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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 ...

Are you good at customer communication?

I’ll be honest… I haven’t always been.

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.

Happy Easter to you all! Xx ...

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. ...

This chair was a proper privilege.

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! ...

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.

Is Friday 13th been lucky or unlucky for you? ...

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.

Have a good rest of your week! ...

Wishing you all a Happy new year and I hope ‘26 brings us all greater health, wealth and happiness.
I had a few lovely days off which were spent with the lovely @the_upholstery_cabin and her family but unfortunately I Couldn’t stay out the studio long enough and had to complete a new seat pad for an antique bench for a lovely local couple in customers own material :A Kilim Rug which wasn’t too much of a challenge but wasn’t easy for my walking foot and overlocker.

Thank Goodness for my @bench_pal , which really helped me in moving it into and out of one of the last #Zipvan moves - oh how will I manage without Zipvan? (suggestions welcome) ...

Hey there !
like you, i’ve completed quite a bit of work these past 3 weeks, delivering some great projects for @royalmuseumsgreenwich (going on display next year), a TV 📺 show contribution for @bbc show #Shiftthethift (airing next year)and 30-odd chairs for the new headquarters of @pepsiuk on behalf of my client and so its been tricky to know what I`m able/allowed to post.
This past weekend I thoroughly enjoyed hosting a 1-2-1 with upholstery leisure student Deborah from the great @thewoodenmousefrenchpolishing upholstery leisure class, who needed just alittle additional technical help putting the finishing touches to her #MCM Ercol chair.

I’ll be announcing some more Upholstery leisure dates in ‘26 after Christmas if you would love to come spend a day with yours truly in my studio learning a few introductory tips and tricks to help you on your upholstery journey let me know in my DM’s

Have a great week!Rxx ...

This Danish mid century modern styled chair represents my first finished piece post hip op, now looking smart in the Beautiful @sahco_official #Safire (Colour 0017).
My heartfelt thanks to Sarah and Alistair for being amazing & patient customers since I collected this chair. With the help of a great @uber #XL driver I was able to personally deliver it to their home Yesterday evening after teaching another pleasurable #upholstery leisure class @thewoodenmousefrenchpolishing.

Shouts out to Barry and James @bench_pal . The Electric Bench has been a Godsend even before my Op -Now it’s an essential bit of kit. Pricey but so blinking worth it for makers like me in physio/recovery . Magic!

Wouldn’t you love to have a piece like this Brightening up those Autumnal days in your home? ...

I love and I’m totally inspired and enthused by colour. People who love colour are my kind of “Coloured people” IMHO.

This Victorian slipper chair came from my customer, whom also supplied the fabric.
As the chair frame suggested to me it was made before 1950 and traditional fillings were used in its upholstery it was exempt from UK Fire Regs for domestic furniture.

Hopefully this brings the colour back in your cheeks too!
Happy Friday everyone xx
#Victorian #Slipperchair #Bold #Colour #Reupholstery #atelier #RayClarke #London #Bespoke ...