Before & After: 10 Stunning Reupholstery Transformations
Nothing demonstrates the power of expert reupholstery quite like a before and after. These ten projects from our Shropshire workshop showcase the remarkable transformations that are possible when skilled craftsmanship meets beautiful fabric.
Every piece featured here was destined for the tip, the spare room, or the back of a garage — until its owner decided to give it one more chance. The results speak for themselves.
1. The Country House Chesterfield
The brief: This magnificent Chesterfield had been in the family for over forty years. The leather was cracked and faded, but the frame was superb — solid beech with hand-tied springs throughout.
The transformation: We stripped the piece back to the frame, repaired two loose joints, replaced all the foam and wadding, and reupholstered it in a deep navy cotton velvet with hand-tied buttoning. The result is a sofa that looks and feels better than the day it was made.
2. The Mid-Century Cocktail Chairs
The brief: A pair of 1960s cocktail chairs found at a local antiques fair. The frames were in excellent condition but the dated brown fabric had seen far better days.
The transformation: We reupholstered both chairs in a warm mustard bouclé, replacing the foam with high-resilience cushioning. The clean lines and compact proportions make them perfect occasional chairs for a contemporary living room.
3. The Parker Knoll Wing Chair
The brief: A classic Parker Knoll wing chair inherited from a client’s grandmother. The original floral fabric was worn through on the arms, and the seat cushion had collapsed entirely.
The transformation: We rebuilt the seat with new webbing, springs, and foam, then reupholstered it in a sophisticated sage green linen with self-piping. The chair now takes pride of place in the client’s reading room.
4. The Restaurant Booth Seating
The brief: A popular Chester restaurant needed its twelve booth seats recovered after five years of heavy use. The vinyl was split and stained, but the frames and foam were still serviceable.
The transformation: We recovered all twelve booths in a hard-wearing, stain-resistant faux-leather in rich burgundy, working overnight to avoid service disruption. The owner estimates that the reupholstery saved over £15,000 compared to replacing the seating.
5. The Victorian Nursing Chair
The brief: A beautiful Victorian nursing chair with a sprung seat and turned front legs. The original horsehair stuffing was in surprisingly good condition, but the covering was threadbare.
The transformation: We retained and supplemented the original horsehair, added a fresh layer of cotton wadding, and upholstered it in a heritage stripe. The chair looks every inch the period piece it is, but is now comfortable enough for daily use.
6. A 1970s Ercol sofa
A 1970s Ercol sofa reupholstered in charcoal wool for a farmhouse kitchen — the client’s children now fight over who sits on it first.
7. A set of eight Regency dining chairs
A set of eight Regency dining chairs recovered in a soft blue linen for a Shrewsbury townhouse.
8. An Art Deco armchair
An Art Deco armchair given new life in an emerald velvet with brass stud detailing.
9. A window seat bench
A window seat bench upholstered in a William Morris print to complement a client’s Arts and Crafts home.
10. A pair of hotel lobby armchairs
A pair of hotel lobby armchairs recovered in a durable performance fabric, completing a reception area refurbishment.
Your Furniture Could Be Next
Every piece of furniture has potential. Whether yours is a family heirloom, an auction find, or a beloved sofa that needs a fresh start, our workshop can reveal what is possible.
Send us a photograph of your furniture, and we will let you know what we can do. Contact us a 07946 217645 or email info@peacockinteriors.uk for a free, no-obligation assessment.
