Page 16 - Brandywine Valley Home 2024

CUSTOM MADE EASY
That artfully turned leg on one sofa looks fetching. The rolled English arm on another catches your eye. The boxed cushions on a third piece are a knockout. With custom upholstery, you can combine the features you like the most to create furniture that reflects your needs and taste. “You’ll spend many years sitting on sofas and chairs,” says Lisa Quale of Lisa Quale Interiors. “Being able to customize gives you the style, comfort and performance that works for you and your family.”
Manufacturers have different fill options for cushions and backs. Quale suggests trying different combinations in a showroom to test what feels best. “I recommend that anyone over the age of 50 upgrade to firm foam cushions or spring-down cushions, which have a coiled spring core in them like a mattress,” says the Glen Mills-based designer.
Look at furniture as an investment—are you thinking short-term or long-term? “A plywood frame or sinuous spring piece will last seven to 10 years, which is fine if you’re getting something trendy or at the stage of life where the fabric will wear out faster than the frame,” Quale says. “If you’re investing in quality for the long-term, the gold standard is kiln-dried hardwood frames with hand-tied eight-way springs.”
Performance fabrics resist stains, but there are other considerations
when choosing a fabric. “I only use upholstery fabrics with cleaning code W, which means they can be cleaned with water without leaving a dark spot,” Quale says. “The number of ‘double rubs’ a fabric has tells you how quickly it will begin to fray from use. For a busy family, I look for fabrics that test at over 50,000 double rubs.”
Lisa Quale Interiors
8 William Charles Drive, Glen Mills, (484) 995-3958, lqinteriors.com
14 BRANDYWINE VALLEY HOME
ON TREND
TIMELY TRANSFORMATIONS
Up your home décor game with these tips from local designers.
BY EILEEN SMITH DALLABRIDA
THE NEUTRAL ZONE
Who says beige is boring? A skillfully executed, neutral décor offer subtlety, serenity and sophistication. Think cotton-cloud white, whisper-soft fawn and luxurious platinum. “Neutral palettes allow a
person to effortlessly take in what is around them and appreciate a space without distraction,” says
Kate Pechinka, founder of Kate Kelly Interiors in Chester Springs. “A sense of calm is created so that each piece of furniture, work of art and accessory can be admired for its detail and craftsmanship.”
In a monochromatic color scheme, it’s good to vary shades, sheens and contours to keep the design from falling flat. “Fabrics and finishes bring depth. Silhouettes of furniture, inlaid patterns and texture are all opportunities to create movement and energy,” says Pechinka.
Embrace the subtleties in neutral hues. Whites can be cool (tinged with gray, blue or violet) or warm (with undertones of yellow, cream and ivory). Pechinka’s latest love is Benjamin Moore’s Snowfall White. “I’d describe it as warm and cleansing. It has a subtle tint that creates depth and a touch of contrast,” she says. “It’s a beautiful white that can be appreciated in all kinds of lighting.”
Kate Kelly Interiors
Chester Springs, (484) 543-8853, katekellyinteriors.com
(TOP) CHRISTIAN GIANNELLI (BOTTOM) COURTESY KATE KELLY INTERIORS