SLIPCOVERS CAN BE YOUR BEST FRIEND

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Slipcovers serve a multitude of purposes. The cost of a custom slipcover depends on the cost and necessary yardage of the fabric as well as the labor and potential other materials associated with manufacturing.

If you have a young family, pets or just messy guests slipcovers are a brilliant way to dress your furniture. They are extremely easy to remove and launder. I selected white for my kitchen chairs. Everyone thought I was crazy to do so with three kids 1, 6 and 10 (at the time).  Now they are eating crow as it has been three years and each of the slipcovers looks brand new.  Whenever they start to look a little soiled I unzip, throw them in the washing machine and 30 minutes later we are back in business.

Slipcovers allow you to dive into your design choices ie: color, monogram, skirt/no skirt without totally committing.  Many of my clients change their slipcovers with the seasons. White for summer, earthy tones for fall, etc. etc. You can commit without committing forever.  A slipcover can also soften a room with a lot of hard lines.  They usually are a little less structured then upholstery and therefore may add movement to a space.

Finally you can get super creative when designing anything from scratch. Some of my favorite things to do with a slipcover are:

1. Custom monogram
2. Welting or a trim to add a finishing detail
3. A 2-4 inch tape down the center of the slipcover creates interest and drama
4. Buttons down the back as if your seam is buttoned together
5. A large bow that ties from behind
6. Putting a skirt on the bottom

There are a couple type of skirts that you may choose from. Box pleating is one that I use often. A box pleated skirt adds movement while providing a traditional and sophisticated silhouette. Typically a skirt begins at the bottom edge of the seat cushion and can range in height from 2-6inches (or longer if you are looking for drama).  Kelly Hopkins a famous Interior Designer in California uses thin chain trim frequently as a skirt on slipcovers. This technique is really dramatic and allows you to see the legs of the chair through the chain.

Regardless of how you design your slipcover it is a fantastic way to keep furniture looking fresh and clean and allows you to change your decor as frequently as you should so desire.