What You Need to Know About Made-to-Order Upholstery

It’s what’s on the inside that counts—

—a sentiment, we think, that holds true for people as well as upholstery. But we’re sticking to our expertise here and working with the prior. The inner workings of our made-to-order upholstery line at McGee & Co. have always been a priority for us because, as designers, we know as well as anyone that when investing in a one-of-a-kind, custom piece, you want it to last. Whether it’s the headboard for the primary bedroom or a sofa for the grand room, every detail counts—even when you can’t see them. Sometimes those are what matter the most.

The art of upholstery has been around for centuries, so when creating our made-to-order upholstery line, we put our trust in artisans who have honed this craft over years, sometimes generations, of experience. Each piece that requires a frame is crafted in solid oak, providing a foundation that is incredibly durable and capable of withstanding the test of time [and children]. Each cushion is then wrapped in a combination of memory foam, down, and padding, striking the perfect balance between soft and firm. As Shea and our design team conceptualizes each piece, we work closely with our upholstery team to ensure that each shape is capable of holding the chosen fabric and design details. In the end, guaranteeing the product will be as beautiful as it is sturdy.

The final detail added is the upholstery itself, masterfully fitted to the frame by our artisans. Our selection of fabrics have been hand-picked by Shea after sifting through thousands of samples. With an emphasis on both the function and beauty of every fabric option, we’ve curated a selection of swatches that can suit any space, doing the hard work for you so all that’s left is choosing the one you love. But before committing to your fabric, there are a few considerations we recommend making. See our tips below to narrow down the right upholstery for your space.

No. 01 | Kids and Pets

No. 02 | Graceful Aging

No. 03 | Luxury and Texture

No. 01 | Kids and Pets

If little ones—i.e. sticky fingers—or pets will be using your upholstery, you’ll want to select a fabric that can stand up to a few smudges. Performance linen and boucle resists water, oil, and stains, making them excellent options. Crypton gives you even more durability. It likewise resists water, oil, and stains, and its protective technology prevents odors and the growth of bacteria.

Even with the added, protective nature of this family of fabrics, we’ve taken care to select swatches that don’t sacrifice a soft, luxuriously smooth hand feel. They are everything we love about high-end fabric, just with an extra layer of protection for everything that life hands us.

No. 02 | Graceful Aging

While all our fabric options are made to withstand high rub counts and long-term use, leather is uniquely exceptional when it comes to aging in that it tends to only get more beautiful as it wears. Made from 100% top grain, aniline dyed leather, this selection is good if you intend to keep the piece for a long time. It naturally patinas, adding elevated character to the room.

No. 03 | Luxury and Texture

Boucle, Linen, and Velvet, including Mohair and Cotton Velvet, are particularly elevated and luxurious selections. While still durable and strong, these fabrics have an airy, sultry hand feel that is incredibly soft to the touch.

These fabrics are made to impress, with less tolerance for stains and an eye-catching, delicate look. Each retains a high rub count and will last for decades, giving your space an especially luxurious feel for years to come.

Are you a design professional wanting to get the inside scoop on McGee & Co.’s upholstery collection? Check out McGee & Co.’s new Designer Trade Program. The benefits are vast—think a dedicated team of customer service agents to help whenever you need it, discounts and tax exemptions on every purchase you place through McGee & Co., and free swatches and samples delivered to your doorstep to ensure you get the design just right. As fellow trade professionals, we hope to be a go-to resource to ease the process of mood boards and blueprints to dream home. If you have any questions about the McGee & Co. Designer Trade Program we can be reached at [email protected].