Wydeven Designs: Example of Collaboration

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Example of Collaboration - You Choose Fabric

Several weeks ago, I discussed the fact that I would be selling more items as a "You Choose Fabric" option. I get a LOT of questions from website and eBay customers asking if a particular piece of refurbished furniture can be redone in another fabric - something that would work better with their decor. I always tell that that YES, it can be done BUT the cost would be prohibitive since the cost of the expert upholstery work has already been incurred. Upholstery labor costs are by far my highest cost so redoing adds quite a bit to the price. So, I have been listing 5-7 items as "Before" pieces that can be redone in a fabric of the buyer's choice from my inventory of good value fabrics. The customer can also provide their own fabrics which has happened as well.

I can't say this campaign has quickly caught on but I do have an early success story and others potentially in the works. This French country style chair was offered as a "You Choose Fabric" option on eBay and purchased, along with another piece of furniture already redone, by an Ohio customer. Before finalizing the purchase, I showed the customer a number of photos of fabrics based on her interests. She choose one but asked that it be draped over the chair which helped her visualize what it might look like. The fabric she selected is a very high-end Cowtan and Tout hand-printed linen in dark brown on a taupish gold background - very stunning! One challenge was the woodwork which was a lighter maple finish (and truthfully a little worn). The fabric, a bold brown and dark goldish taupe, didn't blend well with the color of the woodwork. I suggested that the woodwork be redone in a dark brown to match the fabric colors and found the exact right shade of spray paint at my local Ace hardware store.

Here is the result - I was thrilled with the outcome and even more thrilled that the customer loves it as well!