Ray Clarke Upholstery & Design

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 and , 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.

Lovely to meet the Mayor of Medway and some familiar faces at the official opening of The art Gallery in Rochester high Street. May The Gallery and Schools activities go from strength to strength.
Check out and sign up for website for details of events and leisure upholstery classes (with yours truly) with dates during May and the coming months published soon!

An Honour to attend and great to meet The Mayor of Medway. Congratulations Heather, Stewart & Manjeet. May the Wooden Mouse go from Strength to strength!

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of a TV upholstery project?

This Lloyd Loom-style storage box was a piece I completed for BBC’s Shift The Thrift — and like most projects… it 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

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 .upholstery.classes, , and 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.

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

Open to serious enquiries. Leave a comment or contact me in my DM’s.

Happy Easter to you all! Xx

**For Sale **
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 . 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 you can catch up on . Will it was a pleasure to work with you and Your team!

A good result this week restores some confidence after last weeks poor result. My Heartfelt thanks to of 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?