Working with Upholsterers! !@&^#$%#
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Ok, obviously I just haven’t found the right one, but it seems that over the years I’m never satisfied when I job out the upholstry part of a project. I often have the need for someone who can work with leather but not on traditional furniture. Most of the upholstry I’m talking about are loose cushions to fit unusually shaped furniture.
I’ve interviewed and looked at the work of many upholsterers and it seems that the shops are always super busy and either don’t want unusual projects that require more effort or will take the work but don’t seem committed to making exactly what I’m after.
Has anyone had good/bad experiences with upholsterers working on their projects that might be of interest here? Anyone know of an organization that one could get references for top notch upholsterers? Even more remote, anyone have an upholstry genius in Colorado?!
I’ve attached an embarrassingly bad photo of a chaise that is complete except for the upholstry as reference for the kind of work I’m looking for. It needs to have loose leather cushions with saddle stitching and a bolstered back that get tied in place. I’m thinking either an aged brown saddle leather or even so daring as dark mustard colored as the chair is mahogany and would contrast well. Again, sorry for the photo.
Thanks for any advice, contacts, prayers.
Yes, I know, buy the sewing machine and learn myself.
Best,
Seth
Replies
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There once was a guy named Lloyd Landin working in Boulder. I've lost track of a lot of my old Colorado friends, but Lloyd was the best upholsterer I ever met. He started out as a leather worker and continued to work with it in upholstery at times. The last time I was at his place, he was mostly just working with his established client base. He'd ask new customers who referred them before accepting a job. If Lloyd met his goal, he retired about eight years ago.
Searching on the Internet, I found what I think is his business address, 2301 Pearl St, but I don't know. If you locate Lloyd, please let me know.
*Thanks Larry. I'll hunt him down and report back my findings.Seth
*Seth, great piece, nice lines - that's a cool look...Listen, Boulder's a pretty high end city, man. A guy who does work like you has to have a connection or two into the designer/decorator world in your area. Call some of the higher end places, and ask about who they use. I know Slifer Designs, Inc., is in Edwards, CO (don't know the geography - is that close?) - they're one of the biggest residential design firms in the country - give 'em a call...good luck.SB
*Seth, Seems a shame to cover that piece up with upholstery. Very nice and interesting work. Guess it wouldn't be terribly comfortable without some padding.
*Thanks for the kudos guys. To be honest, I just moved to Boulder at the end of the summer (my wife's hometown) and am know working to establish myself in a new town. I have been looking around, meeting people and trying to align myself with quality artisians in the area, but am always curious to see what connections/contacts others may already have. Also, I posted this to open up a discussion about others experience working with upholsterers and other collaborative situations in which we (furnituremakers) hand over a portion of our final product to others (a think a source of great potential successes and failures).Scott, thanks for the contact. I'll let you know what comes of it.Ian, don't worry, I'm not planning on covering up the entire piece. Primarily for this one I'm looking for a bolster for the back of the sofa portion and a long cushion for the flat section that leaves the most of the joinery exposed.Best,Seth
*Working with other artisans always helps me to understand what my clients go through when they are trying to get their needs across. I'm glad it's something I have to go through occasionally, it's like a quick business and listening lesson. at times it works out great and I meet a like minded person who gives me exactly what I want, and at times I've learned that what they're doing is not so far over my head as I may have thought, and since I know what I'm after, I've gone ahead and just done it myself the next time. And, yeah, occasionally I've found that I've completely wasted my time and money. So, in the end, I guess it's exactly like what our clients go through, huh?By the way, Seth, I don't know anyone at that firm (yet). Just discovered them the other day and sent off a package - I'm hoping to get some interest from them.SB
*Hi Seth,Maybe I just lucked out, but the upholsterer I use I’ve known for ten years. (Anatoli Lapushner of Anatoli’s Restoration in NYC) Not only does he do fabulous work, he’s also been one of MY best clients, and has been my mentor and friend as well. I’ve been making turned parts for him for years – and now I’m doing a lot of veneer work for him. I concur with Scott that turning over/subbing out part of the process is always fraught with issues. But it’s also an economic necessity. Whether it be upholstery, finishing, veneer work, stone work, glass work, installation work, etc., there are always going to be people who can do that one step cheaper and better than I can. It’s good business to use those people allowing me to concentrate on what I’m good at. I’d never be able to upholster as well or as cheaply as those guys who do it all day long, every day. I come at it from the other end as well – I make a lot of turned parts for other people. That’s what I’m good at – my area of expertise – I’ve spent thousands of hours learning that area of woodworking. Another important advantage of cultivating relationships with other artisans is it that it makes me a better designer and allows me to offer a broader range of design options to my clients. Having a good upholsterer, (and my upholster knowing a good turner) allows me to incorporate those design elements into my work. As Scott said, Boulder is a reasonably big place. There must be someone you can work with. Go through the yellow pages and spend a day visiting shops. You’ll find someone you can work with in short order. Regards,Kim Carleton GravesCarleton Woodworking
*Larry,I had a bit of trouble getting ahold of Lloyd Landin but through some searching around I found that he runs an upholstery business here in Boulder under the name Mountain Arts Upholstery at 4949 N Broadway #106 Boulder, 80304 (303-442-9128). It looks like there might be a possible match up. Thanks Larry.Best,Seth
*Nice piece Seth!In a town the size of Boulder you WILL run into someone that fits your bill. Turns out for me it was my barber. When he's not cutting hair he's doing upholstery. Mostly fat fender fords and boats, so the little stuff I have had him do is routine. But even on the little stuff I do, it's awfully nice to just pick a fabric and let him worry about the rest.
*the barber, huh? interesting. what do you think he's stuffing with? I'm guessing human hair is even more sought after than horsehair...
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