Slip-on New Look : For some of the best prices around for chair and sofa covers and upholstery, Hal David Interiors is worth a visit.

Slipcovers are definitely back in--and well they should be. Why were they ever out? They are a practical and versatile way of brightening up a room.

Parents of small children and pet owners are particularly appreciative of the protection that slipcovers offer.

They are also a way to have a spring and summer color scheme and another look for autumn and winter.

Hal David Interiors offers some of the best prices around for slipcovers and upholstery. They’ve been on the Westside for many years and are known for fine workmanship and reasonable prices.

We shopped around for the best price on slipcovers, and Hal David’s $250 for a standard-size sofa (up to 8 feet and without pillows) was one of the lowest. Add $50 for three pillows.

The labor cost for upholstering a standard-size sofa is $299. Labor on a custom-quilted bedspread is $99.95.

The day of my visit there were some incredible buys on custom king-size comforters that were a manufacturer’s mistakes, so David had marked them down to $100.

If down-filled sofas and chairs are your weakness, you not only have expensive tastes but probably know that it generally runs about $450 to $500 per foot for a custom-made piece. Figure $300 per foot here, plus the fabric.

Dear, but not so dear, dear.

Hal David will accept the customer’s own material if you have something you’re set on using, or you can choose from a fairly complete line of fabrics from the major mills--Schumacher, Waverly, Robert Allen, etc.--on display in the showroom. The discounts run 20% to 50% off retail.

Some exceptionally good buys on fabrics from Caroll Todd that were originally $78 per yard are now $15 per yard.

An exquisite Italian Jacquard crewel-styled white on white was $20 per yard instead of $60. Custom window treatments (except shutters)--blinds, verticals, Roman, pleated shades--are available from 40% to 50% off retail. Also, some very interesting drapery designs.

WHERE TO SHOP

* Location: Hal David Interiors, 1424 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles.

* Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

* Cards: MasterCard, Visa.

* Call: (310) 659-4375.