What holds up best at the beach? Our current set is probably still OK but it is a little too, um, festive for our tastes and not of the greatest quality. Our rates will go up next year because the massive construction behind us will be over (it has to be!) and we want to make parts of the house a bit more upscale to correlate with the higher rates.
We have thought about slipcovers in denim or chambray, with maybe a striped slipcovered chair thrown in. That way we can wash them upon our arrival. But microfiber is another option. On one hand it is hard to damage or stain and can look clean all the time, on the other hand you have to clean off the spots or it tends to look spotted and messy in my limited experience. Don't know what it would look like after 10 weeks straight of renters.
What is best at handling the beach house wear and tear without being so patterned it's, um, loud? Any ideas are appreciated. Never seen this one discussed before. Most of the houses in Seacrest look a little fancier than ours on the interior and I'm sure this is important to some renters. (But not all.)
TooFarTampaTooFarTampaSoWal InsiderNative of Tampa now in Boston 'burbs. Left my hear5,422 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
TooFarTampaSoWal InsiderNative of Tampa now in Boston 'burbs. Left my hear5,422 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider5,698 views
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32
MangoMangoSoWal InsiderNew York/ Santa Rosa Beach9,699 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
MangoSoWal InsiderNew York/ Santa Rosa Beach9,699 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal InsiderHere, take a look at this, from Sandcastle Designs:
http://www.sandcastledesigns.com/slipcover.htm
We've been very happy with the Rowe sofa we bought from them, so I can imagine that this line of sofas would be equally nice. It looks like you can choose slipcovers from whatever fabric you want, so this might be worth investigating!
I have a Rowe slipcover sofa where the pillows and cushions can be washed right in the washing machine. I have this in my den at home. Its cream colored. My nephews are on it all the time and we eat a lot of meals in that room as well. It's great. I wash it about twice a year, have had it for 9 years, and it still looks like brand new. Suggestion though, I have a commercial washing machine in my house due to hubby being in the business, and it is less stressful on the items than domestic washers.
I also wash them in cold, and let hang dry.
I am not sure if Rowe makes the sofas like that anymore. But Rowe sofas have extremely durable frames.
If you decide to buy slipcovers, I like the light blue denim idea and Khahi colors together. I am actually going to do that on my sofa in my rental . Its a Rowe as well, but I am not happy with the color. Its a burgandy with flower print. But it hides dirt well since my place sleeps up to 12 people, and they have lots of kids.
BritniBritniBeach Crab1 postJoined View profileMessageBeach Crab
Comfortable, accommodating, supportive. If only everything in life was as perfect.
Godrej Interio Home offers a complete range of furniture. You can choose to relax in the arms of beautiful sofa sets, or unwind on a range of coffee tables, home entertainment centers and showcases that complement your sofa set.
The living room accessories are necessary and at same time expensive components in setting a certain preferred mood or theme to display a overall comfortable and cool look.
-------------------
Britni
Guaranteed ROI
Godrej Interio Home offers a complete range of furniture. You can choose to relax in the arms of beautiful sofa sets, or unwind on a range of coffee tables, home entertainment centers and showcases that complement your sofa set.
The living room accessories are necessary and at same time expensive components in setting a certain preferred mood or theme to display a overall comfortable and cool look.
-------------------
Britni
Guaranteed ROI
Matt JMatt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined View profileMessageSWGB
Matt JSWGB24,862 postsJoined View profileMessageSWGBIf you go with slipcovers get two sets. This allows them to be changed between renters and cleaned. Also it's cheaper to have them dry cleaned than a carpet cleaning company to come out and steam clean. Dry cleaners generally have better success getting stains out.
The easy solution is obviously a busy fabric in lots of colors. If you must go with white slipcovers definitely get two sets, be prepared to replace them regularly (at most two years), and if you feel confident about it provide a stain stick or clorox gel pen for renters to use. This may help keeping stains from being set when the cleaners finally arrive.
The easy solution is obviously a busy fabric in lots of colors. If you must go with white slipcovers definitely get two sets, be prepared to replace them regularly (at most two years), and if you feel confident about it provide a stain stick or clorox gel pen for renters to use. This may help keeping stains from being set when the cleaners finally arrive.
scooterbug44scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertI love leather furniture - the stuff mom has gotten off abused leather in our family is amazing - she uses some $ leather conditioner for the major issues (like the chair that spent years in grandma's art studio).
Only issue w/ leather is the fade w/ darker colors.
Only issue w/ leather is the fade w/ darker colors.
Miss KittyMiss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeow
Miss KittyMeow47,011 postsJoined View profileMessageMeowI love leather furniture - the stuff mom has gotten off abused leather in our family is amazing - she uses some $ leather conditioner for the major issues (like the chair that spent years in grandma's art studio).
Only issue w/ leather is the fade w/ darker colors.
I do not know why, but leather furniture in a beach house gives me the willies. :creepy:
TooFarTampaTooFarTampaSoWal InsiderNative of Tampa now in Boston 'burbs. Left my hear5,422 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal InsiderAuthor
TooFarTampaSoWal InsiderNative of Tampa now in Boston 'burbs. Left my hear5,422 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal InsiderAuthorI do not know why, but leather furniture in a beach house gives me the willies. :creepy:
Seeing this thread two years later gives me the willies. :creepy:
There was a happy ending, btw. I got some furniture from a certain SoWaller who posted his "for sale" items from his staged new house and then decided to stick around and pepper us with his opinions. :lol: Geo gave us a great deal and I painted the downstairs and it still looks good after two rental seasons. :clap:
One of these days I will have to meet Geo and buy him a drink!
custom sewingcustom sewingBeach ComberPonce de Leon, Florida13 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
I don't own a condo there at the beach but can add some facts on slipcovers as I sew them frequently along 30A. http://www.pleasuretomeasure.com
White slipcovers are by and large the most frequent color of slipcover I make. One advantage of white fabric is it can be bleached when washed. Many stains come out in bleaching.
That fact alone makes white slipcovers popular as opposed to print fabrics or colored solid fabrics which can not be bleached.
I offer a unique service to my clients who have their condo units on a rental plan. I have a company come out from Panama City and spray a Telfon coating on new slipcovers I just made for them. This helps particularly if you want to use a print or another solid color other than white. The last slipcover was a small green & white stripe that we had treated for the client.
Let me give you a few facts about Scotchguard and Teflon. Scotchguard is a chemical that dries directly on the fabric’s surface. With heavy use Scotchguard wears off. You have to spray the fabric periodically for good protection.
Teflon on the other hand is a chemical that is totally absorbed by the fabric fibers. So the Teflon becomes part of the fiber itself and does not wear off like Scotchguard does.
The first time a sales rep showed Teflon to me was amazing! I sprayed some Teflon on a scrap piece of upholstery fabric, then poured Pepsi directly on the fabric. The Pepsi just sat beaded up on top of the fabric. Over an hour later the soda was still in beads. The fabric had not absorbed any of the soda. Made a believer out of me! When you shop for furniture or fabrics look for fabric which may already be coated with a factory Teflon finish.
You will have more ease of cleaning stains, even much later after the fact or spill. As the entire fiber has been more or less sealed by the Teflon and more resilient to stains.
Some folks may not like the idea of Teflon used on fabric where they will be sitting - having body contact with as it has been seriously questioned over the past years health wise.
But I think we are all SO exposed to chemicals all the time anyway, that there may be justification for Teflon use particularly in commercial settings such as this discussion. I reccommend the use of Teflon in rental units for prolonging use - durablity. In this case it protects the clients investment in both fabric and labor costs.
Micro fibers are good on upholstery as well as slipcovers. Microfibers have the feel and look of velvet, but are lighter weight. I just slipcovered my own sofa and loveseat in a patterned microfiber. Although since microfibers have a nap like velvet the labor or construction cost is slightly higher than say with a cotton fabric. But it feels so GOOD! And wears so well!
I also have a new fun blue denim which has little palms trees on it. Plus we carry a very nice brushed denim that feels cozy against bare skin. Perfect for the beach. The brushed denim is much softer than a cotton duck which is probably the most common slipcover fabric. It comes in some great colorways too. Our duck and denims are very nice quality for a reasonable cost.
I'll put a photo up of my microfiber slipcover on my slipcover page of my website. Plus will post the blue denim with palms photo.
Another fact on slipcovers, we wash and dry the fabric before we begin constructing the slipcovers. Your slipcover will truly fit well for years after repeated washings. This is a crucial step in having a slipcover look good. Too many slipcovers look good until they are washed a couple of times, then have that honey who shrunk the kids look.
You can see more of our slipcovers on the slipcovers page of my website. Plus we do all types of sewing for home interiors. Drapery, Roman shades, Bed linens, Pillows and more!
Thanks, Ra’mona
http://www.pleasuretomeasure.com/html/slipcovers.html
White slipcovers are by and large the most frequent color of slipcover I make. One advantage of white fabric is it can be bleached when washed. Many stains come out in bleaching.
That fact alone makes white slipcovers popular as opposed to print fabrics or colored solid fabrics which can not be bleached.
I offer a unique service to my clients who have their condo units on a rental plan. I have a company come out from Panama City and spray a Telfon coating on new slipcovers I just made for them. This helps particularly if you want to use a print or another solid color other than white. The last slipcover was a small green & white stripe that we had treated for the client.
Let me give you a few facts about Scotchguard and Teflon. Scotchguard is a chemical that dries directly on the fabric’s surface. With heavy use Scotchguard wears off. You have to spray the fabric periodically for good protection.
Teflon on the other hand is a chemical that is totally absorbed by the fabric fibers. So the Teflon becomes part of the fiber itself and does not wear off like Scotchguard does.
The first time a sales rep showed Teflon to me was amazing! I sprayed some Teflon on a scrap piece of upholstery fabric, then poured Pepsi directly on the fabric. The Pepsi just sat beaded up on top of the fabric. Over an hour later the soda was still in beads. The fabric had not absorbed any of the soda. Made a believer out of me! When you shop for furniture or fabrics look for fabric which may already be coated with a factory Teflon finish.
You will have more ease of cleaning stains, even much later after the fact or spill. As the entire fiber has been more or less sealed by the Teflon and more resilient to stains.
Some folks may not like the idea of Teflon used on fabric where they will be sitting - having body contact with as it has been seriously questioned over the past years health wise.
But I think we are all SO exposed to chemicals all the time anyway, that there may be justification for Teflon use particularly in commercial settings such as this discussion. I reccommend the use of Teflon in rental units for prolonging use - durablity. In this case it protects the clients investment in both fabric and labor costs.
Micro fibers are good on upholstery as well as slipcovers. Microfibers have the feel and look of velvet, but are lighter weight. I just slipcovered my own sofa and loveseat in a patterned microfiber. Although since microfibers have a nap like velvet the labor or construction cost is slightly higher than say with a cotton fabric. But it feels so GOOD! And wears so well!
I also have a new fun blue denim which has little palms trees on it. Plus we carry a very nice brushed denim that feels cozy against bare skin. Perfect for the beach. The brushed denim is much softer than a cotton duck which is probably the most common slipcover fabric. It comes in some great colorways too. Our duck and denims are very nice quality for a reasonable cost.
I'll put a photo up of my microfiber slipcover on my slipcover page of my website. Plus will post the blue denim with palms photo.
Another fact on slipcovers, we wash and dry the fabric before we begin constructing the slipcovers. Your slipcover will truly fit well for years after repeated washings. This is a crucial step in having a slipcover look good. Too many slipcovers look good until they are washed a couple of times, then have that honey who shrunk the kids look.
You can see more of our slipcovers on the slipcovers page of my website. Plus we do all types of sewing for home interiors. Drapery, Roman shades, Bed linens, Pillows and more!
Thanks, Ra’mona
http://www.pleasuretomeasure.com/html/slipcovers.html
Edited
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