Upholstery twine and thread: which one to use for what
Upholsterers use several kinds of twine and thread, each for a precise job: a thick spring twine to tie the springs, a strong stitching twine to sew springs, laces and…
The Journal is where I share life in my upholstery workshop on the shores of Lake Annecy: the chairs that come through my hands, their history, the fabrics I love and the tricks of the trade I have picked up over the years. It is a space to slow down, look closer at traditional French upholstery and find inspiration for your next project.
Upholstery course online: how to learn upholstery from home
Yes, you can learn upholstery online. A good online upholstery course gives you (almost) the same thing a workshop does: a method, in the right order, with every gesture shown…
How to upholster a curved banquette seat: 5 approaches
A half-round banquette is beautiful, but a curve is the hardest shape there is for fabric. From removable cushions to channel tufting, inclined backs and faceted frames, here are the four ways to upholster it, how to choose the right fabric, and why your upholsterer should be involved before the joiner starts cutting.
Reupholstering a Napoleon III Chair: From Family Heirloom to a Child’s Room Favorite
Antique chairs like this one rarely get thrown away, they get reinvented instead. A Napoleon III chair with carved oak and a fleur-de-lis worked into the wood is the kind…
The Armchair That Almost Didn’t Get Restored (And Why I’m Glad It Did)
When Christiane first brought me her Voltaire chair, I'll be honest with you: I told her it probably wasn't worth restoring. The wood was scratched, dull, coated in that thick…
When a Rush Seat Chair Becomes an Upholstered One: A Restoration Story
From Family Heirloom to Showpiece: Reupholstering a Rush Seat Chair That Wasn't Meant to Be Upholstered Some chairs arrive at the workshop with a straightforward brief. Strip it, rebuild it,…
The Voltaire Chair: How to Reupholster France’s Most Beloved Armchair
If the cabriolet is the chair you find at every French antique market, the Voltaire is the one you find in every French grandmother's living room. It's the armchair that…
How to reupholster a dining chair seat for beginners (drop-in seat)
To reupholster a dining chair seat, lift the drop-in seat out of the chair, strip it back to the wooden frame, rebuild the base (webbing on an open frame, nothing…
Big comfortable Art Deco Chair Upholstery (with springs unit)
I was asked to redo a pair of confortable art deco chairs, this is the perfect occasion to show you how these big sprunged chairs are made INSIDE. There is…
9 Essential tips for starting upholstery
Upholstery is such a rewarding and practical skill! It allows you to restore old furniture, personalize your home, and even start a business. However, as a beginner, you may find…