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Framing

Solid Hardwood Framing

Our handmade frames are constructed in the time-honored way, from solid, kiln-dried hardwood. Though many clients prefer the beauty of maple, our Italian-born framer will build your piece in any unique or exotic wood you prefer. Close attention is paid to the grain pattern in construction.

For ultimate strength and balance, every joint is hand-cut, glued, double-dowelled and corner-blocked. These traditional techniques make the joint as strong, or even stronger, than the wood itself. We would never use screws, staples and other metals that degrade and loosen over time.

Framing is the first important step in the McLaughlin process. Once the architecture of your solid hardwood frame is in place, we lay down a foundation of comfort with our hand-tied steel springs and natural webbing.

The foundation of your custom-made piece is built upon a basket weave of natural jute webbing and a set of tempered steel coil springs. Our craftsmen hand-tie and knot each individual spring to your hardwood frame using waxed jute twine.

Individual, hand-tied spring coils are a mark of superior quality. The more common zigzag springs place added tension on a frame, often causing it to warp or break. Our nine-gauge steel springs are specifically calibrated to avoid twisting or kinking upon compression.

Once the webbing and springs have been adjusted to your desired depth, resilience and comfort, our expert seamstresses stitch burlap over the structure to hold everything securely in place. At this point, the piece is ready to receive its natural horsehair padding.

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  • McLaughlin makes me look good. They were recommended to me for a Boston project and now I’m using them for New York jobs.

    Harry Schnaper Inc.
  • The go-to custom upholstery shop in the Boston area! Quality and customer satisfaction is always first.

    SLC Interiors
  • Kevin maintains a very high standard of quality control and nothing leaves his shop short of perfection.

    F.D. Hodge Interiors
  • Loved working with Kevin – he’s really an artist! Kevin and Katie make the team unbeatable.

    Lucie Beauchemin
  • A pleasure to deal with. Proposals are clear and timely, furniture is first-class, and delivery is as promised.

    Harry Schnaper Inc.
  • The best custom sofa ever! Beautiful and comfortable, it makes it hard to leave the house. Kevin is master of his craft.

    S. Corkin

Made to Order

Customization

Like a bespoke suit, McLaughlin’s made-to-order pieces are built to your precise specifications, down to the very last stitch.

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Made your Bed

Design Your Own Bed

Create your new custom upholstered bed with our interactive online bed composer. Choose from select styles of headboard, size and color.

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Time-honored Tradition

Since 1889, McLaughlin has created custom, made-to-measure upholstered furniture of extraordinary quality and timeless beauty.

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