Articles
Inspiration, Ideas, Trends & Projects - All things Upholstery
Commercial Interior Projects
When it comes to a commercial space and the furniture needed to make that space work, there are many elements to consider. As an upholsterer, I have worked closely with Interior Designers to ensure that the client’s needs are understood and the Interior...
How does fabric wear and how to clean furniture upholstery?
There are many advantages to using modern day upholstery fabrics. Modern day upholstery fabrics come with specs, including rub testing, pilling tests, colour fastness and composition. Variations on these test results determine if a fabric is “hard wearing” or “low...
How to start learning upholstery at home
So you want to learn upholstery and start on a project at home, but where should you start? Certainly, when you want to do something you have never tried before, you may make quite a few mistakes and learn through trial and error. I recall some of the...
When to invest in good quality furniture.
As a woman and a mum, I wondered to myself recently: how old will I be when I can buy/make a beautiful lounge and not only be able to have a practical lounge? I am an upholsterer, that is pretty clear, but have you ever wondered what lounge an upholsterer has? When I...
BowerBird Design Market
Hi Everyone, We are very excited to announce that we have a stall at the upcoming Bowerbird Design Market. Held at the Adelaide Showgrounds, from 24th - 26th November, it will be a fabulous weekend of inspiration and ideas. To see the full list of Designers and Makers...
To Scotchguard or not to Scotchguard?
So now you have a beautifully upholstered piece of furniture. Either you have just finished it in one of our Workshops, or it has been completed by your local upholsterer. The beautiful fabric that you deliberated and agonised over choosing looks perfect, and you...
Fabric Estimates
Have you ever wondered about an easy way to estimate how much fabric you need for a project? Warning: this could get technical, proceed with caution. The simplest way is to consider each small section or each large panel of the chair as 100cm x across the...
Where it all began
I have been teaching DIY upholstery workshops in their current format for three years now. My first attempt at teaching was an absolute disaster, in my opinion. I completed my apprenticeship in 2006 and went on to work for myself for a year with clients like Edit...
Designing a chair for you
I am working on a concept chair. For you. I am putting all my experience from the custom built manufacturing industry into piecing together an Australian made chair, that is damn good. I am running some market research to clarify what you want. The process of design...
I went, I saw, I enjoyed (conquered) Thanks Melbs
I took a flight to Melbourne, and just so you know, the trip was strictly work. I love my work, so I had the best time! There were no kids. What?? That is unheard of, trust me I was pinching myself also. I saw a chair exhibition and some amazing creative skills....
The strangest things found in a lounge
As an upholsterer, I often get asked, what are some of the strangest things I have found in a lounge? I have two strong memories from my apprentice days. As an apprentice, stripping furniture is definitely the job you do the most and I quite enjoyed that demolishing...
Just for a moment, I dare you.
Creativity is something often left until we have time. If you were to look back over the last few months, how many opportunities have you had to express your creativity? We are so easily distracted and often trying to get the most out of everyday. I know, I do it. The...
Find a chair you can relax in.
I have a love of vintage furniture. Some may call it an obsession. I have come to the conclusion that I am looking for the ultimate chair. This may or may not actually exist, but I have come pretty close. After ten years of upholstery work, I have developed a bad...
Fabric is a personal language
Some of you may have known me from my beginnings in teaching upholstery, some of you may not be all that aware of how I got into what I do. How did I know I was going to love upholstery? I didn't. It was as simple as having a break from uni. I was perusing the job...
What is under the covers?
What are you sitting on? Do you know what is inside it? It looks fab from the outside and you may have paid a pretty penny for it, but do you really know how well it was made? I was recently browsing at leading furniture retailer, when after a couple of questions to...