Empire-Style Antique Sofa Restoration with Traditional Coil Spring Upholstery
At Alex Upholstery Shop, we take pride in preserving America’s furniture history. Our recent restoration of this Empire-style antique sofa is a perfect example of how craftsmanship, respect for heritage, and modern upholstery precision can breathe new life into a vintage heirloom.
This early 1800s sofa came into our shop showing clear signs of age: worn-out springs, collapsed padding, broken webbing, and tired fabric. The carved mahogany frame and brass accents still held their charm but needed careful attention. The client requested full structural and cosmetic restoration while keeping the historical accuracy of the piece intact.
🪑 Historical Significance & Project Overview
The Empire-style furniture movement, which gained popularity in the early to mid-1800s, is known for its bold lines, scrolled arms, and classical motifs. This particular piece is a wonderful example of the era’s design language — with its carved wooden arms and shell embellishments accented with brass.
Our restoration process began with a detailed inspection and documentation of the frame, springs, and fabric. We consulted with the client to preserve its authenticity while customizing the final look with a refined, historically appropriate upholstery fabric.
🔧 Coil Spring Rebuild with Traditional 8-Way Hand Tie
The core of this restoration project was the rebuild of the seat support using hand-tied coil springs, a hallmark of fine antique upholstery work. Here’s a breakdown of the spring restoration:
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Removed all existing upholstery, padding, and dust cover to expose the frame and spring foundation.
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Retied all coil springs using an 8-way hand-tied technique with jute twine, providing even support and resilience.
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Installed new jute webbing, burlap, and horsehair padding to create a comfortable yet historically accurate base.
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Replaced and added edge roll padding to maintain proper shape and comfort.
This process not only restores the integrity of the seat but also enhances the long-term durability and comfort of the antique sofa, ensuring it can be used for generations to come.
🧵 Premium Upholstery Fabric & Detailing
The client selected a sophisticated sage green damask fabric with a subtle, elegant floral pattern. It beautifully complements the deep mahogany wood tone and the golden brass accents. Each piece of fabric was carefully measured, cut, and hand-stitched to follow the natural flow of the frame.
We paid special attention to:
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Padding the scrolled arms for comfort without compromising the design.
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Refinishing the wood and polishing brass accents to restore their original luster.
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Creating custom seat cushions with high-density foam wrapped in Dacron, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern comfort.
The finished product is a showpiece of classic American upholstery, bringing antique beauty into the modern home.
📍 Serving Pennsylvania’s Antique Furniture Needs
Our upholstery shop is located in Lebanon, PA, and we proudly serve clients across Lancaster, Harrisburg, Reading, York, and Philadelphia. We specialize in:
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Antique furniture restoration
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Empire sofa reupholstery
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Victorian and Edwardian furniture repair
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Custom cushion and spring rebuild services
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French provincial and Rococo reupholstery
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Mid-century modern chair refinishing
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And more…
