Member Profile: St Albans Upholstery School and Studio

OLD SCHOOL TIES

Name of business St Albans Upholstery School and Studio When established 2022 rebrand following purchase of Wendy Shorter Interiors Owned by Liz Alsop and Sari Margossian Location Colney Heath, St Albans Speciality Upholstery Training and Collective Workshop Number employed Four

Liz Alsop seen left with Sari Margossian – St Albans Upholstery School

How long have you been doing your job? Liz: Upholstery as a hobby, 30 years; as a profession, 14 years. Sari: I started in 2015 on a leisure class with Liz, fell in love with it and qualified in 2018. Professionally, what is your greatest frustration? Liz: Access to quality materials that are affordable. Sari: The need to become faster and more efficient.

How long did it take to really learn the skill? Sari: Every frame, every project is different. The learning is ongoing.

Do you consider yourself a craftsperson or tradesperson? Liz: A bit of both helps, but for me the teaching is also a strong third element.

What aspect of your work do you most enjoy? Sari: Meeting people, hearing their stories, learning about their piece of furniture, and seeing their smile when they get the reformed piece back. Tell us about the most challenging project you have ever undertaken. Liz: Restaurant seating we had to produce overnight which was a stretch. Time pressure always feels like our greatest challenge.

And the most unusual/bizarre/funny request you have ever dealt with? Sari: A Spanish commode (a furry toilet – the worst idea ever!).

What are the most pressing issues currently facing your business? Liz: Health and our exposure to chemicals in the materials we use. Sari: Also, the general economic situation of everything going up in price.

How long have you been a member of the AMUSF and how important has this been to your business? Liz: Our training centre is a long-standing member of the AMUSF and we have inherited that association. It is the life-blood of upholstery education.

Professionally who or where do you turn to for advice / a second opinion? Liz and Sari: Other upholsterers are the most supportive and helpful gang to belong to. Working collaboratively is so much better than working alone.

When you talk to a fellow upholsterer/soft furnisher, the talk always turns to …? Liz: Fabrics - what’s hot, what’s new, what’s nice to work with. That and new scars.

How do you keep your skills and techniques updated? Liz: An extensive library, the online community and excellent way we share images and methods.

What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to someone starting out in this business? Sari: Believe in yourself, think big and never give up.

Where do you see the future of the industry? Sari and Liz: The reuse of resources and sustainable materials. We are fortunate that upcycling and recycling is right on trend but there will always be a need for people who are skilled and can mend/ upgrade things.

What has been your proudest professional moment? Liz: Being asked to work on furniture at Hatfield House. Sari: Whenever Liz says she couldn’t have done it better herself. Then you know you’ve hit a good standard of work!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR BUSINESS TO BE FEATURED ON THE MEMBER PROFILE PAGE, CONTACT EDITOR JAN TURNER AT jan@akapr.co.uk