Soft furnishing general

[65Buick]

For all: what are the most popular items people are seeking out these days? I heard a guy on the radio talking about room dividers now. Any consensus there?

[gene]

I'm still staying busy with regular furniture upholstery. And I've done more cornice boards this year than any other year.

I've never done any room dividers. I've seen them online but usually in connection with DIY projects.

It would be great if there was a major trend of new type business.

gene

[MinUph]

I too see furniture being the most business as of late. I do have some cornices in the schedule and some commercial work (booths) but Furniture is the mainstream product still. I would like to build cornices and headboards as a full-time business, (secondary of course). But don't see the need being large enough as of yet and the cornices kinda run in spurts. I've only done one wall divider in the last few years, a big three section 8' tall with nail trim all around. Way to many nails :)

[65Buick]

Interesting. May I ask who's asking for cornices?

[MinUph]

That would be customers and designers.

[sofadoc]

Around here, the designers send all the cornice work to the drapery people.

[gene]

Many drapery people are women who work in their homes. I have several drapery people who are women and they do not want to make big cornice boards, so they have me do it. I also have several who have me make the wooden frame only and then they do the finishing.

The majority of my cornice boards are for IDs directly.

When I started 12 years ago I was told from several different people that there were over 2,000 drapery people in my area. If that was correct, I would guess that today there are no more than half that many.

gene

[65Buick]

Gene is that because of the economy? 2k sounds like you live in a big area. My city of nipomo is 15k I think. Neighboring cities have 100k to the south and 50k or so to the north.