Glossary of Upholstery Terms
Arms
Many Barrymore styles can be made with different arm styles. The most popular styles are listed here.
WILLIAM BIRCH ARM
English Arm furniture is classic and refined without being overly formal. The softly padded arm gently dips down slightly in the center and then comes up again at the front with tailored pleating. Also known as William Birch style arms. Our Kingsley, Kensington and Faulkner have English arms.
ROLLED ARM
A rolled arm sofa is most traditional. While a very large or wide roll arm will tend to have a more rustic or country feel to it, a smaller roll arm can look more tailored depending on its detailing. See our classic Chester, the Dakota as well as the Windsor and Lancaster for fine examples of the rolled arm.
CAP ARM FACING
A rolled arm with a plain front facing is the simplified look of the Cap arm facing. See our Chester Sofa and Bailey Sofa.
TRACK OR SQUARE ARM
A track arm is sleek, straight and defines the lines of a sofa with its tailored detail. It is a contemporary look that can be one of the best fitting arms for small spaces. Among our narrow track arms, the Newman, Amadeo and Taylor are popular. For a more relaxed look, see the wide track arms of the Declan, Trey, Midtown, Broadway and Jasper sofas.
TUXEDO ARM
The tuxedo sofa is a very tailored and sophisticated look. The arms of the sofa are generally at the same height as the back of the sofa and the overall shape of the arm and frame is very square and straight. Our Matteo, Tate, Paris and Marilyn sofas are elegant examples of the Tuxedo look.
SHELTER ARM
This style combines the Tuxedo and Track arms for a softer, higher profile creating a ‘sheltered’ feel. Lightly padded for comfort but gently flared for clean lines, our Abbey and Knole sofas are excellent examples of Shelter arms.
Seating Cushion Options
Choose from four types of seating.
BARRYMORE STANDARD SEATING
Barrymore has perfected its standard seating construction with an ideal combination of support, durability and softness. The core has an inner layer of high-density Qualex foam sandwiched between layers of Dacron wrap. The front edge is made There are also three other seating options check this under our “Seat and back Cushion selections”
BARRYMORE FIRM SEATING
Firm cushions have a firmer foam core than our standard seats. This option may be requested on any order at no charge. For those with lower back problems we do not recommend Firm Seating; a better option is lumbar toss pillows.
BARRYMORE DELUXE SEATING
Barrymore has enhanced its standard seating option by adding down and feather back cushions, This kind of back cushion does require occasional “fluffing” but the combination provides excellent comfort as the back pillow conforms to the lower back and envelopes the client, resulting in even support throughout the seat and back. This back cushion is created with channels so that the down feather blend will remain uniform.
BARRYMORE PREMIUM SEATING
Premium Seating is designed for those who want a more luxurious seat. The seat has an inner layer of high-density foam wrapped in Dacron surrounded within a channeled envelope of Down feather blend, This provides superlative comfort and the seat will rebound. The back cushion is a channeled down and feather fill resulting in even support throughout the seat and back.
Back Styles
BACK CUSHIONS
Back Cushion selection corresponds to your Seat Cushion selection:
BARRYMORE STANDARD
Each back cushion is created in supper soft high-quality foam with generous polyester fibre wrap.
BARRYMORE FIRM BACK CUSHIONS
These are identical to Standard but have firmer foam core.
BARRYMORE DELUXE
Back cushions are filled with a precisely blended mix of waterfowl feathers and down encased in down proof ticking.
Choose from four styles of back cushions:
Box Back Cushions add a square tailored look that works well with clean, contemporary lines or with formal, traditional styling.
Envelope Back Cushions complement relaxed, contemporary styles. All back cushion styles are available on pieces that have loose back cushions.
Knife Edge Back Cushions coordinate well with contemporary or traditional rooms and have a soft, comfortable appearance.
Button Back Cushions Buttons are applied to back cushions, tight back pieces or toss pillows (with loose back cushions, a button actually means two buttons, one on each side of the pillow).
Please note: All Barrymore Loose Back Cushions have zippers for easy removal, rotation and maintenance. This is a more comfortable alternative for people who like to lounge on their sofas.
Also Available:
TIGHT BACK
A tight back sofa has simply upholstered back with no back cushions (Taylor sofa). The advantage to a tight back sofa is less maintenance as the clients don’t need to fluff back cushions. It is not quite as comfortable for lounging.
TUFTED BACK
This sofa back has deep folds and tufts on a grid, adding depth and a tailored look. Attached Buttons are optional.
TRADITIONAL TUFTED BACK
Diamond shaped tufts are created by passing a thread through upholstery fabric at regular intervals. These are often ornamented with buttons.
MODERN TUFTED BACK
In this style, tufting forms a square pattern, which requires folding and/or sewing the fabric in perpendicular lines before the tufting process. This style was made popular in mid century design as an alternative to traditional diamond tufting.
BUTTON TUFTED BACK
In this style, tufting forms a square pattern, which requires folding the fabric in perpendicular lines before the tufting process. This style was made popular in mid century design as an alternative to the traditional diamond tufting.
Brass Caps, Casters
Caps are available in the following 5 finishes: Polished or Satin Nickel, Brass or Antique Brass, Dark Bronze.
Nail Head Trim
Nail Heads are solid brass tacks with decorative heads driven by hand along the welt lines of fine upholstery by Barrymore craftsmen. A contemporary approach also applies them in creative designs.
See our Knole Sofa at left for an excellent example of decorative custom-patterned Nail Head treatment.
Other treatments with Nail Head Trim:
Newman Sofa
Paloma Headboard
Burak Chair
Rhodes Bench
There are many types, sizes and colours of Nail Heads available.
The examples shown may not display colour or size accurately.
Please confirm with your design consultant.
Seat Style Options
Just as there are many shapes and sizes of people, Barrymore sofas come in all sizes and shapes to provide the particular comfort you want in a sofa and chair. For instance the Brent Collection 9405 was designed with a shorter seat depth. The Kingsley 8749 features a greater seat depth and generous height for taller individuals.
Cushion Shape
A Straight Cushion ends at the arm of the sofa. A T-Cushion has a piece that runs in front of the sofa arm. Cushions have a welt on the top and bottom or have flat seams without the welt.
Swivel, Rocker, Pedestal, Glider
Swivel Ring base mechanisms may be installed in the following chair styles. The chair must first be converted to a valance or an upholstered base.
2015 Manhattan
2025 Barclay
2026 Bromley
2060 Waylan
2065 William
2068 Wallace
2107 Pembroke
2108 Paddington
2109 Prescott
2110 Pemberton
2111 Paxton
2112 Preston
2370 Goodwin
2371 Glenross
2409 Sorrento
2508 Morgan
2509 Grant
2510 Madison
2704 Newman
2760 Carmen
2764 Margaux
2766 Caroline
2850 Abbey
2900 Amadeo
2930 Coco
2935 Brandy
2990 Taylor
4037 Drake
4038 Dylan
4039 Dorian
4040 Dion
4042 Fitzgerald
4043 Faulkner
4044 Fletcher
4045 Fairfax
4112 Coulter
4115 Chloe
4116 Carlton
5325 Wynton
7938 Gatwick
7939 Loft Look
7940 Granville
8159 Canterbury
8464 Meaghan
8805 Devon
8806 Dickens
8807 Dorset
8904 Huntley
8905 Hailey
8907 Hampton
Swivel Gliders may be installed in the following chair styles. The chair must first be converted to a valance.
2025 Barclay
2026 Bromley
2930 Coco
2935 Brandy
4112 Coulter
4115 Chloe
4116 Carlton
5325 Wynton
Swivel Rockers may be installed in the following chair styles. The chair must first be converted to a valance.
2060 Waylan
2065 William
2068 Wallace
2508 Morgan
2509 Grant
2510 Madison
2107 Pembroke
2108 Paddington
2109 Prescott
2110 Pemberton
2111 Paxton
2112 Preston
2760 Carmen
2764 Margaux
2766 Caroline
7938 Gatwick
7939 Loft Look
7940 Granville
8159 Canterbury
8464 Meaghan
8904 Huntley
8905 Hailey
8907 Hampton
Swivel Pedestal base mechanisms may be installed in the following chair styles.
2065 William (sit 1" higher)
2068 Wallace (sit 1" higher)
2620 Arlington
2935 Brandy
2930 Coco
5100 Metro
5110 Mason
5115 McKenzie
Trim
Cushion Details and Accents
The functional and decorative details that your cushions have will change the look of your sofa. All Barrymore Seat Cushions have zipper enclosures which let you clean them as necessary.
Welt and Trim
A Welt is a fabric used on a cushion or pillow in order to cover the seam as well as strengthen the upholstery. A Self Welt is a welt that matches the rest of the upholstery on the piece. Contrast Welt is a welt in contrasting fabric and is meant to stand out. A Fabric Trim is an optional decorative detail that can be applied like a welt along the seam of a cushion or pillow. Contrast Cord on Back Cushions Contrast Welt on Seating Bouillon Trim as Sofa Skirt
Decorative Nail Heads
A decorative metal buttons that are applied around the edges and arms of the sofa and or bed frame. They used to be a more traditional look but are now found in creative designs on many sofas.
Toss Pillows
Toss Pillows can be ordered in standard sizes 18", 19" and 20". Lumbar’s in 11" x 19" or 13" x 19". Box Button 16" x 16". Or Round Bolsters 6" x 19" or 7" x 19". Toss Pillows can be ordered with contrast welt at an extra charge.
Valance
STANDARD VALANCE
Our standard valance is a fabric skirt that is suspended from the welt line underneath the cushions to just above the floor. It is usually pleated at the corners but may also be pleated at seat cushion gaps.
WATERFALL VALANCE
This valance is a classic, elegant look that best shows the pattern of the fabric you are using. The valance drops down from the deck in the front of the sofa, underneath the arm, and may also be added in the back of the sofa.
DRESSMAKER SKIRT
This valance drops down from the seat deck of the sofa or chair frame and from the top of the arm and back for a casual, relaxed look. It is pleated at the corners and seat cushion gaps.