KNOLL · HERMAN MILLER · EAMES · SAARINEN · WEGNER · BAKER
Mid-century modern reupholstery, era-correct.
Knoll, Herman Miller, Eames Lounge & Ottoman, Saarinen Womb and Tulip, Hans Wegner, Heywood-Wakefield, Henredon, Drexel, Milo Baughman, Adrian Pearsall. We honor the original construction method (most mid-century pieces use sinuous springs as designed; we do not convert to hand-tied where the original engineering specifies otherwise). Era-appropriate fabrics from Knoll Textiles, Maharam, Designtex, and period-fabric reproduction mills. Hollin Hills enthusiast clients welcome.
I. MAKERS WE HANDLE
Iconic and overlooked.
Knoll (Saarinen Tulip, Womb, Bertoia Diamond, Mies van der Rohe Barcelona). Herman Miller (Eames Lounge & Ottoman, Eames Sofa, Nelson Coconut, Nelson Marshmallow, Aeron). Eames (the lounge cushions are the most common single-piece reupholstery from this catalog). Saarinen (Womb chair re-cushioning, Tulip chair seat pads). Hans Wegner (Papa Bear, Wishbone, GE-290). Heywood-Wakefield (the warm-modern American mid-century). Henredon, Drexel, Milo Baughman. Adrian Pearsall sculpted-frame sofas. Less iconic but built-to-last American mid-century catalog pieces.
II. SINUOUS SPRINGS ARE OK
We do not convert to hand-tied where the original used sinuous.
Most mid-century pieces were engineered with sinuous (S-shape) springs from the design phase — Eames, Saarinen, Wegner, Heywood-Wakefield all used sinuous as designed. Converting to eight-way hand-tied changes the sit, the proportion, and the engineering intent. We rebuild with new sinuous springs from period-correct manufacturers and accept the original construction as correct. The exception: a few Henredon and Baker pieces that were built with hand-tied springs from the start; those stay hand-tied.
III. ERA-APPROPRIATE FABRIC
Knoll Textiles. Maharam. Designtex. Period reproductions.
Mid-century reupholstery deserves era-appropriate fabric. Knoll Textiles carries the catalog of original mid-century textile designs (Boucle, Hopsack, Cato). Maharam reproduces classic Alexander Girard and Charles Eames textile designs. Designtex carries contemporary patterns sympathetic to mid-century aesthetics. For Hollin Hills and Sea Ranch enthusiast clients, we source from period-fabric reproduction mills (Knoll archive, the original Cranbrook designs). COM welcome with no markup.
IV. EAMES LOUNGE CUSHION REPLACEMENT
The most common single-piece job.
The Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair (670) and Ottoman (671) cushions are the most common single-piece mid-century reupholstery we do. Original-spec down-and-feather cushions (Herman Miller original), or 6-7 lb-density polyurethane foam (later production), in matching top-grain leather. We source leather to match the original Herman Miller specs — black, chocolate, palisander, hopsack-natural. Lead time on Eames cushion replacement: 3 to 4 weeks. Cost: $1,200 to $1,800 for full chair-and-ottoman set in leather, depending on hide source.
Frequently asked
Should I convert my mid-century sofa to eight-way hand-tied?
No. Most mid-century pieces (Eames, Saarinen, Wegner, Heywood-Wakefield) were engineered for sinuous springs. Converting changes the engineering intent, the sit, and the proportion — and the piece reads wrong afterward. We rebuild with new sinuous springs and accept the original construction. Hand-tied conversion is appropriate only for pieces (a few Henredon and Baker models) that originally had hand-tied.
Can you reupholster Eames lounge cushions?
Yes — the most common Eames job we do. Original-spec down-and-feather (Herman Miller's original spec) or 6-7 lb-density polyurethane foam (later production), in matching top-grain leather. Sourced from Edelman or directly from Herman Miller authorized leather suppliers. Black, chocolate, palisander, hopsack-natural. $1,200 to $1,800 for full chair+ottoman set.
What about a Saarinen Womb chair?
Yes. The Womb is fully upholstered — frame, cushions, back, all one piece. We strip to the steel frame, repair fiberglass shell where damaged, re-foam to original spec (the Womb uses a specific multi-density foam profile), re-upholster in fabric or leather. 5 to 7 weeks. The job is technically demanding because the curve geometry needs precise fabric layout.
Knoll Wassily chair strap replacement?
Yes. The Wassily (Marcel Breuer, Mies van der Rohe context) uses leather straps stretched across the chrome frame. We replace the straps with matching leather (black or natural) in the original strap pattern. Single chair job, 2 to 3 weeks. Common request — original straps stretch and fail at 30-40 years.
Do you do Hollin Hills enthusiast work?
Yes — Hollin Hills, Sea Ranch, Pomeroy Estates, and other mid-century enthusiast communities in the DC area are an active client segment. We source from period-fabric mills, honor original construction methods, and provide period-correct documentation. Antonio is honest about when a piece is worth restoring and when reproduction is the better answer.
Can you match a specific mid-century textile?
Often, yes. Knoll Textiles maintains the original catalog of mid-century designs (Hopsack, Boucle, Cato, Diamond). Maharam reproduces Girard and Eames textile designs. For obscure period fabrics we work with reproduction mills (Cranbrook archive, Knoll archive). Bring a swatch or a photo; we will match what we can.
