Hmmm. Seems like reupholstering pieces that your husband doesn't like might be wasting money. I doubt that changing the cushions will make him like them. Usually people don't like wing chairs because of the style, not the cushions. I would consider new chairs in a lower, more club style.

I do like wing chairs and recovered mine in bold prints so that they don't look too frumpy. If you decide to recover yours, what about a darker blue to pull the blue from your rug?
Diane

Another one I've used for many of my reupholstery items or window seat cushion covers is onlinefabricstore.net, with great success. Usually not as pricey as CC and they have an excellent selection of upholstery quality fabrics.

Here is a link that might be useful: just a sample

When we had our sofas reupholstered, we used Robert Allen Outlet to buy fabric. TONS of choices and it gives the rub count, fabric content, etc. I highly recommend them (no affiliation).

Here is a link that might be useful: Robert Allen Outlet

Those wing chairs would be very handsome in a darker blue leather.

Thank you for the links - I had trudged thru some already but am so worried about how the color looks on the monitor? I have some swatch books here and when I look them up online they look so different. I may have to invest in buying lots of swatches I suppose. I have seen some good bargains on discontinued fabrics but often there's not enough yardage.

Powermuffin - my husband doesn't care what anything looks like :) I think the combination of the feathers plus the sateen makes you feel like you are sliding out of the chair. A friend suggested that the feathers might be mostly dust anyway by now.

Leather? Hmm .. sounds expensive but probably very appropriate so I'll have a look.

No comments abouT the fabric I linked (kinda coudoroy-ish)?

I think that color could work. I wouldn't go too dark, since it is sitting on the rug. You don't want it to get lost in similar colors. The main thing that stands out to me is your window treatments. It seems like the rest of the room is a more regal style, while the window coverings are more country

A decorator came to my house, actually to help me with the kitchen. But, she circled around and critqued my living room and dining room. We have a couch and two comfy club chairs, one with an ottoman. That is the one my husband sits in all the time. She said that when she gets new clients she immediately gets the husband in her corner by asking if he has a comfortable chair to sit in. More often than not, the wife is looking for form rather than function and doesn't care what the DH has to sit in! She commended me for having a comfortable chair for my husband.
Long story short, I agree that if the chairs are not comfortable, it might be easier to go to an Ethan Allen and pick out new chairs. They have large samples, andsince you are looking for a solid, I don't think you will have too much trouble. If you want a print, I would recommend getting a large sample that shows how the fabric repeats.

The fabric you posted is twill and will kind of be like a pair of polyester twill pants. Let me look around a little :)

It sounds like since the room gets lots of use you are looking for something pretty, comfortable and Practical for daily lounging. Not sure if this is your cup of tea but it would look nice with a cream or your chair color satin lumbar pillow. Since I'm not up to scratch on fabric types maybe pal or someone could chime in.

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/93d282cc.jpg"; target="_blank">

Here is a link that might be useful: robert allen magnitude navy BIG picture

How about this: Duralee 31492-215

{{!gwi}}

I've done a lot of sewing over the years, both clothing and custom window treatments as well as a couple of upholstery jobs. I cannot imagine picking out a fabric online. I have to see it in person and feel the texture and weight. Can you find a large fabric store and just go and look? If you have an inspiration piece, take that with you. The store will cut samples for you to take home to see in your home's light.

Meowzer - I think you are right but I couldn't find anything at Joann's and there's only one fabric (looking online) at Calico Corners that looks remotely good. I have books here from United Fabric and GH fabrics

I like textures like the one jterrilynn showed. Unfortunately many of these discount outlets don't have 15 yards of much.

Pal - I don't know if I would be comfortable with a stripe especially with the books shelves and the mess the kids make. There's always piles of textbooks, library books, instruments, sheet music, and now they have gotten into DHs old vinyl records.

Here is a link that might be useful: Calico corners one

Maybe a road trip to a larger city with more fabric stores?

Hi Maureen, I have ordered from HouseFabric.com with a great result. I ordered a yard of the fabric to make sure it was what I wanted, but they also sell samples too. I like the descriptions because it says what the fabric is suitable for; i.e., upholstery, drapery. I found a nice navy chenille fabric for $8.95/yard (Poly Rayon solid texture chenille. Great for upholstery, drapery or top of bed. $18 value. 54" wide). They have other beautiful fabrics but I just looked for blue.

Here is a link that might be useful: House Fabric Navy Chenille Fabric

I like that last CC fabric you linked to (Tue. Sept. 27 19:55) better than the first fabric link you gave in the original post. In my opinion, the CC fabric is a better shade of blue for your room.

I am searching for upholstery fabric, too. I've ordered swatches from CC and most of them look very different in person compared to what I see on my computer. I emailed their customer service dept. asking them what the abrasion count means. The response was that if the abrasion count exceeds 30,000 double rubs, it is considered very heavy duty. Anything below 15,000 is considered light duty.

Laurie

Some ideas. I stuck with the Duralee site because pal was there.

First of all, I think in that room you have to dance with the one what brung you, who is probably Ralph Lauren. With that in mind:

Cushy velvet, maybe?
Duralee Solid Velvet - book # 2359
Pattern/Color: 14225-440
{{!gwi}}

A big honkin' Englishy floral would work, like
Duralee Fabrics
Rockland
Pool / Ink - book # 2496
Pattern/Color: 41867-206
Description: NAVY
{{!gwi}}

This one's a little more Ralph rather than Laura:
Duralee Fabrics
Chamberlyn Faux Wool
Chamberlyn Faux Wool - book #2367
Pattern/Color: 31292-353
Description: ROYAL BLUE
{{!gwi}}

With that upholstery, you could add lumbar throw pillows on the chairs or couch pillows in:
Duralee Fabrics
Brook Faux Silks
Brook Faux Silks - book # 2674
Pattern/Color: 32011-456
Description: COLUMBUS DAY
Contents: 100% POLYESTER
{{!gwi}}

This color might be in your rug--I can't tell from the photo.
Pavilion III Indoor/Outdoor Collection
Pool / Indigo - book # 2578
Pattern/Color: 15008-193
Description: INDIGO
{{!gwi}}

which could be paired with Jacobean throw pillows like this:
{{!gwi}}

I wouldn't pick a fabric off the Internet either. I like the stripe Pal posted, it would animate the room but not sure how it would look with the sofa fabric. That earlier link to Calico Corners is not even a 20th of the blue family of fabrics they have in the stores. Most of the fabrics on that link were outdoor Sunbrella, not even inside upholstery fabrics.

You really owe it to yourself to go to a store and look. If you find something you like, get a bit extra---- so you could use that same blue as a band or stripe on some more tailored Roman shades at your windows.....see the evolution of "project creep?". Lol.

Thanks for all the ideas.

Laurie - thanks for the explanation about the rubs. Makes sense.

Marcolo - Those are great. I love the "big honkin' floral, but would 2 chairs in that be too much? Does velvet hold up well? I'm really likin' the big plaid too.

When I went to the Duralee site and looked for locations in my state they all said "to the trade only" I will call the closest one and see what they say. I plan to go back to my upholsterer and see if she has any Duralee books.

I appreciate all the help and hope I do not come across as too difficult but am trying to process all of this information. I am really not too picky unless money is involved. I hate to spend money and not be thrilled. My husband just hates to spend money.
Maureen

I know that picking a pattern itself can be a job, but you also need to be sure that you have picked a durable fabric capable of holding up to the usage of people sitting on it for many years. One of the things you need to look for is called "double rub". Some of the better quality fabrics that are designed specifically for upholstery use do a test called a double rub test and the results are stated as how many times the fabric was rubbed without wearing through. There is a site called InteriorMall.com that includes this value on all fabrics where this test has been performed. This page is an example from their site: http://www.interiormall.com/cat/nsample.asp?ID=104613&t=117
In this case the double rub value is 12,000 double rubs. Obviously the higher the number of double rubs, the more durable the fabric. You can select Fabric from the blue bar at the top of any page and when you get to that page you can then look by fabric type or theme. Once you find a pattern you like and click on it you will see a page like the sample page I gave you a link to above. This sample fabric happens to be a damask fabric. I will give you a link below to the fabric page. They are very helpful if you have any questions. I am sure you can find something you will like there. Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Interior Mall Fabric Page

About velvet -- cotton velvet is extremely durable. Schumacher has a cotton velvet with Wyzenbeek 50,000, which is very high. Cotton velvet is more durable than polyester.

As for fabrics sold to the trade, your upholsterer may very well have an account with the fabric house and can obtain the fabric for you. If the upholsterer does not stock the fabric, but has to special order, and you are ordering less than a full bolt, there is a cutting fee that may be added to the price per yard. If you are lucky enough to pick a remnant that has the yardage you need, there may not be a cutting fee.

I've ordered many samples from fabricguru.com and got a great deal on 10 yards of drapery fabric for less than $100.00. The deals are usually on remainders of various lengths; higher prices by the yard.

My main problem is finding fabric that fits the formal style of the chair AND the everyday use of it.

In the middle of the night I decided I loved Marcolo's plaid but now find that it is discontinued and unavailable.

Hey, you have gotten some great advice here. I know how hard this must be for you. Most likely the things you really like are at odds with your practical side of being a mother and knowing that what you really need for now in a very used room with children is something hardy that will also hide dirt, but still look nice. You can have a bit of both! Like others have stated, look for the over 30,000 rub count, try to see it in person (although many of us have had luck with ordering online). Don't give up; at this point you will know it when you see it!
Good luck!

Well, you could check out this actual RL fabric:
{{!gwi}}

which might pair well with lumbar pillows in the floral you like (though it's hard to see if colors really work online).
{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: RL Tartan

Just to clarify, Sunbrella furniture fabrics are designed for both indoor and outdoor use, even though Calico Corners includes the word "Outdoor" in the name.

I'm still searching. I now think that a solid would look too deadening? Would a herringbone look right? Much of what I am admiring is way outta my price range, like this one (over $100/yard):
{{!gwi}}

jterrilynn - Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. I really am grateful for all the help I've received.

marcolo- I am trying to find something cheaper but that type of design is hard to find. Would you call it windowpane?

It's interesting to see Sunbrella here - Thanks for the clarification!

I suppose I am going for a clubby / cottagey look - If that makes any sense, if possible with these chairs

Maureen, here are a few ideas for you from Robert Allen Outlet's site:

http://www.robertallenoutlet.com/trade/fabric_detail.aspx?product=028327

http://www.robertallenoutlet.com/trade/fabric_detail.aspx?product=028831

http://www.robertallenoutlet.com/trade/fabric_detail.aspx?product=040244

They have enough of the blues that you could do both chairs in the same fabric, but if it were me, I'd probably do a combination of both the last one listed with the first one. (The middle one is too pricey for me!) The solid should wear like iron, and the other one has a great rub count as well.

I'm still liking something like this...kid friendly (over 60,000 rub) and it adds color interest without clashing with anything. It will also give you more options for window treatments or a future covered or new sofa, it will be easier to mix things with. You could add a cream or blue color of you existing chair pillow or one of the striped/checked sort of fabrics you like but are expensive. I would keep a pattern limited to the pillows or other so down the road you don't box yourself in to having problems when you get to those decorating choices.

For our sofa, I ended up choosing what I was told is the most popular upholstery fabric being used right now (at least in my area). That kind of thing usually makes me want to pick something else. ha. I mention it here because you said something about formal style + everyday use, and I think this fabric could fit that depending on the color you choose; it's a tone-on-tone herringbone. It has something like 45,000 double rubs and comes in dozens of colors, and all the ones I saw on already-finished furniture were lovely. If you have been looking at upholstery fabric you have probably already seen it. It's called Jumper and it's made by Valdese Weavers (the mfr/source name may be different in different places). I think it usually retails for around $40/sq yd but I was able to find a local place that sold it for much less. Mine was ordered direct from the mfr and the color is Kale -- which you probably don't need to know since you aren't looking at greens. :) I am narcissistically linking my own thread so you can see how it looks on a finished piece of furniture. Good luck with your chairs!

Here is a link that might be useful: Sofa with Jumper fabric

northcarolina - That is really helpful, thanks. I am considering that same fabric in Ink.

I think I have decided against a solid - afraid that the chairs will look like 2 boulders. I have given up my search for the plaid too. Life is too short and I have other fish to fry

My upholsterer is trying to talk me into this:

Maybe your DH would like the chairs better with an ottoman, more comfy.

As for fabrics, I really like Pal's stripe and dianolo's stripe, it seems to me it would make the room come alive; it would clash though with your valance fabric which seems too lightweight visually, would you be open to removing those ?

The valances can go. I made them a long time ago. I want to make lots other small changes too. I did have an ottoman but it migrated upstairs - I will look for a nicer replacement.

I am having trouble visualizing 2 big striped objects in front of the busy bookcases, on a busy rug. (and there's another rug and another bookcase in the front of the room.) I need two giant swatches! before I disregard Pal's idea as he is probably right.

Doing a single accent chair would be so much easier

there are so many nice choices!!!

i think a navy velvet would be nice with the style of chair and nailhead if you were going solid...

i'm not crazy about the fabric your upholsterer is recommending-lots of better choices, imo.
i wouldn't worry about a stripe or the right floral as being too busy...they might help to divert the eye away from the busy bookshelves in fact!!

I am curious as to why your upholsterer steared you away
from chenille?
We do our own upholstery and over the last 2-3 years we've
reupholstered seven big chairs in our house, three of them
in chenille. One is solid brown, one is an animal print and one is a very subtle print.
We've also did the other
chairs in leather, velour, and cotton,
Chenille is the best fabric to work with for upholstery IMHO, that's why I'm surprised he steared you away from it.
It's durable, cleanable and very attractive.

Joann

to everyone here sick of seeing this chair,sorry...

Maureen, this is the chenille one in the LR, It's a subtle
little print...can you picture a chenille on your chairs
now in blue? You have the same condition as we have,
dominate red orientals. That's why I always lean towards solids or sutble prints or even stripes.
hope this helps...I just took these photos today.

close-up of fabric

Without reading any other replies, my very first thought, was a red and white ikat. I don't see blue at all except as an accent.

Here is a link that might be useful: calico corners

That design is called a tartan.

One thing you could do is upholster the back and front in different but related fabrics, with a solid on one side of it. That's one way to get your big floral there if you want it--put it on the back. Or use some other pattern.

Some of these choices here are pretty random. First: you have to pick the fabric along with pillows or some other fabrics at the same time. Second: What are some of these fabrics supposed to be? You have a very traditional room and you need to deal with that fact somehow. You can go all RL, or if you don't like that, you can bring in something else, but it can't be just some random contemporary fabric.

I think the ikhat idea is interesting, though the one in Bunblebeeze link looks a little to terra cotta on my monitor. I was looking for one earlier but couldn't find it. Ikhat is very now, but it also meshes well with oriental rugs and a traditional feel. So that might be a good direction for you, too.

Joann - I have admired your lovely upholstered pieces before. I'm not exactly sure why chenille was not their favorite. They didn't think it wears as well of some other fabrics. I would disagree as my sofa fabric has withstood heavy use from my boys. But I think I'd like a different type of fabric for the chairs.

The upholsterer who is helping me with fabric selection loves antiques. He collects early Victorian furniture and parlor sets and calls my rugs "turkish carpets". He started off by showing me brocades, etc. He has been really helpful but I know where he is coming from. I love all the different opinions here on the forum too.

For some reason I really want blue although that Ikat is fantastic (Doesn't come in blue - I checked)

The blue squiggles fabric I posted is really growing on me and I really like how it feels. I'm getting a large swatch. I feel comfortable with it as is seems subtle yet different.

Marcolo - I missed your last post. Why do you think I could pick out two fabrics when I'm incapable of selecting one! LOL

But seriously, that's a thought. I was thinking about a big floral for the windows although it seems that valances are pretty dated but I am not skilled enough to sew anything else.

I currently use two primitive-style, floral hooked-rug pillows that I hooked some time ago. I removed them for the picture (which is terrible BTW) as they would have been a distraction.

Maybe I have gone about this backwards. I started out just wanting to get rid of the feathers and slap some clean fabric on these things but now the whole room seems off. It's been very interesting - to me,as least - I'm sure everyone else is bored to tears.

I love the menswewar fabric Marcola posted, as well as the tartan print and the stripe Pal posted. It's difficult to tell but it looks to me like your sofa is a chenille-type fabric. I would not do a chenille for that reason. I think you need some contrast.

You could even do the menswear with the striped fabric on the windows. You could do a my3dogs valance, or, if you want something more masculine, I've made valances like below (these were in my bathroom, forgot to put weights in) - very easy and brings 2 patterns into the room.
Dee

Sorry my picture was so big! I guess I resized it wrong.

Bumblebees! Love the okay and it's the perfect color combo!!! I still like a navy leather, byt that red and cream would go better with the current sofa. Maureen, do look at bumblebees link!

And my iPad unhelpfully changed ikat to okay....sorry :(

Hi Maureen, sounds like you have a connection with your upholsterer, this is good. The thing about this site is that it is good for learning new things and gaining inspiration...but we all have different ideas, tastes, some have children and some do not, some are eclectic and like to mix and some stay very true to a dominate existing piece in a room. Some are poor some are inbetween and some are rich. There are extreme exceptions to picks that would not work but otherwise depending on your future idea of the room as a whole...well you have several directions you could go. I can't wait to see the picture you post of the chairs when they are done! You are so very close to closing in.

Dee - That valance is beautiful! I've never known exactly what to do with the windows in this corner. There are two other windows (one front, one on side) in the front of the room.

jterrilynn - there are TOO many directions to go in. And I like lots of different things! I also think that it can be hard to judge things from pictures, especially my bad ones. For instance, my walls are much much darker and yellow-y IRL. I will post pics but I am afraid people will just shake their heads and say "Those poor chairs, and we all did our best to help that crazy woman".

As I wait for the squiggle sample to arrive, I've been researching squiggles. According the the dictionary, the word wasn't used as a noun until 1902. But I've seen fabric from the mid-1800s with whatever they were called back then. I've found jewelry from the 1930s and fabric from various time periods. As I've been looking at all this fabric is surprising how much of it seems so modern-looking. It's interesting that we often have a very wrong idea of what is "historic"

Completely OT, but our state capitol building here in Maryland has a dome that's been painted white for nearly 200 years. But actually each tier was originally painted a different color: "lemon gold, muted blue and honey bordering on apricot". Sounds crazy, huh?

Here is a link that might be useful: MD capitol

Maureen, how about going to a furniture store, like Ethan Allen? Or Macy's? They actually use Robert Allen fabrics. Lots of fabric books.

I've been following this thread for a bit, particularly intrigued because of the blue theme and love all the choices. I have a couch and loveseat (10 yrs old) which I am contemplating reupholstering or replacing. I love the structure, but the cushions have become CRAP. Someone more knowledgeable than me looked and said it is actually the fabric which has stretched and because of that, the cushions have been losing their shape.
The fabric is a blue washed denim, with a small tone on tone scrolly floral and I love it. IT does remind me of the choice your upholsterer is recommending. I find it so easy to live with and the shade of blue is just so uplifting and warm to me. So I did want to mention that after 10 years I have not tired of it one bit. It's got more interest than a solid, but not overpowering.
I also wanted to mention or question that the fabric composition is what scares me. If this fabric had not stretched (and I believe it is cotton) I would not be looking to replace. I had cotton previously and it rubbed out and wore out. This is still quite solid but has apparently lost its shape/size.
The chenille that joanne posted is great- but I have also heard that chenille is not so durable. I guess my point is there are all sorts within each type and its so overwhelming to someone like me to hope I pick the good one. Just thought I would share........

I did find out that that sort of pattern was called Vermiculate. 'Small squiggly lines created by wood print blocks with metal strips or by copper plates/rollers. Very popular in the late 1700s and the early 1800s prints."

I learned this from the owner of reproductionfabrics.com. She has a blog that would be interesting to anyone with an interest in textiles, especially quilters.

To expand on what ellendi suggested, Bassett furniture company also sells fabric by the yard. Maybe you have a Bassett store nearby?

Laurie