We are not currently taking new upholstery commissions

Due to our commitments with the craftwork courses, we are not currently seeking any new upholstery commissions. This may change in the future.

Upholstery History

Upholstered furniture first appeared in the late 16th Century. An upholstered chair was a sign of status used to display wealth, elegance and power, as few could afford the tapestry like fabrics or the craftsmen skills needed to upholster the chairs.

Traditionally, upholstery was a mixture of webbing, hessian and horsehair or feathers, wool and occasionally straw or dried grasses were used for stuffing the chairs. An upholsterer could be an advisor and supplier of all the textile furnishings in a house from curtains through to all the chairs, wall hangings, mattresses etc.

This method of upholstery continues up to the present day although in the 1800’s other fibres such as coconut fibre, coir and other materials were used as horse hair became more and more expensive and with the invention of the coiled spring in the 1820’s padding could be much deeper and made furniture much more comfortable.

In the 1920’s new innovations for upholstery such as rubber webbing, latex, foam and staple guns revolutionised modern upholstery making it much cheaper as it is labour saving and fabrics are now relatively cheaper due to mass production.  

Upholstery Commissions

I am able to use both traditional and modern upholstery methods, and hold a City and Guilds qualification in Design and Upholstery. I can repair existing furniture or design and make individual, modern pieces for you to fit in with any theme or colour scheme.

Commissions I’ve already undertaken range from the design of custom headboards, re-upholster of existing chairs and the construction of a settee (see gallery for more examples). Prices start from £30.00 for recovering a standard dining chair and begin at £150.00 for a fantasy headboard.