@Kendrah, I ordered samples from the Kvadrat website. Once I made a choice, my upholsterer ordered the fabric from wherever she orders from, and I reimbursed her.

I draped the samples on another piece of furniture in my LR (which is where I have my chair/ottoman). Then I just lived with them for a few days, until I was sure which "spoke to me" the most.

I can think of NO reason on earth for a black sofa....UNLESS a rich mohair or velvet. ...or leather.

If you must do it? A heavy Belgian linen, .Upholstery backed for stability,.

You're in NYC

Go to the Design Center, 200 Lex.

Schumacher, Kravet, Brunschwig...........I believe they may be open to public on Saturday, all other are to the trade only.

Nothing wrong with Crypton.

I used this fabric to reupholster two chairs and I'm very happy with it. Made for Thibaut by Crypton.

For the sofas I recently bought I used this fabric from JF Fabrics, which comes in many colors. It has a FibreGuard treatment. You can order and pay for samples from many online vendors ... you don't have to order the final fabric from them.

https://www.jffabrics.com/fabric/quincy-31/

Thanks @amystoller. Good to know. By the way, I posted on my coop listerve a recommendation for upholsterers and three people recommend the same business. The total will likely be $1,000 or more less than Bryna West, so I'm going to give him a try. Broadway Upholstery in the Bronx.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting - Yes, all good points. This is a vintage Baker sofa. A new Baker sofa would certainly cost more. The frame is in excellent condition. I love the size and weight of the sofa.

Perfectly reasonable choice, Kendrah. He came well recommended. Glad you found someone you like at a better price point! I'll make a note of him myself.

Aren't you in NYC? You can walk the design center and enter the fabric showrooms. Tell them you are just looking around and will take photos of things you are interested in. Take photos and then order the samples from online vendors. I have never had an issues doing this in design centers in Boston or LA.

Chispa and I are on same page.......^^

200 Lexington. and the D and D building. You can't have a rarified wish list, and expect an UPHOLSTERER, even in NYC to have what you want. It won't happen.

What does it feel like against your skin if your bare arm, leg is in contact with fabric?

I believe you need to schedule an appointment to visit at least some of the New York Design Center (link) showrooms. Also, although the NYDC website says consumers are welcome, there are (or were recently) showrooms that will only welcome consumers who come with their designer. As I recall, Kravet (fabrics; massive selection of gorgeous stuff) is one of these. I recommend calling ahead of time to find out about the showrooms that interest you. It isn't pleasant to be turned away at a building security desk.

I went with a designer and found the experience completely overwhelming. But I almost always have that kind of reaction to visually busy environments. If that's not a problem for you, don't let me put you off! It really is a remarkable place.

EDITED to add: I missed @JAN MOYER's earlier remarks on "Schumacher, Kravet, Brunschwig." As a pro, Jan should know, of course. Still, policies do change from time to time.

The information that Beth H posted is excellent. We just purchased new sofas with high rub count and synthetic stain resistance. Take some samples of that home and try to stain them. I got a black pen mark on my sofa the other day (it is a light "stone" color, suede type fabric) and used a bit of shout on it, and the stain lifted right out. We have also spilled a bit of coffee or smoothie which also came right out. I highly recommend these newer stain resistant synthetic fabrics. I never had a light colored sofa before, since I always had pets and kids. With these newer fabrics, you can have light colors if you want, even with pets and kids-it is amazing. Previous stain resistant fabrics were not very impressive to me, so much so that I just bought light colored fabric bar stools-blows my mind!

Ok just read that last sentence and it makes no sense. The older stain resistant fabrics were not impressive. The new ones are, so much so, that I bought light colored fabric counter stools.

Are the cushions and springs still very good ?If not sorry not worth it if it all needs a redo

Amy, I just walk into those design showrooms like I belong and know what I'm doing! If questioned, I just say I'm am browsing and don't expect help or samples. They always leave me alone after that. I also dress up to blend in!

Some of the sales people used to have an attitude, but in recent years they have softened up. They all benefit if you buy the products marketed by their specific showroom, even if it isn't being bought at that location by a designer.

Good to know, @chispa! Now I understand your point about buying samples online. Samples that I bought online I was able to keep. Any samples I got at NYDC had to be returned.

Aha, I had not thought about seeing them in the design store and then getting samples online. I have only tried to get samples at the design centers and they will only do it if you are a designer with an account.

But, I really do need help, otherwise I will get overwhelmed. I want to ask what kind of faux linen they have in black with a high rub count that wear well and has a high rub number.

I went to the D&D building last week with a friend and was shocked at how many companies have moved out. The place felt like a ghost town!

@JAN MOYER - Do I recall correctly that you are not a fan of crypton fabric? If so, why not. And what fabrics do you like that are high rub and easy to clean instead.

I use a ton of velvet. I have never been a huge fan of crypton.

There are BEAUTIFUL indoor/outdoor fabrics. that are better, but none of them are inexpensive.

I'd do something a lot more interesting on the couch. I don't know what you mean in "stains" . I have a white sofa with no stains. I don't EAT on it, and if I do, I toss a throw over it.

You don't WANT a velvet.....but a 100,000 double rub, 100 % polyester will outlive the couch and YOU.

You will walk into a show room, and it will be easy...because you are not going to see a ton of mostly black anything in hanging samples.,

You get 100,00 double rubs from either below. The strie ? It survives a huge Goldendoodle.

The Empress same double rubs, AND washable, The strie is a lot more interesting...than dead black.

:) You're entirely predictable. Months of hand wring. ....I feel it coming.

But you have to ask why these are so popular.?

Empress Velvet. in onyx

If you need help why not hire a designer for a couple of hours? They’ll have access and an account and you can get as many free samples as you like.

I just reupholstered a sofa in that strie velvet. It’s a beautiful fabric

Virtually ANY fabric over 15,000 double rubs is considered "Upholstery weight"

What the heck are you going to do on this couch? Jiggle around like a five year old minus a nap?! lol

Get a Crypton linen if you can't deal with a velvet. ! just don't understand what "inventive abuses" people expect a seating element to possess, I really don't.

https://www.perigold.com/decor/pdp/crypton-fabrics-home-performance-fabric-cnfs1004.html?piid=18224267

You are totally right @JAN MOYER about my hand wringing. I am starting my fabric shopping today, hoping to nip it in the bud, get some good information and make a plan of action.

You don't WANT a velvet.....but a 100,000 double rub, 100 % polyester will outlive the couch and YOU. I am not a velvet fan because I find it a lint and dog hair magnet and hot in the summer - especially thanks for menopause heat flashes! But am I understanding you correctly @JAN MOYER that a non-velvet that is 100% pol and 100k rubs will be a good choice?

Stains - cocktail parties, a sandwich on the sofa, and even my current sofa showed sweat stains that were hard to get out. (Again, summer and menopause.)

If you need help why not hire a designer for a couple of hours?

Are there *good designers* available for a couple of hours? Any designer I have ever contacted says my job is too small if under $500k - $1M. Am I looking incorrectly?

I miss the way I selected fabric in the past for 6 upholstered pieces when I lived in Philly. There was a really mean but super smart designer with a shop on fabric row and a small collection of fantastic designer fabrics at great prices. All purchased off the bolt, mostly Ralph Lauren type looks. She was my go to gal. Horrible demeanor but fantastic advice and amazing fabric. Her shop is now closed. Fabric row is now all boutiques and salons.

You will have to get used to tossing a throw on anything you routinely sit on. "A sandwich on the couch" ............a very large tray table. ......

Please don't misunderstand, ( okay go ahead and scream ) but what you need is something you can HOSE? )

At some point, this will become wheel reinvention, when the best answer is a superbly taut /very expertly tailored and washable slipcover.

I'm total NO on sweat. I'm a total no about dogs on furniture, with their body oils, their dander. It is NOT inhumane to keep a dog at floor level in his or her very own spot.

My sister had a Golden retriever, not allowed on a couch, but allowed a seat with his back to it ON the floor. Result? GREASE SHADOW. on the slipcover . Answer? WASH.

He was immaculately cared for, and finally in frustration? We had three matching fabric "tuckables " made - set with upholstery pins between bottom of seat cushion and couch front.

Thre real question? why BLACK anything with a dog? I can't stand the floor carpet in my auto for the same reason and vacuum almost daily , every speck and crumb. Makes me nuts

Ask your friends and neighbors if they have a designer to recommend. Do a Google search for "hourly rate interior designer NYC." Maybe an online designer?

This from the D & D building website: "Shop the building without a designer" https://ddbuilding.com/shop-the-building/ . Fill out the form and see what they say.

Also, I don't understand a black sofa unless you're doing a very specific, very modern look.

My little white dog totally ruined my white damask sofa, squished the cushions and dirtied the fabric. I thank him for it, since I needed an excuse to reupholster! He's NOT allowed on the newly reupholstered one, or any other seating in MY room. On the floor only. Family room is hubby's domain, and he can do whatever he wants there!

My dogs have never been allowed on any of our sofas. Ever. But, their hair still gravitates to velvet even if they are not sitting on it. It not only looks bad, but I don't want guests - or me, having it stick to our clothes.

Glad to hear that solid black will stand out well in a store and be easy to spot. I love solid black upholstery. It has been my go to for decades. It goes with everything and pops in a way I love. It is also a great neutral that doesn't compete with my art or patinaed antiques and looks great with wood. Nearly all of my wardrobe is black too. I think it is fantastic.

My friends and neighbors don't have the bucks or inclination to use designers. My building isn't all that fancy and my friends are professors and non-profit workers. That's why I gotta come here for my info!

I have told my velvet story here before and why I would never use it again! Had my dining chairs upholstered in a very expensive Schumacher velvet. We'd barely had the chairs a few weeks and one of my kids sat at the dining room table to do some homework. He had a glass of water and spilled it over the chair he was using. You would have though he had spilled acid on the chair, the color and nap changed completely, and it never looked normal after it dried.

Luckily it had been picked out by an ID and I put it back on them, because they were the client as far as Schumacher was concerned. They figured something out with the manufacturer and had to credit me for the fabric and labor. The chairs would be pretty useless if they didn't get reupholstered in a fabric that could actually be used by my family and guests. That is why I have a "phobia" of velvet!

I also don't allow the 3 dogs on the sofa or any upholstery ... the hardest to train was DH! lol

The dogs have several fancy Orvis beds, so they aren't suffering!

Crypton chiming in! We're happy to send you a test kit and help you source fabric samples from our many brand partners. Our soft-to-the-touch performance fabrics are stain-resistant, odor-resistant, and easy to clean. When stains happen, simply follow our maintenance and cleaning tips, and your sofa should look as good as new for years to come. Let us know if we can be of assistance.

When my dog is in a home that allows dogs on the sofa, she does so. But she dare not in our home. Good girl. Now if she was only as compliant with staying out of the bathroom trash. Oy vey!

I used a faux ostrich fabric on my dining room chairs. Very easy cleanup and super durable. Any faux leather/skins are great.

Hi @Crypton Fabric - Is crypton a fabric or a chemical used to treat many brands of fabric? I have seen poor reviews of crypton fabric on sofas from places like Arhaus and it makes me want to stay away from Crypton. I read about a lot of pilling. Is the fabric that stores use different from the fabric that your brand sells?

And so it begins...................: ) yup........lol

Yes it does! I went to the upholsterer and the only sample I liked was 44% rayon, some poly, and linen. I'd rather all synthetic. I'm going to go to the Maharam and Knoll showroom on Friday to see what they have. I did at least get to feel the foam and confirm that I want their extra firm. One box checked off.

Hi @Crypton Fabric - Is crypton a fabric or a chemical used to treat many brands of fabric? I have seen poor reviews of crypton fabric on sofas from places like Arhaus and it makes me want to stay away from Crypton"

Jan answers.................

Crypton is a chemical process.....applied to appropriate fabrics, FROM the fabric mills. The fabric could be any of MANY as long as it is suitable for Crypton.......................

If a fabric is cheap or crappy or likely to pill, ?It could still have a label stating Crypton. It is an odor and stain resisting process, and really has NOT one thing to do with other properties a fabric may have.

Crypton Fabric is an engineered high-performance upholstery fabric. Transformed on a molecular level, it offers lifelong stain, moisture, and odor protection.

The Crypton patented process begins with fabric in a raw state, meaning that there is no finish on the fabric. We take the fabric and run it through an immersion bath of our PFAS-free technology. It then passes through a 10-stage oven that is over 300 degrees. This crosslinks the technology with every fiber of the fabric, creating a permanent solution. It will never rub off or need to be reapplied. Once it’s Crypton, it is Crypton forever.

Pilling is caused by the friction of clothes rubbing against the cushions. Our fabrics have a tighter weave to help prevent pilling. In our maintenance tips, we recommend vacuuming weekly to avoid fiber and dust build up. If it occurs, simply use a battery-operated fabric shaver to easily remove it.

We are a B2B company, so we sell our fabrics to retail brand partners like Calico, Mood Fabrics, Ballard Design, Folio Fabrics, and so many more. Trade members can find us at partners like Kravet, Anna Elisabeth, Burch, Charlotte Fabrics, United Fabrics, and more. If you see the Crypton brand, it came from us 😊

Thank @JAN MOYER and @Cryton Fabric for your elucidating comments.

The upholsterer gave me books yesterday. He uses Charlotte Fabrics. I have not heard of this company before. I was not wowed. But, as many here have pointed out, it appears solid black is not a popular choice so there were only five samples to choose from that he had on hand.

https://www.redfromscalamandre.com/madagascar-plain-fr-f3-cs0001?c=F310810022&brand=176&colors=0C0614&category=264&weights=100&j=0Charlotte is for.........NOT YOU. forget it : ) forget it right now.

You are going to have to suffer the design centers.

You can not tell what a fabric looks like, feels like online, and you especially can not do it with black!! what are you going to do? Order a hundred samples?

You can keep asking, but you need a to the trade source. Whatever you did twenty years ago is now irrelevant, and I care NOT how much you thing black makes art POP. So too other neutrals. Or a color from a favorite and dominant piece,

You get all kinds of stuff absolutely STUCK in your head, wax on for months here......WHY?You want it? enough to pay the piper?! Right here

.- indoor outdoor https://www.redfromscalamandre.com/madagascar-plain-fr-f3-cs0001?c=F310810022&brand=176&colors=0C0614&category=264&weights=100&j=0

When you eliminate the velvet, the mohair, the LUXURY fabrics? You eliminate 75% of black options. The high end doesn't want it UNLESS tactile, lush, or leather,

Good to know @JAN MOYER. This certainly helps guide me. I am sticking with black. I love it in my home. Realize it isn't for everyone. But, your advice around shopping will help me narrow things down so I'm not stuck shopping endlessly.

Tomorrow I hit up Maharam / Knoll, and Kravat showrooms. Let me know if there are others you think I should add to my list.

Adding Zarin and Mood to my shopping stops.

There are faux leather/animal skin fabrics that are very nice, and many of those come in black. IMO better than fabric when animals are are involved, nothing seems to stick to these types of materials.

"Tomorrow I hit up Maharam / Knoll, and Kravat showrooms." Do you mean Kravet(link)? Or Kvadrat(link)?

Go to Designers Guild

Do this and get over having a beyond boring couch..

In the D and D ?Osborne and Little showroom

Try to get samples of Jumper upholstery fabric made in USA by Valdese Weavers. I's a sturdy fabric with a herringbone pattern that reads solid when you are away from the furniture several feet. As you get closer, you can see the understated pattern/texture. It comes in a ton of various colors, but I think the color "Ebony" looks the closest to black when I search online. Other dark colors I see are: Graphite and Carbon.

I did my DIY reupholstery projects about 14 years ago using this type of fabric. It has held up extremely well and I would use it again without hesitation.

The first link I provided below shows "Ebony". However, the photo is very up-close/magnified and will look much more "solid" in person. The other two sites have dark colors : carbon and graphite. The other two sites may sell ebony but you would need to call or email them and ask.

thefabricco.com

housefabric.com

fabricmill.com

I really took @chispa 's advice to heart about avoiding confusion with pictures. Each time I snapped a pic of a fabric, I dictated a note in the caption section on my iphone, including the store name.

I struck out at Mood and Zarin. But had success at Maharam/Knoll and have three possibilities from there. Didn't make it to D&D but don't know that I need to.

Maharam/Knoll's warehouse is on Long Island so it takes two days for them to get fabric to my upholsterer and their prices are ridiculously reasonable. $35-$45/yard. I think I will order a yard each of my final three to selections to see what they look like draped on the sofa.

Thanks all for your help!

Nice going!

You say sofa, but I see a sectional. You are sure this piece is Baker? Looking at a panel for the back says it is not. I also see lumps and bumps.

If it is Baker, yes, I would reupholster as long as the frame has no structural damage.

While you are spending all that money, have the upholsterer update the springs and foam.

You want this piece to be back to original Baker quality; otherwise, spend the money on a new, quality sofa.

Thought: you are in a rental condo ,if I remember correctly. The upholster, you would want pick up and delivery, which will cost more $.

As for Crypton, I have used it on my furniture...two vintage Ethan Allen wings, and I am very pleased.

Compare the cost of reupholstering, after you check out prices of Sherrill @ New York Design Center 200 Lexington. Gorgeous, high end quality workmanship.

https://www.sherrilldesigncenter.com/

Thanks for your comment @JUDY GRAHAM and for your Crypton recommendation/review. I will more thoroughly scour Crypton.

It is two different sofas in an L configuration. One is Baker, with the original tag. The other I do not know the brand of but saw the insides it when it was reupholstered the last time. It is an extremely high quality sofa, likely from 1940 - 60, with a solid mahogany frame. All of the foam will be replaced. The springs seem to be in excellent condition but they will let me know if they determine otherwise.

After price comparing, I've concluded that it will be less expensive or equal cost to reupholster this sofa than to purchase a new one of the same caliber and quality. I love the proportions and sit of this sofa and know it fits through my doors, and has good measurements for my living room, so will reupholster it.

We have apartments in two different cities. This one is in NYC and luckily is an elevator building. But yes, you are correct that delivery is expensive, though I've factored it into the total cost comparison.

When you choose filling your seat cushions, consider Dunlop latex foam instead of polyurethane which deteriorates at a constant rate over a 10 year life. Latex maintains its characteristics over its life. 10 or more years. Different densities are available for both. Poly gets softer and less supportive over its life. Starting with a denser version can help.

Interesting you mention Dunlop latex @dan1888. The whole reason I'm reupholstering the sofa is because of dunlop latex off gassing as it aged.

The sofa I'm having reupholstered now -- in the upper right corner of the pic, was reupholstered 8 years ago using Dunlop latex upholstery foam. It was incredibly supportive, zero odor, and felt wonderful. However, in the past year it started breaking down and emitting a strong magic marker like smell.

At first just my mom and I smelled it because we are super sensitive. But then everyone else started smelling it too. The sofa is now completely wrapped in mover's plastic wrap so it doesn't stink up the entire apartment. I couldn't be more disappointed. I was hoping to get many more years out of these cushions. No more dunlop for me. And, I hope the new foam used in this won't smell too badly when it arrives.

I've been using Dunlop latex from SleepOnLatex for ten years as a mattress topper. No smell from their product. Every source may not be equal. The seat cushions are often made with pocketed springs as part of the construction.