With a fast-furnishing trend influencing consumer purchase of cheaply made and inexpensively priced home fittings, a demand for a more eco-sustainable, value-driven way of decorating our homes simmers on the back burner, awaiting its (re)turn to the forefront again. Enter the scrappers, grassroots DIY’ers, experienced artisans, seasoned wood-crafters, and novices of slow-furnishing in the making.

Like fast-fashion, fast-furnishing offers seemingly fashionable furniture that is quickly produced using cheap materials. Often times it is manufactured overseas where exploited workers from underprivileged countries are paid pennies to produce, and the price tags left hanging once stateside offer a great look at a great price, along with a guilt-free disposable mentality.  What more could a style conscious consumer on a budget want, right?

But what about durability, longevity, timeless style, quality, and integrity? These are just a few characteristics  hand-crafted, slow-furnishings like the ones our parents, and grandparents bought. Home fittings made from quality wood put together by trained hands and finished with durable textiles that come in a range of fibers and designs. Furnishings still found at many of your notable furniture stores, craft events, even right in your own home!!

From Aunt Ginny’s 25 year-old love seat that just needs a make-over, or your husband’s favorite wing chair stored in the attic because the cushion needs replacing, you may pay a little more, but isn’t the payoff worth it for a cherished piece with memories and meaning? With the right finish and/or fabric, damaged goods can come back to life over and over again. Sometimes they come back wearing a new look, other times they return retaining their original adornment. Some furniture even gains value with age and become sought after vintage/antique finds once they’re appraised. One thing is certain, as non-recyclable material from fast-furnishings continues filling up our landfills and the cost to Mother Nature’s resources and waterways becomes more and more detrimental, a choice of our own free will, will  inevitably become a decision made for us.

At Summerdale Mills / J&O Fabrics, the question of who will save the slow-furnishing industry is answered by European trained wood-craftsmen, seasoned designers, and dedicated upholsterers all looking to play their part in reviving seemingly lifeless chairs, dressers, chase lounges and miscellaneous treasure finds ready to be loved again.  It is here in this magical warehouse of pieces and parts that new arms and legs replace old, face lifts shed years, reconstructive surgery restores charm, and simple make-overs bring the sexy out of simple yet solid frames. Waiting on the other side are fathers, children and wives with wide eyes and big smiles, clearly grateful for finding reason to salvage rather than discard their cherished heirlooms. With over 1 million yards of fabric in stock and skilled craftsmen on hand to guide your slow-furnishing project from beginning to end, Summerdale Mills / J&O Fabrics is your one-stop source for beautiful fabric and work at unbeatable prices. If you can dream it, Summerdale Mills /J&O Fabrics can make it.

Other reasons to (re)upholster or support slow-furnishing…

• Hold onto family heirlooms that maintain integrity and structural strength.
• Ownership of a Period style not available in stores any longer.
• The offering of a wide range of fabric content and design.

• Customization of your selected furniture fit so it is ergonomically comfortable.
• Play your part in the sustainability of Mother Earth thru the use of reuse, recycle and restore.

Fast-furnishing like fast-fashion may be the trend for now, but slow-furnishing is returning.

Will you help play a part?

Check out Summerdale Mills/ J&O Fabrics selection of Upholstery Fabrics

Check out Summerdale Mills / J&O Fabrics selection of Decorative Fabrics

Check out Summerdale Mills / J&O Fabrics selection of Outdoor Fabrics

Check out Summerdale Mills / J&O Fabrics selection of Trims, Tassels & Cording

Who Will Save The Slow-Furnishing Industry? was posted at J&O Fabrics Store Newsletter Blog. | https://www.jandofabrics.com/blog