Sunday, November 27, 2011

Pssst...It's called gimp.

And if you see it on your piece of mid-century furniture, it has probably been recovered at some time in the past.

Gimp is a flat decorative trim or braid that conceals upholstery fastening points, such as staples or tacks, and it was almost never the trim chosen by mid-century designers. Instead, they favored less fussy piping, double welt cord or no trim at all.

Scroll gimp
fabricfarms.com
French gimp
bandmupholstery.com
Gimp application
modhomeec.com
Piping
flickr.com - Michael's Upholstery
Double welt cord
flickr.com - Michael's Upholstery
at

11 comments:

  1. SudhaNovember 27, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    gimp?!! is too feminine for me.I like the piping anytime

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dana@Mid2ModNovember 27, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    @Sudha: I'm with you. I don't like anything remotely fussy, so piping or unadorned seams are my choice. Even double welt cord is more trim than I normally would choose. In my opinion, nothing says "My upholsterer only likes Victorian" as much as gimp does...LOL

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dana@Mid2ModNovember 27, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Before the Victorian lovers hang me in effigy (or worse), let me assure you I've seen beautiful Victorian homes...and my last home had a feel of New Orleans at the turn of the century. All I'm saying is that gimp is not in keeping with the original look of a mid-century piece. So will you put down those feathers and douse the fire under the tar? :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. chairsmithNovember 27, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    For the record - and we're not ashamed to say this - we don't like gimp/braid, whatever. Even on period furniture. There, we said it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. LeAnnNovember 27, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    I always learn so much from your blog. Check out my new post, maybe you know something my new artwork...

    ReplyDelete
  6. SudhaNovember 27, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    Dana, I totally agree with you abut pretty victorian homes...though laces, doilies and gimp seem to be a little over the top for me.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dana@Mid2ModNovember 27, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    @LeAnn: I didn't know much about your art, but I did share with you some things I do know about what I think may be similar pieces.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AtomicAngelicaNovember 27, 2011 at 8:04 PM

    I think my new chair has some gimp underneath it!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dana@Mid2ModNovember 27, 2011 at 8:30 PM

    @Angelica: Where???

    ReplyDelete
  10. flourish and blumeNovember 28, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    In our experience, the 80's refurbs of mid-century furniture that use gimp are usually hiding bad upholstery. (insider information)!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dana@Mid2ModNovember 28, 2011 at 4:37 PM

    @flourish and blume: Yes, I'm sure a lot of the gimp application occurred in the 70s and 80s, when mid-century pieces were starting to get worn and were considered out of style and in need of "modernizing."

    ReplyDelete