Reviewed Upholsterers Upholstery estimates Upholstery & Soft-Furnishings
Our Story
Helping to connect clients and craftspeople who are passionate about quality Upholstery & Soft-Furnishings
Where tradition meets technology
Upholsta.com is an all-in-one online portal designed to bring the traditional craft of upholstery & soft-furnishings together with technology.
It does it in a way that is complimentary, but not intrusive.
Simply by connecting clients wanting upholstery work completed, with local, high-quality upholstery & soft-furnishings specialists who can transform existing furniture by showing it some love, care and attention.
Formally launched in 2020, it has quickly been accepted by the sector and seen rapid expansion throughout the UK.
Founder Story
Founders Petra and Vernon Gadsby have built a unique bridge between a traditional craft and technology.
The idea to create upholsta.com started back in 2017 after Petra, who trained as an AMUSF upholstery student with the British School of Upholstered Furniture, started her own upholstery and soft-furnishing business (The House Of Upholstery).
Specialising in the more traditional side of the craft, she soon began getting enquiries which were beyond the areas she wished to pursue (they often related to automotive and marine work).
Quickly realising that these requests would be of value to other local upholsterers working in those specialist areas, the upholsta.com idea was born.
The primary focus was to develop a system that directly supported local British based Upholstery & Soft-Furnishing businesses, alongside reducing unnecessary waste and carbon footprints, by re-using and reupholstering existing furniture.
It has proven to be a successful alternative to traditional marketing channels, by focusing specifically on the sectors target audience, of which 25% moved permanently online in 2020 alone. It’s the only specific Upholstery & Soft-Furnishing marketing funnel in the UK.
With the help of other trusted and well-known sector leads, upholsta.com is truly a system built by local upholsterers, for local upholsterers. So, let’s get to future-proofing the past for the next generation to enjoy.
Petra Gadsby
Co-Founder / Creative Director
Petra is both a traditional and modern upholsterer. She studied an AMUSF accredited course at the British School of Upholstered Furniture . Her vision is to future-proof treasured items of furniture by giving them a complete new lease of life.
Her greatest passion is to preserve the historical value of furniture, and it is this that drives her attraction to the traditional artisan methods of upholstery. Petra’s creative nature and thirst for perfection, sees her challenged on a daily basis. She loves to learn new skills and discover the endless world of fabric, design and craftsmanship.
Petra’s mission is to run a business that contributes to the wider reduction of waste. Re-using and re-upholstering existing furniture, significantly reduces the requirement for additional furniture manufacturing and associated environmental impacts.
Vernon Gadsby
Co-Founder / Managing Director
Petra is both a traditional and modern upholsterer. She studied an AMUSF accredited course at the British School of Upholstered Furniture . Her vision is to future-proof treasured items of furniture by giving them a complete new lease of life.
Her greatest passion is to preserve the historical value of furniture, and it is this that drives her attraction to the traditional artisan methods of upholstery. Petra’s creative nature and thirst for perfection, sees her challenged on a daily basis. She loves to learn new skills and discover the endless world of fabric, design and craftsmanship.
Petra’s mission is to run a business that contributes to the wider reduction of waste. Re-using and re-upholstering existing furniture, significantly reduces the requirement for additional furniture manufacturing and associated environmental impacts.
Our Ethos
We understand the challenge of finding the right upholsterer or soft furnisher, especially in today’s consumable world, where price often outranks quality. We are immensely passionate about Craftsmanship and are committed to finding only quality upholsterers or soft-furnishers.
All Craftspeople recommended by us love nothing more than making customers happy. We guarantee that their smiles are infectious and that the future-proofing journey that you and your item of furniture will travel on, will be one of fond memories.
Our partnered craftspeople are independently vetted, peer-reviewed and we know first-hand that they are hugely passionate about their trade, craft and skill. This provides you with an additional level of assurance that your item of furniture will be cared for as if it were their own.
The production and manufacture of furniture and Soft-Furnishings has a huge impact on the environment. Reusing existing furniture generates a significant carbon footprint saving, join us today in our quest to make the world a better place.
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