Business Details
19 Years
experience
Expert Furniture Restoration & Bespoke Upholstery in London
Urban Upholstery was founded in 2007 with a vision to transform discarded furniture into unique, handcrafted pieces that blend sustainability with artistry. Our team combines over 30 years of expertise in traditional and modern upholstery techniques, specialising in restoring antique and mid-century furniture while promoting circular economy principles. We collaborate closely with clients to create bespoke designs, using natural materials like carded wool and reclaimed wood. Our process prioritises environmental responsibility, from sourcing discarded frames to offering fabric consultation that encourages eco-conscious choices. With a portfolio spanning UK and international clients, we deliver meticulous craftsmanship through services including mattress tufting, cushion making, and custom upholstery.Our commitment to quality is evident in every project, whether revitalising a cherished heirloom or crafting a contemporary piece from salvaged materials. We maintain transparency in our methods and pricing, ensuring clients understand the value of our bespoke approach. Our London workshop serves as both a creative hub and educational space, hosting live demonstrations and workshops that showcase traditional techniques like wool mattress tufting. By merging technical expertise with artistic vision, we create furniture that tells a story while reducing environmental impact.
Services
Bespoke Upholstery
Furniture Restoration
Mattress Tufting
Fabric Consultation
Custom Cushions
Wooden Frame Repair
Design Consultation
Workshops
Eco-Friendly Materials
Antique Refurbishment
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of combined experience in traditional and modern upholstery techniques
- Our process prioritises sustainability through reclaimed materials and circular economy principles
- We offer fully customised design consultations for bespoke furniture transformations
- Our team includes certified experts with international exhibition credentials
- We combine antique craftsmanship with contemporary design innovation
What people say
Superb upholstery
Sustainable practices
Unique designs
Professional service
Transformed furniture
Services
Bespoke Upholstery
We create tailored furniture transformations through collaborative design consultations. Clients select from recycled frames or bring existing pieces for restoration. Our artisans combine traditional techniques with modern materials to produce unique seating solutions that reflect individual style while maintaining environmental responsibility. Each project receives 4-8 weeks of dedicated attention.
Furniture Restoration
Specialist restoration of vintage and antique furniture using period-appropriate materials and methods. Our master upholsterers assess structural integrity, then employ techniques like horsehair stuffing and hessian webbing to revive cherished pieces while preserving historical character and enhancing longevity through modern reinforcements.
Mattress Tufting
Handcrafted wool mattresses made using traditional tufting techniques. We demonstrate the entire process from carding to button-making, creating flame-retardant, biodegradable sleep solutions that regulate temperature naturally. Clients can participate in workshops to learn this heritage craft while creating custom-fitted bedding.
Fabric Consultation
Guided fabric selection sessions featuring eco-friendly textiles and remnant materials. Our designers advise on durability, aesthetics, and environmental impact, helping clients choose from recycled fabrics or source new materials that align with their design vision and sustainability goals for upholstery projects.
Workshops
Interactive educational sessions showcasing traditional upholstery techniques. Participants learn skills like wool tufting and button-making using antique tools. These three-day workshops combine practical training with creative collaboration, allowing attendees to contribute directly to crafting functional art pieces while understanding the craftsmanship behind our furniture.
People
Andrea Simonutti
Founder & Master Upholsterer
Established upholsterer with 30+ years' experience, formerly working with Gianni Versace Group and Harrods. Combines traditional techniques with modern innovation, exhibiting at Milan's Triennale and Fiera del Mobile. Seeks to create environmentally responsible furniture that enhances lives.
Patrizia Sottile
Lead Designer
Architect and designer with MA in Scenography from St Martin's College. Specialises in transforming recycled furniture into functional art. Collaborates with Andrea since 2005, developing Urban Upholstery's distinctive style that merges architectural principles with sustainable design philosophy.
Questions
What types of furniture do you work with?
We specialise in mid-century and antique pieces, particularly chairs, sofas, and armchairs. We also work with discarded wood to create multifunctional stools and benches using sustainable materials.
How long does a bespoke project take?
Custom projects typically require 4-8 weeks depending on complexity. This includes consultation, material sourcing, and the actual upholstery process with regular progress updates provided throughout.
Do you offer fabric selection assistance?
Yes, we provide comprehensive fabric consultation using both recycled materials and new textiles. Our designers help clients choose appropriate fabrics considering durability, aesthetics, and environmental impact.
Can you restore antique furniture?
Yes, we specialise in antique restoration using traditional techniques like horsehair stuffing and hessian webbing. Our master upholsterers preserve historical integrity while incorporating modern reinforcements for improved longevity and functionality.
Do you work with commercial clients?
Yes, we collaborate with businesses, designers, and collectors on prototypes, props, and bespoke units. Our team handles both residential and commercial projects with the same attention to detail and sustainability.
Are your materials environmentally friendly?
We prioritise natural, biodegradable materials like carded wool and reclaimed wood. While clients can choose any fabric, we actively promote recycled materials and sustainable practices throughout our upholstery process.
Reviews (4)
Alex Ostrowski
Jan 13, 2022
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Andrea is a genius! He crafted the most wonderful piece of bespoke seating for our home, a booth with quite complex corneringand he couldn't have created a more beautiful result. We LOVE what Urban Upholstery have done for us, and the service was attentive, communicative and pleasant. If you're looking for beautiful, bespoke upholstery, Andrea & Patrizia are the talented craftspeople you're looking for :)
Nick Perry
May 13, 2021
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Very helpful and enthusiastic and ever willing bring new life into old furniture. Just had my office chair reupholstered. Sofa next!
Page Starr
Dec 20, 2020
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It was a pleasure working with Andrea and Patrizia. I had lovely vintage chairs with fabric completely worn through. Urban Upholstery beautifully restored the chairs with new fabric and foam, for a great price. It's as if we have brand new chairs for a bargain price!
Gemma Jennings
Dec 16, 2020
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Urban Upholstery changed a leather chesterfield chair into a stunning, textured wool armchair with colourful buttons indented. It looks amazing and it receives compliments from everyone who sees it. The quality of work was really high and they were great at advising on stylish options. Our chair experience was so good that we recently returned to the shop to get a colourful storage bench with a cushioned top. The craftmanship was once again excellent and they were really easy to work with.
