Do-it-yourself carriage screed: step-by-step instructions

The quality and decent appearance of any interior largely depend on correctly selected furniture. In addition to cabinets, sideboards, coffee tables, shelves and chests of drawers, the style of the room is determined by upholstered furniture, the quality of its finishing and covering material. In classic interiors, designers prefer to use quilted carriage screed, which came into fashion when equipping living spaces several centuries ago. However, factory-made such products are too expensive, and not every average person can afford them. In this regard, many home craftsmen purchase fabrics or leather and do the work of making and installing a carriage coupler with their own hands.

Carriage screed on the wall

What is a carriage tie?

Carriage screed is a special type of finishing of upholstered furniture in a classic style, the technology of which originated more than 300 years ago in Europe. Throughout the history of its use, right up to the present day, this type of interior design has been associated with vintage luxury and wealth. The technology got its name because initially the seats of carriages for aristocrats were upholstered in this way, after which the fashion for this type of finishing moved to the interiors of rich houses.

Carriage screed on furniture

Today, the carriage screed has lost mass popularity, but, at the same time, is in active demand among adherents of the classical style of decorating apartments, offices and private residential buildings. Over the course of a long time, the carriage screed, which also has a second name - “capitone”, has changed significantly, and designers offer many options for quilted covering for upholstered furniture, walls, decorative panels, high headboards and other interior items.

Carriage tie at the head of the bed

Frame

Provides stability, guarantees the quality and durability of the product.

Frame materials:

Metal:

• lasting;
• resistant to damage;
• with proper treatment, it is resistant to corrosion;
• withstands heavy loads;
• is in demand;
• affordable.

Tree:

• availability;
• environmental friendliness;
• well-treated wood lasts a long time;
• lightweight design;
• price from medium to high.

Chipboard, fiberboard, MDF boards:

Pros:

• cheapness;
• withstand loads.

Minuses:

• not environmentally friendly;
• not very durable, as they consist of compressed sawdust.

Main! No moisture or water! This leads to swelling and delamination of the slab.

Pay attention to MDF or varnished boards. Plywood:

Plywood:

Used for the manufacture of small parts, side elements that do not bear the main load.

Combined frame:

With a good ratio of strength and reliability, a relatively low price.

Advantages of carriage screed

The type of room decoration under consideration, combined with a classic interior, has many advantages over other techniques aimed at expressing the similar style of the room:

• Increased comfort during use - soft quilted upholstery in combination with high-quality leather, corduroy, velvet or thick fabric ensures comfortable seating for residents.

Leather product

• The surface is always in a taut state; new folds do not form on it during prolonged use. Sofas, panels and other interior elements are easy to clean wet or dry.

Material stretching

• When properly selected high-quality material, “capiton” has an increased service life. Thanks to the tension of the tie, jamming and friction of surface elements among themselves is eliminated, which guarantees their long-term safety, even during intensive use.

High-quality velvet screed

• Threads, buttons, braid and other finishing elements securely fix the material, giving it increased strength.

Buttons for the product

• When physical wear and tear is reached, when the coating needs to be replaced or restored, it is easily replaced with a new one, without the need to purchase filler or a new piece of furniture.

Capitone repair

• One of the main advantages of this technology is the possibility of widespread use on any type of surface. Experienced designers suggest using carriage screed not only on furniture and headboards, but also on parts of wall structures, columns, on vertical or horizontal panels and on many other interior details.

Carriage screed in the interior

• The carriage screed is one of the main elements of expressiveness of several eras in many countries. Vintage interiors, the English style of the 19th century, and even the Empire style of the first half of the 20th century are perfectly combined with the “Capitone” surface finishing technique. This style is the best way to add luxury and respectability to a room.

English style finishing

Empire style finishing

• If the carriage screed is installed on the wall, a porous filler made of natural or synthetic materials greatly increases the level of sound and heat insulation. It is advisable to use this decorative element when decorating the inner surface of walls bordering street space, as well as adjacent rooms belonging to other residents.

Filler

• When installing carriage screed on walls or ceilings, unlike classic painting, plastering or wallpapering, this type of finishing does not require leveling the supporting or enclosing structure. The soft elastic material levels out all unevenness, and on the finished surface of the fabric or leather, defects are completely masked.

Elastic surface

• This type of finishing device allows you to absorb sounds, which is especially important for large rooms with sparsely arranged furniture - in the absence of echo, comfort during its operation increases.

Soundproof barrier

• This type of finishing is a classic of the genre that will always remain relevant and will not go out of fashion. Adherents of the vintage style don’t have to worry about the fact that the decoration will have to be changed in a few years, as the interior design style of an apartment, office or private residential building is hopelessly outdated.

Carriage screed in a modern interior in a modern interior

Considering the degree of tension of the canvas, when installing a carriage screed, you should choose only high-quality material of increased strength. Thin fabrics or cheap leatherette can easily tear in the first months after the start of use.

Popular models

To furnish a guest room, chair models are selected that will meet the aesthetics of the room.

It is worth paying attention to the following options:

1. Classic models are universal upholstered furniture, presented in different styles. Bold colors, pastel shades of upholstery, and an optimal ratio of seat height and side wall width are used.
2. Folding chairs for the living room are in demand where it is necessary to create a functional interior in conditions of compact zoning of areas.
3. Recliners are a modern trend in the world of upholstered furniture. These are chairs with the ability to change the position of the backrest for maximum comfort. Most products are equipped with a footrest. Luxury models have additional functions - various types of massage, heated seats, saving custom position settings.
4. Rocking chairs are an echo from the past that has found successful application in the modern world. Such models can be called the embodiment of practicality, convenience, and comfort.
5. Frameless types of chairs are upholstered furniture filled with polystyrene foam balls or PU foam chips. Ideal for maintaining a loft style. Characterized by simplicity and ease of use.

FramelessClassicRocking chairFoldingRecliner

Disadvantages of carriage screed

In addition to many advantages, professional designers and premises owners often note some disadvantages of carriage screed:

• A thick layer of lining material significantly reduces the internal volume of the room. Finishing like "capitonné" is appropriate in rooms with a large area and high ceilings.

Bulky furniture

• Carriage screed covering upholstered furniture or headboards visually enlarges the pieces of furniture. When it is used within standard apartments with small rooms, the comfort of the room is lost, due to the fact that the usable space of the room seems smaller than it actually is.
• If this type of finishing uses not leather or a high-quality polymer substitute with a glossy surface, but velvet fabric, then accidentally introduced oil, food waste or other contaminants leave a greasy mark on the surface, which is very difficult to remove.

Marks on the fabric surface

• If you choose cheap material, it is easily damaged by the paws of pets, or from rough mechanical impact when in contact with sharp objects.

Damage to the coating

• The complexity of finishing work and the increased price of high-quality materials compared to other types of design solutions for interior equipment.

The complexity of the screed device

All disadvantages are subjective and may not be taken into account. Properly selected colors, high-quality screeds combined with the overall style of a classic interior allow the owners to get an elegant interior and enjoy its use for many years.

Mixing styles

This solution is relevant for modern interiors. More liberties are allowed here, deviations from generally accepted norms are encouraged, and creativity is valued. By mixing styles, designers achieve stunningly spectacular results. For example, in a minimalist living room, a laconic white sofa can be complemented by a bright purple baroque chair. The picture will be unexpected and impressive!

How to choose a chair for a sofa? Mix styles!

Examples of such sets: 1. a classic Chesterfield sofa and an ultra-modern chair with an ergonomic streamlined shape; 2. a modern corner sofa and a tall Victorian armchair in a granny print.

How to choose the right fabric for a carriage tie

The quality, as well as the service life of the carriage screed, largely depend on the characteristics and composition of the material from which it is made. When choosing fabric for covering, it is necessary to take into account the following features and requirements:

• Regardless of the composition, it should be taken into account that when manufacturing this category, the material is subject to strong tension, which is why it must have increased thickness, density and strength. Regular cotton fabric, or thin polyester or silk are not suitable for carriage ties.

Thick fabric for covering

Thick genuine leather for covering

• When choosing the density of the material, it is also necessary to pay attention to the elasticity of the fibers. The fabric is tensioned not only during installation - it remains in this state throughout its entire service life. Thus, fabrics that easily stretch when a load is applied will eventually become unusable, and the coating that has lost its shape will have to be changed.

Elastic fabric

• When making a carriage screed, many folds form on the surface of the material. In this regard, if there is a pattern on the surface of the material, upon completion of the work, most of its surface will be hidden in these folds. This means that with this type of finishing only plain material is used. At the same time, the use of a periodic meaningless ornament covering the entire surface of the material is allowed, since it will successfully merge with the folds after finishing.

• Considering that the cost of the work is quite high, the material must also be from a higher price category, and its quality must justify this price. As a rule, when constructing carriage screeds, dense, high-quality natural leather or multi-layer compounds with a velvet or smooth surface are used. Modern designers trying to create fashionable interiors often recommend using thick denim fabric. This significantly improves the quality of the coating, increases its durability during intensive use, and also adds originality to the bold design solution.

If you choose fabric or leather of poor quality, all expensive finishing may become unusable and must be replaced after 1 to 3 years of use. Purchasing an expensive coating followed by high-quality installation while following the technology will allow the surface to be used for decades without the need for repairs.

Chairs for the living room: TOP 100 photos of the best new products in the living room interior

Chairs are a necessary household item. They are typical, multifunctional and universal.

According to the type of construction, these attributes are: solid, collapsible, stackable, folding.

When choosing this type of furniture, experts advise taking into account the following standards: height, width, stability, material and upholstery

When choosing chairs, you should pay attention to the height, since the feet of the person sitting should touch the floor

The presence of a special mechanism allows you to adjust the height.

The quality of the upholstery affects the level of comfort and appearance. You can choose any material, but it should be easy to use. White chairs get dirty quickly, but they are a great addition to today's interior.

We also recommend:

You should also take into account the design of the seats, the angle of the backrest and its reliability. All characteristics must be clarified with the seller. Each attribute must have a warranty card.

Also, when purchasing, you need to sit on a chair, thereby experiencing its practicality and quality.

Auxiliary materials for constructing a carriage coupler

To make a panel from a carriage screed, or to decorate any interior detail using this technology, in addition to fabric or leather, you will need a number of auxiliary materials, since the coating is a whole complex structure:

• Base - a sheet of plywood, OSB, board panel and other elements of increased strength can be used as a supporting material. The thickness of the sheet for the base must be at least 5 - 8 mm, and the material must have increased strength against impact. Also, there are additional requirements for the flexibility of the material, which depend on the overall dimensions of the product.

• Fabric or leather for upholstery, the selection criteria for which are described in detail above. Also, it should be added that the material has many folds, which is why the construction of a wall or panel requires much more of it - 30% - 40% than the total area of ​​the future product.

Leather range

Assortment of fabrics

• The carriage screed implies a soft volumetric surface, which is why elastic material of the internal padding must be laid between the base and the finishing coating. As such a composition, a well-compressible synthetic material that is not susceptible to settlement over time should be used. As a rule, foam rubber, which is sold in rolls, is suitable for such purposes. The perception of the volumetric structure will depend on the thickness of the packing material, and therefore the minimum value of this parameter should not exceed 50 – 70 mm.

Foam rubber for stuffing

• Finishing this type of surface always involves making deep stitches using special furniture nails with wide heads or buttons. You should purchase only metal products, as they will not crack or fly off during use.

Furniture nails with wide heads

• To stitch the fabric and attach buttons to it, high-strength thick nylon threads are required that can withstand a force of at least 15 - 20 kg.

High-strength nylon threads

• Dressing leather or fabric using carriage screed technology requires preliminary preparation of templates, which must be cut out of soft plastic or thick cardboard.

Cardboard templates

• The padding material must be securely fixed to the base before performing this type of screed. In this regard, a special adhesive composition that does not contain high concentrations of toxic substances will be required.

Furniture adhesive composition

Depending on the method of finishing the edge, you will also need to purchase additional tape, metal or plastic corners, a wooden baguette or other framing material that allows you to implement the design project.

When might you need to reupholster your upholstered furniture?

During operation, upholstery material loses its attractiveness, brightness, smoothness, and possibly integrity. However, the furniture frame is still strong and reliable. It is irrational to purchase a new piece of furniture, because you can only change the upholstery.

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It happens that the furniture is in almost perfect condition, but you have made repairs and the color scheme of the upholstery now does not fit into the interior. You may have been dreaming about a particular sofa model for a long time, but it comes in a modest range of colors. And changing the upholstery will help here.

The photo shows the process of simple and quick reupholstery of a kitchen chair

Unusual knitted sofa upholstery in the living room

A clear example of giving a chair a second life

Tools for installing a carriage coupler

Carriage screeding is considered a complex production process, which requires not only high-quality material or extensive experience of the craftsman, but also a set of special tools and other equipment:

• First of all, before cutting and starting work, it is necessary to take measurements. This procedure is carried out using plastic, wooden or metal rulers with a length of 1000 mm or more. Such measuring instruments are often used in many professional studios.

Long ruler for textiles

• To accurately measure flexible material around a circle or any other curved surface, you will also need a flexible measuring tool made from fabric or polymer material.

Flexible measuring tool

• To mark the wrong side of the fabric before cutting or stitching, specialized fabric markers are used. These tools are clearly visible on any textile surface, but at the same time, when applied, the material does not get wet.

Textile markers

• To tighten and make holes, it is necessary to create a torque, which is achieved using a special device - a screwdriver.

Screwdriver

• To cut the product after applying a load, you need to purchase a bit with a built-in blade.

Cutter for screwdriver

• Punctures in fabric or leather are made using an awl.

Awl

• Bit attachment for a screwdriver or drill with a crown, for making round cuts in soft material.

Drill bit

• The cutting of the base in the form of plywood or chipboard sheet is carried out using a circular saw or an electric jigsaw with a replaceable cutting blade.

Hand circular saw

Jigsaw

• To secure fabric or leather to the base from the wrong side, after tensioning and stuffing, a furniture stapler with reinforced staples is used, which can easily pierce plywood.

Furniture stapler

Staples for furniture stapler

All tools used when making carriage screeds must be of high quality and in good working order, and the cutting edges must be well sharpened. Otherwise, good quality work will not be achieved.

Work order

A sheet of foam rubber is glued onto the prepared base panel. The glue is applied in several layers both to the base and to the elastic lining. Typically, foam rubber sticks together quickly enough, but for the glue to dry completely, it is better to leave it for 5-6 hours. If several layers of lining are provided, each subsequent layer is glued only after the previous one has completely dried. After the foam sheet is completely glued, a cardboard template with a geometric pattern and holes is placed on the structure, and the holes on the template are drawn with a felt-tip pen or marker. Holes are cut in the marked places using a drill with a special Zifenbor attachment. On the plywood sheet, mark the points for the holes that coincide with those on the lining. This can be done using the same cardboard template. Holes are also made in the plywood sheet using a drill, but of a smaller diameter. It should allow you to insert a crochet hook. The diameter of such holes is comparable to the thickness of a match. After cutting the holes, a padding polyester lining is glued onto the foam sheet. Holes are also cut in it, coinciding with the previous layer. The resulting structure is covered with upholstery. It is attached to the plywood with a stapler along the outer edges on all sides. The upholstery is pulled smoothly and evenly so that it does not compress the foam-sintepon layer

It is important not to overtighten the fabric to avoid tearing it later. Hooks are inserted into all holes and their edges are brought out through small holes in the plywood sheet. After removing the hooks, cords (threads) of the required thickness are attached to them. On the front side of the structure, buttons are attached to each hook. The cords or threads are pulled from the wrong side, pressing in the upholstery fabric. It is necessary to ensure that the buttons are installed at the same depth, and the upholstery is dented evenly

The folds are formed by hand. On the reverse side of the structure, the cords are secured with a stapler. For stable fastening, it is better to choose a zigzag option.

When using it, time and labor costs are reduced several times. The order of work, in this case, is as follows:

1. A base is prepared from sheet material, given the desired shape and sanded.
2. Foam rubber and padding polyester are glued to the base using high-quality glue.
3. Holes are made in the foam-sintepon layer.
4. Upholstery material is attached on one side.
5. The attachment points are marked on it.
6. Using a gun, holes are punched and buttons are inserted along with a holder securing them on the back side.

When working with an air gun, it is enough to choose the right consumables and follow the instructions for use.

Capitone with the use of special carnations provides additional opportunities for decoration. Carnations with brass and bronze caps decorated with rhinestones will add originality and sophistication.

To finish capitonné using nails, you can choose the following work option:

1. Prepare the base, glue foam rubber and padding polyester.
2. Mark the nail locations using a template.
3. To ensure durability of the fastening and to avoid tears in the fabric, stretchers are used between the nails of the same material as the upholstery.
4. Mark the attachment points on the upholstery.
5. Attach the upholstery cover.
6. Carefully drive in the nails along with the stretch marks between them.

Briefly about the main thing

Carriage screed is a high-quality covering of walls, ceilings, furniture or headboards of beds. The screed is created by creating diamond-shaped folds on the material and fixing the figures with buttons to a rigid base made of plywood or chipboard. Before starting work, you need to choose a high-quality fabric that can withstand increased tensile forces both during installation and during operation. To carry out the work, you will also need a special tool and an extended working surface with the possibility of access for the master to the reverse side of the base. Work on the installation of a carriage screed is carried out in strict accordance with step-by-step instructions, and markings are carried out according to pre-prepared patterns.

Glue for fixing foam rubber on a plywood base.

• Holes in foam rubber and plywood, according to the drawn up diagram, can be drilled only after the glue has completely dried.
• To correctly apply markings to foam rubber, it is recommended to first apply it to cardboard of the same size as the panel to be covered.
• If fabric is chosen for covering the panel, it must be dense and of high quality. A thin version of the material will not be suitable for this purpose, since in the area of ​​punctures and fastening nails, especially with inevitable tension, the fabric may “crawl”.
• You should not choose a material with a pattern for upholstery, since the finished panel or piece of furniture will look sloppy.

Design features of advertisers

The transformation mechanisms are mounted on a frame made of beams, plywood and chipboard. The support can be fixed, rotating or on rollers, made of metal or solid wood. The angle of inclination can be changed by both the backrest and the headrest. Some models, at the request of the customer, are equipped with a removable table on which you can put a tablet, book, or cup of coffee.

Manual

The simplest version. Transformation is carried out by pressing on the back with your hands. A slightly more complex option is to change the position using a special lever.

Electric drive

The most complex and expensive option. The mechanism is equipped with an electric drive powered by a 220V network. The transformation is started by pressing a button built into the armrest or side panel underneath it. More advanced versions are controlled using a push-button control panel, for storage of which there is a pocket on the side of the chair.

Combinations are possible. For example, to bring the backrest to a horizontal position, you need to press the left armrest. By pressing the right one, we return it to its original position. Additional functions can be activated from the keypad:

• radio;
• massager;
• local heating;
• elevator control.

Options for organizing a sleeping area in the hallway

Standard bed

If the area and shape of the room allows, then of course you can install a regular bed. But then the space will not be used very rationally. Therefore, it is better to choose models with drawers and niches for storing linen. Nevertheless, the sleeping place will always be in sight and take up a lot of space.

Transformable bed

This type of bed allows you to effectively use the space in the premises, combining several pieces of furniture at the same time. There are many options for transformable structures, but a wardrobe-bed is suitable for a corridor. They can be either double or single and even bunk. If you need a double model, keep in mind that it will take up quite a lot of space when unfolded. Therefore, it is necessary to provide free space taking into account the reserve, otherwise if you need to go to the room, you will have to walk on the bed.

Pull-out bed under the podium

This type of bed is often used in one-room apartments, studios and children's rooms. The sleeping place is hidden under a towering structure - a podium, which can serve for a number of other functions: organizing a work area, a relaxation area, a dressing room. This model will come in handy if you have a spacious hallway with space for a wardrobe. Thanks to this design, you can very rationally use the hallway space by combining a bedroom, a corridor and a dressing room in it. At night you can pull the bed out from under the podium in a matter of seconds, and in the morning you can hide it back with the same ease. As a rule, such furniture is made to order. If you don’t want to remove the bed linen from the bed every time, then calculate the height of the niche taking into account the height of the bed linen with pillows and blanket.

Bed under the ceiling

Another good option for placing a bed is the ceiling. True, these designs are only suitable for rooms with high ceilings, since the distance from the ceiling to the bed must be at least 1 meter. There can be many placement options; here you should be guided by the features of the hallway; you can place it above the door, or above the wardrobe.

Lift bed

A lift bed is a structure that hides a sleeping area in the ceiling during the day, and at night the bed moves down. This way the lower part of the room is completely freed up during the day. There are many varieties of these structures, but in the case of a corridor it is best to give preference to models with a ceiling type of mounting.

Unusual ideas in the interior

Original metal bar stools with wide rounded armrests and a semi-soft snow-white seat will look great next to a light bar counter in a spacious white kitchen with a set of the same color, a dark brown floor and a blue ceiling pendant.

In a studio apartment, against a blue accent wall with a carriage screed, you can put a light wooden table and furnish it with gray high chairs with velvet upholstery in a neutral gray shade. Hang a metal pendant light with a rectangular open shade above your dining area.

Black semi-soft chairs with rounded, graceful backs will stand out effectively in a snow-white dining room with milky laminate flooring. A round glossy white table is ideal for such chairs. Complete the ensemble with a hanging black lamp in the loft style, as well as contrasting paintings on the walls.

A dining room will look simple but interesting, in which a rectangular black table made of wood and snow-white wooden chairs with overhead cushions will be complemented by wicker chairs, a snow-white floor carpet and decorative candles on the tabletop.

Upholstered round blue armchairs with a metal base can be placed in a modern room with white walls and soft brown laminate flooring. Complete the ensemble with a blue sofa, a fluffy beige rug and light paintings with black frames on the walls.

Corner sofa with ottoman

Corner sofas provide many seating options and have many advantages. They are suitable for both small and large-scale interiors. Their variety is so great that everyone can find something that suits the room and its atmosphere both in terms of parameters, shape, color and design. Let's look at the features and advantages of this type of furniture.

Corner in a small living room: sofa with pull-out ottoman

In small rooms, corner furniture allows you to better manage the space. It takes up less space than a traditional sofa and two armchairs, providing as much or more seating for those wishing to lounge on upholstered furniture. Therefore, you do not need to place additional seating, such as chairs, which may make it difficult to move around the room. An excellent option would be a sofa with a pull-out ottoman, which can be removed at any time, freeing up useful space in the room.

Corner sofa for a large living room

The spacious room allows you to buy a large sofa with an ottoman. This is an obvious fact. When setting up a large living room, it's worth considering whether to place furniture in a traditional way in one corner of the room, or whether to decorate the space in a contemporary style, such as placing a sofa in a central location. Innovative living room furniture is completely separated from all sides. Therefore, these sofas with ottoman have a well-finished backrest which ensures that the furniture will be attractive even when it is moved away from the wall.

Bed in the hallway: advantages and disadvantages, room requirements

Placing a bed in the hallway is one of the possible options. But it’s worth mentioning right away that this option is not suitable for every apartment. If your hallway is very tiny, then no matter how hard you try, nothing will work, there simply won’t be enough space.

In modern apartment projects you can often find a spacious corridor, sometimes its area is unreasonably large. This is done taking into account the fact that a dressing room will be organized there. But if you use a little more imagination, the hallway will combine as many as 3 rooms: a corridor, a wardrobe and a bedroom.

Advantages of placing a bed in the hallway:

• Freeing up space in the room.
• Organization of a full-fledged sleeping place.
• Good mood and harmony. This applies to a greater extent to married couples living in a one-room apartment with children or parents. Placing a bed in the hallway will provide an opportunity for nighttime communication.

Flaws:

• Closedness. Some people may feel uncomfortable and anxious in rooms without windows.
• No natural lighting. You need to think carefully about lighting options; it is advisable to divide it into zones.
• Insufficient air convection. At night, the hallway can be stuffy and all the pleasure of a comfortable bed can be ruined, as you simply cannot fall asleep. It is necessary to organize a good ventilation system to provide fresh air.