Tom Werner of Werner Upholstery (Bloomsdale, MO)
What does being an upholsterer mean to you?
Being an upholsterer provides me with the freedom to create what the customer has in mind for all to see.
How did you get started in upholstery?
I have always liked old cars; I noticed everyone had nice cars but the seats looked horrible. When I was teenager, I put carpet in a car and it just went from there.
What types of upholstery do you do?
Auto, boat, and furniture.
How long have you been upholstering?
40 years
What is your biggest consumer demand?
I do a lot of truck seats.
What is your favorite upholstery project you've done?
A 1970 Dodge Challenger!
What is the strangest item you've found in a restoration?
A snake inside a Studebaker truck seat. It was dead of course. Copperhead.
Have you noticed any up and coming trends?
A lot of the younger generation are having the family’s old furniture and cars redone.
What changes would benefit the upholstery industry?
Public awareness of what we offer the customer. A lot are unaware of what we can do for them.
Have you ever been featured on television, online, or in another publication?
No, I have not
Do you have a shop animal?
Yes, Patches, my cat.
Some answers have been edited for clarity.