Scandinavian Sofa & Chair Restoration | Reupholstery with Kvadrat Steelcut Trio

This distinctive sofa and chair set had been in the family for years and was well worth restoring properly. The clients selected Kvadrat Steelcut Trio, one of our favourite upholstery textiles and a fabric especially well suited to the era and character of the pieces.

Rather than simply recovering the set, we took both pieces right down to the frame. The original webbing was worn out and no longer providing the support these pieces needed, so we replaced it with rubber Pirelli webbing to stay true to the 1960s Scandinavian style of construction. Pirelli webbing is a much more durable solution than the economical elastic webbing commonly used in many modern repairs and can last for decades.

The original box spring cushions were also carefully rebuilt with new padding and foam. We see too many good pieces where the box springs are discarded in favour of quick foam-block replacements, but in this case it was important to preserve the original seating concept while properly renewing its comfort and support.

To get the feel right, we carried out sit tests and foam mockups to find the right balance between the seat and back, while also refining the seat depth. Over time, the original cotton padding had become packed down, hard, and uncomfortable, and the interiors had accumulated years of wear, mustiness, and dust. We also suspect the set had been recovered once in the past.

Inside, much of the original foam had completely deteriorated. The arm foam, body foam, and a significant portion of the seat foam had all disintegrated and required full replacement.

The result is a beautifully restored sofa and chair set that remains true to its mid-century roots while offering dramatically improved comfort, support, and longevity.