The Project
This Danish modern living room set includes a sofa and a pair of lounge chairs, one high-back and one low-back.
All three pieces were ready for a comprehensive upholstery refresh. The original cushioning and padding had deteriorated over time, and the goal was to make the furniture comfortable and functional again while maintaining the proportions and details of the original designs.
For the upholstery, we curated a wide selection of samples, from which the client chose fabric from Luum. Wool Fleck was used on the sofa and low-back chair, while Mélange Check was chosen for the high-back chair. The different fabrics complement one another while giving each piece its own character, and they are higher durable yet soft handed textiles without the use of PFAS.
Rebuilding Vintage Seating
One of the things we appreciate about working with well-made vintage furniture is the opportunity to address what's happening underneath the upholstery, not just what's visible on the outside. Upholstered furniture is only as comfortable as its frame and support system.
We removed the existing upholstery and deteriorated foam and padding, allowing us to assess the underlying support systems and rebuild the cushioning where needed.
The sofa and chairs each required their own approach, particularly when it came to maintaining the original cushion shapes and proportions. We paid close attention to how the new padding would affect the finished upholstery, restoring comfort without making the furniture look overly full or changing its original sculpted lines.
Working with Plaid
The high-back lounge chair presented an additional challenge with the chosen plaid fabric. We spent extra time planning the fabric layout and aligning the pattern across the different upholstered sections.
Plaid and checked fabrics can be particularly unforgiving, especially when working around curved surfaces and separate cushions. Even small differences in placement become noticeable once everything is assembled.
Careful attention to pattern alignment, cushion profiles, and seam placement helped us maintain the clean lines of the original design while allowing the fabric to become part of its character.
The Result
With all new scultped foam and batting, and new wool upholstery, the sofa and lounge chairs are comfortable, supportive, and ready for everyday use.
The combination of Wool Fleck and Mélange Check gives the pieces a cohesive feel without making them identical. The finished set feels cozy and modern, while retaining the curvy lines that make Danish modern furniture so appealing.
We love to see well-made furniture continue to be used and enjoyed, especially when a thoughtful restoration can give each piece so many more years of life.
