DESIGN CUSTOM FURNITURE

BY JESSICA ZIMMER

Custom designed furniture transforms a room into a space that looks tailor-made, according to Kathleen Jennison, principal interior designer of KTJ Design Co. in Stockton. Jennison said her store, The Shoppe at KTJ Design Co., offers upholstered, customized furniture for a wide range of customers, including pet owners and couples looking to entertain.

“People are always pleasantly surprised at the quality of customized pieces and how much better their homes look,” says Jennison. The three steps of custom designing are to measure the room, select the configuration of the piece, and pick the fabric.

1. MEASURING THE ROOM can be done for a customer through KTJ’s signature service, a Remodel Clarity Session. This is an introduction to interior design for those who have not worked with a designer before. KTJ Design also provides instructions on how to measure a room yourself.

2. SELECTING THE CONFIGURATION of a sofa or sectional involves determining the length and number of seat cushions for the piece. For example, a customer can get an 84-inch sofa with one, two, or three seat cushions. They can then select the arm style, such as a track arm that is more contemporary, or a rolled arm that is more traditional. Other elements for selection include the foot style and wood color.

3. PICKING THE FABRIC means choosing the color, style, and print of the fabric.

KTJ Design has a whole wall of fabric for customers to browse. “We like to work with our clients to design a whole room. It’s better to pick out everything in the beginning and make sure it flows together,” says Jennison.

OTHER TIPS? Consider avoiding the cheapest pieces, which do not last more than three to five years. KTJ also recommends high performance fabrics such as Sunbrella and Inside Out. These stain-resistant, dirtrepellent fabrics are perfect for families with children and pets.

“We’ve tested the fabrics by pouring wine on them and rubbing ketchup and mustard into them. The stains come right out. These fabrics hold up better than leather, are less expensive than it, and offer greater flexibility in style,” says Jennison.