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By Page H. Gifford Stacy Barnard has been a Master Upholsterer since 1970. Barnard does anything and everything when it comes to upholstery, for the home, auto, and marine. His services include custom upholstery and re-upholstery service. Barnard works in a plethora of fabrics, including vinyl, leather, recycled and “green fabrics.” He does chairs, recliners, benches, restaurant furniture, office furniture, cars and trucks (new, classic, antiques) boats, motor homes, motorcycle seats, car vinyl tops, convertible tops, boat tops, seats and covers, foam cushions, outdoor patio furniture. You name it. If anyone needs embroidery, he works with an embroiderer as well. There is one thing Barnard doesn’t do, “We no longer install scissor top convertible tops due to the increasing problems with available replacement parts for the frames on these GM cars and the lack of popularity of this convertible,” he says. Asked why he became interested in upholstery, Barnard stated, “I worked at Beachnut Corporation and passed this upholstery business on my way to work. I then became interested in it. When I was laid off from my job, I got a job with this upholsterer and apprenticed and learned all I could about upholstery.” Barnard opened up his business in 1971, in a three-story building located in the scenic upstate NY village of Bainbridge and was in business up there for 38 years. “It started as a furniture upholstery shop. With the need requested from many auto dealers, car collectors and boating customers, I added the auto and marine custom upholstery to my line of services. I have since been able to custom upholster for many car collectors and boating enthusiasts,” he said. He has now downsized to his garage. “I can also afford to charge less than I did up there since cost of living is less here and so is my overhead.” Barnard’s work is flawless, exact, and one can see his mark as a Master Upholsterer. He puts himself and his years of skill into every stitch. “No one does the kind of work that I and others learned years ago.” Everything these days is factory made or thrown together with frames stapled together, something Barnard shuns in his work. While in N.Y., he met his fiancé, Cheryl Barresi. She moved to Lake Monticello and retired, and he soon followed, living here since November of 2008. He is a member of the Guild of Master Upholsterers, the National Association of Professional Upholsterers, and administrator and member of Professional Upholsterery and Soft Furnishing Group. The latter focuses on questions from other professional upholsterers as well as the public. They also have classes to upgrade skills as well. The site has many links and interesting information on furniture. As a traditional upholsterer, it shows in his meticulous work in an antique chair and rocker. His restoration is superb, with everything he does whether it is an antique rocker or seats for a pontoon boat. It is hard to tell the difference between the new and the original. “I do quality work, tapered backs and rolled edges with traditional fillings as used years ago,” he said. “Not many do this kind of work anymore. It’s a dying art. The average age of upholsters are 47. Kids today just want to push a button. It’s not just happening in the U.S. either. The U.S. has lost that tradition but the Professional Upholsterers and Soft Furnishing Group enhances traditions with today’s upholsterers.” “There is no quality control in the factories, and the only quality control I have is me. I’m fussy,” Barnard said. Barnard can be contacted at 591-4560. He is located at Lake Monticello. Or you may visit his website at www.barnardsupholsteryshop.com.
Hi Stacey,
I am sorry it took soooo long to get this pic to you...I could not transfer pix from my camera to the pc due to the tiny size of the camera card...and the large slot in the computer. I got an adapter and voila!! here it is. Not the best pic, so I will take a pic of just the wing chair in better lighting as soon as I can, and forward it to you.
I have received many compliments on the results. You did a wonderful job and if you remember what it looked like originally...well, just reach around and pat yourself on the back.
Hope you have been enjoying the summer. Feels a bit like fall is in the air lately. Winter wont be far behind, dammit!!
Take care,
Teri
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