will range from $2,500 to $12,000. Sure, you can find ones that cost less but quality-wise, it’s already sketchy to start at $2,500. And, of course, those over $12,000 are special cases. You can see there is a vast difference in price. It’s based on the quality of construction, fills, fabric, and workmanship.
The same factors apply to the cost of reupholstering. Fabrics can range from $50 per yard to $100 to even $200 (some cost less and some cost more.) A standard sofa with a skirt requires about 20 yards unless it has a large pattern, in which case, make that 25. So, fabric will range from $1,000 to $5,000.
Labor costs also range. The quality of workmanship is the largest factor but there are others such as possible frame repairs or cushion replacements. So, I’ll say that labor can range from $1,700 to $3,000 — and then there are the extras.
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