Author Archives: Michael

Duresta

Areas We Cover.

We are often asked about the areas we cover for furniture collection. In general, we provide a national service, but our collections are primarily in Darlington, North Yorkshire, and up to Newcastle. However, we have also had customers ship furniture to us from Portugal, Ireland, and France, so location isn’t a problem as long as you can get the furniture to us. We offer free, expert advice on reupholstery and restoration jobs, and we can guide you on how to ship your furniture to us. It’s simpler than you might think. Feel free to contact Jo Griffiths at BJ Upholstery to discuss your requirements.

Barnard Castle Barton Caldwell Catterick Co Durham County Durham Croft Darlington Durham East Cowton Gainford gloucester Harrogate Hartlepool Heighington Hurworth Lartington Leyburn London Masham Middlesbrough Middleton St George Mowden Nationwide Neasham Newcastle-upon-Tyne Newton Aycliffe Northallerton North East North East England North Yorkshire Ravensworth Reeth Richmond Scotland Sedgefield Stockton Stockton-on-Tees Stokesley teesside Tees Valley thirsk UK Wales Yarm

Parker Knoll Chair
Low Chair
Georgian Dining Chairs
Knole Sofa
Chair

Contact Jo Griffiths  01325 483817. M. 07488 326432.

Loose covers for sofa - detail

Uplift, Repair, and Return Service​.


All types of repairs are covered through our Uplift, Repair, and Return service. We address common issues such as broken frames, spring replacements, and under-seat platform repairs. Our prices include most repair parts; however, additional components such as bespoke foams or sprung units may be necessary at an additional cost—feel free to inquire about a quote for these items. The Uplift and Repair service is priced at £650, inclusive of complimentary collection and delivery within Darlington. In most cases, we will repair and rectify common issues and make your sofa good for many years in the future all in one go.

For areas beyond Darlington, please arrange shipment to our workshops. We currently use Proovia Couriers. For a precise estimate, please request a specific quote.

Platform Repair

How the Uplift and Repair came about:

Over the years we have collected sofas and chairs for repair, occasionally retrieving them again later for further repairs. We realised the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of conducting all necessary preventative repairs and refurbishments in one comprehensive process while the furniture was in the workshop was a better idea. For instance, if a customer’s sofa has broken springs, we address that issue along with checking and tightening the frame, and replacing the platform, all while the sofa is disassembled on the bench. Cost-effective and prevents further disruption.

What is Covered in the Price

The uplift and return delivery to your home. Check and make good the frame, springs, webbing and any other issues like ripped platform.

Every job is different. Usually, a sofa will come into the workshop for one repair item, while it is there we check and repair all as stated above included in the price.

An Example

A customer contacted us to repair a ripped platform (the fabric liner under the seat cushions). We suggested the Uplift, repair, and return service​. On investigation, we found the cause of the ripped platform was sagging springs. So we replaced the serpentine springs and checked the frame which prevents future damage.

Options are bespoke foam seat cushions, fibre back cushions, replacement legs and new seat cases. New feather inner cases to order.

We Complete All Repairs to any Upholstered Furniture.

Orange Peel Chair

Orange Peel Chair

Orange Peel Chair Restoration and reupholstery.

The Orange Peel Chair was designed to capture the organic beauty of a falling orange peel. Its unique, curved shape is not only visually stunning but also offers exceptional comfort.

We have had the pleasure of restoring and reupholstering several of these iconic chairs, including one recently shipped to us from Gloucester. Reupholstering an Orange Peel Chair presents a unique challenge due to its unconventional design and curved cushion, but we embrace these challenges with expertise and care.

For this particular project, we replaced the original vinyl with the customer’s chosen fabric, giving the chair a softer, more luxurious look and feel. The result is a beautiful blend of form and function—a true work of art that doubles as a comfortable seat.

Orange Peel Chair
Duresta arm-re-sized sofa

Duresta Reupholstery Specialist.

At BJ Upholstery, we prioritise your satisfaction. That’s why we offer a complimentary estimate to help your journey towards restoring your beloved Duresta furniture. To discuss your needs, book a call with Jo Griffiths for personalised advice. Rest assured, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring your furniture receives the care and attention it deserves.

Duresta Sofas and Chair: We recently replaced all the outside arms and face covers for a set of Duresta sofas and one chair, restoring them to new condition. To ensure a seamless match, the fabric was sourced from Duresta direct, resulting in a flawless finish.

Alteration and Repair Duresta: We can alter and repair. We expertly resized a Duresta sofa, reducing its width by 2 feet to perfectly fit into a bay window. Our precise craftsmanship ensures a tailored fit that seamlessly integrates into the space, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.

★★★★★

‘ Delighted with the reupholstering of our 2 sofas which are 20 years old but now look brand new. The workmanship is of the highest standard, couldn’t have asked for a better job plus the work was completed on time. Many thanks.‘

Duresta
Duresta
Duresta
Duresta style pair sofas
Duresta
Duresta
Duresta arm-re-sized sofa
Duresta Arm
Duresta-sofa-in-Ross
Duresta

    9 + 1 =

    Library Sofa and Chairs

    Library Sofa and Chairs

    Originally upholstered in leather we  reupholstered this lovely set of study or library sofa and two chairs.  The chairs are of a different style and the padding is firm for this type of seating.

     

    We are reupholstery experts with now 30 years experience, Offering simple repairs, domestic reupholstery and commercial reupholstery contracts. Based in Darlington we cover North East England and North Yorkshire.

     

    Loose covers

    Making Loose Covers

    We can re-make loose covers for your furniture.

    There are some good things about loose covers for furniture, a great idea; you can put them in the wash and even change the style/colour if you have two sets of loose covers. The down-side is that they often go out of shape and become baggy and in places they don’t fit as they used to.

    I have a cream linen loose cover sofa that is lovely, it washes well but at the back it no longer fits correctly.  Nature of this type of fabric.

    Re-Making Loose Covers

    With some covers if they are of a more ridged fabric (unlike linen) the fabric will hang better.  We can take apart the originals and re-make the covers.

    Most loose covers often are out of shape and have become baggy and in places they don’t fit as they used to.  The solution in this case is to re-make the loose covers based on the the body of the furniture.  The upholsterer will work around the furniture body on the bench, measure up the individual panels to make each panel fall and hang correctly.  It’s good advice to order two sets to be made at the same time to save costs.

    Here is a lovely sofa we delivered to our customer in Northallerton.

    We made a set of new tailored loose covers to replace the covers that had worn.

    Loose covers for sofa - detail

    How to Fit

    When fitting after wash allow to dry naturally but not bone dry. Re-fit when the fabric is a little damp.  As it fully dries at room temperature it will form a nice shape around the furniture body.

     

    Latest Photo’s: Before and After Photo’s of reupholstered furniture.

    Fabulous upholstered furniture looking tired and in need of a revamp. And look at the wonderful result after our re-upholstery. Recycle your sad looking furniture with a full re-upholstery work of art.

    Single Chair restored and re-upholstered – 

     

    A Four Seater sofa restored and re-upholstered – 

    Chesterfield sofa – 

    Chesterfield - Befor

    Chesterfield - after

     

     

     

    Repairs to sofas and chairs – helpful tips.

    Is My Sofa Worth Repairing?

    Good quality sofas and chairs are usually worth repairing or recovering.  Antique furniture is almost always worth it and 1920s to 1950s upholstered furniture tends to be so well made it will probably outlast you and me and possibly appreciate in value after a restoration.  1960s and 70s furniture is in high demand and can fetch some astonishing prices, especially designer pieces like an Egg chair.

    Good quality furniture restored and reupholstered with new springs, fillings and foams can really bring a great design back to life, or indeed look better than when new – a unique design statement piece you can use every day. I have a 1920s drop-arm sofa that we reupholstered 20 years ago, it has lived in my living room, and kitchen and now sits in a bedroom.  It cost me just £200 plus the reupholster and fabric costs, it is still as good as new and worth double my investment.  In addition to all the good use and financial benefits, it still looks beautiful today.

    Brands like Sherborne – Duresta – Vale Bridgecraft – Parker knoll – Ercol – Cintique – George Smith – Wesley-Barrell – Howard and Sons for many years have been through our workshop and today appeal to all ages – always worth restoring and reupholstering.

    Lesser quality sofas and chairs like the Argos range or DFS and SCS sofas usually are not worth the repair or recovery costs.  However; more often we find customers will invest in this type of upholstery due to the fact that the sofa ‘fits in the area just right’ or it is very comfortable and worth re-investing and keeping. And do consider that a reupholstered sofa will actually be better quality once completed than a factory-produced item.  

    Re-spring a sofa or chair. Often sofas will just sag and the platform under the sear cushions will rip. A platform refit and replacement of modern ‘zig-zag’ springs is a straightforward job and will give you some extra years of use.  The cost for this is about £250 plus up-lift and delivery. Great value and often will add some ten years more use from a piece. 

    By BJ Upholstery Restoration Manager.

    Book For Christmas Delivery

    It’s time to book your reupholstery jobs soonest to allow us to deliver in-time for Christmas.

     

    Early bookings appreciated.

    Already we are been asked for reupholstery jobs to be ready for Christmas.  As an average job takes three weeks;  we are asking out customers to ‘Book Early’ to save disappointment.

    Can you wait till January?

    If you can wait till January 2018 for the job start; we offer a lovely 10% discount if booked in October and November.

    Reupholstery services and repairs in Darlington, Newcastle and all of the North Yorkshire area. Including Barnard Castle, Leyburn, Durham, Middlesbrough, Stokesley, Sunderland etc.

     

     

    Free Home Visit Reupholstery Quote

    North East England and North Yorkshire.

    Are you thinking of re-upholstering a chair or sofa, restoring an antique or reinventing a historic find?

    The quality of older furniture frames and structure is far better than most modern sofas and chairs. Restored and upholstered professionally an older chair or sofa will outlast most modern version and of course be so much more unique, hold its value and also you will find the proportions a little more generous.

    BJ Upholstery offer a free home visit and quote in the North East and North Yorkshire. Request here.

    Re-upholstered sofa

    Reupholstery quotes are available in the North East and North Yorkshire.

    We are based in Darlington and provide reupholstery services and repairs in Darlington, up to and including Newcastle and all of the North Yorkshire area. Including Barnard Castle, Leyburn, Durham, Middlesbrough, Stokesley, Sunderland etc. Other areas, please contact us.

    Choosing a fabric? Welcome to our ‘FABRIC CHOICES PAGE’.

    ‘FABRIC CHOICES PAGE’.

    Choosing fabric can sometimes be the hardest part of booking a reupholstery job. Over the years I have found it useful to direct my customers to our fabric suppliers websites to help with fabric choices.

    Links to our main fabric providers websites is located at the bottom of all pages on our website. As the choice is growing and to keep things neat we have created a NEW website page called ‘FABRIC CHOICES PAGE’. Importantly we have retained the link at the bottom of all the website pages – because our customers are used to the links been there.

    Go to the ‘FABRIC CHOICES PAGE’

    Read about our fabric providers:

    Chatsworth Fabrics Since founded in 1991, Chatsworth Fabrics has prided itself on its standards of excellence and ensuring that nothing is too much trouble for our customers, over 20 years later we continue as a family run business.

    Linwood Fabric Linwood is a family-run business with over three generations of experience in furnishings. We are passionate about maintaining a classic English style to our collection, while introducing contemporary designs and innovative modern techniques.

    Porter and Stone With 60 years of experience Fryett’s has evolved into one of the leading designers and innovators of curtain and upholstery fabrics.

    Ross Fabrics Fabric Collections Ross Fabrics, established in 1933, supply a comprehensive range of upholstery fabrics.

    Thanks for reading – Jo.

    Best regards from Jo.

    Cabinet Office Visits SFEDI and the IOEE

    Recently the Partnerships Team in the Cabinet Office visited SFEDI, the IOEE and some small businesses that have benefited from mentoring support.

    The Partnerships Team is a small policy team based in the Cabinet Office in Whitehall which was set up in 2011 to improve relationship management of large companies on behalf of the Prime Minister in order to deliver key Government priorities on skills, jobs and growth with large employers.

    In the run up to the election, it was looking at how it could do more to support small and medium sized companies to promote regional growth working with our network of large corporates – an agenda that was at the heart of all major party manifestos.

    It was put in touch with SFEDI by Lloyds Banking Group – which provides a mentoring programme for small businesses across the country and works closely with SFEDI in delivering this – and was delighted to be offered the chance to meet with local business owners and understand their concerns and areas where they felt big business could support as well as Government.

    The visit gave the team an insight into the day to day experience of local businesses with a small group, comprising of Jo and Barry Griffiths who run an upholstery business [BJ Upholstery], Paul Harper from Zedcomms marketing and Christine Bewley from Aycliffe Fabrications.

    It gave a first hand understanding of some of the types of challenges and issues these businesses are facing. Some common threads emerged out of the conversation, including:

    Marketing and digital skills was a shared area that all businesses felt SME’s across different sectors would benefit from training and support with;
    identifying, attracting and keeping the best talent was essential and schemes like Apprenticeships were important but more support is needed to truly help SME’s make the most of these types of Government backed initiatives;
    a renewed focus on existing small firms and their sustainability was needed, in addition to help for start ups;
    the importance of strong business mentoring relationships was key and was a role more big businesses could take on.

    Interestingly these issues were highlighted as common priorities on similar visits in different areas around the country and therefore the partnerships team is now starting to look at how it can inform the policy process and build on some of the interesting ideas coming out of these discussions – like how can more big companies to provide mentors for SME’s and replicate the success of Lloyds Banking Group’s programme.

    Ben Cackett from the Partnerships Team said:
    “We are looking forward to staying in touch with SFEDI and the companies we met to continue the conversation as we develop these policy ideas over the coming weeks. We would like to say a massive thank you to the team at SFEDI for pulling the visit together and for the businesses that gave up their valuable time to meet us”.

    Source: https://ioee.uk/cabinet-office-visits-sfedi-and-the-ioee/