https://www.towneley-upholstery.com/projects daily 0.75 2023-04-20 https://www.towneley-upholstery.com/projects/teve-chair monthly 0.5 2022-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/02abd84c-26cb-44c4-b74f-37b423601086/IMG_6557.jpg Projects - 1950’s “Teve” chair - The rebuild. I used a wool based stuffing for this layer to replicate the original stuffing used. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/47ba9590-53a1-45c5-a733-a5ab9b1e0bc6/IMG_6568+%281%29.jpg Projects - 1950’s “Teve” chair - Hand Finish The fabric panels for the side and the back were all hand finished replicating the detail of the original chair and providing further accentuation of the lines both in the shape of the chair and the new fabric. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/e775372d-8cb5-444f-b51f-503a05dc71e7/IMG_6551.jpg Projects - 1950’s “Teve” chair - Assessing the damage. It’s important to strip the chair down to do a complete assessment as there is no point fixing the superficial if the structure has been damaged. Fortunately the webbing was still in good repair but there was a lot dust from the old stuffing layers that needed to be removed. . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/85039a82-3d08-4865-a4c9-73d2bfc5461d/IMG_6495.jpg Projects - 1950’s “Teve” chair - Where to start…. I knew from the start that much of this chair’s upholstery was going to need to be replaced. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/b1fd5213-afc9-445a-a6c7-227822d19464/IMG_6565.jpg Projects - 1950’s “Teve” chair Working on the outer chair. The supporting panels on the outside of the chair providing the distinctive shape for this style of furniture had disintegrated in places and all affected panels were replaced. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/ee6c0c0b-d4da-4146-bda2-3093edb21d77/IMG_0694.jpg Projects - 1950’s “Teve” chair - Elegant chair and elegant occupant! The current occupant had been missing her chair and she approved of the new comfy cushion and contrasting colour. https://www.towneley-upholstery.com/projects/bureau-chair monthly 0.5 2022-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/de9b373e-559f-43c6-b68c-30b3bde719c8/IMG_6096.jpg Projects - bureau chair - A very pleasing result I replaced the webbing and padding for both structural support and comfort. By replacing the tired fabric with a more vibrant colour, this lovely old chair was transformed. The result was an antique chair comfortable to sit on and with a contemporary feel which blended in with the decor of the rest of the room. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/b213b69a-419a-434a-92fa-e39f8948308b/bureau+chair+small.jpg Projects - bureau chair - A beautiful chair in need of a refresh The supporting materials of the drop-in seat had stretched and worn thin and overall there was little comfort in the seat. The original fabric was faded and worn. https://www.towneley-upholstery.com/projects/foot-stool monthly 0.5 2022-07-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/5b7521f0-fc54-4213-9eb2-d1054793f7ce/IMG_5635.jpg Projects - foot stool - Getting the final look right I played around with the top fabric as the client wanted to include as many of the animals on the print as possible. Her son, though, was scared of one particular animal so I fitted the fabric without the scary animal showing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/d5d41fb1-af8b-41d3-9d2b-dad116119e36/IMG_5473.jpg Projects - foot stool - “It’s seen better days!” The wood was very fragile so in order to preserve the piece I wanted to do as little as possible to the wood to prevent it from deteriorating further. I like to be as environmentally conscious as possible so all the stuffing layers were recycled. https://www.towneley-upholstery.com/projects/chaise-longue monthly 0.5 2022-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/a49c677d-4fd1-4695-9764-77c23038213c/IMG_5541.jpg Projects - CHAISE LONGUE - In need of some love The piece had been shortened at some stage in its lifetime and the springs had wedged themselves under the piece of wood which attached the long sides of the piece together. As a result the seat had collapsed at one end. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/d8ce9fb8-3bc8-4295-a65e-4b9b0ac49f1d/IMG_5795.jpg Projects - CHAISE LONGUE - Working on the seat By changing how the springs were placed and using softer springs in some areas, the seat was transformed into an elegant and supportive seat again. I re-used the original first layer of coconut coir but to make the second layer softer, I swapped the coir for animal hair. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/dc07d927-2067-43d6-a425-fa92d11724dd/IMG_5788.jpg Projects - CHAISE LONGUE - Reworking the arms I tightened and tidied up the calico fabric on the rolled arms and inserted some additional padding to give them increased plushness and comfort to lean on. I did minimal repairs to the wood as my client felt that the imperfections added to the story of this lovely piece. . https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/953f2329-eff7-4190-818a-ade4173e8280/IMG_5991.jpg Projects - CHAISE LONGUE The finished item The client and I decided on a classic but simple finish with two contrasting fabrics. Using an old dressmaking technique I made a rouleaux out of the fabric to imitate the piping on the arm roll. https://www.towneley-upholstery.com/projects/bedroom-chair monthly 0.5 2022-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/088d54a0-cd18-4254-8886-103189d1c9de/IMG_5602.jpg Projects - GEORGIAN BEDROOM CHAIR - Bringing new life to an old favourite Bright natural dining room nook with vases plates and fruits on the table. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/208a519e-4a7c-4e7e-864e-2ad9c4f841be/IMG_5628.jpg Projects - GEORGIAN BEDROOM CHAIR - A new chair and a lovely cushion to boot! I thought I’d be able to recycle the old animal hair stuffing so I washed it out and let it dry outside, then teased out the clumps to recreate the softness before building up the seat pad again. For this chair, no springs had been used in its original construction so the building-up process was shorter. I had some fabric left over and created the matching piped cushion which added an elegant bedroom touch. https://www.towneley-upholstery.com/get-started daily 0.75 2022-02-06 https://www.towneley-upholstery.com/home daily 1.0 2022-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/d91c5d84-aa1a-4cba-a2c8-f38a03e66d7e/IMG_6096.jpg Home - From Shabby to Chic! It can be difficult for an upholsterer to quote without looking at the piece. Very often it’s not until you peel back the layers that you can see how the piece has been constructed or why it’s no longer comfortable. So, let's talk on the phone and if necessary I'll come and visit to assess the work needed and get back to you with a quote. If you’ve chosen your fabric already then great. Otherwise I’ll point you in the right direction to find something you like while I get started on preparing the layers beneath. If you want to get an idea of the work and prices involved, then please take a look at my Projects page. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/ce8e1834-5a34-4be4-918b-deea0a78d117/IMG_5942.jpg Home About Me I originally trained as a couture dressmaker in London. Couture is all about character, individuality and the delight of something beautifully made, and I realised that I’d like to bring the same care and joy to furniture. In a room, the furniture is an expression of you. When you walk into a room, it should greet you like a friend. Just as history is layered, so furniture is layered and I’ve learned how furniture is constructed, each layer as important and interesting as the last. When I work with furniture, I’m working with both the piece and with you to create a new friend, to restore an old favourite or to transform something you’ve never liked into something you love. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/953f2329-eff7-4190-818a-ade4173e8280/IMG_5991.jpg Home Pretty Caucasian woman at the beach smiling at camera. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/208a519e-4a7c-4e7e-864e-2ad9c4f841be/IMG_5628.jpg Home Bright natural dining room nook with vases plates and fruits on the table. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/3d694c99-7d38-43fb-b789-3a9531ac606b/IMG_0694.jpg Home Scenic shot of the beach with waves hitting the rocks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/5b7521f0-fc54-4213-9eb2-d1054793f7ce/IMG_5635.jpg Home Happy smiling woman with curly hair lounging on couch. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/1645702123095-9F8H8EEEME3640KT3QUF/IMG_5610.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/1645702249610-FE2GXEAQWRT1Y21G3EX7/rutland-g52c458c1f_640.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61ffd9fb04e9795287d7bdc8/1660573266424-3PGW2IWJ4RMK7U7NO5J0/IMG_5701.jpg Home https://www.towneley-upholstery.com/contact daily 0.75 2023-07-17 https://www.towneley-upholstery.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy daily 0.75 2022-03-16 https://www.towneley-upholstery.com/our-approach daily 0.75 2025-05-08