Curious Bee Upholstery

When your furniture fits the space beautifully and is really comfortable, but the fabric is a bit out of date and just doesn't suit your style anymore, then why not get it reupholstered? My client's kitchen bench was covered in a sad and peeling silver grey quilted vinyl and needed a bit of an overhaul. This brilliantly hard-wearing velvet (Lovely by Warwick) in a really subtle grey/blue colour, was the perfect choice to bring this bench bang up to date. Together with a little extra seat padding, this made sure it would be enjoyed for years to come.

This footstool really speaks to my sustainable credentials. I saved a frame from landfill - a lovely proportion and size - with excellent quality wooden legs. I then used some Moon's wool and Warwick velvet from my fabric scraps box, and hey presto - another item saved and now like new. And finally, my husband is thrilled that one more item has been taken out of storage (i.e., the garage). This will be posted for sale on my Etsy shop later this weekend. DM me if you're interested in buying it beforehand. Dimensions: 56cm x 40cm x 40cm. Fabrics and fillings consistent with UK fire regulations.

Can you identify the missing element in this iconic Parker Knoll Froxfield chair?

This mid-century design boasts an exceptional frame condition, reupholstered in a chunky weave fabric chosen by our discerning client to contrast beautifully with the restored show wood.

As a professional seamstress herself, she opted to create her own box cushion cover, tasking us with reupholstering the chair itself.

Now, we believe this piece would complement many modern interiors...and its comfort will be elevated, as soon as it gets its cushion back!

How kind of my customer to let me have a photo of the chairs in her dining room - I think they look great! These Tolix replicas were given new upholstery and a gorgeous Abraham Moon plaid pure wool and were snapped up. There will be further items available as I work through my stock of great quality frames and chairs that need TLC - watch this space...

Cintique is a furniture brand, established in the early 1900s, renown for both quality and comfort. These chairs were first made in 1968 and inherited by my client earlier this year, their teak frames are in excellent condition and they still have their unique seat spring system, so I was very excited to be commissioned to bring them back to life, including completely new upholstery. This rich red Plush Velvet and Turmeric Lovely, both from Warwick, contrast beautifully with the restored teak frames. I completely sanded/stripped the arm tops and re-stained/waxed them, alongside using my special formula cleaning solution for the rest of the frame. I think they look brand new again, what do you think?

Don't dining chairs come in an amazing variety of shapes? However, one thing that's a common occurrence is the 'leather' that looks so good at first and that customers pay a premium for, becoming damaged quickly, often with the lightest of use. That's because this is bonded leather; it has a synthetic top layer that peels and flakes far too easily. It breaks my heart that customers think they're getting the durability of natural leather, and I firmly believe manufacturers should be made to explain exactly what it is. Anyway, rant over! These six chairs came with exactly this problem, but look at them now - finished in Sunbury Pelle, with its hard-wearing, comfortable suede finish, and available in a variety of delicious colours, these really will last for years and are extremely comfortable. Many of my customers seem to think so too!

Not every upholstery job is a big chair or sofa, sometimes the smaller ones that come along can be just as satisfying, especially as they take a lot less time! This is just a selection of the smaller pieces I've completed recently. From a set of scatter cushions with deep, Oxford borders, to a new lid for a cherished Lloyd Loom basket. I take huge satisfaction in precision, pattern matching and finishing to just as high a standard as the bigger pieces. If you have a project you'd like to discuss, either DM me here, or contact me at [email protected] to get the ball rolling.

I'm a total sucker for a good rescue mission, so when I spotted these sad chairs headed for the tip, I just had to intervene! Tolix-style metal frames, but with comfy padded seats (because, priorities), I stripped off the crusty old vinyl/leather, replaced the flat foam and foundations, and reupholstered them in 100% wool plaid by Abraham Moon. Now they're looking sharp and matching like they're in a chair gang . Perfect for indoor or outdoor use (just don't leave them out in the rain, they're not waterproof). Interested? message me through my website: www.curiousbeeupholstery.co.uk and get yourself a bargain!

I am honoured to have had the privilege of working on a number of projects with this loyal client since the inception of my business. Their cherished sofa, which has travelled from their previous life in America, required a comprehensive restoration. They selected a durable small pattern jacquard weave fabric, suitable for the sofa's age and style, and I completed the seat with a full-width, feather-topped cushion for enhanced sink-into comfort. I am thrilled to report that they are extremely satisfied with the refurbished piece. Despite not being active on social media or able to post Google reviews, they kindly messaged me with 'Hi Sam, thank you for the sofa, it looks and feels lovely. Definitely 👍👍👍'. Lovely feedback and a testament to my dedication to quality craftsmanship. If you have furniture in need of revitalisation, please get in touch. I am confident using both traditional or modern techniques and offer guidance on a wide range of suitable fabrics to initiate the process.

Most of my work comes from customer commissions, but sometimes I find a beautiful old frame just crying out to be renovated. That was the case with this mid-century fireside chair, it's frame is rock solid, a real testament to the skills of that age. After a full clean and polish, I paired it with completely new foundations and a bold William Morris tapestry-style woven fabric. It's both stylish and very comfortable. The approximate dimensions are 34ins/86cm full height, 16ins/40cm seat height, 25.5ins/65cm wide and 25ins/64cm deep. If you're interested in it, just DM me and get yourself a bargain before I add it to my Etsy shop.