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W hen was the last time you bought an upholstered piece of furniture? What sort of research did you put into the purchase? If the beginning and end of your research is sinking into it on the showroom floor and pondering the feel beneath your limbs for a few moments, we need to talk. Seriously. Take it from me, a consumer who researches all big-ticket purchases in advance and asks a lot of questions: I, too, have fallen for the pitch and made mistakes when investing in upholstered furniture, even custom. What did I learn? Never be afraid to literally turn over a chair, open a seat cushion or inspect anything carefully before you either commission a piece or buy it off the floor. Now, let's hit the books. KILN-DRIED LUMBER It all starts with the frame. Every well-made piece of upholstery relies on the integrity of its frame, and none is more integral to quality than one made with kiln-dried lumber. "All the lumber (largely poplar or alder woods) used in making furniture frames should be a minimum of 8 percent kiln dried. This means the wood has 8 percent water/moisture content," Longwood says. "The kiln drying is done slowly under controlled environments to prevent the wood from cracking, warping or splitting. If it's not kiln-dried and has a high moisture content, when you make the frame, upholster it and deliver it to someone's home, it will eventually start drying. This can cause the wood to warp and split, and often results in the frame squeaking." Finally, while many furniture houses simply screw legs onto the bottom of the frame, a good manufacturer will literally incorporate them into the frame itself. Look for this telltale sign of quality. HAND-TIED SPRING CONSTRUCTION What sets apart a high-end, pricier sofa from the rest? The springs. The cost of hand-tied spring construction, used in the best upholstery, can run 30 to 45 percent more than no-sag springs. In the world of hand-tied spring construction, there are two choices: four-way and eight-way hand-tied round springs. Longwood says, "Many times when we open an old, great quality sofa that has been eight-way hand-tied, we've found half of the twine securing the springs has come loose A good upholsterer can change an arm, the height of the back of a sofa, swap out seat cushions and remove a mattress from a sleeper sofa. But before you consider doing any of those things, David Longwood, owner of the to-the-trade workroom Designer's Furniture Manufacturing, advises you to do the math and work with a designer and a trusted upholsterer to assess what you really have. Own a beautifully made sofa? Regardless of its age, it might be worth reconfiguring. "But if it's not, starting afresh is often the most cost-effective if the change orders get lengthy," says Longwood, who manufactures furnishings apropos to both the residential and commercial markets. "Some furniture is literally made of plywood frames with cardboard padding on its sides and obviously is just not worth saving. The thing is, you don't know what you've got (regardless of the label) until you literally open it up." HOW TO TELL If you're really interested in the quality of your upholstered pieces, carefully inspect each piece of furniture from every angle. The upholsterer (and hopefully the furniture salesperson) should have enough experience to know the difference between a hand-tied and a no-sag spring construction; a soft edge versus a hard edge; a down wrap and a Dacron-wrapped cushion. over the years. For some reason, given the function of the springs, most of the four-way hand-tied springs I've opened up after years of use haven't come loose. I can't tell you why, but I often suggest my clients use four-way hand-tied springs for this very reason." Of course, to detect that issue (as well as determine exactly what kind of spring/frame construction lies beneath Aunt Mable's antique settee, you'll have to take the sofa apart, because everything is built atop springs inside. But don't take the price as an indication of quality. Before you purchase any pricey piece, specifically ask, "Was this made with hand-tied springs?" NO-SAG SPRING CONSTRUCTION Created with S-shaped springs (also called zigzag springs), a no-sag-spring constructed piece is often used in low-end furniture and commercial applications to keep costs down. No-sag springs are stapled to the front and back of the frame, stretched across the base and fastened side to side. This is a straight-style spring where the springs lengthen, elongating when sat upon. Conversely, hand-tied springs are coil springs that are compressed up and down. However, there are APRIL | PAGE 52 | 2014 SEAT LAURANN CLARIDGE DELVES INTO WHAT LIES BENEATH YOUR PRIZED UPHOLSTERED SOFAS, CHAIRS AND OTTOMANS. PHOTOGRAPHY JENNY ANTILL. Have Revealed, a simple chair created with no-sag spring construction, where the springs are shaped like an "S." It is topped with a Dacron-wrapped foam seat cushion. This design is often used in commercial applications. An artisan at DFM constructing part of a chair from the ground up. A chair constructed with higher-end hand-tied spring construction. Left: This bolster pillow was upholstered by DFM with a narrow flange at its edge and at both ends; its blue ticking fabric is mitered to create a square design. The mattress box spring of this Swedish antique daybed was covered by a down-filled soft pillow-like mattress, also with a narrow flange edge. OF UPHOLSTERY THE INSIDE STORY THE MAKING OF A GOOD UPHOLSTERED PIECE David Longwood, founder of Designer's Furniture Manufacturing (DFM) EXACTLY WHAT'S POSSIBLE? 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