Upholstery Services
commission us to restore much-loved family pieces, treasured heirlooms and design classics
We have been restoring furniture for many years and are very experienced in both traditional and modern upholstery techniques. We will always recommend what we regard as the best type of restoration in keeping with the age of the piece. However, where possible, we can suggest more cost-effective options to suit different budgets. We can also offer eco-friendly, sustainable alternatives to certain materials. Whatever your upholstery needs, we can help. We love it all!
PLEASE NOTE: We currently have a waiting list until early February, 2024. You are still welcome to request an estimate but we wouldn’t be able to start your job until then.
Traditional & modern upholstery
Generally speaking, traditional upholstery techniques are usually used on furniture made before 1950. Modern techniques are used on furniture made after 1950. The processes involved in traditional upholstery generally take longer: re-building a chair’s structure with webbing, springs, hessian, coir, horsehair and twine. The method of modern upholstery is a quicker and usually more cost-effective process, using foam, staples and modern materials to refresh and reshape furniture. The method we use will depend on the period of your piece.
What does upholstery involve?
The term “re-upholstery” refers to replacing the inners (e.g. stuffing, springs, felt, foam), usually stripping furniture back to its original frame. “Re-covering” involves replacing the top layer of fabric only. The work required will depend on the condition of the furniture frame. A simple re-cover will refresh the look of your furniture, whilst repairing and rebuilding the overall structure will ensure the longevity of your furniture.
Fabrics
You don’t have to be a client to purchase fabric from us. We have an extensive collection of upholstery fabric sample books that will suit a range of budgets. If you would like to make an appointment to come and browse, please feel free to contact us. If you are a client, we will provide you with an estimate that includes how much fabric you will need. Bear this in mind when choosing your fabric. Click below to read our fabric buying guide and see recommended suppliers. We also have an ever-changing stash of fabric remnants in varying sizes that customers and upholstery students can come and browse (and buy there and then!).
Upholstery tools & supplies
We sell a range of tools and supplies to undertake your own traditional and modern upholstery at home. You can order springs, webbing, hessian, calico, tacks, decorative nails, coir fibre, piping cord, twine, laid cord, etc. Tools include ripping chisels, curved needled, regulators, magnetic hammers, mallets, double-pointed upholstery needles. Please call us to place an order on 0117 924 3355
Traditional & modern upholstery
Generally speaking, traditional upholstery techniques are usually used on furniture made before 1950. Modern techniques are used on furniture made after 1950. The processes involved in traditional upholstery generally take longer: re-building a chair’s structure with webbing, springs, hessian, coir, horsehair and twine. The method of modern upholstery is a quicker and usually more cost-effective process, using foam, staples and modern materials to refresh and reshape furniture. The method we use will depend on the period of your piece.
What does upholstery involve?
The term “re-upholstery” refers to replacing the inners (e.g. stuffing, springs, felt, foam), usually stripping furniture back to its original frame. “Re-covering” involves replacing the top layer of fabric only. The work required will depend on the condition of the furniture frame. A simple re-cover will refresh the look of your furniture, whilst repairing and rebuilding the overall structure will ensure the longevity of your furniture.
Fabrics
We have an extensive collection of fabric sample books that will suit a range of budgets. If you would like to make an appointment to come and browse, please feel free to contact us. When we provide you with an estimate, we include how much fabric you will need. Bear this in mind when choosing your fabric. Click below to read our fabric buying guide and see recommended suppliers. We also have an ever-changing stash of fabric remnants in varying sizes that customers and upholstery students can come and browse (and buy there and then!).
Upholstery tools & supplies
We sell a range of tools and supplies to undertake your own traditional and modern upholstery at home. You can order springs, webbing, hessian, calico, tacks, decorative nails, coir fibre, piping cord, twine, laid cord, etc. Tools include ripping chisels, curved needled, regulators, magnetic hammers, mallets, double-pointed upholstery needles. Please call us to place an order on 0117 924 3355
Price guide
This price guide lists the most common types of furniture we restore. The prices are the minimum we would charge and covers labour costs only. There is an additional cost for fabric (this will vary depending on the price per metre) and incidental costs (e.g. new foam on large pieces, new spring unit).
Dining Chairs
Traditional
- Re-upholstery & Re-cover – £288.00
- Re-cover only – £120.00.
Modern
- Re-upholstery & Re-cover – £108.00
- Re-cover only – £72.00.
Footstools
Traditional
- Re-upholstery & Re-cover – £336.00
- Re-cover only – £96.00.
Modern
- Re-upholstery & Re-cover – £96.00
- Re-cover only – £96.00.
Ottomans / Blanket Boxes
Traditional
- Re-upholstery & Re-cover – £288.00
- Re-cover only – £288.00.
Modern
- Re-upholstery & Re-cover – £288.00
- Re-cover only – £288.00.
Armchairs
Traditional
- Re-upholstery & Re-cover – £1,236.00
- Re-cover only – £720.00.
Modern
- Re-upholstery & Re-cover – £672.00
- Re-cover only – £672.00.
Sofas (based on a two-seater sofa)
Traditional
- Re-upholstery & Re-cover – £2,592.00
- Re-cover only – £840.00.
Modern
- Re-upholstery & Re-cover – £720.00
- Re-cover only – £720.00.
Headboards
Minimum price – single/double headboard – £216.00.
Next steps
- To start with, please email us a few photos of the piece of furniture you would like to be restored or call us for a chat. Photo guidelines: front, back and sides | cushions on/off (if applicable) | close-ups of any obvious repairs needed. We can usually provide an estimate of costs involved from photos. If you are interested in using eco-friendly upholstery materials and/or fabrics, please include this in your email. We can arrange for bespoke eco-friendly (foam-free) upholstery cushion inners to be made by another independent upholstery (Vanessa Butt Upholstery).
- For more complicated jobs (e.g. if major repairs are needed to the frame) and more unusual pieces, we may need to arrange a home visit.
- The estimate we send to you will include recommended work, methods and the amount of fabric required.
- Once you are happy to proceed, we will request a 25% deposit to add you to our waiting list.
- We then notify you when we are ready to begin work on your furniture and will request a further payment of 50% and the cost of fabric (if you are ordering through us).
- On completion, the outstanding 25% payment is required. Our payment terms help you to spread the cost of the job over a period of time.
Browse our range of furniture ready to be restored to their former glory
Need inspiration?
Want your own piece of vintage furniture in your own choice of fabric? These are a few of our current pieces waiting for that special treatment and special home (ask to see more!). A little imagination is needed to conjure up the potential beauty of unrestored furniture but we can help. We can help you to find the best fabric to really make the furniture sing!
A Mid-Century modern cocktail or occasional chair
This stylish occasional chair is a classic example of the mid-century modern era. It has a very elegant but comfortable oval seat and back, and striking show wood which would sparkle after an application of Danish oil. The second image is an artist’s impression of what the chair could look like; we’ve chosen a hot pink velvet that really makes the chair sing!
A pair of Mid-Century Modern booth style hexagonal sofas
This unusual pair of sofas date from the 1960’s. They would be perfect for a hotel or office reception area (or even a large open plan living room!). As with all our furniture waiting to be restored, these pieces will need a bit of imagination to see their future beauty. We would be happy to discuss different design options (such as whether to keep the button detail or recover in two different fabrics) and offer advice about a look that would sit well with an existing design palette. A deep-coloured boucle fabric could work…
Small Edwardian sofa with marquetry show wood
This compact Edwardian sofa comfortably fits two people. It has beautiful show wood with exquisite marquetry detail. It needs a full restoration service (wood revival, upholstery and top fabric). However, with our care and attention, this piece could look beautiful once more. The second image is an artist’s impression of what it could look like; we have chosen a vibrant linen-style cotton fabric from the Cloth House – “Flower Bomb”. The piece still retains its aesthetic integrity but the new fabric brings it bang into the 21st century!
