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Frequently Asked Questions

A great starting point for the curious. 

I have kids and pets who love to play outdoors. What do you recommend for families that need durability?

Performance fabrics are perfect for any household where there is a lot of wear on furniture as well as possibilities of spills, dirt, and messes. Our favorite brand is Revolution because the fibers are upcycled and are inherently stain repellant. Even better, the price is reasonable. Other companies use this upcycled fiber technology for their performance fabrics, but some companies do use chemicals to make their fabrics more durable and resistant to stains.

What is your return policy?

We offer refunds or store credit on any of our decor that is returned within 30 days in sale-able condition. Cut fabric and trim as well as custom orders are not returnable. However, if there are any issues with a custom order, we will make every reasonable effort to make it right.

Can I machine wash my fabric?

In general, home decor fabric is meant to be dry cleaned. However, some fabrics can be washed in a machine. Risks with machine washing include loss of color (dye), shrinkage, and elimination of stain repellency (if applied). Further, with a performance fabric, machine washing can be unnecessary because any spills can be wiped right off. If machine washing is important to you, let us know and we'll direct you to the best choices.

How long does it take for special orders of fabric to arrive?

If our distributor has the fabric in stock, it will arrive within 2 weeks. We are happy to do a stock check before you make your decision.

What can I expect to pay for home decor fabric?

Home decor fabric, like many goods, can vary widely in price. At Joy of Home, we keep price point in mind when selecting fabrics to carry in the shop. The average price per yard in the shop is $35/yard. We regard any home decor fabric under $50/yard as reasonably priced ($20/yard and under is a great deal!). We do carry some fabrics that are between $50 and $100/yard for that extra special project. Lots of home decor fabrics cost over $100/yard, but we shy away from those since there is such a great selection at lower price points. 

I am chemically sensitive - do you have fabrics that will work for me?

Yes! As mentioned earlier, we have performance fabrics that are not treated with chemicals for stain repellency. We also carry a line of fabrics that are produced with environmental sensitivity and are non-toxic to you and your home. Please let us know your needs and we will help you select a fabric that is safe and comfortable for you.

Do you carry Sunbrella?

​We do - as well as several other brands of outdoor fabric. "Sunbrella" has become a catch-all term for outdoor fabric (like cotton swabs being called "Q-Tips"). If brand name is important to you, we can direct you to true Sunbrella fabrics. Or, we can help you explore a variety of brands of outdoor fabric - ones that are stain repellant, durable, UV resistant, and less likely to mildew.

How much fabric do I need for my..... 

Calculating the amount of fabric needed for any given project is a factor of the dimensions of the piece of furniture, cushion insert, window, etc. It also depends on the pattern, if there is one, and how often it is repeated. Details matter - is there piping, tufting, pinch pleats, banding, etc? Finally, while most home decor fabric is 54" wide, widths can vary by a few inches in either direction, which can make a difference in fabric calculations. Send us an email or fill out our form with a photo of your project and we will be happy to give you an estimate of how much fabric will be needed.

Can you make a cushion from scratch?

Yes! Let us know the width and length of where you would like the cushion to go, decide how thick you would like to cushion to be, select your firmness and grade of foam, choose your fabric, and we will provide you with a cushion! If the place for the cushion is not a rectangle, we may need a template of the space, which we can take for you. We can work around jogs, zigs, zags, or whatever you've got.

My favorite sofa or chair is uncomfortable - what can I do?

The comfort of a seating piece is dependent on several factors. Do the dimensions of the piece fit your frame - depth and height of the seat, in particular? If not, we could change the thickness of the seat cushion or add a pillow to the back. Is the seat too hard or soft? If so, we can make a new cushion insert that suits your preference, Goldilocks. Finally, do you sink too far into the seat of the furniture? If so, we may need to repair or replace the webbing underneath and/or retie the springs. All of these adjustments can almost always be made without changing the fabric. However, if the seat is not removable, we may have to take off the fabric - which means we'll need a new piece to put back on.

Where do you get your decor?

Our decor comes from the African continent, countries in Central and South America, the Philippines, India and other southeast Asia countries, Europe, Ohio, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and upstairs from Joy of Home! We love carrying creations from local artisans and finding unique pieces from other locales that aren't readily available in Chittenden County.

Can I special order decor?

​Most of the time. Many of our suppliers allow us to order in small batches, but, sometimes, the reorder minimum is too high. Please let us know if you see something that you wonder if it comes in a different size or color. If we can reasonably get it for you, we will!

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