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Does the space in your home look flat and ordinary? Redesign is the art of taking what you already have and recreating your favorite place on earth, your home. One of the simplest places to begin is looking at your furniture in your home in a fresh new way.

You have surely thought it before - "to slipcover or not to slipcover - that is the question." It doesn't have quite the ring of Shakespeare to it, but you get the idea. Do you cover your existing sofa with a slipcover, or do you just go out and buy a new one?

A couple of items to think about before making your decision:

Does the piece you want to recover need a new look? Is the frame of the piece still in good shape? Is the item you would like to recover a favorite piece of furniture? Or - is the item a perfect size and shape for a particular spot in your home?

If you answered yes to these questions, a slipcover might just be your answer. And don't limit yourself to just upholstered pieces- slipcovers are a great idea for hardwood and metal chairs as well as an easy way to get a whole new look and feel for a room.

Custom мейд and fit slipcovers are not inexpensive- consider the amount of fabric and the labor involved. They serve a multitude of functions and will be well worth your investment. A slipcover can actually increase the longevity of your initial purchase, the sofa or chair you are covering, by protecting your piece from every day wear and tear. Think of all the kids, feet, pets and spills that end up on your sofa. Now the dirt and grime can end up on your slipcover and then easily disappear into the washing machine!

Slipcovers 101

Fabric- Not all fabrics make a great slipcover. Consider the objective of your slipcover - are you going for a "look" or a protective piece? You have a lot more flexibility when you are just trying to achieve a certain look- basically any woven fabric could work. If you are looking for something to withstand the neighborhood kids, choose a close weave fabric like duck, poplin or denim.

Style- As is the case in so many items of design, details make the difference. After you determine the look and feel that you are trying to achieve, then begin to design the slipcover. Think of your favorite clothing - you are dressing a chair, much like you would dress a body. Do you want fun and flirty? Maybe the "skirt" of the chair, the fabric that falls below the seat, will be gathered will lots of fullness. Do you want tailored and sophisticated? How about a "body" of the chair itself, with crisp lines and cording, and a skirt with box pleats accented with buttons. With dressmaker details, knife pleats, ruffling, gathers, crisp bows, covered buttons, or tassels, your slipcover can be as varied as your personality!

When Susan Kostelecky of SK Designs in Houston, Texas needed to design a slipcover for a little girl's room, she took creativity to a new level when she designed a "ballerina" slipcover. Decked out in tulle, satin, embroidered flower buds and ribbon, an old wooden rocker with a cane seat has been transformed into the belle of the ball. Not surprisingly, this is the favorite piece of furniture in the room.

Fabrication- Anytime you are about to embark on a custom мейд piece, do your research. An interior design professional can surely help you with your project. Or use professional organizations to find a reputable workroom, Window Coverings Association of America, for example) and always ask friends and neighbors about their experiences.

And while we're talking about fabrication, don't forget that fabric can be used just about anywhere - so use that creativity! Slipcovers over your existing pillows work for a quick change. And fabric covers and skirts for tables, even coffee tables, are a good way to add texture and color to your existing pieces. So make a change and bring some "cover" girls into your home. You'll be glad you did!

And if you walk into someone else's house and have the urge to rearrange their furniture, interior design, redesign or home staging may be the career for you.

Mary Larsen is the owner of MaryLarsenDesigns of Apex, NC where she does design work as well as teaches classes to those who wish to become decorators, redesigners, and home stagers. Her new book, How to Open and Operate a Redesign, Redecorating and Home Staging Business will be available from Atlantic-Publishing in 2008 and can be found at [DesignandStagingBizBook] She can be reached through

Mary Larsen is a nationally recognized instructor for design beginners and professionals, holding monthly classes in Raleigh, NC. Whether you are just beginning to start your own business or interested in knowing more and growing your business, Mary Larsen's expertise is sure to provide you with the training you need!