Replacing a seat and back panel on this modern office chair, covered in damaged black Vinyl with black leather looks simple enough to do However but there are plenty of details to consider during the process: choosing the right weight and thickness of hide, completely replacing the original foams with composite grades chosen for their increased density as well as paying attention to the thicknesses in helping to support the new hide. Cutting the hides involves choosing clear areas (without stretch marks or excesssive damage), while fitting your hide to concave pads with the correct staple depth, tension and bonding. As well as refitting the panels without damage to the pads or the subframe.
The devil lies in them there details. As well as communicating the benefits while managing timeframes and client expectations.
This beautiful wing chair began life as a students’ upholstery project at the upholstery leisure class @thewoodenmousefrenchpolishing in Rochester.
Due to work commitments, the student wasn’t able to complete it herself, so the chair eventually found its way to my workshop for the finishing touches.
There was one final challenge, the student had chosen the stunning printed velvet called Bangal Garden featuring a design by @beccawhodesigner, however, there wasn’t quite enough fabric to upholster the entire chair.
So rather than trying to source more, after a fabric consultation my student selected a deep navy velvet which complements the dramatic florals and rich tones of the print. This lush deep rich Midnight velvet from @linwood_fabric allows the feature fabric to take centre stage while adding depth, elegance and a little visual breathing space.
Sometimes limitations don’t hold a design back—they help define it.
I think the finished chair has a wonderful balance of bold pattern and understated luxury.
Summer spent spring-lashing, stuffing and Stitching with many thanks to @the_upholstery_cabin for the assist. #upholstery #atelierrayclarke #bespoke #london #craft
Back in 2015, I was invited to appear on BBC One’s @monfornothing, where I transformed a discarded post WW2 Utility arm chair into something entirely new using one of my own original textile designs.
The fabric began life as a series of hand-drawn Simian illustrations that I created myself. These artworks were then developed into a repeat pattern and digitally printed onto a luxurious flame-retardant upholstery velvet, fully compliant with UK domestic furniture fire regulations.
The result became what I affectionately call The Magic Monkey Chair — a bold, playful statement piece combining original artwork, textile design and traditional upholstery craftsmanship.
I’m so over the moon that, after a decade later, Another textile variant of my original design,which I`ve upholstered onto this chair, has found a wonderful new home with Martin and his wife, who purchased it from me back in April this year. Seeing a piece like this with my design continue its journey and be appreciated by people who genuinely love it is one of the most rewarding aspects of what I do.
What began as a sketchbook illustration became a printed textile, then a television project, and now a cherished piece of furniture in someone’s home.
A reminder my upholstered chairs are be far more than functional—They’re furniture art which tells a story.
My Thank you, Martin and family, for giving this Magic Monkey Chair a new home for its next chapter.
You don’t post for ages an then … Same frame design as previous post, same customer, same treatment (refurbish, refinish & recover) though a different (Customer supplied)fabric from @linwood_fabric .
Both pieces have now been successfully couriered back to their Chingford Home.
It’s been a while since I posted on here. I’ve just finished refurb and recover on this Edwardian tub chair and Customer supplied fabric from @linwood_fabric. #Atelierrayclarke #Upholstery #chairs #London
My heartfelt thanks to the amazing, lovely and gorgeous @the_upholstery_cabin for treating me with a Birthday trip to one of the most Magical, chaotic, colourful, Mosaic and marvellous short breaks to a city I now long to return to -marrakesh! Xxx
The sights, sounds and smells have to be seen(and smelt!) to be believed!
Special thanks and shouts out to @funkyfahd- Thank you and your crew for your hospitality and Some superb new wardrobe editions xx
Finished, delivered and fitted. This bespoke winged headboard and twin bed bases became one of the more technically and mentally challenging projects I’ve taken on in a long time.
The scale alone was a challenge — from physically collecting and manoeuvring the heavy bed bases, to designing the headboard so it could fully dismantle into four sections for transport through narrow staircases and doorways before being reassembled and fitted precisely around the skirting boards with no visible gaps.
There were moments of doubt along the way. Fabric supply delays, scheduling pressure, cashflow stress and the constant balancing act of managing customer expectations while trying to maintain the standard I expect from my work.
But with some valued help from @the_upholstery_cabin and @rudys_house_upholstery, I pushed through and completed a piece I’m genuinely proud of — and most importantly, one my clients are happy with.
Projects like this remind me that bespoke upholstery isn’t just about making furniture. It’s problem solving, perseverance and refusing to compromise on quality, even when things get difficult.
#BespokeFurniture #Headboard #Upholstery #BedroomDesign #InteriorDesign AtelierRayClarke London
Lovely to meet the Mayor of Medway and some familiar faces at the official opening of The @heatherchristieart art Gallery @thewoodenmousefrenchpolishing in Rochester high Street. May The Gallery and Schools activities go from strength to strength. Check out and sign up for @thewoodenmousefrenchpolishing website for details of events and leisure upholstery classes (with yours truly) with dates during May and the coming months published soon!
Do you find making up cover buttons takes ages? Are your die cutters abit on the blunt side after cutting fabric for hundreds of buttons? Well Here’s a little tip I use to keep cutting button shapes cutting through multiple layers using the following tools
A workshop vice some 400 grit paper some 10-12mm doweling rod a combi drill
If you have any other methods and suggestions please leave them in the comments below. My thanks to @rudys_house_upholstery for the assist and video.
Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of a TV upholstery project?
This Lloyd Loom- styled storage box was a piece I completed for BBC’s Shift The Thrift — and like some upholstery projects… this one didn’t go exactly to plan.
The original fabric choice (selected on the show) unfortunately didn’t meet UK fire regulations for upholstered furniture. So rather than compromise safety or standards, I made the call to switch direction.
I re-covered the piece using “Balloon Safari” by Becca Who — a bold, characterful fabric that completely transformed it while keeping everything fully compliant.
These are the kinds of decisions you don’t always see on screen… but they matter.
Because good upholstery isn’t just about how something looks — it’s about how it’s made, how it performs, and how long it lasts.
Now, I’ll be honest — the final auction price on the show didn’t reflect the true value of the work, materials, and time that went into it.
But that’s TV.
In the real world, craftsmanship, compliance, and attention to detail are what define the value of a piece.
And that’s exactly what I bring to every project I take on.
If you’ve got a piece at home that deserves a proper second life — I’d love to help you make it something exceptional.
📩 Drop me a message to start the conversation #upholstery #flipping #lloydloom #shiftthethrift furniturerestoratio
These started as a “straightforward recover” of a pair of reproduction Louis XV chairs.
But once I stripped them back, the truth was clear—the original upholstery was shot. No way I could, in good conscience, just cover over it.
At the same time, I was recovering from major surgery. The job took longer than planned… but I used that time to do it properly—and to level up my craft. A big thank you to @creative.upholstery.classes, @garethrees75, @rudys_house_upholstery and @the_upholstery_cabin for the support and knowledge along the way.
The real shift though? Having an honest conversation with my client about the work—and the value behind it.
That moment changed something for me.
Because if you don’t speak up for your work, you don’t just undermine your business… you undermine the craft itself.
Proud of how these turned out. Even prouder of how I handled the journey. #Upholstery #furniturerestoration #craftsmanship #interiordesign
Thank you all for your support . I’ve another beauty looking for a suitable home/boutique hotel/ Eclectic collector. Being Easter Monday I felt now’s as good a time as any to resurrect this."
**Available Now **This is not simply a chair—it is a statement in craftsmanship, symbolism, and design.
This late Victorian slipper chair has been fully restored and traditionally upholstered from the frame upwards by yours truly. Every stage of its construction honours time-tested methods, ensuring both integrity and longevity.
The chair is upholstered in “Sacred Sinner”, a striking textile by artist MJ Ryle (The Purple Finch). Set against a deep, atmospheric ground, the design weaves together doves, sacred hearts, stars, and iconography—balancing delicacy with bold visual impact.
Collection or delivery available from @thewoodenmousefrenchpolishing
Open to serious enquiries. Leave a comment or contact me in my DM’s.
This One-of-a-Kind Statement Chair featuring Original Ray Clarke textile print. This striking modern armchair features an original textile design created by Ray Clarke in 2021, brought to life through meticulous upholstery in 2022. The vivid primate and foliage motif sits against a deep, inky ground — a deliberate contrast that commands attention while remaining grounded in my love in creating art through my upholstered furniture. Hand-finished with sculptural wooden arms and a refined mid-century silhouette, this piece sits confidently between functional furniture and collectible artwork.A bold fusion of art and upholstery. This is a variant of an original design which first appeared on the BBC TV show @monfornothing. Available now as a standalone statement for a discerning interior. If you are an interior designer who may have a client interested in acquiring this piece, a member of the public, or a fan who wants to support my work, reach out and DM me.
If you Missed Mondays Episode of #therepairshopontheroad you can catch up on @#bbciplayer. Will it was a pleasure to work with you and Your team! #Upholstery #TheRepairshop #rayclarkeupholstery series2
Working alongside artist @london_artist1 on a piece that now sits inside The Queen’s House at the National Maritime Museum isn’t something I take lightly. This wasn’t just upholstery—it was about holding space for a story.
The fabric, designed by Sharon, which I helped rework into a textile print (getting my favourite printers @maakeuk to print on one of their amazing substrates), carries Sharon’s narrative—flying fish, cou-cou, colour, afro-caribbean culture, memory. My role was to translate that onto form. To shape it, tension it, respect and honour it. Every line, every seam, every pull of the cloth had to honour what the work represents.
It’s a chair, yes—but it’s also an invitation. To sit. To pause. To reconnect.
And that idea—rest as resistance—that hit me.
Massive thanks to Sharon for trusting me with this. These are the projects that remind me why I love upholstery and textile design. #Upholstery #SharonWalters #NationalMaritimeMuseum #QueensHouse #FurnitureAsArt ContemporaryCraft Restoration TextileArt BritishCraft SitOnThis!
Hey folks! It’s been hella long since I last posted: Here is one of my reasons why- This week I finally completed and installed a restored iconic sofa for the Green room inside the iconic @officialronnies Jazz Club.
After an extensive fabric and design consultation This L-shaped piece was completely stripped and rebuilt in a plush @linwood_fabric #Omega velvet, with new converted foam & feather cushion fillings and fully upholstered from frame to finish.
While the upholstery was carried out we made sure The green room could still function for its artists & guests by lending them the use of my own personal sofa for the duration of the project.
Upholstery is one of those crafts that quietly supports the places where culture happens.
Music venues, theatres, restaurants — they all rely on furniture that works hard and looks right.
It was a privilege to contribute a small piece to such an iconic London venue. My heartfelt thanks to Paul & @alinaustimcuk and all the lovely staff @officialronnies , The delivery men and with the wonderful assist by @rudys_house_upholstery in my studio.
A good result this week replacing the webbing and fillings (keeping the existing covers)restores some confidence after a poor result last week. My Heartfelt thanks to @jolt__music of @rudys_house_upholstery for the assist. Back on job.
Some vital sewing machine components arrived in my post this morning too! Friday the 13th is turning out well so far for me.
I did this to cheer myself up after a poor result this week. I’ve been cycling loads to make up for the CO2 i’ve spent to get this Caricature sort of accurate so don’t come at me! #charicature #chatgpt #Atelier #RayClarke #Upholstery
Hopefully this project of a modern stool isn’t the shape of things to come this year-what do I mean by this?
I’m talking fabric selection with your customer. Make sure you confirm in writing with your customer their chosen fabrics product code so you don’t end up ordering the wrong fabric. Don’t just go with their suggestion (“I’d like it in a dark green suede- type material”)
#Facepalm
We all make mistakes. The important thing is to solve it, learn from the experience and move on.
Backdrop is under repair so this shot will have to do.. Big jobs on, more about them later.
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