Wehrli Furniture

Real Wood Vs Veneer Vs Laminate in Furniture

Fri, 31 May 2024 20:07:09 GMT

Wood products aren't always made from solid wood. In fact, wood veneer and laminate play a significant role in a variety of furnishings and finishes found around the house and in businesses. Each one of these materials is maintained differently, and the appearance varies as well.

Whether you're ordering custom-made furniture , undergoing furniture restoration , or completing furniture repair , it's important to know the differences between real wood, veneer, and laminate.

In this article, we'll get into each type and talk about how these options can be used in furniture. If you're ordering custom furniture from Evolution Furniture, having this information can help you as you move forward.

What Is Wood Veneer?

Wood veneer is a layer of very thin solid wood that is attached to a material like medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or plywood. Wood veneer is less expensive than solid wood and also usually weighs less as well. Wood veneer is the preferred product when you need something that looks like real wood, but you're on a budget.

What Is Laminate?

Laminate is a product that is an engineered material constructed in layers. Usually, laminate includes a layer of plastic and a layer of a composite product, with a picture of wood under the layer of plastic. Laminate looks very much like wood but lacks some of the properties that give wood its natural warmth and beauty.

Laminate usually feels like plastic. In addition, because laminate is made from a photograph of wood, it may also include repeating patterns. Laminate may also lack the weight and heft of wood.

Laminate is very easy to maintain, scratch-resistant and can be washed with water, so in some cases, it's preferred to natural wood. It's often a material of choice in homes with small children.

What Is Real Wood?

Solid wood is exactly what it sounds like. If you cut into real wood, you won't see layers of wood mixed with other products: you'll just find more wood. Real wood has a lot of natural beauty that makes it very valuable, but it also needs regular maintenance.

Real wood can be scratched and gouged by rough treatment. It can also be damaged by prolonged exposure to water.

Wood can be refinished to take on a second life after it's been damaged, so it can last a very long time. Finally, wood is hygroscopic, which means that it absorbs moisture in the environment, and may swell and shrink as a result.

Key Differences Between Laminate, Veneer, and Solid Wood

Knowing the key differences between laminate, veneer, and solid wood is important, especially when you're trying to decide which product is best for your custom furniture. In this section, we'll list the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision.

Pros & Cons

Laminate

Laminate is an engineered product that is designed to look like wood but resist scratching without any need for refinishing.

Pros

Highly scratch resistant
Can be made waterproof
Easy to clean with water
Long-lasting and durable

Cons

Doesn't look completely natural
Feels more like plastic than like real wood
Not as high-value as solid wood
Can't be refinished

Wood Veneer

Wood veneer is a layered product that looks like real wood but isn't solid. Veneer is a real wood that's been glued to an engineered core.

Pros

Beauty of solid wood
Generally not as expensive as solid wood

Cons

Can't be refinished
Can be damaged by water

Solid Wood

Solid wood is a product that has been used in homes and businesses for centuries. Homeowners and business owners seek out wood for its natural beauty and its durability.

Pros

Long-lasting and durable
Made from higher quality materials and mannufacturing methods
Timeless beauty
Can be refinished when it becomes scratched
Natural wood grain is visible, giving a unique appearance

Cons

Can be damaged by water
Should be cleaned with oil cleaners rather than water
Needs to be refinished or resealed periodically
Prone to warping or cracking when exposed to humidity or rapid temperature changes

Maintenance Tips for Each Type of Wood

It's important to maintain your furniture, whether it's made of solid wood, veneer, or laminate. Each type of material is maintained in different ways. Here's what to expect.

Solid Wood Maintenance

Maintain your solid wood by dusting it periodically. Condition it with an oil-based cleaner. Wood needs to be protected from water and scratches, so if your furniture piece is a table, use coasters and trivets to protect your wood from scratches. If your wood develops scratches and stains over time, you may need to refinish it.

Veneer Furniture Maintenance

Keep your veneer out of direct sunlight to keep it protected. Use a custom glass tabletop protector to keep your veneer looking new. Clean it with an oil-based wood cleaner.

Laminate Maintenance

Laminate can be cleaned with mild soapy water unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. Clean the laminate periodically and dry the surface.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Furniture

Choosing the right material for your furniture is important. Knowing the level of maintenance that each material requires and how much time you can spend keeping your furniture looking its best is important. Keep in mind where the furniture will be placed and what other materials are in the room with it.

If you're purchasing a custom-made piece from Evolution Furniture, talk to our experts about your goals and needs. We'll help you choose the right material for your piece.

Evolution Furniture Works With Each of These Materials

Evolution Furniture refurbishes and customizes furniture made of solid wood, laminate, and veneer. We also create furnishings in different styles for residential and commercial purposes.

Are you an interior designer? We work with interior designers to help them with their client projects. To learn more about different types of wood finishes for your furniture, download our comprehensive guide to wood finishes . To get started on your custom furniture project, contact Evolution Furniture today.

A Guide to Types of Wood Finishes for Furniture

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:00:00 GMT

Written by: Evolution Furniture

When you're designing custom wood furniture or engaging in furniture restoration and furniture repair , the finish you choose will have a big impact on the appearance and durability of the piece. Whether you're buying custom painted furniture or furniture with a natural finish, you should understand how the finish impacts the piece.

Why Use Wood Finishes for Your Wood Furniture

Wood needs to be finished for many reasons.

Moisture protection. Wood furniture naturally contains moisture that keeps the wood supple and strong. If the wood dries out, it can crack and break. At the same time, if the wood is subjected to too much outside moisture, it can become stained or may even rot. Finishing your furniture helps modulate its moisture content, preventing it from absorbing too much outside moisture while also helping it hold in its interior moisture.

Maintain luster and beauty. Wood finishes add luster to wood and also can add color that brings out the wood grain, compliments the design of the piece and helps coordinate the color of your wood furniture with the environment.

Common Types of Wood Finishes for Furniture

There are many types of wood finishes. Knowing the differences between these types of wood finishes can help you choose the finish that will provide long-lasting durability and natural beauty.

Wax-Based vs Water-Based vs Oil-Based Finishes

Wax finishes don't penetrate wood, but sit on top of the wood and provide some protection from scratches and moisture. Wax wears off over time and thus needs to be refinished periodically. As a result, waxes are usually used in combination with other finishes. You can apply a wax finish on top of an oil or water based finish, but you can't apply a water or oil based finish on top of wax.

Oil finishes can enhance the beauty of unfinished wood, or replenish and replace the natural oils in previously finished woods. Oil seeps into wood grain and gives it a natural flexibility that can help maintain the overall health of your woods. There are two types of wood oil: non-drying and drying. Drying oils will dry into a solid when exposed to oxygen, while non-drying oils are used more for treating wood than finishing.

Water-based finishes dry fast and adhere to the surface of the wood. Water-based finishes usually smell less than some other types of oils and are easy to maintain.

Stains and Dyes

Stains and dyes come in a variety of types. Stains and dyes seep deep into the wood and, depending on the type, can give it a durable finish that will help protect the wood from UV rays and moisture. Stains for exterior pieces need to be replaced periodically, or they lose their protective qualities.

For furniture kept indoors, stains may still fade and periodic refreshing can keep your furniture looking its best. Stains help add consistency to the beauty of the wood and can enhance the grains. Dyes and stains can be oil based or water based.

Natural Finishes

There are multiple types of natural finishes, including oils and waxes. Natural finishes can help protect wood for some time, but often are not as durable as some of today's synthetic finishes.

If you're committed to using a natural finish, you may want to pair this with a synthetic finish, or commit to replenishing the finish periodically. When considering a natural finish, it's important to consider who will be using the furniture, and how much wear and tear the furniture will be subjected to on a regular basis.

Varnish

Varnish is a durable wood finish that is water-resistant and resistant to wood scratches. Traditional varnishes are clear, but there are many staining varnishes sold in today's home improvement stores. Varnishes can be used on exterior wood finishes as well as indoor furniture.

Varnish is usually made up of a combination of solvent, oil, and resin. When it dries, it creates a hard finish. Varnish is usually lustrous and can provide a great deal of UV protection, which is part of why it's so good for exterior applications.

Lacquer and Shellac

Lacquer and shellac are similar in various ways. Lacquer is a fast-drying solvent-based finish that can cure wood, nourish it and leave a glossy finish. Shellac is a natural wax that is also a solvent-based finish that can cover damage, dry quickly and leave the wood glossy. Both lacquer and shellac can be scratched and damaged by water, so it's important to know the limitations of these finishes and use them accordingly.

Polyurethane Finishes

Polyurethane is a hard film that seeps into the wood grain and protects it from scratches and moisture. It's very similar to varnish. Polyurethane varnishes can yellow over time, so most people use polyurethane on darker woods only. Polyurethane comes in oil and water-based finish. Once dry, polyurethane creates a film that is similar to plastic.

Wood Paints

Paint provides complete UV protection and, as long as it is not chipped or scratched, also provides complete protection from moisture. Paint can be chipped and scratched, but sealing paint with a clear coating can help it last longer. Once applied, paint is not easily removed, so if you're planning to paint your furniture, be sure this is what you want.

Complimenting Wood Finishes to Design Styles

Dark stain, or light? Paint or stain? Finding the right finish for your furniture and different types of furniture styles can be tough. Whenever possible, look at samples of the different types of stains and paints before choosing the finish for your wood furniture.

Your custom furniture maker can also help you choose a stain or finish that will compliment your furniture style. Some types of wood are more accepting of stains than others, so ask your custom furniture maker what they would suggest for the piece you're considering.

Evolution Furniture: Crafting Custom Wood Furniture to Your Style

Whether you're an interior designer buying custom furniture or you're a consumer trying to find the right piece for your home, when you work with Evolution Furniture , we can help you sort through the options to make the right selection for your upcoming project.

Are you crafting custom wood furniture for your home? See our design portfolio to see what we're capable of. Contact Evolution Furniture if you're ready to make a custom piece for your home or business.

Finding the Ideal Dining Table Size for Your Space

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:21:37 GMT

Written by: Evolution Furniture

Finding the ideal dining table size for your home can be a challenge, especially if your dining room is especially small or large, or if you need your table to be an unusual height. This is why some homeowners and business owners choose custom made furniture from Evolution Furniture. We sell furniture that fits your home and lifestyle.

Want to know more about our work? Check out our custom furniture design portfolio to see the different types of furniture styles we can offer.

Standard Dining Table Sizes

Standard dining table sizes can vary. Knowing how many people you need to seat at your dining room table can help you decide how big it needs to be. Most rectangular dining room tables allow for at least 2 feet of space per person.

Circular dining room tables tend to come in smaller sizes, fitting between 4 and 6 people. To fit four people at a circular dining room table, look for a table with a 54-inch diameter.

Remember that more space just means more room and comfort, to a degree. A table that's too big for the number of people seated at the table can feel isolating or strange.

Standard dining room tables are typically about 30 inches high. This is adequate for most people to sit comfortably during their meal.

Measuring & Space Guidelines

In addition to the number of people who will sit at your dining room table, it's also important to consider the size of the room where the table will be placed. If the space is too small for the table, guests seated at the table will have difficulty getting to their chairs.

Buy a table that will fit through the doorway. Bigger tables can be difficult to move through doorways and down hallways. Take into consideration any and all obstacles that might prevent you from moving your dining room table into your home. If your dining room table needs to clear narrow doorways, consider buying a table that you can take apart and assemble in your dining room.

Important Considerations

If you're planning to order a custom table for your home, this is your opportunity to get the size of the table just right. There are many considerations that need to be taken into account when trying to choose the dimensions for your dining table.

Room Size

Measure the dimensions of the room. Next, consider the size of the table relative to the dimensions. The size of the room and the size of the table should be proportionate to one another. If your dining room is huge, then your table should be big too.

Seating Arrangements

Chairs need at least 18 to 24 inches of clearance from the table to pull out, which means that your table needs at least 18 to 24 inches of space between the table's edge and the wall. Ideally, chairs will be given between 42 and 48 inches of space between the table and the wall.

Table Shape

The shape of the table matters. Round tables are best for smaller groups in a small room. Rectangular tables are best for larger groups.

Dimensions

It's important to choose a table with dimensions that don't place guests too far apart from one another. For example, a large circular table that seats 10 people may need a long diameter to fit so many, and thus may require a lot of extra space in the middle of the table.

Table Length

Allow 2 feet for each person at your table to sit. If you're worried about being able to accommodate larger groups from time to time, talk to your custom furniture designer. Your furniture designer can help you decide how much length will need to be added to fit bigger groups without adding too much space.

Table Width

If you're choosing a rectangular table, a width of 36 to 42 inches is typical because this allows for plenty of space for dishes and table settings, without putting too much space between guests.

Tabletop Height

Although 30 inches in height is typical for a dining room table, some people with a taller frame prefer a table that sits 31 inches high. Avoid going higher, as this can make shopping for chairs or seating children more difficult.

Tabletop Thickness

Although a very thick tabletop can add an element of visual interest, thick tables have less space underneath, which can lead to discomfort.

Table Clearance

Plan to leave extra space between the table and the doorway, as the doorway can be a high traffic area where you'll need room for more than one person to walk through at a time. If there isn't adequate space between the table and the doorway, accidents can occur when trying to set the table or clean up after dinner.

Table-to-Light Fixture Clearance

If you're hanging a pendant light over the table, keep the bottom end of the pendant at least 30 inches over the tabletop. If a pendant light is already hanging in the room, remember to buy a table that can be positioned beneath the pendant, or plan to move the pendant if necessary.

Rug Size Vs Table Size

Rugs add beauty to dining rooms, but can also cause problems, if the rug is too small. An ideal rug will fit completely under the table and provide plenty of clearance for chairs, so that even when chairs are pushed out, they will still sit on the rug. Plan to buy a rug that extends out at least 24 inches on each side of the dining room table.

Custom Made Dining Table Tailored to Your Unique Spaces

Searching for the ideal dining table size? Call Evolution Furniture to learn about custom furniture for interior designers . We also make custom residential furniture and custom commercial furniture . Contact Evolution Furniture to get started with your order.

Why Should Interior Designers Work with Custom Furniture Manufacturers?

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 14:58:17 GMT

Written by: Evolution Furniture

Custom furniture plays an important role in successful interior design. Custom-made furniture fills many needs in the home and office, by addressing the exact concerns of the customer. So often, property owners redesigning their interior spaces seek items of furniture they can't quite find. The right upholstery, the right color, built in the right style and with the right features - all of this can be hard to find.

Evolution furniture offers custom designed and custom painted furniture for interior designers and their clients. Achieving the look that your clients desire is tough, especially when you can't find the right furniture to do the job.

In addition to completing your interior design projects, our custom-made furniture is high value and designed to last. Clients can use this furniture for decades to come, and often, our pieces become heirlooms that are treasured for generations.

Custom Made Furniture in Interior Design

Custom-made furnishings from Evolution furniture make interior designs stand out. With shape and form like no other, custom-made furnishings already attract attention. When used in a room that's been professionally decorated, custom furniture really shines.

Here's why interior designers turn to Evolution Furniture for custom pieces for their important projects:

Create furniture with lines and details that you wouldn't otherwise be able to find - perfect for interior design projects.
Custom-fit furniture for any space.
Fully satisfy clients, no premanufactured limitations.

Benefits of Working with Custom Furniture Makers

Unique Design Solutions

Sometimes finding the right thing for your interior designs seems almost impossible. When you need furniture of an unusual size or design, the easiest way to accomplish your goals is to seek unique design solutions from a custom furniture designer.

Tailored to Your Needs

Custom furniture can be made to fit your exact needs for your specific project, including color, dimension, and functionality. Shopping for the right piece can take a lot of time. Custom furniture made from designs approved by you can save time and ensure that you're able to find exactly what you want. Best of all, working with a furniture designer, you'll be able to create pieces that meet your needs without compromise.

Quality Craftmanship

When customers work with interior designers, they expect the final product to be high quality and long-lasting. Our furnishings are all high quality and durable, made to last for decades. Quality craftsmanship raises the value of the furniture and improves the final results.

Customers end up with better pieces that are able to last longer. Since the value of custom built furniture is often higher than standard factory made furniture, your clients will enjoy a better finished product when the project ends.

Flexibility in Design

Sometimes clients want furniture designs that don't exist in the commercial world. They want a table of unusual dimensions, or a chair with a storage space beneath the seat. Whatever your client needs, we can help. Our designers create custom pieces that are made to fit your needs, whatever they are. We take ideas and make them reality, even if current examples are non-existent.

End-to-End Project Management

We offer end-to-end project management, so you're taken care of from the first interaction. With an efficient design and furniture creation process, furniture is made according to a timeline that we communicate up front.

When the project is finished, we'll help with delivery and installation, if needed. The entire process is easy for interior designers because we're professionals. We have dependable project management abilities to help keep your project on task.

How Furniture Impacts Interior Design

Every interior design is impacted by the furniture. Furniture lines, form, upholstery type and color, and other functions of the furniture must all coordinate to create a design that is attractive and meets client's goals. Creating custom furniture ensures that all of these characteristics come together to create one unified interior space.

How Evolution Furniture Supports Interior Designers

Evolution Furniture has processes in place to support interior designers. Here's what you can expect from us.

Collaborative Design Process

Our furniture designers work with interior designers on a regular basis through a collaborative design process. We work together to create a furniture design that meets your needs.

Communication. We know the right questions to ask to get your project off the ground. Our designers maintain open communication throughout the project to ensure that everyone gets what they need.
Expertise. We're experts at collaborating on design projects, just like you. We rely on years of experience to ensure that our collaborations go smoothly.

Our Process

We work with clients using a five-step process that involves client input throughout.

Initial consultation. We'll sit down to discuss your needs and upcoming project.
Research. We'll research various materials and styles to help us create a design that meets your needs.
Design. During the design process, we'll create a furniture design that's just right.
Development. We'll take that design back to our furniture creators and they'll make the final piece.
Delivery. We'll deliver your piece on time, on budget.

Expertise and Experience

It takes an experienced furniture maker to create a beautiful chair, table, or other piece of furniture. Customers turn to Evolution Furniture because we've been in the business for a long time, and we're a trusted name in furniture design.

Dedicated Support

Your project matters. You'll enjoy dedicated support throughout your project. Your dedicated support person will be your point of contact when you have questions, need to provide feedback, and more. This keeps the communication process streamlined and easy for you to manage.

Why Should Interior Designers Work With Custom Furniture Manufacturers?

If you're an interior designer, you might be asking yourself why should interior designers work with custom furniture manufacturers? Don't wonder: find out for yourself by contacting Evolution furniture . See our custom furniture design portfolio to learn more about how we can help you create beautiful interior designs that are just right for your customers.

Implementing Color Psychology in Interior Design

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 21:03:49 GMT

Written by: Evolution Furniture

Colors affect the way we feel. Colors can express, inform, and even facilitate emotional responses. When different colors are used in interior design, those colors impact our emotions when we enter a space. In this article, we'll explore the influence of color psychology in interior design, and discuss the role that color plays in creating harmonious indoor spaces.

Role of Color Psychology in Creating Harmonious Spaces

The colors we use to decorate our homes are all associated with specific emotions. While every person has their associations and feelings about each color on the spectrum, color psychology has specifically linked each color of the rainbow with different emotions.

Some colors are energizing, while others evoke feelings of peace and calm. Some colors are associated with passion and movement, while others are associated with thoughtful, quiet moments.

Warm Colors

The warm colors include red, yellow, and orange. These colors advance from the wall, paper, or screen where they're located. They "pop". These colors are associated with aroused emotions, passions, movement, and excitement. Warm colors can create a feeling of coziness and warmth.

Cool Colors

Cool colors include green, blue, and purple. These colors recede and are associated with thoughtful, introverted, and peacefulness. Cool colors create a sense of calm.

Emotional Effects of Different Colors

Each color is different, so when you're choosing a color for your room or furniture, it's important to understand how each color can affect you and the people in your home.

Red

Red is associated with passion, romantic love, action, and warmth. It's no coincidence that red is associated with both devils and cupids. Red is also a very flexible color that can be darkened to a more earthy, subtly relaxing shade.

Yellow

Yellow is the most cheerful of all the warm colors, and when mixed with white, can be more thoughtful and calm. Yellow in its purest form can be very bold and exciting.

Orange

Orange is a color that can be vibrant and action-focused, or it can be darkened for an earthier, nostalgic hue. Orange is less commanding than red but still representative of movement and change.

Blue

Blue is a color that is associated with the sky and water, coolness, and relief. It can be representative of childish playfulness, or a deeper, more thoughtful calm.

Green

Green is a color that is associated with renewal, abundance, prosperity, and growth. Green is the color of spring returning and the development of seeds. Green can be mixed with gray and white to create various forms of earthy, sage colors.

Purple

Purple is associated with creativity, wealth, and prosperity. Purple in its lighter forms can be lighthearted and sweet, while in its darker forms can be associated with royalty.

Pink

Pink is associated with love, tenderness, and sweetness. Pink is a mixture of white and red, so it has some of the same associations with red.

Black

Black is a color that's often associated with strength, deep thought, and depression. In interior decor, black is often used as an accent color: a little goes a long way.

White

White is one of the most commonly used neutral colors because it goes with so many other colors. White is the perfect complement to most all non-neutrals. It's associated with purity, innocence, and honest intentions.

Brown

Brown can be comforting, brooding, natural, and earthy. This color is also one of the most commonly used neutrals, often found in common areas of the house that are frequently seen by visitors.

Grey

Gray is a very popular neutral that brings cool, calm, and peace to a room. Gray is easily paired with almost all non-neutral colors.

Choosing Colors for Specific Room Purposes

Often, people choose colors for each room of the house based on who will be using those rooms. Take this into consideration as you choose a palette for your home.

Living Room

The living room is a common space, where people gather for family events and where guests are received. Often, homeowners choose understated colors for their living rooms because this puts people at ease and makes for a comfortable environment. Here, you'll find colors like white, gray, cream, and brown.

Bedroom

The bedroom is a part of the house where people often decorate with soothing colors that are conducive to relaxation and sleep. Greens and blues are popular bedroom colors.

Kitchen

The kitchen is a place of warmth and togetherness. Warm neutrals like browns and creams as well as bright shades of blue and green are popular in these spaces.

Bathroom

The bathroom is an area of the house where people commonly pick a theme, and that theme may inform the color. As a result, bathrooms can be any color from yellow to gray to pink.

Office Space

Office spaces are often painted in colors that support thoughtful work. Gray, blue, brown, and accents of white and black are common in office spaces.

Nursery

Nurseries tend to be cheerful spaces, so homeowners often turn to colors like yellow, pink, blue, and green for these rooms. Keep in mind that the baby's gender may inform the color, or it may remain gender-neutral.

Integrating Color Psychology Interior Design in Custom Furniture Pieces

When you're integrating color psychology into your custom-made furniture , it's important to choose a color that coordinates with the rest of the room. If you enjoy changing room colors frequently, or if you plan to move this piece of furniture to other rooms of the house over time, maintaining an earthy neutral color like the natural color of the wood will give you ultimate flexibility. Some tips:

Paint a sample of the color on a piece of scrap wood to get a sense of what it truly looks like.
View samples of the wood stains you're considering if you're planning to leave the wood unpainted.
View your paint samples in the room where your custom piece will 'live,' check on the sample multiple times a day in different lights as sunlight moves around the room or as artificial light from lamps and other electronics turn on. The way light reflects off of a paint color can dramatically change its appearance.
If choosing a bold color, consider how different styles will look with it over time. As your design style changes, it's wise to think about potential future color combinations that can complement the bold choice and keep your space feeling cohesive.

Evolution Furniture: Crafting Custom-Made Furniture in Your Vision

Custom furniture is an investment that lasts for generations. At Evolution Furniture, we design custom furniture for consumers and furniture for interior designers . Our customers work with us because we produce elegant furniture made to last a lifetime. See our design portfolio where we offer different types of furniture styles . Want to know more? Get started with your furniture design today - contact us .

Tips to Consider When Ordering Custom Furniture

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 21:53:24 GMT

Written by: Evolution Furniture

Ordering custom-made furniture can be a lot of fun, but spending money on something so permanent can also be stressful. Knowing your goals, setting a budget, and using strategies to select the right materials and style can help you buy custom furniture you're sure to love for a long time to come. Before you buy your first piece of custom furniture, here's what you need to know.

Benefits of Custom Furniture

Why is buying custom furniture worthwhile? Isn't it easier to find something off the shelf?

In the world of furniture, custom furniture sets the gold standard for all other furniture pieces. Custom furniture is an investment that you can hang on to for the rest of your life. Here's what you should know about buying custom pieces for your home.

Made just for you. Maybe you have unique needs, or you're having a hard time finding just the right piece for your home. When you buy custom furniture, you're guaranteed to find exactly what you want, without compromising on style or quality.

Good value. Custom furniture is worth more than most manufactured furniture because it's handmade by a craftsman. You just can't duplicate that kind of value with furniture made by a machine.

Durability. Custom furniture tends to be made from material that lasts longer and continues to look good for years after it's built. That durability means that your custom furniture can last for years beyond traditional manufactured furniture.

Heirloom quality. Your custom furniture will be there for you as you make memories with family and loved ones. Years from now, you can pass that furniture down to the people you love.

Custom Furniture Buying Tips

So how do you buy custom furniture? Where to get custom furniture made? Following these tips can help you through the process, making your experience more productive and rewarding.

Identify Your Furniture Needs

Take an inventory of the furniture currently found in your home; figure out which pieces you want to swap for better ones or those that fit your space more. Next, expand that list to include pieces of furniture that you don't yet own but would like to one day. Finally, list each piece in order of necessity. This is the list of furniture that you should plan to buy.

Set A Budget

How much can you afford to spend on your custom furniture? Having a furniture budget can help you take care of your house and defray the cost of furnishing your home with beautiful pieces. Set aside money each month and buy the furniture pieces as you accumulate the correct amount to buy what you need.

If saving isn't the route you'd like to go, you can pay in cash on hand or explore financing opportunities. If you do get a loan, know the payment terms to ensure that you can afford the monthly payments.

Research and Selection of a Custom Furniture Designer

How to find the right custom furniture designer for you:

Look at their portfolio to see their handiwork and the quality of their pieces. Look for a customer furniture maker that can make furnishings in the style you prefer.
Read testimonials or online reviews to find a furniture maker with satisfied customers and a reputation for producing quality pieces.
Get quotes from furniture makers you're considering.

Communication & Collaboration

Creating the perfect piece of custom furniture depends on collaboration and communication between you and your furniture maker. Keep open lines of communication with your designer about your goals, favorite materials, favorite colors and more. Know what you want from your custom furniture, and be sure to tell your designer.

Material Selection

Choosing the right material can be challenging, however, with an abundance of options, you’re sure to find the perfect selection for you and your home. Start by thinking about what matters most for the piece you're making. Will it be in a shared space at home? Do you have kids, and if so, how many and how old are they? Do you have pets? Taking these factors into account will guide you in determining the material's durability and ease of maintenance.

When it comes to furniture intended for private spaces in your home, such as the bedroom, you have more flexibility in your options. Materials for items like headboards often don't require the same level of durability, allowing you to explore a broader range of fabrics and finishes.

Measurements & Specifications

Measure the space where the furniture will be more than once. Measuring at least twice will prevent accidents, to ensure that your new piece of furniture will fit perfectly in the space provided.

Mockups

A mockup is an image of the new piece of furniture to help you decide if the design works for you and to help you visualize the piece of furniture in your home. Your designer will make you a mockup so you can make changes and suggestions based on what you see. Take your time to consider the mockup. Look at it more than once to get a sense of how you really feel about your new piece of furniture.

Timelines & Expectations

Your furniture designer should tell you how long it will take to create your new piece, but if they don't, be sure to ask any questions you may have. Having expectations and deadlines will help you know when to clear the space for the new piece of furniture, and will help you get excited for its new presence in your life.

Where to Buy Custom-Made Furniture

Buying custom furniture can be a joy. Not sure where to get custom pieces? At Evolution Furniture, we make custom residential furniture and custom commercial furniture . If you're wondering where to get custom furniture made, Evolution Furniture is your source for custom furniture in Naperville . Contact Evolution Furniture to get started with your custom furniture order.

Different Types of Furniture Styles

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 19:55:07 GMT

Written by: Evolution Furniture

No home or business is complete without furniture, but not just any furniture will do. Custom furniture combines old-world craftsmanship with today's aesthetic sensibility. Quality matters, especially when you're decorating a home or business that you care about.

Whether you're in need of custom residential furniture or custom comme rcial furn iture , Evolution Furniture is your source for a product that you can appreciate and use for years to come. We make furniture in many different styles to meet the needs of our customers. Which furniture type is right for you?

Finding Your Furniture Style

Finding your preferred furniture style means shopping around, knowing your aesthetic preferences, and considering the furnishings that you already have in your home or business. To determine what furniture style is right for you, take these steps:

Visit local furniture shops or look at furniture online in a variety of styles.
Take an inventory of the furniture that you already own, and ask yourself which category that furniture fits into.
Speak with a custom furniture maker to discuss your ideas for your future furnishings.

10 Most Popular Furniture Styles

There are many different types of furniture in the world - almost too many to count. Still, knowing the top ten most popular types of furniture can help you find furniture that works for your home or business.

1. Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Featuring clean lines, compact sizes, and bold textiles, mid-century modern furniture brings practical and attractive together into one place. You can recognize this type of furnishing by its tapered legs and often earthy colors like mustard yellow and olive green. Mid-century modern rose to popularity after World War II, but versions of this furniture style remained popular with homeowners thereafter.

2. Scandinavian Furniture

Scandinavian furniture style originated in Scandinavia in the early 20th century but migrated to the United States starting in the 1950s. This furniture style is easily recognized by its use of natural, light-colored wood, simplicity of style, and functionality. Scandinavian furniture also aligns itself with sustainability through the use of natural materials. This type of furniture emphasizes quality over quantity and promotes an uncluttered lifestyle.

3. Sustainable & Contemporary Furniture

Contemporary furniture is a changing style that reflects the trends of the day. What we call contemporary furniture now will not be contemporary in 20 years - this is the nature of contemporary furnishings. Today, contemporary style furniture is associated with sustainable furnishings, with clean lines, and organic shapes, often made from natural materials like cotton and wood. Contemporary furniture combines nicely with other styles for an eclectic style.

4. Industrial Furniture

Industrial furniture is a combination of aesthetic choices that give furniture a modern and industrial appearance, rather than a single furniture style. With this aesthetic, metal and wood combine with clean lines and geometric shapes. Industrial style is often thought of as ‘anti-nature’, giving the appearance of being made from machines and aligning itself with machine-made products. That said, industrial furniture can still be very artful and thoughtful.

5. Rustic Furniture

Rustic furniture has a hand-made appearance and is closely affiliated with the cozy qualities of home. It is often made from timber and natural textiles like linen and cotton. Rustic furniture has a warm quality and prioritizes comfort over aesthetics. While rustic furniture is often affiliated with rural areas, it has made its way to urban styles as well.

6. Bohemian/ Boho Furniture

Bohemian-style furniture can best be described as eclectic. With this type of furniture, you'll see bold colors and prints, upholstery made from various materials, and a mix and match of styles. Bohemian interior design is itself free-spirited, so you can combine various types of furnishings that don't match, as long as they speak to you. Bohemian style places a lot of emphasis on organic, natural elements, like plants and natural materials like wood.

7. Vintage Furniture

Technically speaking, vintage furniture is any furniture that is at least 20 years old. However, when it comes to new furniture constructed in a vintage style, this is furniture that can borrow from any old style, going back several decades or even 100 years or more. When you're picking vintage furniture or making custom furniture, shop for furnishings from the era that you like best.

9. Minimalist Furniture

Minimalist furniture is clean and free of decoration, with a lot of stark flat surfaces. Minimalist furniture uses wood and geometric shapes to create simple, attractive furnishings. Minimalism combines Scandinavian and Modern furniture to create an uncluttered, easy-on-the-eyes aesthetic.

10. Multipurpose Furniture

Multipurpose furniture combines furniture with different functions into one piece. Usually, multipurpose furniture can double as storage, allowing homeowners to make the most of their interior space and maintain a clean and uncluttered lifestyle. Multipurpose furniture is a favorite among homeowners living in small houses and with parents of small children who need places to store their children's toys.

Making Your Style Complete with Evolution Furniture

At Evolution Furniture, we create custom furnishings for homeowners and business owners, as well as custom furniture for interior designers . Take a look at our custom furniture design portfolio to see the kind of work we've done, or explore our website to find out why so many people choose to work with Evolution Furniture . To get started with your furniture project, contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our furniture design experts.

10 Space Saving Furniture Ideas for 2024

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 22:29:54 GMT

Written by: Evolution Furniture

With the popularity of more compact living spaces increasing, and as cities become more crowded and living costs rise people are now choosing compact homes for their easy maintenance and a desire for a simpler lifestyle. However, with our living spaces struggling to expand despite accumulating possessions, finding space-saving solutions becomes essential. The key to creating a cozy and inviting environment without feeling overwhelmed by stuff lies in space-saving furniture.

Space-saving furniture is a game-changing solution that acknowledges it's not just about downsizing; it's about reimagining furniture to fit our changing needs and preferences. Whether it's a sofa seamlessly transforming into a bed, a desk folding up against the wall, or a table expanding to accommodate more guests, these clever designs promise to transform our living spaces.

In this blog, we'll explore top space-saving furniture ideas, from multifunctional sofas to foldable desks. These pieces not only save space but also align with your lifestyle, budget, and taste, striking a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics. Join us in discovering how these transformative pieces can redefine your living spaces, providing a sanctuary that goes beyond the limits of space and clutter.

Where Can You Incorporate Space-Saving Furniture?

Space-saving furniture can be incorporated into any room in the house, from the living room to the bedroom. In fact, At Evolution Furniture, we work with interior designers all the time to build everything from small tables to custom seating. Want to line your wall with a narrow bench that fits just right? Need a table that fits in that nook in your kitchen? We can help.

Space Saving Furniture Ideas

1. Loft Space

Build a loft space that puts the bed up at the ceiling and your desk down on the floor. This furniture arrangement is perfect for a child's bedroom because it leaves lots of floor space available for your little one to work and play. Your custom-made loft can be constructed of wood or metal to suit your taste and preferences.

2. Pullout Desk or Bed

A pull-out desk or bed gives you functionality when you need it and hides away when you don't. This is a great solution in a small room that gets used for many purposes. Maybe your hobby room is also a guest room, and that space is sometimes used for sleeping and sometimes for work. With a pull-out desk and bed, you can have both.

3. Countertop on Wheels

Have a tiny kitchen without a lot of room for workspace? A countertop on wheels may be just what you need when preparing your favorite dishes. Create a small countertop cart that can be moved from one place to another, and put away when you're not using it.

4. Hidden Storage Bench

When you need a place to sit and read, your storage bench is there for you. When you need a place to hide your books after you've finished, your storage bench is still there for you. This custom-made furniture piece makes a fantastic hand-me-down that your children will treasure. When they put in their own home, they'll remember those hours spent reading happily as kids.

5. Folding Wall Table

Eat dinner at a folding wall table. When the meal is over, clear away the dishes and lift the table up for more floor space. This type of table is a good addition to a small eat-in kitchen because it doesn't commit you to taking up all your floor space with a table that you only use occasionally.

6. Custom Built-in Book Shelf

Integrate elegance and utility with a custom-built bookshelf . A built-in bookshelf saves space by utilizing vertical areas effectively. It maximizes the use of wall space from floor to ceiling, minimizing the need for additional furniture and preserving valuable floor space. This vertical storage solution is especially efficient in smaller rooms, optimizing storage without overcrowding the living area.

7. Expandable Dining Table

Effortlessly catering to any size party, this innovative piece allows you to expand or shrink its size based on the number of guests. Hosting an intimate dinner for two? Keep it compact. Planning a larger gathering? Watch it effortlessly grow to accommodate everyone. With its adaptable design, this table is a practical and stylish solution for any dining space, ensuring that you always have the perfect setting for your meals, big or small.

8. Table with Built-In Storage

Need somewhere to put your silverware, napkins, and napkin holders? A custom-built table with storage drawers is not just charming, but so functional and convenient. Stain the wood any color that you want, and you've got a table that will last a lifetime.

9. Nesting Tables

Nesting tables have a kind of charm that makes them the perfect addition to a living room or bedroom with not much space to spare. You can push in your nesting tables to take up less room or spread them out to fill all your needs. Nesting tables can be made in the modern style or with a more traditional aesthetic, whatever your preference.

10. Pop-Up Coffee Table

A good pop-up coffee table can serve many purposes: as storage, as a good space to hold magazines, and as a fantastic table. Your pop-up coffee table can be a surface for your cup of coffee, a bowl of popcorn, a remote control, and anything else you like. Plus, you'll have so much fun calling it a “pop-up coffee table” and explaining to your guests what you mean.

Why Choose Custom-Designed Furniture?

Custom residential furniture doesn't just look good, it lasts longer. It's made to suit your home and your style, so it's perfect for you. If you're considering whether to DIY , contact us about custom-made furniture . We provide custom furniture for commercial clients as well as residential. Want to know more? See our work at Halas Hall , where we built a stunning walnut table for the Bears. Ready to elevate your space? Contact us today to discuss your unique furniture needs and explore the possibilities of personalized craftsmanship.

Is Custom Built Furniture Worth It?

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 19:05:12 GMT

Your home's furnishings dramatically impact how comfortable and happy you are in your home. The best furniture gives you a place to relax, makes your home's interior more attractive, and makes your home more functional - all at the same time.

Custom furniture comes at a cost and also takes more time to construct. This leaves some homeowners asking: is custom furniture worth it? Knowing all the factors to consider, including the many benefits of custom furniture, can help you decide whether you're ready to invest in this type of furniture for your home.

What is Custom Built Furniture

Custom-built furniture is furniture that's been customized to the needs of the buyer. During the customization process, the buyer may specify the type of material used, dimensions, colors, and other variables. Custom-built furniture is made to order, to ensure that each piece is perfectly suited for the space where the furniture will be installed.

Advantages of Custom-Built Furniture

There are many advantages of custom-built furniture, particularly when the furniture is made by experts . These advantages make this type of furniture more than worth it for some buyers.

Tailored to Your Needs

Maybe you're trying to fill a specific space in your home, and you're having a hard time finding furniture that fits that space exactly. You may even be trying to find a type of furniture that isn't normally sold in stores. Custom furniture is tailored to your needs. You get to pick the color, material, style, and size. When your custom piece is ready, it will have a perfect place in your home, tailored precisely to your needs.

You pick the perfect color, whether painted , stained, or upholstered
You can choose the material that best suits your home's character
You'll be able to create a piece that fits perfectly in the space you're trying to fill

One-of-a-Kind

It's frustrating to realize that your couch or end table is the same model as your neighbors. When you purchase custom furniture, you'll enjoy the knowledge that your furniture is a one-of-a-kind piece of art - no one owns another piece just like yours. This one-of-a-kind status can raise the value of the piece, making it a better investment. This also makes your furniture a conversation piece for guests.

Optimized Space

Make the most of your home's interior with furniture that's built just for that space. You won't have to make do with a piece that doesn't quite fit or fit your needs when you're buying customized furniture. You'll enjoy knowing that your space has been fully optimized and you're making the most of your home's square footage. To ensure that your custom-built furniture maximizes your home's space, measure the area carefully before placing your order.

Quality and Durability

Inexpensive, pre-made furniture may seem like a good deal when you're making the purchase, but often this furniture is not made to last. When you purchase custom furnishings for your home, you're purchasing quality, durable products that are made to withstand the test of time. This may even mean that you'll spend less money on your furniture over time because you'll be buying furniture that may last twice compared to low-cost, pre-made furniture pieces.

Personalized

Express yourself with every piece of furniture you buy. More than any other type of furniture, custom-built furniture is made to fit your personality and your personal preferences. You can control everything from the aesthetic to the form and function of the furniture when you purchase custom furniture. Want fully personalized furniture? Sounds like you want custom-built furniture from a professional furniture developer.

Quality Control

Because custom furniture tends to be high-end, and because custom furniture is personally crafted for each customer, there's a quality control that goes into custom furniture that you can't get from other furniture pieces. You won't have to worry about a loose screw, a squeak in the furniture that shouldn't be there, or small tears in the upholstery that could spread with time. The quality of custom furniture is second to none.

Functionality

Of course, if the furniture is made for you and your space, then it will be as functional as possible. You can get the most use of your custom-made furniture because it's made perfectly for you and your needs.

Long Term Investment

Unlike low-cost furniture, custom furniture is made to last. This makes it a long-term investment that you can count on. Well-loved custom furniture pieces often become family heirlooms, carrying with them the memories of your family's journey through the generations.

Resale Value

Most pre-made furniture devalues when it's purchased, but custom-made furniture loses its value more slowly than other types of furniture. This is true partially because custom-built furniture is unique, and also because it's especially durable. It's made to last, and people who know furniture want that for themselves.

Supporting Local Craftsmen

Custom furniture is made by local craftsmen who are skilled in their trade and specifically trained to make furniture that lasts and lasts. When you purchase custom furniture pieces, you're supporting local people who take pride in their work.

How to Get the Most Out of Custom Furniture

Custom furniture is an investment. Follow these tips to get the most out of your purchasing experience:

Know your goals before deciding which types of pieces are best for you

Establish the room's color palette and coordinate the color of the furniture with other colors in the room

Purchase your custom furniture from a reputable source in your community

Establish your budget before buying your furnishings

Where to Buy Custom-Made Furniture

Evolution Furniture is your source for custom-built furniture in Naperville, IL . Our online portfolio reflects the quality of our furnishings for your home or business . To find out more about buying quality custom furniture for your home, feel free to reach out to us at any time.

Custom office furniture for Uber HQ in Chicago

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 16:35:00 GMT

Puzzles generally come with the pieces already made. In the case of Uber, solving the puzzle meant building the pieces. Uber wanted to create an employee-friendly work environment in a space filled with light from three expansive windows. To optimize the space and capitalize on the windows, GREC Architects envisioned continuous bench seating [...] The post Custom office furniture for Uber HQ in Chicago appeared first on Jones Ward Design Solutions.

Chicago Custom Built Office Furniture for Mondelez

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 19:37:00 GMT

Creating structural designs and building 45 tables for the new five-story Mondelez International global headquarters was no small task. Designs for the tables of varied shapes and sizes kicked off in November, and the project’s pace was no less than brisk. In fact, the drawings for the 27-foot cantilevered conference table were [...] The post Chicago Custom Built Office Furniture for Mondelez appeared first on Jones Ward Design Solutions.

Custom Built Office Furniture for Synergy

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 17:16:00 GMT

Creating synergy between solid wood and veneer takes precise attention to detail, beginning with careful selection and pairing of these dissimilar materials. In building ten matching office suites for Synergy, Jones Ward Design Solutions combined understanding of woods with an artful eye to create a synergistic result that is no less than STUNNING! [...] The post Custom Built Office Furniture for Synergy appeared first on Jones Ward Design Solutions.

A Perfect Match for Whitney Architects

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 15:20:00 GMT

The statement-making reception desk and seating area created for Whitney Architects presented plenty of matchmaking challenges for us at Jones Ward Design Solutions. Marrying warm welcoming velvet seating and strong stone lines of Corian with functional walnut desk and credenza components required great attention to design detail – an area we specialize in! [...] The post A Perfect Match for Whitney Architects appeared first on Jones Ward Design Solutions.

Custom Designed Office Furniture for Home Chef

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 22:33:00 GMT

Millwork is beautiful. Millwork also can be costly, depending on the size and scope of a project. When Interior Architects and Corporate Concepts began to create the interior for Home Chef’s new corporate headquarters, their vision was of gleaming oak accented with contrasting warm and cool upholstery throughout the 75,000 square-foot space. [...] The post Custom Designed Office Furniture for Home Chef appeared first on Jones Ward Design Solutions.

Custom Hotel Furniture Creates an Innovative Space for Guests

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 17:51:00 GMT

In this fast-paced world, people often find themselves away from home and office, living and working from a hotel. Comfort, convenience and environments that promote productivity are amenities we’re helping our hotel customers provide to their guests. Hotel lobby coffee bars are the epitome of convenience for the hurried [...] The post Custom Hotel Furniture Creates an Innovative Space for Guests appeared first on Jones Ward Design Solutions.

Tips for Fitting Everyone at the Table this Holiday Season

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 19:54:00 GMT

The impending holiday season typically invokes travel, quality time with family, and an abundance of food and desserts. However, as families grow over time with in-laws and children, space ultimately runs short. Through creatively assessing your space and adjusting for headcount, you can easily fit everyone at the table this holiday season using these top five tips

1. Consider Your Largest Room

Sometimes, your dining room’s size was meant for a total head count of four, maybe five if everyone didn’t mind bumping elbows every few minutes. When large families get together for the holiday season, consider using a larger space such as your living room to host the festivities. Push your current furniture closer to the walls and utilize the free area in the center of the room.

Do you feel that your living room is just as confining? Take the festivities outside! By combining your dining table with extra folding tables, you can easily make the appearance of a large holiday table with the use of a tablecloth and a few extra folding chairs no matter where you decide to set up your dining.

2. Smaller Plates

When preparing the countless dishes and trimmings, it is easy for us to want to load our first plate with small portions of everything, intending to sample before we decide how to spend the rest of our appetite. Using smaller dining plates will save your dining table from overcrowding and won’t limit your guests to how much food they can eat. Before your guests arrive, pre-arrange your table according to the number of guests who will be attending to see how much extra room you will have when you switch your large plates for smaller ones. As an added bonus, more trips to refill your plate allows mid-meal breaks that help you make room for a second or third helping!

3. Minimalize Table Decor by Enhancing your Buffet

Creating a buffet line has been the saving grace to limited table space. This concept is perfect for when your aunt brings her famous green bean casserole despite your polite request that no one needed to bring anything. A buffet can be organized in any fashion, but if you needed to spare your dining table from holiday decorations to optimize the space, the buffet line is another great place to add some holiday embellishments.

4. Elevate the Kid’s Table

If your family seems to comprise of more than two or three children, a kid’s table can most certainly help fit everyone at the table this holiday season. Topping the kid’s table with a paper tablecloth and providing coloring utensils can be a great source of entertainment when the food no longer holds their attention.

5. Restore the Benchmark

As a final attempt to help bring everyone to the table this holiday season, replacing a few cumbersome chairs with a bench can help seat an extra person or two. Does your piano bench fit the need, but needs a little tune up to remain sturdy? Have some of your current chairs felt less comfortable over the years? Furniture restoration could be the quick solution to reusing your preexisting furniture and helping bring everyone together comfortably at the dinner table. At Wehrli Furniture Co. , we are dedicated to restoring and reupholstering your current furniture and reimaging it to your taste. Contact our professionals to see which pieces of furniture could use an enlivening refurbishment.

Halas Hall

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 18:00:00 GMT

Jones Ward was honored to build custom furnishings for Da Bears’ newly renovated and expanded Halas Hall. Truth be told, we got the job because of our expertise with live-edge projects and because we could meet the project budget and delivery date. Our primary job was to build a multi-purpose table for the [...] The post Halas Hall appeared first on Jones Ward Design Solutions.

Know It When We See It

Mon, 16 Sep 2019 14:07:00 GMT

The post Know It When We See It appeared first on Jones Ward Design Solutions .

To DIY or Not to DIY

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 16:16:00 GMT

The best DIY ideas frequently include repurposing older pieces of furniture or other miscellaneous items around the house. Reusing items that you would consider trashing is a great way to protect the environment and breathe new life into something you can love again. With the surge of DIY sites and projects, there are [...] The post To DIY or Not to DIY appeared first on Jones Ward Design Solutions.

Live-Edge Isn’t Just for Conference Tables

Fri, 13 Sep 2019 15:53:00 GMT

Live-edge tables bring class, creativity, and customization to any commercial space. Its common to see these beautiful tables in conference rooms but they can be added to lounge areas, reception, and entryways too. Bringing nature into commercial spaces by incorporating a live-edge table is a great way to update your decor and aesthetic [...] The post Live-Edge Isn’t Just for Conference Tables appeared first on Jones Ward Design Solutions.

Is Refinishing Furniture with Paint the New Trend?

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 19:44:00 GMT

A small blemish in your furniture is a bummer, but it doesn’t mean it’s time to throw it away. If that spot turns into pealing finish, paint, or further damage, refinishing is a great option. Refinishing furniture with paint is a simple way to update and upgrade your furniture without breaking the bank. But what exactly does that mean, is it an easy task, and how can you ensure it looks the way you envision?

What Is Refinishing Furniture with Paint?

All furniture refinishing projects should begin with ample preparation. Preparing your workspace includes gathering all the necessary materials and tools for the project and making sure there is plenty of space to work. Next, the piece should be stripped, sanded, and cleaned thoroughly to remove all leftover residues, dirt, and oils. If the piece is painted before it’s cleaned, the paint won’t stick as well and it may peal quicker. Professional furniture restoration ensures the process is done quickly, efficiently, and properly. Finishing the furniture with a lacquer layer is important as well, as it not only seals the paint but also adds another layer of protection.

Why You Shouldn’t DIY

There are plenty of projects that are simple to undertake and don’t require you to purchase a load of new tools and materials. Refinishing furniture with paint is quite an undertaking for a one-time project. Unless you’re a carpenter or contractor, you may not have oil soap, different grit sandpapers, tack cloths, and other necessary painting supplies. Another large challenge to attempting to DIY is the appearance of the finished product. Without professional refinishing, the final outcome may not be what you pictured.

If the piece is something you truly love and want to keep around for another decade or so, we’d highly recommend hiring a professional to refinish it. But if you just want the challenge and don’t care if there are a few mistakes, then take a crack at it. Another consideration of your project is where you intend to display it. If you plan to keep this piece in a child’s room or playroom, it’s bound to have a few dents and scratches anyway so it may be worth your while to paint yourself. But if it will be on display in one of your main living rooms, the quality work of a craftsman will be worth it.

Choosing a Professional Refinishing Expert

Refinishing furniture with paint is a great way to elevate your existing piece of furniture without purchasing something new. A new color or fresh coat of paint and new hardware can instantly change the entire feel of a room. This trend is a wonderful way to utilize your existing furniture, encourage sustainability, and update within a budget. At Evolution Furniture , we ensure every project we have the privilege to work on is handled with care and given our full attention. With our expert painting services , you can be proud to display your refinished furniture in your home or office. Our professional services include restoration, painting, upholstery, and custom design. Make sure to check out our recent projects and contact us today to begin your next project!

Refinishing vs. Buying a New Table: Which Is the Better Option for You?

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 13:41:00 GMT

Tables are often the unsung hero of your home. They provide a place to gather your family and friends, enjoy a meal, create conversation, and foster a creative space for playdough creations. Without them, where would these things take place? Kitchen tables, dining room tables, side tables, and coffee tables all play a key role as they serve different purposes in the home. When one of these pieces of furniture is damaged, it can throw a wrench in the natural rhythm of your life. It can be tempting to run out to the nearest furniture store and buy whatever tickles your fancy, but is that the best choice for your home?

Best Way to Make a Decision

We make decisions constantly, even if they are subconscious ones. They probably aren’t always the best decision but ideally, we learn from those mistakes and our minds take note to make a better decision next time. This constant cycle isn’t taught, it’s intuitive. However, we do need to be taught how to make more informed and better decisions. In fact, some colleges even offer an entire course on this subject.

There are several methods and models when teaching decision making but they all follow a basic path. Begin by identifying the decision that needs to be made. In this case, the decision would be if you should have your table refinished or buy a new one. Then you should gather all pertinent information that may need to be assessed during the decision-making process. This information may include consideration about the budget, the timeline for the new table being delivered, the size, and the desired color. Once this is complete, you can identify alternative choices available such as which table you’d like to buy from which store or which refinishing professional to hire.

It’s helpful to play out each scenario to see the long-term benefits and challenges of each alternative before making the final decision. When all parties involved have agreed upon the outcome, take action. It’s wise to evaluate your decision after you’ve made it for the betterment of future decision-making needs.

What Does Table Refinishing Entail?

As you evaluate the alternatives, you should have a clear picture of what table refinishing can do for you. At Evolution Furniture, we don’t cut corners in any of our projects because we believe quality craftsmanship is key. When we begin a table refinishing project, we make sure we have the full picture of what each customer desires and needs from the piece. This information includes where the piece will call home and what function it will serve. We don’t want to assume we know what you want, so we involve you as much as you’d like.

Once we have a clear idea of the desired outcome, we thoroughly strip and clean the table to prepare it for refinishing. We can repair small blemishes, reinforce when needed, and add new hardware if desired to help prolong the life of your table. After the piece is painted, we add a final lacquer coating to help protect it. We offer several different finish styles such as high gloss and matte.

Is My Table a Good Candidate?

Refinishing isn’t for every table. It’s not for mass-produced, low-quality tables—those are meant for the fire pit. If your table is made of quality material, is a family heirloom, or has sentimental value, it’s an excellent candidate for refinishing. We can even take a piece of your existing table and create something more unique for you. Our services break the mold so your every need and desire can be met, unlike when you shop from regular retail stores. If you’re interested but unsure of the quality of your table, we are happy to take a look and give our professional opinion.

Why Shouldn’t I Buy a New Table?

There is much more behind buying a new table than you may realize. First, you have to get rid of your old table by selling it or disposing of it. Neither option is fun, and one isn’t a sustainable choice. We want to decrease the accumulation of landfills, which is why we love helping people keep their furniture for as long as possible through refinishing and repairing. If you have disposed of your old table, you will need to find the right table that meets your size, color, and shape preferences. And you likely will have to buy new chairs to match. However, if you struggle to find the right table for your space or to match your existing layout, refinishing may be your ideal solution.

When Should I Buy a New Table?

There are times when purchasing a new table is the right choice. If your table is shattered, it is definitely time to buy a new one. If it has sustained severe water damage, it’s time for a new one. When you’ve purchased a new home and need a different sized or shaped table, buying a new one or having a custom design table created is the right choice. Ultimately, this decision is yours to make. You’re in charge, and we just want to help guide you in your decision-making process, even if in the end you choose another outcome.

Refinishing Your Table with Wehrli Furniture

At Evolution Furniture , we specialize in high-quality furniture. We are selective in our material and product choices, so we can offer you the best solution for your furniture needs. Our craftsmen not only do what they love, but they do it because they love to solve problems and create something beautiful that lasts. A table may seem like a small impact, but it truly adds value to your home, relationships, and family. We love to be a part of that impact.

Our professional furniture services include restoration , upholstery , painting , and custom design to ensure your every need and desire is met. Contact us today to begin your table refinishing project and be sure to view our recent work for inspiration.

Is Your Wood Furniture Worth Refinishing?

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 15:24:00 GMT

We’re going to shoot straight with you, some DIY projects are fun and worth the time and effort. They encourage sustainability, creativity, and provide a therapeutic outlet. However, some DIYs require serious work and really aren’t worth it. How can you differentiate between the furniture projects you’re considering? More importantly, what are some of the downfalls of refinishing wood furniture that you should be aware of before starting your next project.

How Are the Bones?

A coat of paint can be attractive and forgiving. It can hide burns, stains, or worn veneer, but when the paint is stripped, you’re left with a head-scratcher. Once you see the real work ahead you, may decide it’s not worth the time to research the fix, purchase the materials needed, and allow the time required to restore the piece. If you plan to paint over the old paint, you may be able to get away with it. Or, once you see what’s underneath that cover, you may decide to paint right back over it and call it a day.

Does It Need More Glue?

Depending on the age and quality, furniture glue may be all that’s holding your piece together. If you’re not sure how sturdy your furniture is or if it’s in need of some reinforcement, give it a little rocking to see if any seams give way. You can do the same with the drawers and legs to identify any particular places that will need a new coat of glue or a new screw. Taking apart a piece of furniture to reinforce and glue means you’ll need space to take it apart, glue, clamp, and reassemble. This time-consuming and complicated task is often best left to a furniture professional who will perform this task with ease.

What Will It Look Like?

If perfection is the finished look you’re trying to achieve, a furniture restoration expert is the best option. If you’re satisfied with slight imperfections or a less than perfect finish, a DIY can be just fine. This is especially true if the piece is meant for a space where it’s not as visible, like a basement playroom or kid’s room. When restoring a used piece of furniture, it’s highly likely there will be dents and scratches that can show through if the restoration process isn’t done properly.

Is It Worth It to Strip and Repaint?

At the end of the day, only you can decide if it’s worth restoring your wood furniture . If you want a project that will stretch you or one that you can work on with a friend or family member, a DIY is a fun way to accomplish these goals. But if the aforementioned hurdles are more than you want to tackle, a restoration expert can quickly and easily transform your piece to look brand new.

At Evolution Furniture , we offer professional restoration services as well as furniture painting, upholstery, and custom design to meet every furniture need you may have. View our gallery of recent projects for inspiration or contact us today to begin your project.

Why the Country Club Atmosphere Keeps Winning Memberships

Tue, 14 May 2019 13:53:00 GMT

Imagine this family, maybe it’s similar to yours. The father is a passionate golfer, seeking to build relationships to help grow his business while enjoying a sport that allows him the freedom to network while he works on his short game. His beautiful bride of 35 years joined a tennis league to keep in touch with her gal pals, get out of the house, and maintain a few hours of activity each week. Their children, who can never seem to get along at home, somehow become the best of friends as soon as they hop in the pool. The membership dues are worth it just to see their children get along, but they cherish the beautiful, inviting, and comfortable environment where there is peace to relax, reconnect with their individual passions and reunite with friends of the same interests.

Minus a few minor details, this description fits nearly every family that belongs to your country club. They chose your club because you offer something for each member of the family to enjoy while still bringing them together as a family. And the atmosphere is always welcoming, pristine, and it has become a safe haven. We know this environment isn’t a natural state. You work hard to ensure the clubhouse and each room inside exceeds the standards of even the most scrutinous eye.

Outdoor Maintenance

Every country club knows the emphasis that must be placed on keeping the grounds maintained daily. It may be one of the most important factors for many members investing in a club membership, which is why many clubs employ full-time groundskeepers to ensure every aspect of the landscaping and greens are maintained to the best of their abilities. While most outdoor time will be spent on the links or on the various courts, the patio is still vital to the ambiance of the club.

Quality furniture is the only choice for country clubs; no plastic folding chairs here. Patio furniture should always be kept safely indoors during the snowy months to protect it from water damage and dirt. However, even this protective measurement isn’t enough to prevent them from the damage of normal wear and tear. It is very expensive to purchase new patio furniture every couple of years, especially when they only have mild damage or wear. Restoring your patio furniture can make a huge impact on reducing unnecessary replacement costs and allow those funds to be reallocated to other, more desperate areas of the club.

Indoor Maintenance

With dozens of unique spaces in each country club, it can be difficult to maintain the highest quality furniture. We know the value your members place in a pristine environment and we know your expertise lies in providing a well-kept club, not in furniture restoration. Constant wear on the furniture in your lobby, restaurant, bar, conference rooms, event rooms, and every other space in between is an impossible task to keep up with, especially on top of all other aspects of maintaining the club’s gleaming aesthetics.

As with outdoor furniture, throwing away slightly worn pieces and purchasing new ones is not sustainable or financially wise. There will come a time when your furniture needs a little TLC. A professional furniture restoration expert will be able to fulfill the needs of each unique piece of furniture and return it to near its former glory with precise care and execution of the proper process for each material.

Wehrli Furniture Services: Restoration

Restoration is the perfect solution for high-quality country club furniture in need of mild to extensive repair. We take immense care as we examine each piece we restore to ensure all necessary adjustments and repairs are accounted for. Each piece is taken apart, thoroughly cleaned, repaired, and put back together to bring your piece back to glory. We can restore nearly any piece of furniture, doors, trim, cabinets, or other decorative wood or metal pieces you may have. We know downtime in a country club for repairs is a huge burden, so we offer temporary replacement tables while restoring yours to ensure your club can keep running without skipping a beat.

Upholstery

Most fabric furniture will need to be upholstered at least once in its lifetime and furniture in higher trafficked areas will need upholstery several times. Upholstered furniture can easily become stained, torn, or worn out when it’s well-loved. In order to keep it looking pristine, you’ll need to invest in quality upholstery .

Painting

The tone of a room is vital to providing a comfortable and inviting environment where your members can build relationships with other like-minded individuals. Chipped, flakey, or out-of-style paint can diminish the ambiance of a room. Wehrli Furniture’s professional painting service brings new life to any furniture, trim, door, or cabinetry.

Custom Design

When restoration, upholstery, or painting aren’t quite right for your furniture needs, we offer one more service to make sure our customers are fully taken care of. Custom design gives unlimited freedom to create the perfect piece of furniture for your space. We invite our customers into every aspect of the design process, like determining the size, material, color schemes, finish shine preference and more.

One of our first priorities when designing a custom piece is to consider the room the piece will reside in. This ensures that it will blend in seamlessly with the existing space, by sharing mutual aspects such as a specific material or color scheme. Another specialty of ours is adding unique features to custom design pieces like a hidden drawer or a pull-out shelf. We want our pieces to meet every need and desire you may have. Every piece is built with the highest quality material and expert craftsmanship to withstand years of use and withstand heavy traffic.

Evolution Furniture is the answer to all your furniture restoration and design needs. We ensure the utmost care of each piece we have the honor to work on because we believe our services help others display their most welcoming atmosphere and highest quality care. For all your professional furniture needs, get in touch today!

Financial Advantages of Commercial Furniture Restoration

Wed, 08 May 2019 11:02:00 GMT

All furniture sustains normal wear and tear, such as occasional spills. Commercial furniture, on the other hand, incurs more wear and tear than normal. However, it’s important to maintain the quality of your commercial furniture, as it sets the stage for the professionalism of your business. Replacing furniture when it’s damaged can become very expensive, especially if you replace it frequently. What can you do to ensure that your furniture doesn’t fall apart and require frequent replacement?

Normal Wear

The best way to maintain your furniture is to clean it regularly with an appropriate solution. Vacuum upholstered furniture weekly and be sure to clean the cracks and between the cushions. If the seat portion is removable, vacuum all sides and rotate the cushions several times a year to promote even wear. Most upholstered furniture will specify on the label which types of cleaner can be used, so be sure to check your label prior to applying any chemical cleaners.

Leather furniture can be vacuumed as well. The best cleaning mixture for leather includes a mixture of mild dish soap and water. Be sure to dry the leather completely to protect it from water damage. Also, always use the gentlest cleaning solution first and work your way up to a stronger solution, if necessary.

Upholstery Repair

When these methods aren’t enough to revive your furniture back to glory, it may be time for a restoration and upholstery professional to take over. When you choose upholstery repair, you have the freedom to match your existing pattern or update the pattern, color, or material for a more modern look. Upholstery also prolongs the life of your furniture, as you can add extra padding or batting as needed. You can even choose a more stain-resistant material if your furniture is prone to spills to help reduce the need for frequent replacement.

Restoration and Repair

If your chair cushion is not the only thing in need of repair, restoration is a great option. Professional restoration can resolve nearly any issue, such as broken legs, worn varnish, or out-of-date detailing. If the stability of your furniture is questionable, restoration can ensure the finished product is durable and attractive. You also have the freedom to upgrade the material of the damaged furniture with a more modern option to fit your current style or color scheme. Restoration frees you from the modern constraints of purchasing replacement furniture from big-box retailers who have very limited options.

Evolution Furniture provides a solution for commercial furniture restoration needs. Rather than spend money on replacing all your damaged furniture each season, choose the more affordable option for your quality commercial furniture. Our professional furniture services also include painting and custom design to ensure all your furniture needs are met. Contact us today to begin your commercial restoration project or to see our recently completed projects.

The Pitfalls of Old Wood Furniture Restoration

Wed, 17 Apr 2019 14:50:00 GMT

It’s never fun to share bad news, and it’s not fun to share the pitfalls of restoring old wood furniture—but someone has to. We really don’t want to watch anyone end up with something they aren’t proud of or something that won’t last. There are plenty of projects that can be tackled by anyone but this may be one to leave to the professionals. Here are three reasons you may want to reconsider tackling an old wood furniture restoration project on your own.

It May Not Be Worth It

We want to be honest with you: some things are not worth refinishing. We won’t mention any brand names, but low-cost, mass-manufactured furniture isn’t meant to last a lifetime and isn’t intended to be a family heirloom. It can be exciting to find a cheap wood piece of furniture at a garage sale and have big plans for a cool restoration project. Be aware, however, that if you purchase a piece of wood furniture that’s been painted, it was usually painted for a reason. Paint can easily hide water stains, burns, or missing veneer which can make restoration nearly impossible.

You May Not Finish

Not to insult anyone’s skill level, we’ve just seen this happen a few times. A lofty project is formed with plans to finish in bits and pieces, but you might run out of time. If this happens, the half-finished project will sit there, taking up space. It’s okay! We understand that time isn’t always on your side, other projects take precedence, and materials are quickly exhausted. That’s nothing to be ashamed of. We’d love to help finish your restoration project. We can pick up where you left off or take it in a totally different direction. Let us take your inspiration and make it a reality.

Refinishing Can Diminish Value

This is much less common, but still a factor to be wary of. Furniture built before the 1900s is not to be restored without professional expertise. The value of antique furniture is significantly higher than anything built within this century; therefore, antiques require careful craftsmanship to ensure the protection of their integrity. Attempting to restore an aged piece on your own may diminish its value and may result in something that requires more restoration than the original piece. After so many episodes of American Pickers , we can all imagine the scenario of having something of immense value and not even knowing it. Be sure to do your research before you buy, toss, or repurpose a family heirloom piece.

At any moment, your professional furniture restoration experts are ready to step in and restore your wood furniture. At Wehrli Furniture, we know how exciting it can be to transform an old piece of furniture into something new—this is why we’ve made our profession out of it! We also know how important it is to have the finished product look exactly how you imagined. Our professional furniture services include painting, upholstery, and custom design, to ensure that all your furniture needs are covered. To begin your restoration project, give us a call, submit a work request, or view our gallery for inspiration.

The Art of Stripping and Refinishing Wood Furniture

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 13:29:00 GMT

Before your furniture can be transformed and renewed, it needs to be thoroughly cleaned of the old paint or stain. If you try to add new stain without stripping, the finished product won’t be as durable and the longevity of the final finish will be decreased. Keep in mind, when painting furniture you don’t need to strip because you can just scrub it clean and sand it to be ready for a new coat of paint. The art of stripping and refinishing is just that, art. Because it requires expertise in order to thoroughly strip and stain an old piece to bring it back to life.

Stripping Process

Safety is always a priority when it comes to furniture restoration. The chemicals used for stripping can be dangerous to your skin, eyes, and lungs so be sure to wear long sleeves, goggles, and a breathing mask. Choosing the right stripping agent is more of a preference based on speed. Some stripping products take several layers while a more aggressive product works quicker. Be sure to work in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors but at least with the windows and doors open.

The tools required for stripping are protective gear, a metal container to hold the stripper, paintbrush, assorted putty knives, abrasive pads, round scraping tools, and a protected surface to work on. A few things to remember not all pieces of furniture are worth stripping and refinishing. And the ones that are worth it, may require a professional touch to strip, repair, and refinish properly. The last thing you want is a finished product that isn’t better than the starting point.

Refinishing Process

The creative part of this entire process lies in the creation of a new look for your furniture. Choosing the right stain for your furniture lies mostly in preference of the color you are looking for. If you would like a professional opinion, our craftsmen would be happy to advise a color based on the room it will call home. Choosing a high-quality stain and the right tools makes a huge difference in the outcome of your refinished item. Depending on the wood grain of your furniture, you may need a grain filler if it has wide wood grain to help the stain take better. Stain should always be applied in thin layers to ensure an even finish. Only you can assess your skill level when it comes to stripping and refinishing so if you don’t feel confident in the outcome of your piece, take it to your local refinishing experts, Evolution Furniture.

While there are many articles online on how to strip and refinish furniture when you have a piece of furniture with sentimental value, an antique, or a high-quality piece, trust the process to the professionals at Wehrli Furniture. Our expert craftsmen take immense care for each project they work on because they know customers entrust their most cherished furniture to them. Our professional furniture services include restoration, painting, upholstery, and custom design. Call us today to begin your next project or visit our website for inspiration.

Reviving Water-Damaged Furniture

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 08:48:00 GMT

Water damage comes from several common scenarios, flooding, leaky windows, or spills left unattended. The extent of water damaged furniture can vary depending on the level of moisture, the length of time it had been exposed, and the quality of the furniture. Extensive water damage to low-quality furniture is often not worth the time and attention to restore but high-quality and sentimental furniture is always worth the effort to revive.

Do Not

One rule of thumb for furniture restoration is to know when to stop. There are plenty of DIY remedies and “tips” for reviving water-damaged furniture online. But what these sites don’t tell you is that some furniture isn’t worth saving or isn’t worth slathering in mayonnaise. And yes, that is a real solution you’ll find online. Companies know how often water damage can occur and they know how to advertise to those in need of restoration, and some of those may just waste your time and waste your money.

Be careful to not expose your water-damaged furniture to direct sunlight outdoors. It may cause the wood to warp and buckle which would make reviving much more difficult and time-consuming. Sanding down the surface or scratching the surface off will not only increase the damage but will make restoration a more intensive project.

It’s important to treat moldy water-damaged furniture with extreme caution and wear protective gear if you have to handle it. Mold spores that become airborne can be breathed which can cause respiratory issues or for those with a mold allergy the reaction can be more severe.

Do

What you can do is promote airflow through the space your water-damaged furniture is in. Depending on the level of moisture, airflow can significantly aid the natural expulsion of the water. So bring your damaged furniture into a larger room and add a few extra fans to help dry the furniture out. Baking soda is known to help absorb moisture so liberally sprinkling it on the furniture can help aid in removing excess water.

The smartest thing you can do is trust the experts at Wehrli Furniture. Water-damaged furniture reviving and restoration should be something you take seriously which means you should want the process done right. We take extreme care when restoring quality, antique, or sentimental furniture because we know the value you place on it is not only fiscal value but emotional value as well.

Professional furniture services from Wehrli Furniture is your answer to reviving water-damaged furniture. Our craftsmen take their knowledge and skill and use them to provide custom furniture solutions for your unique needs and desires. Professional furniture services from Wehrli Furniture include restoration, upholstery, painting, and custom design. To begin your water-restoration project today, give us a call or visit our website to learn more about our services and to be inspired by some of our recent work.

Repainting Commercial Furniture Can Add Business Value

Thu, 20 Dec 2018 21:01:00 GMT

When it comes to repainting commercial furniture , a popular underlying principle holds true: that which is old can be new again. Strong, highly crafted commercial furniture has enduring value. Age and wear may have taken the shine off the surface, but if the sturdy base remains intact, it is worth renewal.

Repainting Commercial Furniture Can Add Value

There are numerous blog posts that discuss discount and easy ways to DIY strip and paint old furniture. There is little dispute that it can be accomplished by just about anyone with a can of stripper and a paint brush. However, the outcome may look far less appealing than those on the DIY post.

In terms of repainting commercial furniture, it’s imperative to work with a professional. And, just as there will be a quality difference between the handy homeowner and a professional painter, another can exist between professionals and high-level artisans. The difference may lie between simple repurposing and adding value to a weathered item.

Top tier furniture craftsmen often undertake a rehabilitation process that brings the piece back to its very roots. Disassembled and manicured down the original surface, these pieces are restored in a fashion consistent with their original creation. Of course, repainting commercial furniture that is decades old may call for a contemporary or highly styled new look.

Why Upcycling Commercial Furniture Matters

The condition of the piece may determine the direction of the rehabilitation . The greater the wear or damage, the more likely to reinvestment will grow. That being said, wood, veneer, metal and other materials may be upcycled.

In commercial settings such as hotels and restaurants, furniture has been strategically repainted to embrace a specific ambiance. Distressed or white washing techniques can augment its period value while presenting as a clean, quality work. These artful directions provide patrons and colleagues with the idea that the items have been repurposed due to their innate craftsmanship. And, purposefulness can be a key factor when repainting commercial furniture rather than purchasing new.

Updating your furniture to enhance your commercial design often translates into others viewing the space and business as high quality. Upcycled commercial furniture can have a far greater overall impact than merely its utilitarian value. Beyond sitting, dining, or laying out a marketing plan, commercial furniture expresses the nature of the business and business’ ownership. By repainting commercial furniture in a unique and masterful fashion, it can form a first and lasting impression.

Contact Wehrli Furniture for Commercial Furniture Refinishing

At Evolution Furniture , our skilled craftsman can walk you through the consultation process or provide an estimate for your vision today. Reach out to us today to see how we can complete your project!

Hotel Restoration Work: A Quality First Impression

Fri, 30 Nov 2018 16:18:00 GMT

The average hotel has 115 rooms, this average includes the notorious MGM in Las Vegas which has a whopping 6,772 rooms. There is a huge variation in US hotels but nonetheless, they all have similarities: doors, tables, reception desks, and a lobby or lounge area. Rather than touching on the unique qualities and furniture, we can focus on the universal need for hotel restoration work.

Doors

You may not always equate the quality of your hotel room with the quality of your door but it is the first impression you create. A door with chipped or worn paint does not display the quality you have worked hard to display. Usher your guest into their room with a beautifully restored door from Wehrli Furniture. We can even restore fire doors without voiding their warranty and maintaining their quality.

Whether its a side table, dining table, or coffee table, it’s lifespan is limited. Hotel guests value having a place to relax when they book a stay in a hotel and if their table quality is subpar, they’ll quickly notice. Table restoration requires a craftsman to ensure the quality and integrity of the table remains at the forefront of the restoration process. The table cannot merely look nice, it must feel nice and withstand high levels of use.

Not often a place your guest spend a lot of time but a place that is visited by your guests at least once during their stay. The reception area and desk, in particular, must exude an air of welcoming presence paired with quality. It’s not enough to cover scuffs with a quick touch up of paint or hide a stain with a potted plant, your guest can see through the band-aids and will likely assume a mentality of mediocrity. (is this too strongly worded?) At Wehrli Furniture, we can restore your reception desk to a like new state and help prolong its durability by using high-quality materials and methods of restoration.

Tacky hotel furniture is a remnant of the past. Gone are the days of wallpaper overload, upholstery nightmares, and illusion-inducing carpet patterns. I’m sure you can all picture what I’m talking about here. We want to help you bring your lounge and lobby into this century by restoring, reupholstering, and painting the furniture you already have. Redesigning and purchasing new furniture can take a toll on the budget but restoration gives you the opportunity to maintain the layout of your room but bring it into this century.

Hotel furniture restoration from Wehrli Furniture is the solution. Our professional restoration service is under the care and expertise of craftsmen who know quality and style. They would be happy to help you come up with the perfect color scheme to match the setting of the rooms and hotel style. We ensure your furniture returns not only looking beautiful but also functioning to the highest durability possible. For inspiration, to view our recent work, or to submit a work request, visit our website or call us today.

The Value of Refinishing Restaurant Tables

Tue, 16 Oct 2018 10:24:00 GMT

It should come as no surprise that Americans love food, and all different types to be exact. In the Spring of 2016 alone, 19 million people visited a full-service restaurant and a whopping 49 million visited a quick service restaurant in the US. We could estimate that about 275 million people visit at least one restaurant each year. No wonder restaurant tables never seem to look nice and new. So what is the next step once an update is needed?

Refinishing

High quality refinishing is often the most cost-effective option for restaurant owners. By keeping the same tables that fit perfectly in their layout, they are able to keep the design of their restaurant while acquiring nearly brand-new tables, and eliminating waste. Refinishing requires a deep cleaning of each component of the table to remove any food, chemical, or oil residue. It is then tested to ensure structural integrity and repaired if needed. It’s nearly impossible to find a restaurant table in perfect condition, but we want to return them in as close to perfect shape as we can. The color of the tables can remain the same or they can be changed at the request of the owner. Sealing with a polyurethane spray can help protect from future dents, scratches, and chips.

Can My Table Be Refinished?

If you’re curious if your restaurant or bar tables are candidates for refinishing, they are. Tabletops can be made from different materials including plastics and woods which makes them perfectly suited for refinishing. Even veneer tables, a much thinner material, can be refinished but they require careful and expert craftsmanship to be refinished properly. Trusting your refinishing to the experts is well worth it to ensure your tables are refinished using quality products by professionals.

Why Refinish?

Mass produced tables are made quickly which often means they lack the durability needed for restaurant and bar tables. This lack of durability leads to a necessity to repurchase more frequently and an inefficient use of profits. That’s why when it’s time to replace, repurchasing new ones isn’t always cost-effective. Choosing to refinish with Wehrli Furniture is a great way to stick to a budget, keep your tables, extend their life, and support sustainability within your restaurant.

We’re in the market of affordable, high-quality professional furniture services. In fact, this isn’t just a job, it’s our passion. By helping our customers come up with a solution to their needs, we are able to use our talents and creativity to produce something that is not only functional but beautiful as well. When it’s time for your restaurant or bar tables to get a facelift, give us a call or submit a work request . Be sure to browse our gallery to spark your inspiration for your project.

Commercial and Residential Restoration Expertise

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 13:43:00 GMT

Snap, crack, scratch, peel. There are plenty of sounds you may hear when furniture is damaged, but unfortunately, not much can be done to prevent it. Furniture is integral in our lives, but it isn’t built to last forever. That’s where restoration comes in to save the day!

What Is Restoration

Restoration is an extensive process that begins with hand stripping of the piece. It’s followed by a thorough rinsing and cleaning to remove any oils, residues, or old finish. Every detail of the restoration process is done carefully to ensure the integrity and strength of the piece is maintained. Once the piece is cleaned, it is examined to replace or repair any broken, weakened, or missing parts. Then it’s time to rebuild and paint. When the paint or stain has dried, several coats of pre-catalyzed lacquer is applied to give increased durability and clarity to the wood.

Why Choose Restoration

The first reason to choose restoration is the obvious need for it. Furniture can look worn over time, paint can chip or peel, and seat cushions can deflate or become lumpy. Restoration solves all of these issues in one fell swoop. One of the many perks of restoration is the opportunity to update the stain, paint, or fabric of the original piece. As tastes, styles, and times change, choosing a new color can give you the opportunity to completely update the look of your home or business. Even just restoring and refinishing a few pieces can entirely change the tone of the room. Don’t replace, renew the pieces you love.

Is there a family heirloom piece or a garage sale find you’ve been loving but know it needs a bit of TLC? Restoration is the answer for these perfect project pieces. Solid wood pieces are not easy to find these days but they are often great candidates for restoration. With quality repair and restaining or painting, these pieces can live on for several generations and be updated with new hardware.

Restoration Experts

DIY is not the route to take when looking to update your favorite furniture pieces. Choosing a restoration expert is vital to ensure your furniture is cared for properly during the entire process and the finished product is as flawless as can be. Quality restoration from Wehrli Furniture brings function and beauty along with a like new condition to furniture, doors, trim, and cabinets. There is no project too big or too small for quality restoration,

Wehrli Furniture is your Chicagoland commercial and residential restoration experts, ready to take on any project you have in mind. From the big-ticket restoration of conference room tables to the intricate and detailed restoration work of an antique heirloom chair, we do it all. Our professional furniture services also include upholstery, painting, and custom design. To get started on your next restoration project give us a call or submit a work request .

Restoring Fire-Rated Doors

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 13:53:00 GMT

When is it too late to replace your fire-rated doors? Building fires are something you must prepare for because they occur without warning. That’s why it is so important to ensure your fire doors are up-to-code and ready to do their job. But purchasing fire doors isn’t cheap and you don’t want to add new veneer over the existing without getting it re-tested to make certain you do not null the warranty. What other options do you have?

What Are Fire-Rated Doors?

Let’s back up real quick. First, we need to define what a fire door is and why they’re so important. Fire-rated doors are made to help prevent a fire from spreading quickly. They’re often made from solid timber and other flame-resistant materials such as glass and metal. Regular doors can quickly become engulfed and fuel the fire, but a fire-rated door will help slow the spread, giving the building inhabitants more time to escape. These doors are found in many commercial buildings, especially in hotels, schools, and office buildings.

Why Refinish?

Hotels and businesses tend to wait until these doors are completely worn down and then they pay thousands to have them replaced. Wehrli Furniture refinished these fire doors for a fraction of the cost of replacement. If you’re interested in our refinishing services, check out a project we completed at the Hilton Chicago/Oak Brook Hills Resort.

Why Choose Wehrli?

We want to help you protect your business and save money. At Evolution Furniture , we constantly look for ways we can improve the lives of our customers by providing high-quality craftsmanship while maintaining affordability. We know it can be hard to find the right product for the right price, and sometimes its flat-out impossible. Refinishing your fire-rated doors with Wehrli is the solution. Our professional refinishing service allows you the freedom to save money, keep the items you love, and to protect the environment from waste. We also offer painting, restoration, and upholstery services.

Tips for Refinishing Outdoor Furniture

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 20:40:00 GMT

Outdoor furniture can add a lot to outdoor spaces, whether a front porch, deck, or patio. Unfortunately, they are not set-it-and-forget-it pieces. Sun, rain, and wind take a toll on the finish over time, and if left without occasional care, not only will the finish deteriorate, the wood itself will as well.

If they are not in good enough condition for refinishing or repainting, they will have to be discarded and replaced. That might save you some time and effort, but it will certainly cost more.

The good news is that doesn’t have to be the case. These pieces can be either refinished or repainted, bringing them back to their original beauty and function. The key is to inspect them each year, either at the beginning or end of the summer season, and to take care of them properly, using the correct techniques and materials.

Refinishing for a Natural Look

When you prefer the natural beauty of the wood to shine, refinishing is the process you’ll want to follow. The first step is to remove the old finish, first by power washing to get all dirt, debris and flaking old finish off, and then sanding to remove any remaining finish and give the piece smooth surfaces.

Next, apply a new lacquer finish using either traditional paintbrushes or a foam brush. Lacquer comes in a wide variety of different colors for you to choose from. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on drying time between coats.

Another option is to use an oil-based wood stain followed by a clear polyurethane coat or an all-in-one gel stain, which has the stain and protective coating together. Again, follow manufacturer’s instructions for drying times.

Repainting Can Add Style

Repainting outdoor furniture allows you to change colors if you are considering a different overall look for the area the piece is placed. For instance, you may have found some great new seat cushions, but they don’t work with the current color of the chairs you have. The easy, and cost-effective way to fix that is to repaint it. Chances are, if you haven’t done so recently, your outdoor furniture is probably in need of some TLC.

When choosing paint, it’s not only the color that is important. You’ll need to make sure to select one for outdoor use so your furniture is protected from moisture and sun damage. Keep in mind that extreme weather conditions take a toll on any outdoor furniture and you will want to check for any chipping or flaking of the paint when the season ends.

Loose or peeling paint has to be removed so the new paint adheres well to the surface of your furniture. You can use a power washer first, but will need to follow up with some elbow grease, using the implement(s) of your choice, such as sandpaper, steel wool, a wire brush, or a scraper.

Once you have prepped the surface, you may want to consider a primer, unless the paint you choose says no primer is needed. Spray-on paint is another option, and it usually dries faster and requires less clean-up. Some spray-on paints also do not require a primer, saving you a step.

It comes down to personal preference when choosing the type of paint to use. Whichever you choose, remember to paint or spray on thin coats as they will dry faster and you will end up with a harder finish.

Whether you refinish or repaint, make sure to do it in a shed or garage where dirt and debris can’t land on the tacky surface while drying.

If you don’t have the time or energy to refinish or repaint the furniture yourself, contact Evolution Furniture . We will be glad to help you bring your outdoor furniture back to life.

Veneer Conference Table: Back to Life Through Refinishing

Fri, 01 Jun 2018 19:55:00 GMT

Refinishing tables can run the gamut, from a standard piece that offers no challenges, but is a comfortable, sturdy piece that turns out beautifully, to those that could be considered fussy, a challenge, or even tedious.

Tedious doesn’t have to mean frustrating, though. Rather, it could mean very exacting, detailed work that results in a satisfying project. Most often, when thinking of a table that needs refinishing, one might think of a piece with detailed carving and enough nooks and crannies to challenge anyone’s patience.

Imagine, then, a long table—very long—that is polished perfectly smooth without a single flaw to catch on a sweater. A prime example of this is a veneer conference table. At first glance, it might seem as though it is a simple refinishing project, with few surprises. To look at a 16-foot-long conference table, it is deceptive in its simplicity. Under the gloss, however, a veneer table is made of fiberboard with a veneer over the top. This means that there can be no dipping the table in order to strip it. Instead, the craftsman will have to use a gel stripper and strip it by hand so that the fiberboard won’t expand due to moisture.

What is a Veneer Table

Made to look like a solid wood table, due to the veneer, most tables are actually made up of two pieces. These pieces need to match up perfectly and that means the veneer must be treated very carefully when sanding it. Veneer is typically thinner than 3 mm and glued to the flat surface.

Work like this demands not only a great deal of time and patience but a level of expertise that only a craftsman can acquire over many years, working on many difficult projects. One wrong move and the veneer could be irreparably damaged. The polyurethane used as a finish will need to be chosen to measure up to the wear and tear the surface will receive. As a result, the table will retain its beauty and usefulness for many more years.

If you have a key piece of furniture in your business or home, rather than throw it away or chop it up for firewood, consider bringing new life to it through restoration. You can not only have it pulled apart and re-glued, you can also choose a different color stain, or even have it painted.

Our expert craftsman have the experience and patience to take on any job. They will be happy to evaluate your piece, explain what the potential is for it, build a plan together with you to address the problem areas, and develop a cost analysis. Our team can also custom build conferences table to fit any environment, and daily use.

Refinishing a Conference Table is a Great Investment

Tue, 15 May 2018 18:55:00 GMT

That old conference table has seen, and heard, a lot.

A furniture restorer might be able to actually tell a tale about the table itself, though, based on its bumps and scrapes and scratches. Even more, he can tell you about the table’s makeup, how it was built, what woods were used, where it was made, its approximate age, and whether or not it would be worth refinishing.

Sometimes a table cannot be saved, even though to the inexperienced eye it looks like a quick hit of sandpaper and a squirt of polyurethane would take care of it. Pros will tell you that often, the most innocent-looking piece can turn into a nightmare project, costing them far more hours and aggravation than they had anticipated.

Refinishing, a Wise Choice

As the conference table is likely the most costly of all furniture in your office, looking into refinishing it is a wise move. There are all sorts of conference tables, from solid wood to live edge and even veneer. Solid wood and live edge trees are extremely heavy and can be a challenge to move.

Veneer is much lighter by comparison, making it easier to maneuver, but due to the thin layer of wood veneer, a very detailed, careful repair that should only be entrusted to a skilled craftsman. One wrong move could put a hole in it and become a costly disaster.

Refinishing conference tables not only brings beauty back to a worn out but solid piece of furniture, it can also be done in such a way to change the color of the piece to match a new color scheme, similar to the job we completed for Fusion Systems about 18 months ago. The biggest challenge in that project was moving the heavy conference table out of their office and into our facility.

Veneer refinishing can be a labor-intensive job, thanks to the need for hand stripping. This is generally due to the material underneath the veneer being incompatible with the dipping system that can easily be used on solid hardwood furniture. Getting that material, often medium density fiberboard (MDF), wet by dipping would result in a sponge-like mass.

Not only can Evolution Furniture bring life back to a veneer conference table, they have plenty of experience building new, custom furniture to match the existing. One of those projects, for Cantara Financial , had 11 pieces refinished and four new to match the newly refinished pieces.

If you are interested in refinishing conference tables, no matter the type, be sure to contact the specialists at Wehrli Furniture. Our professionals have the experience to give expert advice on whether to replace or refinish your conference table.

Updating Commercial Upholstery

Wed, 02 May 2018 15:34:00 GMT

It’s easy to consider the DIY option of upholstery with a single piece of furniture or a pillow but on a larger, commercial scale, DIY is not even a consideration. Commercial upholstery provides a custom solution to a problem that many business owners face. Daily wear and tear of cloth furniture is manageable over the years but with excessive use, they can take quite a beating. You need an expert you can trust to bring your furniture back to its former glory while keeping the integrity of the piece fully intact. Wehrli Furniture provides exceptional commercial upholstery, repair, painting, and more!

Replace or Upholster?

There are benefits to both sides of the replace versus reupholster question. Choosing to replace an entire set of furniture can be quite costly but it does give you the option to choose a different base or material to work with. You can also change the configuration of the room by adding entirely new pieces. If your base is not quality and unable to withstand further wear, it may be time to upgrade to a whole new set. However, if your furniture is still in good condition, as many solid wood pieces are, reupholstery is your best option. You don’t have to buy all new furniture in order to give your room a facelift.

What Does Upholstery Do For Me?

Upholstery often provides a greater cost benefit than replacing does which allows you greater freedom in choosing the quantity and style of the fabric you want to use. You have the option to upholster just the pieces that needs it with identical fabric or upholster the entire set to update the color, style, or feel of the entire room.

While updating style is a great reason to choose upholstery, even if the style is classic the fabric may be ripped, torn, or stained. This may be one of the more urgent needs that lead upholstery to be required, especially for solid wood pieces. Another benefit to upholstery is the ability to add or replace cushioning to the seat. After some time, cushioning can become matted down or misshapen which creates an uncomfortable seat but is easy to replace when upholstering.

Why Evolution Furniture?

The upholstery experts at Wehrli Furniture provide unparalleled and superior customer service for each upholstery, restoration, painting, and custom design job we perform. Our upholstery revives the worn-down appearance of fabric furniture and allows the customization and updating of a new pattern or color for the entire room. Our restoration and painting service also provides our customers the option to repair any nicks or scratches on the piece.

When you face the dilemma of replacing or upholstering, commercial upholstery from Wehrli Furniture is the simple answer. High-quality craftsmanship from Wehrli Furniture ensures a longer lifespan for your solid pieces and a beautifully updated style to enhance the appearance of your room. Call us today to begin your project or visit our website to see some of our recent work.

How to Decide Whether You Should Refinish or Paint Your Old Furniture

Fri, 27 Apr 2018 22:30:00 GMT

Most furniture experts agree it’s better to renew your old furniture rather than replace it with something new. Granted, there are times when it is time to get rid of something old. Burnt orange shag carpet is always on that list, but not all old things are destined for the garbage. Professionals caution not to toss wood furniture with abandon. Why? Because chances are good there’s not only life left in it, but the potential for greatness you haven’t considered. Before dragging that old scarred table across the hardwood floor, out the door, and down to the curb, stop. Consider what the experts advise.

Evaluate Current Condition

Making a rash decision is never wise. In every decision-making process, evaluation is key. You need to evaluate the current condition of your furniture to see if it still has life left to give or if it’s time to kick it to the curb. Extensive fire or water damage is irreversible but mild water damage can be recoverable depending on the condition of the piece. Cracks in wood can be repaired, loose screws can be tightened, and peeling paint is a simple fix. Many wood furniture pieces are not beyond repair, it just means you’ll have to put in the time and effort to have them repaired. Better yet, you’ll have to find the right professional to restore it for you.

You should also consider the need your furniture meets. Does it hold your clothes, does it provide a seat, is it a stable table? Even if the answer to these is a hesitant yes, a professional can help make sure the final piece meets your exact needs and wants. Drawers can be added, cushioning can be provided, and stability can be added. It’s all a matter of how much you love the piece and want to continue its lifespan.

Signs of Needed Refinishing

There are a few noticeable signs you may see that signal a clear need for furniture refinishing or repainting . Some are personal preference while some leave your furniture exposed to further and potentially irreversible damage. Either way, there’s usually a clear sign that you’ll need to seek a professional furniture restoration expert to revive it soon.

Peeling or flaking paint
The stain has worn out unevenly
Rings or watermarks visible
The surface feels uneven or sticky
Exposed wood
Change in style

Personal Preference or Professional Opinion?

A decision is often driven by personal preference. It’s when indecision sets in that a coin comes in handy. Or, if you aren’t a fan of leaving things to chance, there are some things to consider. If your grandma would gasp on Thanksgiving when she sees you painted the 150-year-old armoire, you might want to rethink that chalk paint you’ve been eyeing. If the item is an antique, basic research should be done to avoid a decision that could diminish its value. An antique wood piece should always be refinished by a professional to ensure its integrity is kept intact and the finished product doesn’t diminish its monetary and sentimental value.

Refinishing shows off the beauty of the wood itself, while painting shows off a decorating style and color choice. Painting can also cover imperfections and allows for versatility in decorating. It can blend in or stand out, be wild and unique, or it can be stately. It could also offer some cost savings, but a quality paint job is never cheap.

DIY or Don’t DIY

No matter which side of the painting/refinishing fence you land on, workmanship is key. If you choose to do it yourself, make sure you are prepared. Both the refinishing and painting process can lead to difficulty or challenges if you’re not experienced in furniture restoration. If you intend to display your piece prominently in your home or business, a professional is the way to go. What if you don’t have any cool, old worn-out furniture to restore? Have some fun hunting for some at a garage or estate sale. Not only could you discover some great finds at reasonable prices, but the added cost of having them professionally restored or painted could still be less than new and, if it’s older than 1960, it was probably built better than much of the furniture produced today.

If you want a fun project to spend quality time alone, with a friend, or your child, refinishing a lower-quality piece is a fine option. If you choose the DIY route, and lovingly strip every layer of paint off an old table, only to discover that it was made from scraps of wood in a quirky mosaic even a five-year-old could improve on, it’s ok. You can still paint right over it.

There are a few times we’d approve of a DIY project when it comes to furniture restoration. Part of our hesitation comes from the fact that we know the outcome won’t be perfect and partly because we’ve seen projects started and never finished. We want your finished piece to be something you’re proud of and a piece you can pass on to your children. Family heirlooms begin somewhere, so start one.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Choosing Quality Craftsmanship

If you’re tired, don’t have the time, or aren’t convinced your DIY skills meet your expectations, our team at Evolution Furniture is ready to take on your project and give you peace of mind. We will help you sort through the many options, walk you through the process, and make sure the choice you make is the right one for your ideal outcome. Our restoration experts know how to properly and carefully refinish or repaint any type of furniture and ensure the finished product is beautiful and durable. It’s not just our job, it’s our passion to revive old wood furniture and create an item in your home or office that will bring you joy as it satisfies a functional need. We meet all your furniture needs by offering professional furniture services including restoration, painting, upholstery, and custom design. Contact us today to begin your refinishing project and be sure to check out our gallery to view our previous projects for inspiration and affirmation you’ve chosen the right team to take on your task.

Why Choose Kitchen Table Refinishing

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 15:31:00 GMT

If your table is like most family-friendly surfaces, there is a bit of paint that won’t come off, along with dents and scratches from years of wear and tear. This table is loved but it has seen much better days. The choice to refinishing this beloved piece of furniture is easy if you wouldn’t dare toss it into the garbage and buy a new one. Many people don’t give their worn kitchen table a second thought, they toss or sell it and head to the nearest retail store to replace it with a cookie-cutter option.

Restore It

Kitchen table refinishing is more than throwing a tablecloth over the dents and stains, it’s a top to bottom process that requires professional craftsmanship. You could attempt to do the work yourself but it will take more time, energy, and patience to receive the desired outcome. The restoration experts at Wehrli Furniture have the simple solution. They work with each individual budget to help create the ideal outcome while preventing you from breaking the bank.

Their restoration process begins with careful stripping and cleaning to remove oil residues and old finish. This process is done by hand to ensure every inch is taken care of and the integrity of the table is kept intact. Then the table is taken apart to reinforce any broken or weakened parts and put back together for the final steps. Color and stain options are nearly endless at this point. Restoration sets the stage for all the future love and usage your kitchen table will receive so don’t leave your kitchen table restoration to anyone but the pros.

Paint It

Wehrli Furniture also provides professional painting services. Furniture painting can transform the look of your entire room while updating your kitchen table for years of future use. The high-quality painting process at Wehrli begins just like their restoration process. A deep cleaning ensures the paint will stick and helps rid the surface from oils and residues left behind. They can match any existing piece of furniture or color or pick one to match the former color. If you need help with your color choice, feel free to bring a photo or two of the room your kitchen table calls home and they can help you choose a color that will enhance its beauty and fit right into its existing environment.

Your kitchen table is home to family dinners, memories created, and so much more. It isn’t easy to let go of such an important piece of furniture. Kitchen table refinishing from Wehrli Furniture offers new life to beloved kitchen tables while providing the best craftsmanship available in the Naperville area. Their services extend to upholstery and custom design as well to offer all you could possibly need for your furniture needs. When you are in the market for a new kitchen table, consider kitchen table refinishing from Wehrli Furniture. You can’t go wrong with a high-quality upgrade while keeping one of the most used and loved pieces of furniture in your home.

When Life Gives You Lemons: Furniture Edition

Mon, 16 Apr 2018 14:57:00 GMT

From spacing issues to storage shortages, homeowners face a myriad of problems and difficulties from the moment they purchase or build a new home. A home is a blessing to have, but when life gives you lemons, Wehrli Furniture can help you make the best lemonade out there. Our services provide customers with a one-stop-shop for all repair, updating, and custom design needs.

Furniture Repair

Life is meant to be lived well and furniture is meant to be used, but this can lead to serious damage and wear and tear over the years. Even slight knicks can become broken chair legs or sharp and dangerous edges. Our repair experts work hard to ensure your piece comes back to you in like-new condition, ready to be loved for years to come.

Upholstery

Whether you want to reupholster a piece you’ve owned for years or one you picked up recently, we can help! Upholstery is the perfect solution to high-quality pieces that need a bit of TLC. Stains, rips, or discoloration can be fabric furniture’s worst nightmare, but we are the solution to all of these unavoidable issues. Our upholstery service helps prolong the life of the pieces you love and can be tailored to your specific style and taste throughout the years.

Painting

A quality coat of paint can transform the look and feel of nearly any piece of furniture in any room. Our painting service isn’t a cheap DIY quality. We use the best paint products and are able to match it to any color from an existing piece of furniture or a paint fan. Our process includes hand sanding, cleaning, and prep before we paint to ensure the longest lasting and highest durability for each piece. Before you decide to buy new furniture that isn’t quite right, let Wehrli Furniture create the exact color you’re looking for and update the one you already love.

No matter the dilemma, Evolution Furniture is your furniture fix! We provide custom solutions to unique problems while protecting the original integrity of your piece. Quality craftsmanship and superior customer service are two of our main goals which is why we have excellent customer reviews and ratings from all our past projects! If you are looking for a solution to one or multiple furniture common issues homeowners face, give us a call or fill out our work request form .

Revolutionize Your Kitchen with Cabinet Painting

Wed, 14 Mar 2018 19:48:00 GMT

Upscale, modern homes are full of high-quality works of art, from the frames hung on the wall, the trim work around the doors, and the cabinetry in the kitchen. These homes scream beauty from the moment you step through the door and enchant you with gleaming hardware, plush carpeting, and classy furniture. If this home doesn’t sound like yours, we want to do our part to help you achieve your dream home! Evolution Furniture provides custom kitchen cabinet painting for both old and new cabinetry.

Why Paint?

Kitchen cabinets, built-ins, and libraries take a beating from constant use and accumulate layers of grease and grime. They aren’t built to withstand a lifetime, which is why they will require a new coat or touch up at some point. For most homeowners, the cost of replacing can far outweigh the cost of painting.

Replacing these household items is unnecessary when high-quality painting services are available at Evolution Furniture.

Repainting kitchen cabinets and replacing outdated hardware can revolutionize the entire feel of the kitchen, modernizing the home, and adding elements of class and personal style. While many people attempt to turn this into a do-it-yourself project, without painting expertise, you may be left with kitchen cabinets that show streaks, runs, or uneven thickness.

Remodeling a home can become extremely costly, but can lead to a significant increase in the home’s resale value. For those selling a home, updating kitchen cabinets is a very easy way to increase your home’s appeal and potentially lead to a higher sales price.

Why Choose Evolution?

We are offering this service with two options for our customers, off-site and in-home work, which helps differentiate us from all other painting companies. We bring the cabinets and drawers to our Naperville shop to apply paint and then spray the boxes onsite. Our method is superior because you can’t roll on lacquer or conversion varnish based paint, which is much more durable than latex. Also, a spray application coat is much smoother than using a roller. We can also paint cabinets and built-ins inside the home. Either way, your kitchen will be transformed from worn out to a like-new condition. We have provided our services for years, exceeding customer expectation and satisfaction and also provide touchup work. Call our team to focus on items that display wear in specific spots if you do not have a need to redo all of your cabinets.

Wehrli Furniture specializes in custom designed furniture , upholstery , painting , and restoration projects for home and business owners. Our craftsmen produce high-quality pieces to increase the appeal of your home and provide you with something you can take pride in. We treat each project with extreme care and ensure you are entirely satisfied with the completed work. When your cabinets are in need of a facelift, you can be sure Wehrli Furniture will make them look just as good, if not better than new!

Hotel Furniture Restoration

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 01:22:00 GMT

According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association, there are on average 4.8 million guests staying in hotels each night . 4.8 million people putting wear and tear on nearly every piece of furniture in a hotel room, lobby, and dining room. There are certainly times that are much busier than others, such as holidays and spring breaks, but as a whole, the hotel industry is growing rapidly. Evolution Furniture offers hotel furniture restoration at an affordable price with the highest craftsmanship in the area.

Wear and Tear

Different materials, such as wood and cloth, wear differently. This means each piece of furniture requires different maintenance and care in order to keep it looking its best. With the upkeep of a hotel, these small items often go untouched for much too long and seem beyond the point of normal repair. Paint chips, stain fades, lacquers wear thin, wood dents, scratches and breaks. This is all part of the lifecycle of furniture, but as you strive to present a beautiful hotel with flair and style, eyesore furniture only distracts from the quality you display.

Upholstery

Stains occur in natural life and many of these stains can be taken care of when addressed quickly, and with the right approach. However, in many cases, stains set in well before they are found by hotel management or staff, and the situation is unable to be remedied. These pieces of furniture are frequently tossed to the curb without hesitation but they have life left and require a bit of TLC to reflect their true potential. Our craftsmen can bring these quality pieces back to their former glory and elongate their lifespan with our upholstery service.

Restoration

The goal of our restoration process is to provide our customers with the best service and a product that not only meets but exceeds expectations. We work with only the highest quality materials and tools to produce a piece that is nearly good as new. Restoration can breathe life back into older furniture that has faced excessive wear and tear. As hotel owners and managers seek to upgrade the appeal of their building and its aesthetics, hotel furniture restoration should become a higher priority. Not every visitor will use the business center or the pool, but each guest will rate their experience and factor in the quality of the furniture in their room and in the lobby areas. We also offer onsite touch-ups and can take up to 100 chairs to our facility for future restoration needs.

Evolution Furniture creates flawless restoration pieces for all types of businesses, stores, and homes. Our restoration process has been honed through years of experience and continued education which provides our clients with the best product to enjoy for years. Whether you have one piece or a hundred that need a face-lift, Wehrli Furniture is the company to trust with your restoration project. We also provide upholstery , furniture painting , and custom design furniture! For any hotel furniture restoration needs you have, call us or visit our website to submit a work reques t .

Best Paint for Your Furniture

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 22:50:00 GMT

As your personal style evolves and current trends shift, furniture can quickly become outdated, so choosing the right paint for a restoration or upgrade project can be tricky. With hundreds of brands, color, and finishes on the market, it can take hours of research to find the best paint for your particular project, item, and space. This time-consuming process can take the fun out of a project, but at Evolution Furniture , we utilize high-quality durability paints on all of our projects and we don’t skimp!

Our Pick

There are dozens of popular brands for paint available in nearly every home improvement store, and each brand can seem too similar to narrow down. We believe there are two brands that stand out from the rest, with color selection and quality. Both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams offer exceptional color options and beautiful color schemes to help coordinate color pallets in the home. We take the specific color you choose and turn it into a lacquer-based paint with your desired sheen. This gives the paint a furniture-grade quality that is highly durable, perfect for the wear and tear of everyday life.

Color Selection

We can take ANY color from these brands and create a stunning, eye-catching piece for your home, business or office. With over 1,500 options from Sherwin Williams and more than 3,500 from Benjamin Moore, your options are nearly endless! We don’t want to limit you to just one color, we can use multiple colors to create a unique design for your piece. We can also paint a solid color as the first coat and use a different color glaze to produce a multi-color look as well. This can add unique dimension and character to any piece!

Why Choose Us

We know there are many DIY sites, but our team brings something special to the table, no pun intended. Evolution Furniture embodies craftsmanship, excellence, and unparalleled quality in each job we do. We don’t believe any job is more important than the other and treat every customer and piece with the utmost respect and care because we know you trust us with a piece you love. We want to take our passion for creativity and design and pair it with your style to come up with the ideal piece of painted furniture to upgrade your space.

Evolution Furniture creates beautifully painted pieces with only the best quality paint. We believe in using top-notch materials in order to produce a high-quality and gorgeous piece of art for your home that may one day become a family heirloom. We can take nearly any existing furniture and turn it into something unique to fit your style! If you are interested in learning more about our painting process or the other services we offer such as restoration , upholstery , or custom design , give us a call.

New Year: A Better Table

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 22:17:00 GMT

The New Year is all about “out with the old and in with the new”. While this mantra is certainly motivational for poor habits and living a healthy lifestyle, it doesn’t hold true for all things. People notice wear and tear on their wooden kitchen tables over time, but as this is one of the most often used pieces of furniture in our home, it can also hold some sentimental value. Sentimental objects are harder to let go of for good reason, especially when you have a solid wood table that can be revived to near its former glory.

What Can Refinishing Do?

Refinishing projects are all the rage in the DIY community, but quality refinishing by a professional can produce a flawless look and help extend the life of your furniture. When pieces are varnished, they can wear thin making the piece look in worse condition than they really are. These pieces are the perfect candidate for refinishing because their varnish can be stripped and redone with a higher quality lacquer. They can also be stained for a new look or returned to their original color to highlight the beauty of the solid wood beneath.

Refinishing Process

Quality craftsmen know that it isn’t just what you put on top of the piece, its how you prepare it for the refinishing process. To properly prepare a piece, it must be hand stripped of its current finish, thoroughly rinsed, and cleaned to remove any residue. We ensure the protection of the structure and strength of the piece by completing this process by hand. Once the piece is clean, we disassemble it to examine any broken, weakened, or missing parts to replace or repair. Then it is rebuilt or re-glued back together.

Stains and paints come in many shades that can enhance the look of a piece. We are experts in bringing the original color of the wood back to the surface but if you are looking to spice up your space, choosing a new color or stain is an excellent option. If you choose a stain, we cover the stained surface with several coats of a pre-catalyzed lacquer to increase the durability and clarity of the wood beneath. This lacquer comes in a few sheens that range from soft satin to high gloss. Like all our work, we ensure the highest quality outcome while maintaining the integrity and strength of your piece.

Refinishing solid wood table tops require expert craftsmanship as well as specific and high-quality tools to bring its beauty back to the surface. Evolution Furniture has both of these qualities and years of experience refinishing solid wood table tops. With their new and advanced tools, they are able to create a flawlessly finished table with increased efficiency and care. Visit our website to learn more about our refinishing process as well as the other services we offer. Be sure to take a look at our gallery for other recent projects we have completed and give us a call to see how we can bring your cherished pieces back to life.

Refinish Your Favorite Table

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 20:56:00 GMT

A little wear and tear is normal when it comes to the tables within your home. From family dinners with the kids in the dining room to propping your feet up on the coffee table in front of the television, the tables in your house see a lot of love – and a lot of use.

For some people, nicks, scrapes, scratches, and dings signal time to invest in a brand new table. However, this likely isn’t necessary. Refinishing table tops can be an easy way to salvage your existing furniture, offering an effective way to keep your tables looking great for years to come. Here’s what you need to know to making refinishing table tops fast and simple.

Do Your Homework

Refinishing isn’t the kind of process you just jump right into without a little preparation. Before getting out your sandpaper and smearing on some stain, do your research on the required tools, best products, and best processes. Not all woods can handle the same kind of treatment, so be sure you know what your table is made out of, the current stain in use, and the appropriate sandpaper to avoid damaging your table. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when your expensive furniture pieces are involved.

Follow Instructions Carefully

Refinishing a table can be a big job, and a few small errors are all it takes to render a table unusable. If you decide to DIY the refinishing process, be sure you know exactly what to expect going in. While refinishing can differ slightly from project to project, in general, you will need:

Stain
Polyurethane
Sandpaper
Stain brushes
Rags
Tack cloth
A router or belt sander

Start by sanding the table to remove all stain. If using a belt sander, be very careful to avoid gouging the wood. Remove all dust with a tack cloth prior to applying stain. When staining, follow the natural grain of the wood. Let stain soak into the wood for several minutes, and then wipe clean. The longer stain sits, the darker it will be. Note that stain will require at least two coats. Once the final coat of stain has fully dried, apply a sealing layer of polyurethane.

DIY vs. Professional

Refinishing a table top doesn’t have to be a labor-intensive DIY process. If you’d rather leave the sanding, staining, and finishing to the professionals, that’s quite all right. Before getting on the phone with every furniture team in the metro area, take time to consider the cost-benefit breakdown. If, for example, your table is more functional than valuable, doing things on your own may be more cost-effective. However, an antique, estate, or designer piece may require a little more TLC, so if you have tables you treasure, a professional hand may be a better choice.

If you want to be sure your table looks its very best, professional refinishing can guarantee a job well done, whether your table is made of solid wood or veneer. Wehrli Furniture has been impressing customers across greater Chicagoland for years, providing a superior experience in refinishing, custom construction, and design. Whether your antique dining table needs a spruce or the bedside table in your bedroom could use a new finish, we’re always here when you need us.

Naperville Kitchen Table Refinishing Projects

Sat, 20 Jan 2018 17:38:00 GMT

Kitchen tables are one of the most used and loved pieces of furniture in your home. From family dinners, kids crafts, board game nights, and makeshift fort building, your kitchen table sees quite a lot of wear. Cheap, flimsy, tables are not meant to withstand this amount of use while a quality kitchen is but may not show it due to exterior wear. The solution to this dilemma is not replacing your kitchen table, but to take it to your local Naperville kitchen table refinishing company, Evolution Furniture .

Is My Table a Good Candidate?

You may wonder if your table is a good choice for a refinishing project . Cheap tables are not likely to be candidates due to the low-quality materials they are made with. Solid wood and veneer tables are nearly always likely to be a good refinishing option. These solid wood tables are generally built with quality material and with a little extra care, can be made to be like new again. Veneer tables are also one of our most refinished tables.

Antique pieces may be family heirlooms or garage sale finds and are ideal candidates for a refinishing project. Pieces that were made before 1960 are likely to be made of higher quality solid wood which will last much longer than those pieces made within the past few decades. Although you may be concerned with refinishing a family heirloom piece, we have often seen some of the best-refinished pieces come about and these pieces are brought back to you with a lot of life left to give.

Refinishing Process

Each refinishing project may require a slight variation of our process. We begin our process by hand stripping the kitchen table and cleaning it to remove any finish or residues on the piece. In order to protect the integrity and strength of each piece, we do this by hand.We ensure quality is kept at the forefront of each project. With the assistance of our customer, we choose the right stain or paint to highlight the quality and character of the piece. To keep the quality intact, we spray a vinyl sealer on top of the stain to seal in the color and increase durability. Depending on taste and style, the final sheen finish can vary from a soft satin to high gloss. You may want your entire table refinished or just the top, we can take care of that, too!

Conveniently located Naperville kitchen table refinishing company, Wehrli Furniture, solves the problem of worn out tables that still have life left in them. Their exterior may deteriorate but their quality remains beneath its worn surface. Purchasing a new table isn’t the right solution for quality kitchen tables, refinishing is. Take your loved piece of furniture to Wehrli Furniture to bring it back to its former glory. Quality furniture is meant to be loved for many years and we can help make that happen. Visit our website to learn more about our services and view the gallery of our recent work. We look forward to restoring one of your most loved furniture pieces in your home.

Furniture for the Holidays

Thu, 30 Nov 2017 14:35:00 GMT

Family is headed into town for the holidays and your home is beginning to look the part of the festive host. There may be a few pieces in your home that aren’t looking their part or have just seen better days.This season is the perfect time to refresh the appeal and atmosphere of your home. Your guests will feel comfortable in your beautiful home furnished with pieces that fit with your style and you will feel at ease with furniture that looks and feels like quality.

Painting

As your pieces are loved over time, their color chips and fades. Their quality can lose its integrity but their sentiment doesn’t. The perfect solution to this dilemma is a new coat of paint and some TLC. We carefully clean, sand, and prepare each painting piece for the work it needs. The color you pick can be color matched to an existing piece or any paint you choose. We use our state of the art spray booth to perfect coat your piece efficiently and at an affordable price.

Upholstery

No matter the problem – dirt, rips, or dull color – upholstery can create a new statement piece to draw attention or can prevent attention being drawn to an eyesore. Furniture isn’t built the way it used to be and your quality couch or chairs can still have a lot of life and love back to give. Purchasing a new piece may cost less but its quality is often subpar and you lose the perfect fit you had before.

Restoration

All pieces in your home take a beating from the wear and tear of life. These pieces have seen better days but they still have life ahead of them. Your furniture may just need some care to look almost new. We have years of experience in light to heavy restoration work and take every job seriously.

Custom Design

Looking for something brand new to bring new life into your home? Custom design begins with your ideas and dreams and our expertise in quality work and execution. We have learned to ask the questions needed to map out every aspect of your custom piece. The room your piece will reside in, its current color schemes, feels, and the materials are all necessary to create a piece that will fit right in. Our experts handcraft your piece carefully and with extreme care for each detail and with the customer’s happiness in mind.

Evolution Furniture has created custom design furniture for years, with expert craftsmanship and high-quality materials. Our work and reputation prove our customer service is top notch and our memberships and endorsements speak volumes to our quality. We look forward to creating a unique piece for your home.

Don’t Replace – Renew!

Tue, 07 Nov 2017 22:27:00 GMT

Today’s society has an uncanny focus on new and modern versus historic, classic, and traditional. For many Americans, it’s natural to replace cell phones annually, tear down beautiful old architecture, and dispose of perfectly good furnishings with every relocation.

Sometimes, the inclination toward new over old is a matter of cost, but for many people, convenience outweighs everything else. The ease of purchasing new versus restoring old is overpowering, leading to a trend that favors replacement – and waste.

However, giving up on beloved standbys in favor of the latest fad in furniture isn’t always advantageous. Here’s why you should renew, not replace.

Preserve Historic Fixtures

For lovers of history, old-fashioned furniture and interior décor are highly appreciated for their style, beauty, and craftsmanship. Products of similar caliber are often harder to find today, leading to a large market for authentic historic chairs, tables, desks, and more. If your home or business favors classic looks, genuine vintage pieces can send a message modern imitations can’t match. When you renew furniture , you are able to keep a little piece of history alive.

Furniture Appreciation

Older furniture is often equal parts fashionable, functional, and durable. However, these trends have largely fallen by the wayside. Hand carvings, ornate detailing, and artisan products are far less common than ever before, giving way to the generic basics sold at department stores and hardware retailers. Maintaining the original fixtures, woodwork, and furniture on your property can provide a distinctive flair your peers can’t match, allowing you to demonstrate a superior sense of style.

Save on Remodeling

A remodeling project from scratch can be extremely expensive, especially if you plan to renovate an entire home or commercial building. Brand new furniture, flooring, wall coverings, décor, and more can be costly, which often leads to cutting corners and compromising on style in favor of keeping prices low. Restoring furniture , revitalizing woodwork, and refinishing fixtures can help you preserve natural beauty and cut costs, offering the best of both worlds.

Help the Environment

Tossing old furniture or décor into a dumpster may seem easy – as the adage goes, out of sight, out of mind – but all that trash has to go somewhere. Throwing away old furniture contributes to the growing trash problem in the U.S., adding to landfills across the country. In fact, experts estimate that 9.8 million tons of furniture waste is created each year. By renewing furniture instead of replacing it, you can do your part to benefit the environment.

Making the choice to renew furniture offers significant advantages to your home or business, from saving money to preserving your tried and true pieces. When you’re seeking a way to keep your furniture, fixtures, and interiors looking better than ever, Evolution Furniture is here to help. As a local leader in restoration, refinishing, painting, and revitalizing, we can do what no one else can, from repairing vintage pieces to working with contractors on historic homes. Contact us today to learn more about what we can offer for you.

When Restaurant Table Refinishing Makes Sense

Tue, 24 Oct 2017 20:12:00 GMT

Accquiring tables in bulk can often make sense for restaurant owners, especially when large quantity purchases are usually linked to a discount. Most items in restaurants require purchasing in vast amounts, such as food and utensils, so why not lump in your furniture? However, as nice as these bargain surfaces seem upon purchase, the wear and tear will begin to show in as little as six months. Most companies that sell restaurant seating in mass either use a cheaper quality wood or utilize a spray-on lacquer to coat the surface of the wood. This finish tends to crack and peel within a period of months, depending on the amount of use. If you want to avoid purchasing new tables every year or reduce your constant spend on repair, the experienced team at Wehrli furniture has a restaurant table refinishing solution for your business.

Quality is King

Whether you are interested in refinishing all of your restaurant tables in one batch or tackling the process in small groups, you never have to worry about losing the revenue of those missing seats. At Wehrli, we offer temporary replacement tables to fill your restaurant during the refinishing process. You never have to skip a beat.

The Wehrli Refinishing Process

Our refinishing services do not include another coating of lacquer, which is not a long-term solution. We take the time to strip your restaurant tables and prepare them to be properly refinished. We choose stains that enhance the wood’s natural coloring and your restaurant’s aesthetic. After the wood has been properly stripped and stained, we then add a protective coating to shield the surface of the table from scratches and regular wear. We have several finishes depending on the style and use of your restaurant surfaces. Rather than adding a cheap finish to the top of your furniture, our team refinished the actual surface of the wood. This not only creates a high-quality finish but a long-lasting solution to your maintenance cost.

Wehrli Furniture knows that when it comes to running a restaurant, your tables are a necessary investment. We also understand you can’t run a restaurant without them. There are many specialties that set our Naperville furniture company apart, but we pride ourselves on high-quality work and efficiency. If you are interested in learning more about our refinishing process, view our latest project s , or if you would like to schedule a consultation regarding refinishing your restaurant tables, contact us today. We look forward to bringing your restaurant tables back to life.

To Paint Or Not To Paint Furniture?

Fri, 13 Oct 2017 20:54:00 GMT

Many people view furniture painting as a last resort. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. Furniture painting can add a strategic and effective design aspect to homes and commercial buildings. It can infuse a splash of color to a neutral tone living or office space. Furniture painting can also blend a piece into an existing interior design and, yes, it can rehabilitate an exhausted finish. Learn more about proper furniture painting and how the expert team at Wehrli Furniture can help.

The Benefits of Restoration

The vast majority of antique and high-quality furniture can be restored to the original wood style. Depending on the piece’s age, wear, type of wood, and other factors, an experienced furniture craftsman can provide an evaluation of the scope and potential success of rehabilitation.

Furniture is a real-life item and each piece has real-life challenges, limitations, and extraordinary possibilities. Things such as heavy hardwood damage, missing veneer, and discoloration will contribute to the cost of original style restoration. Heirlooms and furniture with sentimental value can lead an owner to consider the refinishing or repainting process.

Furniture painting may be a better option in terms of cost. But, keep in mind that furniture painting is by no means the “cheap” option. High-end and quality furniture requires artisan-level workmanship to reflect the design and meet standards worth showcasing in your home or business. The basic idea is that the cost of badly damaged wood pieces may not make sense in a variety of ways.

Why Choose Furniture Painting Over Refinishing?

If you set cost aside, one of the primary reasons to choose furniture painting over refinishing is the versatility of styles and colors. Most will agree that natural wood has an innate beauty. But not every living and commercial space benefits from a wood finish. Contemporary interior designs are often enhanced by thoughtful color usage. Furniture can be utilized to engage the overall color scheme or match subtle trims. In other words, furniture painting can be employed as a specific design tool.

Along with that line of thinking, interior decorators and homeowners may find that painted furniture can enhance any style home from Victorian to American Foursquare. Unlike wood finishes, furniture painting allows you to evolve functional and showpieces when you decide it’s time for a new interior look. Simply put, you can change the furniture to meet your taste. That means not being held back by the thought of having to buy all new furniture to fit the palette.

At Evolution Furniture , our skilled craftsman can provide a furniture evaluation at our Naperville facility. If you are considering a single-piece or large-scale furniture painting project, contact us for an estimate today.

Expert Table Refinishing

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 19:55:00 GMT

If you’d like to bring an antique table back to life or just want a fresh new look for a well-loved piece of furniture, you may be mulling over your refinishing and restoration options. Often, a piece of well-made furniture can gain decades of new life with a simple refinishing to remove surface stains, scratches, nicks, and watermarks.

However, not all tables are great candidates for the refinishing process, and trying to refinish a fragile or damaged table could leave you with a mess on your hands. It’s important to choose your refinishing candidates carefully. Read on to learn more about expert table refinishing , as well as how Wehrli Furniture can help you get started.

Refresh Your Table

Refinishing a table involves several main components: the removal of any current stain, varnish, or other “finish”; the removal of surface stains like watermarks, ink spots, or oil stains; and the filling in of surface gouges, scratches, and other outward indicators of damage. If your table is structurally solid but looks a bit beaten-up, refinishing may be able to restore it to like-new condition.

But because refinishing a table often involves some disassembly (to allow access to and removal of all varnish or finish), choosing a fragile table or one that’s constructed in a substandard manner could lead to damage or even breakage if you’re not careful. In other cases, you may sand down the surface of your table only to find that what you thought was solid hardwood was instead a wood veneer covering particleboard, plywood, or another composite wood product.

This means you’ll need to give some careful thought to (and perform an inspection of) any table you’re planning to refinish to ensure this process is a good use of your time and money. A company or technician who specializes in expert table refinishing can give you an honest assessment of the difficulty of this process and the likely appearance of the final product.

The Table Refinishing Process

The first step of refinishing a table is to break it down into its component parts. This allows the woodworker to get a good three-dimensional look at each part of the table to determine what repairs will need to be made.

Next, the woodworker will strip any existing finish, either through the use of chemicals or by sanding it down with a power sander. This will provide your table with a smooth, sleek surface perfect for staining.

After this, the woodworker will carefully inspect the table for blemishes and imperfections. Surface nicks and scratches can usually be filled in with a polymer that dries to mimic the texture and appearance of wood, while larger gouges may need to be sanded down to be effectively camouflaged.

While you may assume anyone with a sander, some sealant, and a free weekend day can refinish a table on their own, when it comes to refinishing high-quality furniture, it’s important to entrust your heirlooms to the experts at Evolution Furniture . Our technicians treat each piece like their own, essentially re-handcrafting your table to provide it with the look and feel of a brand-new piece. If you’d like to get started, contact Wehrli Furniture or visit our website today.

When Is It Time To Reupholster Your Chair?

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 22:08:00 GMT

In an increasingly “disposable” society, the thought of having a well-loved chair or loveseat reupholstered and given new life can be more appealing than ever. Whether you’re preserving a family heirloom or just trying to save both money and landfill space, repurposing an existing piece of high-quality furniture can be a rewarding process, both financially and emotionally. Read on to learn more about some signs your chair may benefit from some new upholstery, as well as some basics on how this process is performed and why enlisting a professional’s help with chair reupholstery is usually best.

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Signs You Need Chair Reupholstery

While the wooden components of a well-made chair can remain in great condition for decades (or sometimes centuries), even with regular use, the softer parts of a chair often don’t stand the test of time. Fabric can become worn, stained, and threadbare, while stuffing can lose its heft or become lumpy. You may find yourself gravitating toward other pieces of furniture because your old chair or loveseat is no longer the most comfortable seat in the house.

In other cases, you may want to reupholster a chair just to provide a fresh, modern look. Many of the clean lines and streamlined designs that are so popular today are modeled after much older styles, and updating an antique chair with a trendy fabric design or color can bring your living space into the twenty-first century.

How Are Chairs Reupholstered?

Reupholstering a chair is an often-painstaking process that essentially requires the complete disassembly and reassembly of the chair’s components. In order to access the hidden parts of the chair that often house the edges of the upholstery, you’ll need to unscrew legs, and carefully remove stuffing, cardboard, wires, and other supportive items. The more solidly-made a chair is, the easier it is to successfully reupholster it; a chair fashioned from weak or cheap materials may simply fall apart during the fabric removal process.

It’s generally a good idea to have a beloved chair professionally reupholstered rather than going the DIY route. If you’ve never taken a piece of furniture apart before, you may find it to be far more challenging than expected, and there’s nothing worse than scratching or splintering your chair before you’ve even finished disassembling it. Those who do this work on a full-time basis have the knowledge and experience to get the job done right.

If you’re convinced one of your favorite chairs is in dire need of refreshing, or just want to look into your chair reupholstery options to spice up your living space, give Wehrli Furniture a call or visit our website today. Our expert technicians treat each piece of furniture entrusted to their care as if it’s their own, disassembling it by hand and painstakingly matching fabric swatches to ensure that the final product is something you’ll be proud to both display and use.

Family Heirlooms: Kitchen Table Refinishing

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 18:28:00 GMT

Antiques and furniture that has been passed down in the family withers over time. But that doesn’t detract from your sense of nostalgia and personal connection. Many of these pieces are quite striking in terms of style and enjoy good monetary value. Much of their lost luster could be restored by working with a professional craftsman. If you are thinking about investing in kitchen table refinishing, here are three things to consider.

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Has The Piece Been Painted?

If you have an heirloom or antique with a coat of paint over it, chances are there may be a good reason. It may have deep discolorations, burn marks or deteriorated veneer. The paint job was a probably a quick fix to keep the piece functional and okay looking. That doesn’t mean you should toss the piece aside. It just means that a natural wood refinish may be “off the table.”

Consider going down the path of a custom-painted refinish and keep your options open with the artisan during the process. If the piece isn’t sorely blemished once the old paint has been professionally stripped away, you may want to look it over and decide which direction makes sense, wood refinishing or custom repainting . Either way, you will have a lovely updated kitchen table when the process has been completed.

How Old Is The Kitchen Table?

This question may be a tad misleading. Age matters for a few specific reasons. Different furniture-making eras used techniques and materials popular in that period. For example, laminate surfaces and particle board was prevalent during the 1950s and 1960s. While the style remains popular and eye-catching, the materials are not nearly as sturdy as some solid wood pieces. It’s important to discuss the value, durability and possible refinishing options with a skilled furniture craftsman about achieving your dream appearance. Most pieces can be effectively refinished within reason.

How To Select A Finish

Each surface material has a range of creative possibilities. They also have certain limits based on the materials. A good example would be a dark wood such as mahogany. It would be unrealistic to expect this material to be as light as a naturally finished piece of pine. Also, many types of wood tend to darken as they age. That’s why it’s important to have a basic idea of how light or dark you want the finish to come out. With that being said, finishes can range from heavy coats of polyurethane to traditional beeswax and linseed oils among others. Custom-painted pieces may also require a protective coating. This may seem overly complicated to plan from start to finish. However, a skilled furniture artisan can run you through the strengths and weaknesses of a piece and map out a path to renewed beauty.

If you are considering kitchen table refinishing, contact Evolution Furniture to set up an evaluation and estimate.

Furniture Restoration – Midcentury Modern Heywood Wakefield Dresser

Thu, 03 Aug 2017 14:58:00 GMT

Midcentury modern style is a growing trend, but most people don’t want to live in a home that looks like a time capsule. Giving these pieces a fresh look and feel but still having clean lines and character is the way to go. This can be accomplished by taking the piece down to the original grain and staining with a modern color.

Recently we had a client who came in with a Heywood Wakefield dresser and asked us to give it a fresh modern look. Heywood Wakefield was a furniture designer that began making furniture in 1897 and designed mid-century and art deco inspired pieces. The furniture maker became popular for building quality solid wood furniture with an art deco look.

When the Heywood Wakefield dresser came through our doors our team was eager to get started. It was a chance to bring a piece of furniture history back to life. The dresser had scratches and wear on it from just being around for so many years. And the original color was a red mahogany stain that needed to be sanded out.

We work with a rougher sandpaper and then work our way up to a finer grit to get the furniture down to the bare wood. After several days of sanding, we then can start looking at stain options for the client. Whenever we stain a piece of furniture for a client we always ask them what color they want. However, sometimes stains do not look right on certain wood grains or types of wood.

We want to ensure that our clients are happy with a stain color before staining an entire piece and finding out later that was not what they wanted. To provide the best customer service we will take a piece down to bare wood and then apply a few colors of stain choices. We then have our customers come in and choose the color that they would like.

For this piece, the customer chose an espresso color of the stain. After staining the piece and applying layers of sealer and lacquer the piece was ready for inspection. Once the piece passed inspection we contacted the customer for pick up. The customer could not have been more excited to see how their mid-century modern dresser was transformed.

To learn more about how to transforms your furniture into a more modern look and feel give us a call for your next project or visit our contact us page . We look forward to the opportunity to earn your business.

Commercial Upholstery – Mid Century Modern Chairs

Fri, 31 Mar 2017 19:56:00 GMT

Have you been looking for a quality upholsterer for a business project? Upholstery is becoming a lost art in America. It’s getting hard to find people who can do great work and also handle tight deadlines that businesses need. If you own a business, there is a high probability that your existing chairs can be brought back to life by re-upholstering. Whether it’s the chairs in your waiting room or all the dining room chairs at a country club, re-upholstery is a great option. Reason being, if your business has good furniture, often re-upholstering can be significantly cheaper than buying new and you get a custom look.

Mid-Century Modern Chairs

Recently we received a call from a furniture dealer with whom we do a fair amount of business. She was working with a Chicago business that had over 60 quality Mid-Century Modern chairs that needed to be reupholstered on a tight deadline. Being a designer herself, she picked amazing fabrics for the two styles of chairs. One was a citrus and the other was royal blue that had a velvet feel to it:

Padding, Fabric, and Welting

If pieces are in good shape structurally, they can be stripped of their old fabric and work can begin. Usually, new foam is added to give the piece the proper support.

Padding wears down over the years from use, therefore, it’s crucial to add new foam to assure the piece is comfortable again. We offer a few options for the trim of the seat. We can use a standard single/double welts or add decorative nails to replace the welting.

After a couple of weeks of work, the dingy red fabric was gone and the chairs were transformed into a fresh look the customer loved:

Commercial Upholstery at Wehrli Furniture

At Evolution Furniture, no upholstery job is too big or too small. We pride ourselves on meeting the deadlines that your business needs because we understand how important your furniture is to operating a successful business. If you have a large commercial upholstery job and would like an estimate, please contact us today. We look forward to having the opportunity to earn your business.

Furniture Refinishing – The Giant Conference Table!!

Fri, 28 Oct 2016 17:46:00 GMT

It’s a fairly safe assumption that a conference table is a businesses most important piece of furniture. Existing and potential customers sit at this table to talk about the products and services a business offers. No matter how great of a business you have, the state of your conference table is forming a first impression in your customer’s minds. What impression does the current state of your conference table say about your business?

Recently we received a phone call from Fusion Systems in Burr Ridge. They had three conference tables that needed to be refinished. Because of weight concerns, most conference tables are veneered. Veneer is thin layer of wood over another product, usually MDF or plywood. Very high-end tables are made from veneer and it’s not a bad thing. Unlike most conference tables we’ve encountered, these were solid oak butcher block. As you can imagine, anything made out of solid wood is heavy. However, nothing could have prepared us for a table that was 12 feet long by 5 feet wide. Logistically this created a huge problem because it weighed over 700 pounds. We managed to get the table out of the business with the help of 6 very large men. Once we got to the shop we devised a plan to slide it out onto dollies and we were in business. Next, the three tables were stripped to bare wood, and thoroughly sanded. Our customer wanted a greyish stain that matched his office décor. Lastly, the tables were sprayed with satin lacquer to give them their sheen and protection.

Upon completion, our customer was ecstatic. The tables turned out beautifully and we got them back to him in one piece, despite their great size.

If you have a conference table you need refinished or built give us a call or fill out our contact form. We’d appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.

Furniture Refinishing – Introducing Wehrli Furniture Co.!!

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 17:01:00 GMT

Since 1983, Wehrli Woodworks has been Chicagoland’s complete source for furniture restoration and refinishing. We continue to specialize in restoring furniture of all periods and styles. Recently, we changed our name/logo to Wehrli Furniture Co. to further highlight our commercial and residential services. Our new logo reflects our four featured services; including furniture restoration, upholstery, painting and custom design.

Furniture refinishing/restoration can take a piece of furniture in the worst state and make it look new again. Refinishing furniture entails stripping, sanding, staining and spraying with lacquer. Sometimes the piece of furniture is broken or missing pieces. This is where a full restoration would be required. We have the ability to make new pieces, replace veneer and fix even the worst breaks.

Often during the restoration/refinishing process, upholstery is needed. Upholstery can simply entail replacing the existing fabric and adding welting or nails for the trim. If the piece of furniture is in really bad shape, we can replace the foam and springs, if necessary. No job is too big or too small as we’ve upholstered as many as one hundred chairs at a time. If you’ve got a dining room set or a number of booths or chairs for your establishment we can meet your needs.

Custom painting is a great way to transform dull furniture. Our lacquer-based paint matches any Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams color. If a solid color isn’t the way you’d like to go, we can also glaze or distress the piece. Glazing entails painting with a base coat and then adding various tones over the solid color. Distressing would involve painting the piece and back sanding to make the piece look worn.

Finally, our custom design can build any piece of furniture for commercial and residential clients. The process begins by understanding the customer’s specific needs. From there, we provide detailed CAD drawings and make adjustments as needed. Recently, we’ve built desks, vanities and live-edge kitchen tables.

If you’ve got furniture or need custom furniture built, we can help with any your needs. Please give us a call or fill out the contact form below. We look forward to having the opportunity to earn your business.

Furniture Refinishing – Two Brothers Table Makeover!!

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 15:44:00 GMT

Having a great restaurant and/or bar is difficult to accomplish. The industry is extremely competitive and always changing. Obviously, the quality of the food, drinks, service and location are all huge factors in achieving long-term success. However, the décor and layout of a restaurant also play a large role in people coming back. Within this, the furniture is a huge aspect and expense for any restaurant or bar. Tables and chairs that are not will kept are a direct reflection on the establishment, regardless of how great their food or drinks are.

Recently, we received a call from Two Brothers Brewery. They’ve had outstanding success in Aurora and Winfield and recently just completed a massive remodel at a new location in Naperville, on Jefferson. They inquired if we might be able to refinish and modify a number of Oak butcher-block tables that had been sitting in storage. Obviously, we jumped at the opportunity to be associated with this great business.

Our process began by stripping off the old black paint from the sixteen tables. From there, we ran all the tables through our belt sander to achieve a smooth finish. Four of the tables were 72’’ x 30’’ and they needed to be turned into twelve 24’’ x 30’’ tables. We cut the tables and then had to router the edges to make them all uniform.

Two Brothers wanted a worn look on the tops, so we ran a wire brush over the tops, which created grooves on the top of the table or distressing. Next the tables were all stained a rich dark Walnut. Lastly, because the restaurant tables get beaten up, we sprayed all the tables with a stronger polyurethane finish than what we normally would spray. This finish is stronger but it’s harder to work with than our normal lacquer.

We delivered the tables about a day before the restaurant was set to open and the owners and managers were thrilled. They got a much higher quality table than what they could have bought new for the same price.

If your in the hospitality industry and have a large refinishing, upholstery, painting or custom build job, give us call or click on the work order request link below. We look forward to having the opportunity to earn your business.

Custom Built Furniture and Refinishing – Cantera Financial Makeover!!

Mon, 26 Sep 2016 18:58:00 GMT

The goal of any business is to be bigger than it was yesterday. When revenue grows, new employees need to be hired to meet increased demand. Consequently, more office space is required. Not only does a new space have to be built but also new furniture needs to match the updated décor.

Recently, we received a call from a growing Naperville financial firm, Cantera Financial. They had grown so much that one of their employees was working out of their conference room full time. The owners had decided to construct a larger space that was both functional for their employees and aesthetically pleasing to their expanding customer base.

At Wehrli Furniture, we can be a one-stop shop for all your furniture needs. Whether its refinishing, upholstery, painting or building custom, we can deliver without having to deal with numerous trades. The client only has to deal with one trade and they also can save thousands of dollars by refinishing existing furniture they have.

Years ago, Cantera had a great deal of furniture custom built for their old office that they loved. They desired to refinish the numerous desks, credenzas, tables and file cabinets to match the new desks, credenzas, chairs and tables we’d be building them. Every job throws a curve ball at you. In this case, all the existing furniture would need to be hand stripped with gel stripper. Normally, we’d wash furniture in our strip tank. Usually this saves us countless hours of stripping time. However, the desks, credenzas, etc. we’re made of medium density fiberboard cores (MDF). When MDF gets wet it blows up like a sponge. Therefore, all veneer that covered the MDF was painted with a gel stripper and hand scraped. It was a bit laborious but there wasn’t any option of getting these pieces wet. From there, they were carefully sanded, stained and sprayed with lacquer to match the color and sheen of the custom-built furniture we were building.

While we were refinishing, we also had to provide the client CAD drawings for their new pieces. When building furniture, you also have to take account the space its going in and adjust the sizes so you don’t have furniture that’s too big or too small for a room. After going through a few revisions, the furniture building process began. Upon construction, the styles and finishes of the new furniture mirrored the existing furniture.

Please call us or click on the work order link below to transform your office space or your home with one or all the services we offer. We look forward to having the opportunity to earn your business.

Furniture Refinishing – The Table That Was Sawed In Half!!!

Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:42:00 GMT

Even quality furniture can’t stand up to mother nature. When humidity levels fluctuate, wood expands and contracts and is susceptible to cracking.

Recently, a client contacted us with just this problem. They had a beautiful ten-foot long custom table made for them in Germany. The table was constructed from solid teak and was truly a remarkable piece of furniture. The couple had been transferred to Naperville recently and they noticed the table began to crack. That crack got bigger and bigger with each passing day. What they didn’t realize was Germany has much different humidity levels then Naperville. Unfortunately, the increase in humidity here was causing the table to expand and it began cracking. The fissure was already over a foot long and would just continue until it was repaired.

At Wehrli Furniture, we like a challenge and this table presented a massive one. First, how do we get this solid table out of their house!! Second, how do we stop the crack and then make it disappear or at least not be obvious?

Sometimes big problems come with tough solutions. Nobody feels great about sawing a table in half but that’s how we deemed the proper way to fix the problem. If we just patched the crack, we were sure it would only happen again. So we took out the saw and went right down the crack, gulp!! From there, dowels were drilled into the table and the portion that we sawed off to reconnect. The portions were glued back together and then the crack was sanded to make it smooth. Lastly, products had to be ordered from Germany to coat the table and also wax the top.

After completion, the table looked brand new again. Our clients were thrilled and they had their beautiful table back to use for many more years.

If you have a table that’s cracking or any furniture job ranging from upholstery, painting or a custom build, give us a call or click on the work order request below. We’d love the opportunity to earn your business.

Custom-Made Tables – Beautiful Live Edge Tables!!

Wed, 17 Aug 2016 17:56:00 GMT

Live edge or natural edge is a style of furniture where the woodworker incorporates the natural edge of the wood into the design of the piece. Live edge furniture often uses wood that could not be used in conventional woodworking. There are special challenges involved in working with this type of wood, and several methods for live edge have developed. Some leave the natural holes and cracks in the wood while other artists fill them with resins.

This style of table have become especially popular for dining, kitchen and conference tables. These tables bring the outdoors to the indoors. When using the natural features of a solid slab of walnut, cherry, maple or something even more exotic, no table’s grain pattern and shape will ever look the same.

Recently, we received call from a customer who was looking for a feature that a normal customer would send back!!! She wanted a gap in the middle of her table that ran about half its length. She thought it would give the table a unique look. However, she might have a higher cleaning carpet cleaning bill with Russell Martin when people are passing the stuffing at Thanksgiving!!

The process started with drying the slabs in a kiln to eliminate the moisture. Next the slabs are run through a planer and sanded until smooth. Finally, the two pieces are adjoined to ensure that they stay solidly connected for decades. Bases can be fabricated out of metal or wood in any style the client prefers. For business’, grommets can be added in order hook computers or phones to in various areas of the table.

The beauty of the live edge table is there are no rules. Your personal taste dictates the style and look of the table because they are meant to be rustic, not perfect like a many of the traditional tables we do. This fact adds a ton of character and “wow” factor to a live edge table. For example, we’ve built tables where bow ties have been left on the top of table vs. putting them on the bottom. A bow tie literally looks like a bow tie you’d wear to the Oscars. They help to stop table from cracking and strengthen the table. Normally, they are left on the bottom because most table styles don’t lend themselves to any imperfections.

If you’re looking to have a live edge table made or any table for that matter, give us a call or click on the work order request below. We’d appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.

Custom Designed Piano Bar – Well It’s Nine O’clock On A Saturday!!!

Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:15:00 GMT

There are hundreds of furniture stores and their selections are vast. The problem with buying furniture at a store is it’s not unique. Sometimes we desire to have a custom-made piece that’s one-of-a-kind.

Recently we received a call from a client who has a passion for music. So much so, that she has two pianos in her house. Unfortunately, one didn’t work and was just taking up space. She inquired if anything could be done with it? Naturally, after a few minutes of deliberation, we suggested that it be repurposed as a bar.

If you’ve ever looked inside a piano, there’s a lot going on!! Lots of wires and iron that are built too last. Just taking it apart is a tremendous /dangerous undertaking. If you’re considering taking a project like this on, be extremely careful or find somebody who has experience to help you.

After many hours spent taking the musical mechanisms out of the piano, we began the process of turning it into a bar. One of the hardest parts of the job was figuring out how the door would work properly. It needed to be engineered to support its considerable weight without holding it and stand up to being open and closed repeatedly. These are the types off issues where a great deal of time is spent tinkering. After we figured out a way to make the door work properly, the construction on the inside began. Wine glass holders and three drawers were constructed with some custom features. The ivory from the piano keys was applied to the faces of the drawers and the black keys served as handles. This feature made the drawers the focal point of the bar. Additional storage also exists where the keys and foot pedals formerly were.

Once the bar was put together, the whole inside needed to be finished to match the exterior of the piano. Upon completion, the job was a huge success and our customer was thrilled.

If you’ve got a custom design, refinishing, painting or upholstery project coming up, give us a call or fill out the contact form below. We’d love an opportunity to earn your business.

Furniture Refinishing – One-Stop Shop!!

Mon, 25 Jul 2016 19:43:00 GMT

Whether you’re a consumer, interior designer, furniture dealer or builder, dealing with one person on a project is always easier. Multiple points of contact usually means time spent relaying messages that get lost in translation, instead of time spent on hobbies, selling or taking care of customers. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have one point of contact for all your commercial/residential furniture refinishing, painting, upholstery and custom design needs?

At Wehrli Furniture of Naperville, we pride ourselves on being a one-stop shop for all your furniture projects. If you’re a consumer with a dining room set, we can complete the whole process of refinishing, upholstering and repairing it. As an added convenience, we’ve added in-home fabric consultations.

Commercial needs differ from those of residential. Time spent trying to coordinate with different trades means production and new business lost. We offer the ability to do large projects that entail any combination of refinishing, upholstery, touchup, painting or custom design. Maybe you’re a restaurant or financial firm that likes the style of its current furniture but would like to change its color and add more furniture due to expansion? Our team will begin by refinishing all your existing furniture in the color and sheen you desire. Next, we will provide drawings of what your new furniture will look like. After adjustments, the furniture will be built and finished to match the existing furniture. This will save our customers thousands of dollars by not having to throw away their original furniture, while still adding new pieces for expansion.

We love helping people and businesses by saving them time and money. Let us be your one-stop shop so you can concentrate on more important things. Please give us a call or click on the work order request link below. We look forward at the opportunity to earn your business.

Furniture Upholstery – Dining Room Chair Upholstery!!

Mon, 11 Jul 2016 20:18:00 GMT

Small businesses that offer furniture upholstery are becoming harder to find. Lots of people claim to be upholsterers but can’t deliver a quality product. Get a bad one and your liable to have fabric patterns that don’t line up. I once heard the quote, “Have you ever been surprised by the price of hiring a professional? Try hiring an amateur first and the price will feel cheap.” Really great upholstery is an art.

At Wehrli Furniture in Naperville, we deliver upholstery services of the highest quality. No matter the condition, we have the skill to transform any piece of furniture.

Recently, we received a call from a client in Hinsdale. She had 8 dining room chairs that she needed to have reupholstered. They were in great shape but she was changing the décor of her interior and wanted chairs that meshed with the new design.

The first step of the upholstery process is working with the customer on fabric. We offer in-home fabric consultations, so choosing fabric has never been more convenient. Once the fabric is chosen, we give an estimate of the yardage needed. Our client desired to keep the nail heads, so we assisted in finding a style that worked for her.

Once all the materials are chosen, the actual upholstery begins. Old nails and fabric are stripped from the chair. Grey/silver fabric was added to the majority of the chair with a black fabric covering the recess in the back. Nails were added along the seams of the chair instead of using welting.

Once finished, the chairs looked great. They matched the client’s new décor and she was very happy with the results.

If you’re considering buying new furniture because you’ve remodeled your home, give us a call or click on the work order request below before you buy. We can change your existing furniture to match any style with new upholstery or any of our other services. We look forward at having the opportunity to earn your business.

Custom Furniture – MCM Chair Made From Belts!!

Wed, 22 Jun 2016 17:18:00 GMT

Recently we participated in a local Naperville charity event called the Chair Affair. Local businesses/people signed up to create a chair that would be displayed at a local business for a month. After that, they’d be auctioned off for charity.

Previously, we made a chair out of a suitcase, so how do you top that? We brainstormed with out much success but after awhile the idea came to us. How about a Mid-Century Modern chair that has a seat and back made entirely out of belts?

Being able to imagine a chair made out belts is one thing, turning it into a chair made out belts is a totally different exercise. First, the frame was constructed by hand out of Ash. Next, we came to the realization that it was going to take a lot of belts to cover the seat and back. In fact, it took over 60 belts. If your looking around second-hand stores these days for a belt, I wouldn’t bother. Pretty sure we cleaned out all inventory in the area!! All the buckles had to be removed and each belt was hand-woven through the frame and fastened.

Upon completion, the chair looked amazing. The design was sleek and minimal, just like a Mid-Century Modern chair should be. The belts were all different colors/sizes, so it created a beautiful contrast on the seat and frame.

When the auction finally came, we were nervous what the chair would sell for. We were ecstatic when it sold for over $3k. That provided a great deal of money for a very worthwhile charity.

If your looking for a custom made piece of furniture, give us a call or fill out the work order request below. There isn’t a piece of furniture we can’t make, including all types of office and laminates. We look forward to having the opportunity to earn your business.

Furniture Refinishing – Grey Is The New Black!!

Mon, 13 Jun 2016 17:00:00 GMT

At Wehrli Furniture, we have the expertise to transform your furniture to fit any new style or trend. If a traditional stain doesn’t work with the current décor of your home, you don’t need to go out and buy a new piece of furniture. Obviously, we can always stain your piece of furniture and make it look great again. However, we can also paint or glaze it. Either of those options can take even the most dated pieces and make them modern and fresh again.

Recently, we received calls from two customers inquiring about glazing their tables grey. Grey is a very popular color these days. We joke at the shop that it’s the new black!! The owner of the kitchen table just wanted a new look. The other table was formerly a door that was found at antique sale. Years ago, the door had a base added and it became a unique table.

We always begin the process by stripping both tables to bare wood and sanding thoroughly. One saying we have in the shop is “if you think your done sanding, sand some more.” It’s crucial to providing the best product and also the most time-consuming part of the process. The table that was formerly a door, was coming apart from a prior fix that didn’t allow the wood to expand and contract. To remedy this problem, it completely disassembled, repaired and glued back together.

When you’re glazing a table, you always want to have the customer come in and look at samples. One grey glaze might have some black, while the other might have some brown and white. It’s totally up to the customer’s taste. After understanding exactly what both customers desired, the tables are stained grey and then sprayed with sealer. Next, different colors are added to give the tables a multi-color look. Finally, multiple coats of lacquer are sprayed for protection and sheen.

Upon completion, both customers were ecstatic. So happy that one of our customers was nice enough to provide the following testimonial that we added to our website. “I love what you guys did for my table, can’t stop looking at it! I’ve already sent pictures to my friends! Thank you again so much! Happy Summer to you and your wonderful crew!”

If you want to add a custom feel to a table or any piece of furniture, we can provide and style your seeking. Please give us a call for your next project or click the work order request below. We look forward at the opportunity to earn your business.

Furniture Refinishing – Rocker Refinish And Reupholstery

Fri, 13 May 2016 17:23:00 GMT

When you own a furniture refinishing business, you sign up to see a lot of rockers. In the years we’ve been doing this, we’ve seen rockers in every size/state imaginable.

Recently, a rocker came in that didn’t start out as a rocker. In its previous life, it was just a normal chair. At some point, stretchers were added and it was transformed into a rocker.

As most rockers do, it possessed sentimental value to our customer and he wanted it refinished and reupholstered. We commenced the process by ripping off all the old leather and nails to strip the wooden frame. If your ever curious about how old your furniture is, rip off the fabric and see what the padding is made out of. If its horse hair, you know it was a really old piece. Nylon has since replaced this as a viable padding option.

After stripping the piece, it needed to be re-glued and sanded thoroughly. Usually, we’re left with a raw wood at this point. Because the chair was old, it had been dyed red. That red wasn’t coming out of the chair no matter how much we sanded. Therefore, the customer had to go with the darkest stain possible to counteract the red. As a refinisher, you’re forced to work with what you have. Some things have to go dark no matter what. In this case, the customer wanted the chair dark anyways, so it was a win.

After refinishing the piece, we turned it over to our upholstery team. Our customer made a great fabric choice to match the wood. The fabric featured a beautiful red, brown and honey colored diamond pattern.

Upon completion, it was another successful rocker refinish. We see a lot of them and they always look great.

If you have a piece of furniture that needs refinishing, painting or upholstery, give us a call or click on the work order request below. We’d love the opportunity to earn your business.

Furniture Refinishing – Painted Secretary Hutch

Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:57:00 GMT

A piece of furniture can be any style you imagine. It can be transformed to match a traditional or modern look. Painting furniture is an excellent way to keep a quality piece of furniture, while changing it to look brand new.

Recently, we received an email from a customer looking to change the style of her secretary hutch. The piece of furniture was in phenomenal shape and really needed no work. However, it didn’t fit the style of the new home she was building.

At Wehrli Furniture, we are experts at transforming a piece of furniture into exactly what the customer envisions or helping them find their vision. In this case, the customer already had her vision. She wanted the outside of the secretary to be painted black and the inside painted a robin egg blue.

The process begins with disassembling the cabinet completely. That means taking off all the hardware, glass, shelves, cubbyholes and window stops. This can be a time-consuming step and often one that is overlooked when trying to gauge how much time it takes to properly paint furniture. Next, every inch of the piece is sanded to create grooves that the will allow the sealer and paint to adhere properly. From there, two coats of sealer are applied while sanding the piece entirely between coats. Because the customer wanted two colors, the piece needed to be taped off so the black was applied properly and didn’t blend in with the blue, and vice versa. The black was sprayed on the outside of the cabinet while the blue would highlight the inside. Each time the piece is sprayed, it’s sanded between coats. Lastly, the piece needs to be reassembled. All the hardware, glass, shelves, cubbyholes and window steps need to be put back on.

Upon completion, the customer hit a home run with her paint choices. They truly complemented each other perfectly. She was thrilled when we delivered the piece because it was going to be a great fit in her new home.

When a piece of furniture is painted, its as if you’ve bought a brand new piece. Old furniture was made to last, so you’ve also invested in a piece for less than you’d find the same quality in a store. Plus, you’ve gotten a custom look to fit your taste.

If you have any furniture in need of painting, give us a call or click on the work request form below. We look forward to have the opportunity to earn your business.

Furniture Refinishing – Don’t Buy A New Table, Glaze The One You Own!!

Sat, 23 Apr 2016 12:29:00 GMT

It can be overwhelming to buy new furniture that fits in with the pieces you already own and enjoy. At Wehrli Furniture, we specialize in transforming the dated furniture you’ve already purchased, to match your current tastes. As long as you have a vision, we can turn it into a reality.

Recently, we had a customer contact us who really liked her chairs. They were multiple shades of grey, brown and tan and she wanted her Oak tabletop to match. The table was very nice but the brown stain didn’t go with her current chairs. We felt we could meet her request, so we began the process.

Because the tabletop was solid Oak, the original finish was sanded off instead of stripped. If the tabletop were veneer, we’d have to hand-strip first. With veneer, you can only sand so much until you sand right through it, so you have to be careful. Next, we applied a light brown stain, which served as the base color for the tabletop. After staining, we sprayed the first coats of sealer and satin lacquer, with sanding between coats.

Because the chairs were multiple colors, simply staining the table brown wasn’t going to be enough. The table was going to have to be glazed. With the chair as a guide, the finisher is tasked with brushing multiple glaze colors on the tabletop to match the tones of the chair. After finishing, the tabletop is sprayed with two more coats of satin lacquer, with sanding between coats. Upon completion, our customer was ecstatic with how the table and chairs complemented each other.

If you have some furniture you’d like reincarnated, give us a call or click on the work order request below. We look forward to having the opportunity to earn your business.

Our Latest Video

Tue, 19 Apr 2016 19:00:00 GMT

Our latest Video On Recent Projects – Furniture Refinishing, Furiture Repairs, Upholstery, Painting, and more.

Furniture Upholstery In Chicago Area

Fri, 08 Apr 2016 15:49:00 GMT

Upholstery is becoming a lost art in America. It’s getting harder to find people who do it well. There’s a high probability that you’ve got something at your home that could be transformed by re-upholstering it. Assuming the piece is good quality or sentimental, re-upholstering makes sense.

If pieces are in good shape structurally, they can be stripped of their old fabric and work can begin. Usually, new foam is added to give the chair or sofa the proper support. Padding wears down over the years from use, therefore, it’s crucial to add new foam to assure the piece is comfortable again. We offer a few options for the trim of the seat. We can use a standard single/double welts or add decorative nails to replace the welting.

Is your furniture in really rough shape? Don’t worry we have the ability to make the necessary structural repairs and fabricate any pieces that may missing or too broken to repair. Recently, our customer brought in the chair below. The front leg was completely broken and the design work was missing from leg. We took the chair completely apart and rebuilt the missing design. From there, the chair was re-glued back together so it was structurally sound. All the old fabric and old padding was stripped from the seat. Next, new foam was added followed by the fabric the customer selected.

When she saw the chair, she stated that she even had her doubts when she dropped it off. The greatest compliment was that she couldn’t tell which chair had been repaired when she compared it to the other matching chair we upholstered a few years back.

If you have individual or commercial upholstery needs, please give us a call or click on the work order request below. We’d appreciate the opportunity to earn your business.

Furniture Refinishing – Church Pew Resurrection!!

Fri, 01 Apr 2016 16:09:00 GMT

Furniture refinishing and furniture restoration are two very different things. When a customer asks to have their piece refinished, that means stripping its original finish, sanding, staining to match the customer’s color preference and spraying with lacquer to match the desired sheen. While all of those tasks are included in a restoration, they don’t make up the real challenge. Restorations are designed to take the piece back to how it looked originally. In most cases, that means taking the piece completely apart and fabricating parts that are missing or broken.

Recently, we had a customer bring in an old church pew. It was in pieces when it arrived and the sides were being held together by tape. The customer desired to have it restored back to its original form.

Unlike new finishes, old finishes strip easier. Unfortunately, stripper eats away at old glue joints and your usually left with more work than you may have originally expected. That’s what occurred for the sides of the pew. They had to be completely taken apart and glued back together. Next, we realized the bottom support was missing. This support beam ran under the seat and was attached to the sides. We fabricated the new beam to give the pew the proper support. At this point, the pew had been put together and thoroughly sanded. However, we couldn’t understand why the unseemly router cuts were present in the sides of the pew? Therefore, we knew a long piece of trim was missing that covered up these router cuts. That trim was fabricated and the pew began to look like a finished product both functionally and aesthetically. Finally, our customer picked a stain color and we sprayed with a satin lacquer to give the pew a nice sheen.

Upon completion, we were thrilled with the results. This was one of the harder restorations we’ve done. We realized some of these items were missing after we’d already put the pew back together. Therefore, we needed to backtrack to make it right. However, you learn from each job and the piece met our customer’s expectations.

If you have a piece of furniture that you’d like restored, give us a call or click on the work order request below. We look forward to having the opportunity to earn your business.

Furniture Refinishing – Herman Miller Transformation!!

Fri, 25 Mar 2016 16:12:00 GMT

Often I get calls from potential customers stating, “I don’t have an antique piece of furniture, can you help me refinish or transform it?” The answer is always a resounding yes!! People tend to think of their grandmother’s glossy dining room furniture as things that get refinished.

At Wehrli Furniture, we are looking to change that perception. Furniture can be art and it can be a lot of fun. Recently, we received a call from a repeat customer. She found a number of Herman Miller pieces that she wanted painted. Her desire was to match the original style and add some of her personal flare. Herman Miller, Inc., is based out of Michigan, and is famous for creating some of the most iconic furniture in history. If you’ve ever sat in a cubicle, you’ve sat in a Herman Miller design. It was originally debuted in 1968 as the “Action Office.” I can’t speak for our readers but the original name couldn’t be farther from the cubicle experience!

The customer’s pieces consisted of three dressers and desk. All the wooden drawers fit into metal frames. Because all the drawers were visible, they would serve as the focal point of all the pieces. Previous Herman Miller designs featured multi-colored drawers, so the customer wanted to repeat that theme.

We started by stripping the white paint off the drawers and sanding them very well. Next, we moved to prepping the 11 drawers for painting. Only painters can appreciate the amount of prep work that goes into painting pieces correctly. It’s far from taking a piece of furniture and spraying it, and calling it a day. In this case, the customer wanted each drawer to be multi-colored. That required more prep work than just about any paint job we’ve done. Each drawer had to be taped in such a way that the lines were clean and even. She elected that all the sides would be green and the drawer fronts would rotate between orange and citron. The result made our customer ecstatic because she’s a Mid-Century Modern purist.

If you’ve got a piece of furniture that’s dull or boring, don’t throw it away! Pieces don’t need to be made by a famous designer to be reincarnated into something cool and hip. Please give us a call for your next project of click on the work order request form below. We look forward to earning your business.

Furniture Refinishing – Outdoor Furniture Makeover!!

Fri, 11 Mar 2016 21:53:00 GMT

With spring right around the corner, our attention begins to focus on being outside. A large portion of time spent outdoors is usually on the patio or deck. Consequently, we begin to think about taking the patio furniture out of storage. Unfortunately, we often find our set in a state of disrepair. Whether it’s wood or metal, mother nature doesn’t play favorites. Moisture rusts metal furniture and the sun fades and dries out wood pieces. At Wehrli Furniture, we offer cost-effective solutions for outdoor furniture. The refinishing process for furniture made of teak or some other type of wood, begins the same way we treat indoor furniture. We start by stripping what’s left of the old finish and any grime that’s built up over the years. From there, we meticulously sand every inch of the piece. Finally, we spray a weather-resistant finish to protect the furniture from the elements. When finished, the furniture should look as good as new. With the reasonable care, the furniture will last many years to come.

With metal furniture, powder coating offers an excellent solution. Powder coating is a more durable option than paint and offers just as many color choices. The process begins with sandblasting all the old finish off the piece. Next, the piece is powder coated and put in an oven to harden. Upon completion, the furniture looks as good as the day it was purchased. Refinishing and powder coating furniture are excellent ways to bring even the most weather-beaten furniture back to life. Also, these options are often cheaper than going out and buying a new set.

If you have outdoor furniture that needs refinishing or powder coating, give us a call or click on the work order request link below. We’d be happy to walk you through the process in greater detail and give a free estimate. Please pass this post onto anyone who might enjoy it.

Beautiful Bar Cabinet Restoration

Fri, 04 Mar 2016 18:19:00 GMT

A saying I often hear is “less is more.” As it relates to furniture refinishing, some pieces are so pretty that they speak for themselves. Sometimes, restoring a piece of furniture means bringing it back to its simple intended beauty. Painting or staining it would just detract from its best characteristics.

A recent bar cabinet restoration is a perfect example of a piece of furniture wearing too much makeup, so to speak. Upon arrival, it was tough to distinguish what material the cabinet was made from? It was stained a dark color that took away all its best features. Our customer wanted the piece refinished back to its original glory. She was willing to follow our advice and trust our “artistic vision” would highlight its best features.

After stripping, it was evident that a something beautiful was hiding under that dark stain. We began to see a multi-colored veneer as layers were scraped away. If you have a decorative pattern on your table or bar cabinet, it’s a almost always veneer. Veneer is great but it’s tricky to sand because it’s just a thin layer of wood. Because it’s so thin, the sander has to be extremely careful to not sand through it. After sanding and filling in areas where the veneer was either damaged or missing, it was time to decide how to finish it. It was easy to decide that the veneer was the character of the piece and it needed to be clearly seen. Therefore, we elected to go with a gloss finish and no stain. Normally, we don’t spray a lot of furniture in gloss but this piece called for it. A glossy finish just made the beautiful veneer pop.

Upon completion, the cabinet was one of the coolest looking pieces of furniture that we’ve refinished. Definitely will make a great centerpiece and bar cabinet for our customer’s family room.

If you have a piece of furniture that needs to restored or given a new look, please give us a call or fill out a work order request via the link below. Please forward this post to anyone who might enjoy our weekly content.

Custom Furniture – MCM Chair Made From Vintage Suitcase!!

Thu, 25 Feb 2016 20:12:00 GMT

We wanted to come up with a unique idea that would wow everyone. In looking around our shop, we found the perfect solution. For whatever reason, we had a red suitcase from the 50’s or 60’s that a customer had given us. Where most people saw an old suitcase, worthy of the garbage, we saw the core for a Mid-Century Modern chair.

Being able to imagine a suitcase is one thing, actually turning it into a chair is a totally different animal. Initially, we had a to mock-up a temporary frame to understand how the suitcase would carry the load of a person. The bottom of the suitcase would serve as the seat and the door the backrest. For stability, we drilled holes through the bottom and the door of the suitcase, Then, we added metal rods that screwed into the frame made out of Ash and Walnut. Ash was used for the majority of the frame and we added Walnut inlays to give a nice color contrast.

We selected a vibrantly colored fabric that represented our Mid-Century Modern vision. Our upholsterer did a fantastic job of installing the foam and fabric as if it had always been there.

The finished product matched our vision exactly. We had a beautiful chair that was also comfortable to sit in. Also, it fetched a great auction price for a good cause.

If you have a furniture idea but don’t know how to turn it into a reality, give us a call or fill out a work order request via the link below. We’d love the opportunity to create a custom-made piece of furniture only for you. Please forward this post to anyone who might enjoy our weekly content.

Furniture Refinishing – Don’t Throw That Bookcase Away, Paint It!!

Tue, 16 Feb 2016 21:26:00 GMT

Have you ever wished you could take your old furniture and make it tie with a new piece you’ve purchased? Then the painful reality hits, all my existing furniture looks like it’s from the 70’s!! How am I going to afford to throw all my furniture away and start over!

Don’t worry you’re in luck. Why might you ask? Because old furniture was built with quality in mind. As refinishers, we can’t do much with a lot of the furniture built today. It’s often built from anything but wood, which makes it impossible to refinish or modify. However, we can take a quality, dated-piece and make it match any vision.

Recently, we received an email from a customer who was redecorating her home. She had three bookcases that she purchased about 40 years ago. They were in great shape, but definitely needed a makeover. She inquired if we could paint the bookcases to match her entertainment center.

The base color of the entertainment center was a shade of white but it had streaks of grey and brown running through it. This paint job was obviously done in a factory and would require us to replicate by hand. In order to match the entertainment center, the customer gave us a drawer to use as a color reference (see drawer sample with knob vs. cabinet below.)

The first step of the process is thoroughly sanding the bookcases. Sanding creates grooves, which allow the paint to adhere. Next, we spend time finding an exact color match to the sample drawer. Once a color has been chosen and the pieces are properly taped off, coats of sealer and paint are applied.

If the customer was simply looking for just a solid paint color, the painting process would be completed. In this case, we had to perform additional steps to match the grey and brown in the entertainment center. We call this process glazing. Glazing is done by hand and gives the piece its multi-color look (see drawer sample corner vs. bookcase below.)

The bookcases matched the drawer from the entertainment center exactly. The customer remarked that they looked like they came off the factory floor. She stated that buying new bookcases would have cost 4 times as much as what we charged. We were thrilled to save her the money and give her the custom look she was seeking.

At Wehrli Furniture, we can take your existing furniture and match any style décor through painting or refinishing. Whether you’re a homeowner or a designer, give us a call or fill out a work order request below for your next decorating project.

The Cabinets That Were Anything But Custom!!

Thu, 04 Feb 2016 16:59:00 GMT

Often time’s customers look at their furniture and see a piece of junk. To be fair, it’s hard to imagine a dilapidated chair, table or cabinet being anything different. This post is a testament that anything can be transformed into something beautiful again.

A few months back, I received a call from a customer who wanted her former built-in cabinets turned into stand-alone cabinets. Because they were built-in, the dimensions on the tops and sides weren’t correct for cabinets that would stand-alone. Therefore, new tops and sides would have to be built to make each side match.

When building tops/sides/shelves of any size, we follow the same process of building a custom tabletop. The wood is sourced, cut to the proper size and run through a planer. The planer removes rough or excess surface from the boards. Next, holes are drilled on the sides of the boards so they can be glued together. After the glue dries, we have something slightly resembling a top. Finally, the top needs to be sanded numerous times before its ready for priming/painting. It’s a common misconception, that a piece of wood is cut, sanded a bit and then stained or painted. As I’ve stated, many more steps and hours go into this process.

In order to begin painting, the cabinets need to be sanded exceptionally well for a couple of reasons. First, the cabinets were stripped, which raises the grain of the wood. If we painted over that without sanding, the customer would be left with a product that isn’t smooth or appealing. Secondly, think of painting over rust on a car. The paint job might look great for a short time if you simply painted over the rust. However, the rust will eventually flake-off and take your new paint job with it. The same logic applies to furniture, that’s why all loose finish needs to be sanded off before painting.

The painting process begins by spraying the cabinets with two coats of sealer. Between coats, the cabinets are sanded with a high grit sandpaper to remove any imperfections. After the pieces are properly sealed, multiple coats of a lacquer-based paint are sprayed on the piece and sanded in between coats.

Once completed, the cabinets looked they rolled off a factory floor. Our customer was thrilled because she received the custom cabinets she wanted. We also had a laugh because her husband was very doubtful about the prospects of making these cabinets look great again. Lets just say he changed his tune after seeing the final product!!

At Wehrli Furniture, we are capable of anything. We pride ourselves on exceeding our customer’s expectations every time we take a job. If you have a piece of furniture, cabinets, doors or anything else that you believe is beyond salvageable, give us a call or create a work order below to get started.

Have You Ever Stripped Furniture??

Wed, 27 Jan 2016 18:45:00 GMT

Stripping is arguably the most crucial step of the refinishing process. It sets the proper foundation for sanding, staining and applying lacquer. Stripping is also the worst part of refinishing. The stripper will have deal with fumes, grime, possible skin irritation and strenuous labor. The vast majority of people/businesses don’t have the facilities or supplies to properly strip a piece. Also, over-the-counter products often don’t work on today’s tough finishes. Have you ever wished somebody would offer this service at a reasonable price and get the job done right?

At Wehrli Furniture in Naperville, we have the solution for you. We have the experience, facilities and supplies to make even the toughest stripping job, easier. The process begins by placing the piece in a flow-over system that continuously applies stripper. This allows the solvent-based stripper to do the bulk of the work, instead of you. Once the first layer of varnish or paint has begun to peal, we manually scrub it away and apply more stripper to the next layer. Upon completion, the door or table is power washed to remove any of the old finish that may still remain, and left to dry.

For the DIYer, we are happy to return the piece stripped, so that you can sand, paint or stain yourself.

For an affordable price, you can spend your day with your kids or on the golf course, instead of stripping furniture. We are also happy to carry the piece through the rest of the painting and staining process to finish the job off.

Stripping no longer has to be your problem, let it be our problem. Contact Wehrli Furniture today, and we’d love to talk about your next stripping, refinishing or painting project. We also offer discounts to contractors, woodworkers or anyone else who might have bulk stripping needs.

Shuffle-Up and Deal!!

Tue, 29 Dec 2015 19:02:00 GMT

Gambling has always had a romantic quality throughout American history. Its been portrayed in countless movies depicting the wild west, Prohibition times and various other genres. Some people make their living at it, others just enjoy sitting around a table with good friends.

Recently, we had the pleasure of restoring a 1930’s Poker and Blackjack table from an underground casino in Cicero, Illinois. If the table could talk, what would it say? Did famous mobsters play on it, did fortunes change hands on the flip of cards?

Both tables were in a total state of disrepair. The cash boxes that collected so many thousands of dollars were broken. Ash tray holders, that probably contained many nervously smoked cigarettes, were either missing or broken. The felt was completely ruined and would need to be replaced. Those were just the small problems, the entire table was going to need to stripped, sanded and refinished as well.

Our customer desired to keep the piece consistent with the times. He wanted to keep the cigarette burns in the wood and match the original felt that would have covered the tables back in the 30’s. We literally had to sand around the cigarette burns in order to preserve the “character” of the table. The company that made the table had long been out of business. However, we were able to locate some of the original felt. Our upholsterer did a fantastic job of adding the right amount of padding, to allow cards to slide properly.

Once completed, each table looked like it rolled off the factory line. Our customer was thrilled to have unique piece of gambling and Chicago history restored.

This job was not only a restoration but a history lesson as well. If you have a job either large or small, give us a call. We’d love the opportunity to earn your business.

A Pie Safe That Wasn’t Safe

Wed, 16 Dec 2015 21:35:00 GMT

Have you ever taken on project because it was the right thing to do? Maybe its that stray dog you take in or the friend you help move. I’m not sure if the recent pie safe we overhauled is a proper comparison, but its the best I can do.

About 3 months ago, we first laid on eyes on the pie safe. The safe was falling apart with the exception of the chicken wire that was keeping the bottom together. By the time we made the mile ride back to the shop, the safe was in pieces. That being said, it was easy to see the beauty in this pile of wood. The front doors and sides were adorned with decorative tin designs. They were hard to make out from the rust and paint that had built up, but we knew they would look great with the proper amount of work.

After stripping, the safe needed to be sanded down and have all its old joints cleaned out. We didn’t see this taking up too much time in our initial time estimate, however, this was the dreaded pie safe!! About 25-30 hours later, the pie safe could stand on its own again.

We assumed the safe’s paint would strip right off, that was the wrong assumption. There were probably 4 or 5 coats of paint on it and they didn’t want to budge over about 2 hours of stripping. Once finished, it was apparent that this safe was going to be painted again due to the old paint that couldn’t be removed totally.

Sometimes you don’t make money on a job or its more work than you previously intended. However, sometimes bringing old things back to there former beauty is payment enough. If you have a piece of furniture that you believe is beyond repair, give us a call before you throw it away.

Stunning 1840’s George Hepplewhite Table Restoration!!!

Fri, 04 Dec 2015 23:04:00 GMT

Often when we think of art, we conjure up images of famous paintings by Picasso, Michelangelo or Warhol. Most, outside of furniture enthusiasts, have never heard of George Hepplewhite. Hepplewhite is regarded as one of best English furniture makers of the 18th century. None of the furniture he built exists today but his designs are timeless works-of-art.

A few months ago, we had the privilege of receiving a phone call from a nice elderly gentleman. On the call, he mentioned that he had fourteen leg table in need of restoration. In all honesty, we weren’t sure if he was mistaken, because its hard to imagine a table with fourteen legs (see below for before/after)? Upon arrival, we realized the gentleman had been correct. The table was made of solid walnut and mahogany and had decorative wood inlays on the top, apron and legs. To our amazement, that wasn’t the best part of the table. Hepplewhite was an artist/genius because of the functionality and simplicity of his designs. At any one time (see pictures at bottom of post), the table could be two desks, a round table, a square table, a smaller dining room table or a full dining room table. The table could function just as well for the owner of one bedroom condo or a mansion.

With all the tables positives, it was desperately in the need of a full restoration. The gentleman stated prior to his decades of ownership, it had been abandoned in a barn. One leaf was fully-cracked and warped (see below for before/after), intricate inlays (see below for before/after) were missing or broken and the table certainly was going to need to be stripped, sanded, stained and sprayed with lacquer to even have a chance of looking decent again.

Roughly, three weeks of work later, the table was restored to the original design Hepplewhite envisioned. Our team was able to to make the leaf look like it had never been cracked or warped and meticulously repaired/added the missing wood inlays. Once the table was in one piece, it was stained and clear-coated with six coats of lacquer.

Getting the opportunity to do this job was an honor for us here at Wehrli Furniture. If you ever need a table restored or your kitchen chair fixed, we will always be there to offer the finest in woodworking skills and customer service.

Custom-Built Table and Reincarnation of Table Base and Chairs

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 16:44:00 GMT

Have you ever seen a piece of furniture and thought it was junk? Maybe you felt this way even though you had a sneaking suspicion that it could fit your home if somebody could transform it?

If you can relate, we recently had a customer drop-off eight chairs and a table base that were far from beautiful. The chairs were broken and missing pieces and the base didn’t have a table. Her desire was to incorporate the existing pieces with a custom-built farm table. The eight chairs needed to be completely taken apart and re-glued piece-by-piece to make them structurally sound again. In addition, new chair parts needed to be built to replace ones that were either missing or broken.

We advised the customer to use Bird’s Eye Maple for the custom-built table. Not only is the wood beautiful but it ties in nicely to the look of a farm-house table. When the wood arrived, it needed to be planed numerous times to ensure it was perfectly flat. Next, each board was cut to size and meticulously glued together to form the table. Once the table was glued together, its clamped for a few days to let the glue dry. After the glue is dry, any excess glue needs to be scrapped off with a razor blade before sanding. The table gets sanded with a rougher grit of sandpaper and then progresses to a finer grit to remove any imperfections and assure the customer has a smooth table.

The chairs and table-base were painted a Navajo White by Benjamin Moore. Then we back-sanded the chairs slightly, to show the old stain coming through. This technique gives the chairs a nice worn look.

Our customer was thrilled with the final product and now has a table and chairs that her whole family can enjoy. If your looking for a custom-made piece of furniture, give us a call .

From Trash To Treasure

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 21:29:00 GMT

I’ve been hitting estate sales lately and I came by a chair that resembled something that could have stylish in the 70’s. The cushions were a mixture of green, orange and brown. I considered just putting this poor chair out of its misery but I saw potential. The lines and structure of this chair were timeless and classy.

After listening to the chair beg me to deliver it from the 70’s, I broke down and purchased it. My vision for the chair was something timeless, much like a tuxedo or a black dress. Give it some paint, change the fabric and just really make it something that a stylish person would love to have in any room of the house.

First, I had to send the chair off to the upholsterer to strip all the existing fabric off. The chair came back about a week later and looked completely different. I could tell the reincarnation wasn’t going to be as hard as I thought at the estate sale. Second, the chair needed to be sanded so it would take the paint I hadn’t chosen yet. After a good scuff sanding, I decided to get rid of some of the unnecessary features of the chair. Most notably, were the two are rest knobs that I simply cutoff.

My designer helped me choose a grayish-silver and fabric that I thought made the chair look timeless. This is still hard to picture though when the the chair is just a frame, but I was certain that this chair would be worthy of being sold at a high-end furniture store.

When the upholsterer got it back to me I couldn’t have been more happy. The chair exceeded all my expectations and was donated to a charity in the area where it went to a great home.

This story might seem like fiction but I assure you the pictures above are real! Give us a call at 630-357-9663, if you can imagine it, we can transform it.

The Story Of The Bed That Wouldn’t Fit…

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 13:34:00 GMT

Normally, our jobs are pretty standard. We predominantly refinish, paint, upholster, cane and repair furniture in all shapes and sizes. Every once and awhile we get a job that is very unique.

Last week a customer contacted us from Angies List and she had a real dilemma. She’d found a great bed at a fantastic price, so what could possibly be wrong with that? Unfortunately, she didn’t factor getting it into her Chicago high-rise elevator. Movers tried multiple times to cram it in but it just wouldn’t fit.

When we drove out to meet with the customer, the bed was sitting in her law office. The good news was she had a comfortable King Size bed to sleep on between clients. The bad news was the money she’d be out for the new bed.

The customer asked us to think “outside the box”, and come up with a solution for fitting this in the elevator and then reassembling it when we got up to her condo. We tried to get the side rails on the headboard off, but that would have caused too much damage. Removing the side rails would have been the easy solution but things like this are rarely easy. What could we possibly do? We had our upholster come over to our shop and take all the fabric off the back of the bed. As usual, he did an amazing job and we looked inside the frame of the headboard. We decided to cut the middle of headboard support so we could fold the bed like an accordion. The bed folded right up and we wrapped blankets to hold the bed in place.

The next day we drove to Chicago for the moment of truth. The bed fit perfectly in the elevator and into the customers bedroom. We then reassembled the headboard and our upholsterer stitched it back up. The customer was ecstatic because I don’t think she could find anyone who was willing to touch this job. At the end of the day, nothing is more gratifying than helping somebody when they have no other options.

As I’ve stated before, if you can imagine it, we make it happen . Stay tuned for my weekly blog posts.

Until next time, thanks!