The Cutting Table
The Cutting Table, page 5
Each answer starts from one question buyers ask again and again, then gives the short version, the workshop's reasoning, other ways the question is put and the follow-ups buyers ask next.
765 answers · 28 topics
Color matching (continued) 52
What colors does the corduroy teddy sofa come in, and can I get a custom color?
The corduroy teddy sofa comes in 10 colors: green, brick, mustard, beige, dark brown, anthracite, off-white, dark blue, indigo and silver gray, all normally in stock.
Can you pick the cushion color or piping for me?
The workshop prefers that you choose your cushion color, because it depends on your taste and your room, but it will suggest a code if you ask, send close-ups of the codes you're weighing, and even…
The color options only show numbers. Where's the color chart?
The numbered color chart is in the listing photos, usually the second, third or last image, and the workshop will also message it to you.
Can you match a cushion to my existing couch or chairs, even from another brand?
A new cushion can be matched closely to your existing couch or chairs, but an exact match cannot be guaranteed.
The listing photo and the color chart look different. Which one is accurate?
Usually both are accurate: they show the same fabric under different light, and on the bench-cushion ranges the color chart is the better guide.
Do you have a soft blush pink cushion fabric?
The soft blush pinks on the workshop's charts are K31 on the bench-cushion range and velvet 27, a soft rose, on the floor-cushion chart.
Is this fabric bright white, or a warm off-white and cream?
For a warm off-white, choose linen L-02, the best-selling fabric: a natural cream with no gray undertone.
Is this velvet burnt orange, rust or terracotta?
For a burnt orange velvet cushion, check which chart the code comes from: bench velvet 113 covers two shades, burnt orange and red terra cotta, while on the floor-cushion chart 17 is the rust in the…
What's the color code for the corduroy, velvet or outdoor fabric in your photos?
Ask, and the workshop names the code and can send a close-up: brick corduroy is COR-205, Off-White COR-201, the middle beige COR-202 and the deep green COR-207.
Which striped fabric is raspberry, which is burgundy, and which is a true red?
Among the red striped cushion fabrics, N17 is the closest to raspberry, N18 is a muted, dustier berry, N14 is a deeper burgundy red and N15 is a bright, classic true red.
Swatches & samples 18
How long do fabric samples take to arrive?
Fabric samples run on two clocks, preparation at the workshop and transit with the courier, and both change with the season, so ask the workshop for current times when you order.
How many fabric samples can I get in one order?
Plan on up to 5 fabric codes per sample order, written in the personalization box.
What does the "fabric sample" option in the size menu mean?
The fabric sample option in a listing's size menu buys fabric swatches only, not a cushion.
Is the fabric sample price per swatch, or do I get several colors for one price?
The fabric sample fee is charged once per sample order, not per swatch.
I'm an interior designer. Can you send a full swatch set of all your colors?
Yes, interior designers can ask for a complete swatch set of every color, which one design firm received for the usual shipping-only sample fee.
Can I see close-up photos of a fabric before I order?
Yes, close-up photos of any fabric code are free and sent on request in your message thread.
How big are the fabric swatches, and can I get bigger ones?
Standard fabric swatches are small, about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 in (3-4 cm) square, enough to judge true color, weave and texture.
Can I get fabric samples for the floor sofa before ordering?
Yes, you can get floor sofa fabric samples before ordering: buy one fabric sample and write in the order note that it's for the sofa and which colors you want.
Can I order fabric swatches before I buy a cushion?
Yes, you can order fabric swatches before buying a cushion: buy the Fabric Sample option once, from the top of a cushion listing's size menu or the fabric-samples listing, and write the exact codes…
How can I match a new cushion to pillows or furniture I already have?
Order physical samples of your shortlisted codes and hold them against your pillows, storage bins or paint at home, in your own light; that is the reliable way to match existing furniture.
I ordered the fabric sample by mistake. Can I cancel it and order the cushion?
Yes, a fabric sample ordered by mistake can be refunded or canceled so you can order the cushion.
Can you mock up my cushion in the fabric I picked before I order?
Yes, the workshop can send a digital mockup of your custom cushion in the fabric you picked, once your colors are chosen.
Is there a showroom where I can see the cushion fabrics in person?
No, there is no showroom anywhere, so the way to see the cushion fabrics in person is to order samples by mail.
Is the sofa corduroy the same as the cushion corduroy, and which swatch do I order?
No, the corduroy on the floor sofas is a different fabric from the corduroy swatches on the tufted bench cushion listing.
Can you send a foam sample with the fabric swatches?
Yes, a small foam sample can ship with your fabric swatches, so you can check firmness and density before buying a sofa or cushions.
Can I add swatches to my cushion order, or change my sample codes?
Yes: sample codes can be changed or added until the sample order ships, and a few swatches can often travel inside your cushion parcel if the codes arrive before dispatch.
Are fabric samples free, or do I have to pay for them?
The fabric swatches themselves cost nothing; you pay one small flat fee that covers shipping, charged per sample order rather than per swatch.
Why is the listing price so low? Is it for the cushion or the whole set?
The lowest price on a cushion or sofa listing is for a fabric sample, not a cushion, a set or a sofa.
Foam & fill 31
Does the bench cushion come with the foam insert or just the cover?
A standard custom bench cushion comes with the foam insert: high-density comfort foam inside a removable zippered cover, shipped filled and ready to use.
Are the back cushions the same foam as the seat?
Back cushions are not the same foam as the seat: seats are firm solid foam at 32 density (32 kg/m³, about 2.0 lb/ft³), while back pillows are usually shredded foam or fiber, softer to lean on.
Is T28 ILD 42 foam softer than the T30 ILD 45 in the original teddy sofa?
T28 ILD 42 foam is slightly softer on paper than T30 ILD 45, but the workshop says the difference in feel and wear is almost nothing.
What density foam goes into a custom bench cushion?
Custom bench, banquette and seat cushions are made with 32-density foam: about 2.0 lb/ft³ (32 kg/m³) high-density, high-resilience polyurethane with a medium-firm feel.
Can I get foam filling instead of silicone balls?
Foam filling is usually available on request instead of silicone balls, the standard fill in tufted cushions, and the shop may message after purchase to ask which you want.
Does the new foam smell when it arrives?
The workshop says its cushion foam has no odor, and it has recorded only one smell complaint in about 3,000 sofa orders.
Can the floor sofa cushions work as a bed for overnight guests?
Yes, foam sofa cushions can be slept on: the floor and modular sofa seat mattresses are high-density foam that is comfortable without being squishy, so laid flat they make a good guest bed.
Does cotton filling hold its shape as well as silicone balls?
No, cotton filling doesn't hold its shape quite as well as silicone balls: silicone ball fill keeps its shape better over time, and cotton doesn't fully spring back after a cushion is vacuum-packed…
Is your foam firm enough that it won't sag or flatten with daily use?
Yes: the standard foam is about 2.0 lb/ft³ (32 kg/m³) high-density, high-resilience foam with a medium-hard feel, and it keeps its shape for years without sagging or flattening.
Do your tufted floor cushions contain any foam?
No, the tufted floor cushions contain no foam: they are filled with durable fiber inserts made of silicone ball fiber, which the workshop says will last many years.
What are tufted floor cushions filled with?
Tufted floor cushions are filled with silicone ball fiber: polyester hollow fiber rolled into small clusters that feel soft like cotton, not like foam.
Can the floor sofa be made with natural latex instead of foam?
Yes, natural latex can replace the high-density foam in a floor sofa for an extra charge, quoted as the price difference for your size.
What size insert does my pillow cover need?
For a full, plump pillow, choose an insert about 2 in (5 cm) larger than the cover: an 18 x 18 in cover takes a 20 x 20 in insert.
Is the cushion foam non-toxic, and does it have flame retardants?
The cushion foam is high-density polyurethane upholstery foam with no flame-retardant additives, and the cover fabrics carry no flame-retardant finish.
Do the floor cushions come filled, or is it just the cover?
Floor cushions come fully filled, not as covers only: each one arrives well stuffed and sewn closed, ready to sit on, and you choose just the color number and the size.
If I order covers only, how much filling do I need, and will it look like the photos?
A new cover only looks as crisp as the filling inside it: high-density foam gives the flat, structured look in the photos, while soft, tired filling stays slouchy under new fabric.
How do I get the foam back into my cushion cover?
To put foam back in a cushion cover, fold the foam, not the cover: open the zipper past both corners, slip the foam into a thin plastic bag, fold it lengthwise and fill the far corners first.
Is the foam in your cushions memory foam?
The foam in the workshop's custom cushions is not memory foam but a resilient, sponge-type polyurethane that springs back and holds its shape instead of slowly sinking.
Is your cushion foam certified, and can I see the paperwork?
The workshop does not claim a US foam-industry certification for its cushion foam; what it documents is fabric from OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified mills, with certificates shared on request.
For a bolster or a very thick backrest, should I choose foam or silicone ball fill?
Choose foam for a non-tufted backrest 12-14 in (30-35 cm) thick, often cut as a wedge, and silicone ball fill for round arm bolsters, because silicone balls can't hold a backrest that thick.
Why is my sofa backrest filled with shredded foam instead of one block?
Shredded foam in a sofa backrest is intentional: backrests and armrests are filled with shredded or layered foam pieces instead of one block so they stay soft and flexible, not rigid, and the shop…
Can I buy just the foam inserts, without the covers?
Yes, foam inserts and fillings are sold on their own, without covers.
Buyer questions
- A common question
What colors does the corduroy teddy sofa come in? Is there olive?
The workshop's answerGreen, brick, mustard, beige, dark brown, anthracite, off-white, dark blue, indigo and silver gray. Olive isn't available in corduroy, but a similar shade can be made in velvet or linen from the fabric charts.
The full answer: What colors does the corduroy teddy sofa come in, and can I get a custom color?
- A common question
Is velvet 113 burnt orange or terracotta?
The workshop's answerBoth: code 113 covers burnt orange and red terra cotta. You're sent a photo of both and asked to confirm one before production. Missing a color? The nearest shade is suggested, such as 132 Navy for dark blue piping.
The full answer: Is this velvet burnt orange, rust or terracotta?
- A common question
Can I get physical fabric samples before I order?
The workshop's answerYes. Choose the fabric-sample option in the listing, or a small option such as pillow covers, and say which colors you want. A design firm was sent every color for a shipping-only fee. The sample option is swatches, not a cushion.
The full answer: I'm an interior designer. Can you send a full swatch set of all your colors?