Are you getting value for money?
We know that when it comes to buying and/or restoring furniture, price shock can play a big factor in whether you go ahead with a particular upholsterer or go looking for something, or someone else. Then comes the various choices you need to make on your journey if you do decide to restore something. How do you know if you’re getting a good deal?
Most of us simply aren’t vintage connoisseurs, so where do we start? With a little bit of research and asking the right questions, you can make sure that you know what you’re buying and that you are getting value for money.
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The investment and value of furniture restoration
Part of our work is trying to spread awareness with consumers around the 'take-make- use-lose' trend that has our planet in a dire state of emergency. Sadly, this often involves talking about why things cost more to restore than to discard and replace.
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Sustainable Upholstery
It is no secret that here at dumped & ditched we are passionate about sustainability. As more and more companies are shifting the focus to becoming eco-friendlier, more options for sustainable materials are becoming available. This time we’re talking about textile recycling, sustainable design and manufacturing.
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The Repair Shop Australia
On May 3rd the UK hit The Repair shop is coming to Foxtel Lifestyle, Australia. Often referred to as ‘the loveliest show on TV’, The Repair Shop gathered a team of seven professional artisans and craftspeople, led by sustainability expert Dean Ipaviz, to launch the Australian version of the show. The furniture restorer and upholsterer on the show is our very own Britta de Laat of dumped & ditched. Filmed in Sydney 2021, the show airs on May 3rd 2022 on Foxtel Lifestyle.
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The bulbous retro style seating the world back into comfort
Over the past two years the functional needs of our living spaces changed dramatically. We suddenly found ourselves confined to our homes for extended periods of time with an increased need for our spaces to serve multiple functions for multiple people, often at the same time. With our lounge rooms needing to fulfill the role of playroom, classroom, office and living space, it is perhaps no surprise that one of the great comeback trends of the year was 70s modular seating.
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Choosing the right dining table
A dining table often becomes the heart of its space, a centrepiece that provides space for shared connections with friends and family. But should you get a round, square or maybe rectangle one? We’ve gathered some helpful tips on how to choose a table that’s best suited for your home.
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Furniture care and maintenance - Part 2: Wood
Taking care of your wooden furniture will give it longevity. However, to get the most out of your furniture and to protect it from damage, it is important to give them the right care.
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Furniture care and maintenance - Part 1: Upholstery
So, you got this newly upholstered piece of furniture, but how do you make it last? As with most things, the way to best care for your furniture varies depending on your type of household.
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On price point: Bespoke Vs Mass-produced Furniture
Before the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century everything was crafted by hand. Artisans practised fine-tuned craftsmanship to ensure resilient quality, mastering technique and “embodying fitness for purpose, trueness of material, and beauty of form.
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FABRIC PILLING
Let’s talk about fabric pilling or lint, if you will. I’m sure you’re familiar with the issue both from furniture, bedding and clothing. It’s a common problem, but pilling isn’t necessarily a sign of poor quality, but rather one of friction and fibres.
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De-constructing Fabric Certificates
Our last two blog posts have referred to information found on fabric certificates. This time, let’s break down exactly how to read them in relation to what we already know, and looking closer at the information on them that we have not yet covered.
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THE MARTINDALE TEST
You have this beautiful old, piece of furniture, or stumble across one somewhere, but it needs some love. You start thinking about having it re-upholstered but worry about the price tag.
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MATERIALISTIC OVERLOAD
We do live in a materialistically overloaded and oversaturated world. Goods have become so incredibly cheap. Seemingly so cheap that with the decrease of the value we have stopped caring for our belongings.
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WHEN THINGS ARE MADE TO BREAK
The amount of household items that get thrown away is enormous. We have all seen the piles of ‘outdated’ and broken furniture and white goods waiting for the council clean-up collections on the side of the road.
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BESPOKE FURNITURE - WHAT IS IT EXACTLY?
Ok, so most people probably don’t use the word ‘bespoke’ as much in their day to day vocabulary. Bespoke is, put simply, something that is custom made, completely tailored to what you want. Here at dumped & ditched that means a custom restoration job from frame to finished piece.
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WOOD RESTORATION-HOW IT WORKS
Have you ever requested quotes from two different companies resulting in thinking "What a rip off?" as one names a much higher price than the other? Guilty as charged? Me too!
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THE ICONIC CANTILEVER CHAIR
In the late 1920’s industrialisation had permeated industries like furniture manufacturing and textile making. Designers were developing furniture made from tubular steel, an invention which meant a big change in relation to designer furniture’s accessibility to a wider audience. It was light, stable, could be mass produced, and was easy to maintain.
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THE JAPANESE ART OF TAKUMI
Takumi form a large part of Japanese tradition. They are artists who hone and perfect their skills over a lifetime. In contemporary Japan the term has become more generic, and the true practitioners of takumi have declined, but there are still those who remain dedicated to their craft. Perfectionism, diligence and discipline are prominent traits of all takumi. For a true master, time spent honing their craft is not about monetary gain, but about continuing a dialogue with time, and the heart of mankind, itself.
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THE ART OF ARRANGING
Most arrangements are little noticed, yet some stop you in your tracks. A ‘successful’ arrangement, that is, an effective arrangement, is one that powerfully engages your attention and sustains your interest.Leonard Koren
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THE HAND- BRAIN CONNECTION
Did you know that if we move and engage in activities, we change the neurochemistry of our brain in just the same that a drug would?
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