What does being an upholsterer mean to you?
It means loving what I do and doing what I love. I also get to bring ideas to life and see the customers’ excitement when they see the finished project.

How did you get started in upholstery?
I started in upholstery by complete accident. I started working at a designer workroom after my first divorce, and then I was snagged by another workroom where I learned everything I could about drapery and other window treatments. However, after putting up with sexual harassment at the workplace for over a year, I left to go out on my own. I started out doing drapery, Roman blinds and cornice boards, then slowly transitioned into dining room chairs, ottomans and eventually full blown upholstery.

What types of upholstery do you do?
We do anything and everything. Commercial, residential, marine and automotive. Custom built banquets and headboards. I've even restored antique buggies and upholstered a coffin.

 How long have you been upholstering?
19 years

What is your biggest consumer demand?
Living room furniture and built in banquettes

What is your favorite upholstery project you've done?
There's too many to choose. I've done a few boats that were my favorites. Then there's Mid Century Modern pieces. But my most favorite was probably the 4 sofas we restored for the Mason Hall in Lincoln, NE. They had been "updated" with pink fabric over the whole frame. When we tore them down we found carved frames well over 100 years old. Originally, they were caned with loose cushions. They allowed us to do a total restoration on them in a period correct grey patterned fabric. They were amazing.

 What is the strangest item you've found in a restoration?
One of my guys found a pork chop bone in a sectional we were working on together.

Have you noticed any up & coming trends?
A lot of channel tufting.

What changes would benefit the upholstery industry?
Finding talented people who want to learn and work hard.

 Have you ever been featured on television, online, or in another publication?
When I had my previous business, Affordable Drapery, I had projects featured in Inspired Living Omaha.

Some answers have been edited for clarity.