Slate has enjoyed great popularity with home improvers for many years, because of its toughness and range of natural earthy colours, which can vary from soft green to deep purple, mottled brown and dark charcoal.
The project is to apply slate to a family room, where its lasting strength will provide good service. (more…)
The first place to look for that extra living space you need is your basement. Bright, cheerful colors and well-chosen, durable materials can work miracles in this often neglected area of the house.
A piece of wooden furniture designed to hold a washing basin. The basin stand originated in England in the mid-eighteenth century. Thomas Chippendale included some in his design book, and the form remained popular through the Hepplewhite and Sheraton periods and even beyond. With the introduction of modern plumbing, the need for basin stands disappeared. Most of them stand 30 inches high on three legs that support a molded ring into which a porcelain wash basin can be fitted. Some have space for an urn for water and a cake of soap. (more…)
Seed pods of the tropical silk-cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra) yield silky fibres with a downy texture. Although unsuitable for spinning, the fibres have excellent thermal and waterproof qualities and theyare used to fill bedding, cold-weather clothing, and life-jackets. After prolonged wear, especially in mattresses and quilts, the fibres break down and can release allergenic dust.
The long stems of the jute plant (Corchorus capsularis or C. olitorius) must be softened in water before the fibres can be beaten out. Too coarse for clothing, the fibres are processed with hemp to make hessian (burlap) and similar fabrics, for use in sacking, wall coverings, and as a backing for linoleum. Several crops are produced annually from managed plantations in the Ganges delta. Even so, demand exceeds production and other stem fibres are used as a substitute for jute. Some of these include ramie, kenaf, and roselle. (more…)
Natural plant fibres, animal skins, and bird feathers have always been the staples of our clothing, furnishing, and bedding. Remains found in eastern Europe indicate that 20,000 years ago people lived in tents of hide stretched over frames of wood or mammoth tusks. But it was another 13,000 years before we see any evidence of weaving.
In China, silkworm farms flourished in the Yellow River Valley 5000 years ago, and wall hangings, carpets, and scrolls in intricate and beautifully worked patterns were woven on bamboo looms. Carpetmaking probably originated with nomads as a means of keeping their tents warm. Later it became an art form, finding its finest expression in the carpets of Persia. Wool and silk were dyed with chamomile flowers, madder root, and acorns and carpets and rugs were made in geometric designs or symbolic patterns of flowers and birds. In the 19th century, the subtle, slowly fading colours were replaced by the brighter hues of synthetic dyes. (more…)
A percentage of nylon is generally used to give additional toughness and abrasion- resistance to other fibers, wool especially.
The most important other use for nylon in upholstery is for stretch covers. These were invented for nylon, because it has a high degree of elasticity and is given a two-way stretch when knitted. It can be so knitted into plain or textured fabrics in one or more colours. It is eminently washable. The one snag is finding the ready-made cover to fit your chair in the colour/pattern you like. And there are problems in making up stretch fabrics at home.
Care: On its own, nylon can he washed. In a blend, follow instructions.
The Acrylic family of fibres has not been used for woven fabrics. Knitted fabrics may become more common as the rising prices of other fibres make acrylics comparatively cheaper. (more…)
Wool is an ideal upholstery fibre — soft and comfortable. It takes dyes well, and normally does not fade noticeably. It is flameproof. The International Wool Mark is a guarantee of high quality, and the fabrics‘ which carry it are reliable.
Because of the great variety of yarns wool can be woven into many different fabrics. Tweedy fabrics, for instance, get their interesting textures through the yarns : knops (knots), boucles (or loops), slubs (irregular thick and thin yarn).
Wool can be “flat-woven” so that it makes a close-textured, very strong repp (a practically indestructible corded cloth with the rib running across the width), or tweeds. Wool jacquard upholstery fabrics are also “flat” and usually smooth in texture. The designs can be large or small. (more…)
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