Friends and Members of the NUA,

It is with a mix of emotions that I write to you today as I bid farewell to my role as President of the National Upholstery Association. Serving in this capacity has been an honor and a privilege, and I am immensely grateful for the trust and support you have shown me throughout my tenure.

Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones and strengthened the bond within our upholstery community. The shared passion for our craft has been the driving force behind our successes, and I am confident that the NUA will continue to thrive under the guidance of our new president.

I am delighted to introduce Keaven Willa Hartt, who is stepping into the role of President. Keaven brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to our shared goals. She has been an NUA member since 2021 and a Board member since 2022, where she quickly stepped up into the open role of Secretary. As a Board member and volunteer, Keaven has taken on a number of projects, including strategic planning coordination, website administration, and CWC pre-event coordination (just to name a few). I have full confidence in her ability to lead our association to new heights and foster an environment of collaboration, innovation, and mutual support.

As I reflect on the moments we've shared, the challenges we've overcome, and the victories we've celebrated together, I am filled with gratitude. Each member and volunteer has contributed to the success of our association, and I am proud to have been part of this remarkable journey.

I want to express my deepest appreciation to the dedicated board members, committee chairs, volunteers, and every member who has played a role in making our association vibrant and dynamic. Your dedication has been the driving force behind our accomplishments, and I have no doubt that you will continue to contribute your expertise and passion in the years to come.

Although my role as President may be coming to an end, my commitment to the National Upholstery Association remains unwavering. I will continue to serve on the Board of Directors and look forward to continuing my involvement and supporting the association in new capacities.

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your President. I am excited about the future of our association under the capable leadership of Keaven. Please join me in welcoming her and offering your support as we embark on this next chapter together.

Wishing you all continued success and fulfillment in your upholstery endeavors.

Warm regards,

Harmony Maraldo
Outgoing President, National Upholstery Association

Andrew Bodjanac, NUA Director at Large and General Manager of Fabric Showcase, recounts his upholstery shop’s transformation of 2,564 theater seats at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, WA.

You always hear about the power of word of mouth advertising – some use it as a badge of honor, bragging that they don't have to spend a dime on getting their name out there. The prized referral is still truly the best chance to land a job in really any industry, but it will only take you so far if you don't do anything with it. Once received, you have a choice: follow up, or let it pass by. It's kinda like a train – you can jump on or jump off of it. If you jump on, it takes a little to get going, but once it’s gained momentum it’s rolling down the track at full steam. That's how we’ve felt about our business lately, especially on the commercial side of things.

Earlier this summer, our business, Fabric Showcase, had an amazing opportunity to reupholster the fixed and loose seating at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, home of the Seattle Symphony. This year, the hall celebrates 25 years since its opening; it is a beautiful venue with a special focus on acoustical integrity.

Background

How exactly did a small upholstery shop in Cleveland get this 2,564 seat job in Seattle? That's a very good question, especially when most shops rarely get the opportunity to bid on projects of that size. To answer that question we have to go back to late 2018 when we were presented with a problem to solve. If any of you have made it to Mansfield, OH, you’ll know that it's known for Shawshank Prison, Snow Trails, and Mid-Ohio Race track – and not necessarily the arts.

However, there is an absolutely beautiful theater in downtown Mansfield called the Renaissance Theatre, which opened in 1928. This theater approached us with a limited budget, requesting reupholstery of the worst 50 of their 1,400 seats. They wanted only the seats reupholstered, not the backs, which required matching the old maroon red velvet that was already faded and worn. We sourced a Kazmir velvet that was a perfect match. They approved, we completed the re-upholstery, and everyone was happy. Little did we know that the small Renaissance Theatre was a part of a larger organization, and when Benaroya Hall in Seattle was looking to renovate their seating, we were one of a few businesses that received a referral.

In late November 2019, about a year after the Renaissance project was complete, I was sitting in my office answering emails one morning when I saw an email with the subject line “Opportunity to Bid.” These usually come in my inbox once in a while for construction and non-upholstery type union jobs so they go straight to the spam folder. However, this email said “theater seats” at the end of the subject and it caught my eye. I opened the email and found about 40 pages of specs, including the 2,248 fixed seating project and 316 chair project for Benaroya Hall.

I called my dad and said “Hey Pops, check your email and tell me what ya think?” My dad is incredibly supportive and has always said “son, you dream it and I'll make it happen” so I pretty much knew what he was going to say. We accepted the notice, booked a flight and hotel, and scheduled a walkthrough. 

Walkthrough and Bid

If you’ve ever done a walkthrough, it's a weird experience, because your competition is there at the same time, asking questions, talking about techniques and timelines. As a residential upholsterer that never happens, and if it does it's because the client accidentally double booked the both of you while attempting to get multiple quotes, making for a very awkward meeting. I was really excited to go on the road and was just happy for the opportunity to experience how the process works on the larger scale upholstery projects. But I definitely felt like a small fish in a very large pond. 

We approached it like the Renaissance project – we just moved the decimal 

point over a few spots to the right. We estimated the time it would take to sew the bullnose seats, upholster the tight back panels, and procure all the supplies. We factored in Seattle living arrangements, car rental, and food for 7 weeks. What a job! We said a quick prayer, hit send, and just like that the bid was in; all the while not knowing that the world would soon come to a guillotine halt and the project of a lifetime we just bid on would be in jeopardy. 

I won't bore you with the COVID details, but in short, we delayed 2 years, went through a few price increases, and in the end they stuck with us and we stuck with them. We made sure we had a good lawyer to go over all the legal jargon. Then, in January 2023 we amended the contract and secured a deadline of September (when the hall re-opened after the summer shut down) to have the 

hall ready for its first show on September 15th. We broke up the project into 3 sections: Preparation, Production, and Installation. 

Preparation

The most unique and vital part of this project was that the new chairs (seat and back) had to be within a certain measure of sound wave parameter to pass the acoustical test. The new chairs needed to absorb a specific amount of sound waves while in the upright position to ensure when the symphony plays that there is a pleasing amount of deflection and absorption. This was the most educational part of the whole project – learning how all the components affect the absorption of sound, including the covering fabric, fire barrier, foam, and adhesives – they all play a part on how sound waves are absorbed into the materials. 

We had 8 chairs shipped to us, then mocked-up 2 rows just as they would sit in the hall redone in all new materials. Then off to Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories in Geneva, IL (outside Chicago) we went. The chairs were put in a sound chamber with two 18’’ thick walls for testing. The test took about an hour or so – we said another quick prayer – and we passed the test the first time! This was the biggest relief, because if the test seats fell out of range of sound absorption, we’d need to reselect fabric, possibly choose a different density of foam, and book at least one more trip to Chicago.

With the acoustical test behind us, we focused on getting all the materials in. The specs included every component to be shipped to us: the fabric arrived on six pallets, each with nine 30-50 yard rolls. The metal spring decks, seat foam, wooden curved backs, and back foam all arrived at our workroom in 2 semi truck loads to be unboxed, organized, assembled and upholstered.

Production

The day after Memorial Day 2023 was Production Day One. This was a challenge because we still had our own clients with projects in the schedule to complete. The key was to have a staff that was on board with the process, and everyone in the workroom was ready for one crazy summer. We assigned half of our staff to the Benaroya job and the others worked on our clients' projects. Each worker's skills were used to the max and we used the time as a teaching opportunity, getting out of our collective comfort zone.

One manager overseeing each of the two schedules ensured consistent quality and kept both production schedules flowing. We cut fabric for 3 weeks and kept our sewers and upholsterers busy all the way up to the day before the semi arrived. On July 29th, we loaded up the truck with the completed components. We said another prayer and then the truck was off, arriving in Seattle 5 days later. 

Installation

When our crew arrived in Seattle, ahead of the truck, we were presented with a unique situation – we had to be tied off due to the low railing on the balconies. Because we were performing work so close to the low railing, the city required us to go through a training program. (Apparently, a guest in high heels can sit and walk in the front row of the 3rd tier balcony with a glass of wine, but we couldn't peek over the same railing without a full harness.) So off to 2 days of fall protection training we went. Our semi arrived on time and we began the process of removing the old seats and backs, replacing them with the freshly upholstered components from our Cleveland, OH workroom. The harnesses were annoying but the goal was to keep everyone safe, so we pushed through. 

These were long days and nights as we unpacked 400+ large boxes, making sure all the sizes and components went exactly where they were supposed to. We disassembled all the old seats and backs, discarded them into countless trips to the dumpster, and then installed the new seats and backs.  We finished the 2,248 fixed seats and started the second phase: the 316 loose chairs that were scattered throughout the building. We had laborers tearing off the old materials from the chairs while the upholsterers applied the cut foam and fabric we prepared back home ahead of time. All said, we spent 7 weeks in Seattle and overall it's a beautiful place. Mt. Rainier greeted us each day with a mirage-like picture that looked almost fake as we traveled down Interstate 5 south to our condo.

Conclusion

These were some of the highlights of our project with still many details left out that time couldn't allow. I can't say enough about the staff there at Benaroya Hall, LMN Design, and Andrew Clapham and Associates; we were very blessed to work with their clear vision, ability to accommodate, and laughs during our stay.  In total, we spent 7 weeks on-site and each sacrificed a lot to make it happen. But in the end, this is a story about how a small upholstery shop in Cleveland used a referral from Mansfield to upholster 2,500+ seats in Seattle.

Word of mouth is still undefeated.

by Harmony Maraldo, NUA President

A huge THANK YOU to NUA volunteers Bonnie Williams, Amy Petersen, Jonathan Bennett, Kim Newell, and Keaven Hartt for helping coordinate the NUA pre-events and Marketplace booth. You are all rock stars and the lifeblood of our organization.

Also, a special thank you to Susan Woodcock, Rodger Walker, and Laurie Medford for coordinating such an amazing event year after year. What you do is so incredibly important for our industry and I feel grateful to have you as NUA partners and friends.

Want to view more photos of this year’s event? Check out our photo gallery!

How many of you joined us at the Custom Workroom Conference this year? ✋

This was my second year in attendance, and I had even more fun than last year! The National Upholstery Association kicked off the conference on Sunday afternoon with a French Mattress Cushion class, taught by Polly Waite of Polliander Studios. This particular event required more logistics and planning than previous years, but the effort paid off. We saw a full class of 40 participants, with 4 volunteers assisting. Honestly, I was a little nervous that we’d encounter some unforeseeable setback. (There’s always at least one in every event, isn’t there?) But overall, the class was a great success, and each participant went home with their very own cushion sample.

After the class, I popped over to the conference center to pick up my conference badge (with some extra goodies this year!) Then returned back to the Hyatt for the National Upholstery Association’s Happy Hour event. There, our class participants and a few additional guests joined us for drinks and appetizers. I loved having this time to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. While I’ve grown accustomed to fostering community remotely through Zoom calls, nothing compares to in-person interaction. I felt like I was home.

Monday marked the beginning of class instruction at the Custom Workroom Conference. All classes fell under one of four different tracks, ensuring there was a relevant topic for everyone: 1) a Business track, 2) a Window Treatment track, 3) an Upholstery track, and 4) a Cross-Industry track, which included widely-appealing topics with crossover into both the custom drapery and upholstery workroom industries. All the instructors were amazing! I took loads of notes, and dutifully stashed my handouts in the 3-ring binder provided to me at registration.

One special highlight of the day was the luncheon and welcome program, sponsored by Hanes. Susan Woodcock performed a top-notch Mr. Rogers impression, and fan favorite (and NUA Board member) Jonathan Bennett led the participants in several engaging rounds of workroom-themed bingo. Another highlight was the evening WCAA cocktail social, sponsored by Kirsch Drapery Hardware. Jonathan made another appearance, this time in a flashy sequined-and-tasseled jacket. What a sight to see!

Tuesday kicked off the Exhibitor Marketplace event. I just love walking around to all the booths talking shop with vendors and checking out their wares. (And yes, I did break out my credit card!) The CWC Education Station was one of my favorite places to mingle and watch product demos. 

Like many others, I even joined in and took pics at the selfie stations around the floor, though I’ll admit I didn’t get the chance to post them all to social media. Back at the NUA booth, I talked to so many of you, our members and friends, about our mission and the programs and benefits we offer our members and the industry at large. I really enjoyed our conversations and hope we meet again at future events!

Greetings, NUA friends and supporters! We're back from the Furniture Manufacturing Expo 2023, and boy, was it an event to remember! The National Upholstery Association (NUA) graced the expo for the second year running, leaving a trail of inspiration and innovation in their wake. Below is a recap.

Education: Upholstery Track

As proud sponsors of the Upholstery Track, the NUA went all out to empower attendees with knowledge and expertise. Board members Lewis Mabon, Jonathan Bennett, and Marta Powers, took the stage, leading captivating educational sessions on both days of the event. From cutting-edge upholstery technology to the art of fabric matching, from designing plywood frames in 3D CAD to sewing with vinyl from a custom upholstery perspective—every session was a goldmine of insights and skills.

One highlight of the Upholstery Track was the in-depth panel discussion led by Marta Powers, where the importance of ongoing training in the upholstery industry was passionately explored. Attendees soaked up wisdom from seasoned professionals including Susan Woodcock (Custom Workroom Conference), Rick J. Shew (Caldwell Community College), and Brian Craig (Catawba Valley Furniture Academy & Alexander Furniture Academy) gaining fresh perspectives and igniting their passion for the craft.

Marta also led a discussion with Ewa Powell (Modern Fabrics), talking about sustainability and her efforts to keep overrun yardage out of the landfill. All of Modern Fabric’s product offerings were once slated for the landfill and are currently being resold to homeowners, upholsterers, interior designers and hobbyists who believe in the reuse of furniture and reducing their global footprint.

Micro Plant Event: A Trailblazing Journey

Breaking new ground, the NUA sponsored the all-new Micro Plant event in collaboration with other FME exhibitors. This immersive journey took attendees on a marked path around the show floor, offering a firsthand experience of the chair construction process.

The tour began at the NUA Booth for the design step, where attendees could view a book of drawings that made the manufacture of the chair possible. Next came the selection of premium wood, followed by expertly cutting the frame to match the design flawlessly. Attendees witnessed the meticulous selection, cutting, and sewing of leather—every step carefully executed to craft a masterpiece. Finally, the skilled artisans at Domenick's Furniture Manufacturer assembled a complete chair right before the audience's eyes!

Bill Richards, the Sales Director with Zünd America, took charge of guiding tours through the Micro Plant on both event days. His enthusiasm and expertise added a touch of magic to the experience, leaving attendees in awe of the craftsmanship behind every chair.

YouTube: Bill Zund describes the Micro Plant event at FME

Micro Plant Auction: Giving Back to Upholstery Community

FME’s commitment to the upholstery community extended beyond knowledge-sharing. At the end of the two-day extravaganza, the show coordinators held a special silent auction for the two completed chairs from the Micro Plant event. All proceeds from the auction will be generously donated to support the NUA's mission of fostering excellence in the upholstery domain.

The auction was an opportunity for attendees to take home a tangible piece of the event while contributing to a noble cause. This act of giving back exemplified the spirit of camaraderie and collaboration that defined the expo.

Thank you to the Volunteers Behind NUA's FME Exhibition

Acknowledgments to Leslie Hug for her support in running the NUA booth at the Furniture Manufacturing Expo. With her warm demeanor and vast knowledge, Leslie connected with attendees, fostering a sense of camaraderie that epitomizes the NUA's mission. We extend our deepest gratitude to Leslie for making the trade show experience truly exceptional and unforgettable.

The NUA also thanks Lewis Mabon, for his invaluable assistance in planning and coordinating the association’s presence at the Furniture Manufacturing Expo. His efforts were crucial to the success of the show, and the NUA genuinely appreciates his contributions.

A Resounding Success

As the curtains draw on the Furniture Manufacturing Expo 2023, the NUA reflects back with pride and fulfillment. Their dedication to promoting education, innovation, and connection within the upholstery world was evident throughout the event.

Kudos to the National Upholstery Association and its volunteers for orchestrating such an outstanding presence at the expo! We can't wait to see what they have in store for us next year.

Dominic Amador and Daniel Valentin of CS Osborne / Massasoit Tackband, one of NUA's Gold Industry Partner members

The 27 Piece Puzzle: Attendees try their hand at assembling a plywood chair frame

Ewa Powell from Modern Fabrics discusses her business' goals of precycling and sustainability

Karsten Siewert of Enkev, speaker on natural upholstery alternatives

Last stop on the Micro Plant tour - upholstery in action

Hector the master upholsterer - last stop on the Micro Plant tour

One of two chairs auctioned from the Micro Plant event

Finished Micro Plant chair

A Conversation with Polly Waite

This month we had the pleasure of asking Polly Waite, a classically trained upholsterer, member of the AMUSF and instructor of our CWC Pre-event French Mattress Class, a few questions about our trade and her background. Since Polly is across the pond in the UK, we chatted via email and her insightful answers provided a window into the pride she takes in the tradition of the upholstery trade and the possible negative implications the on-demand culture can have on a skilled trade. 

Can you tell us about your experience as a classically trained upholsterer and furniture restorer? How has your background in design and family history in antiques influenced your work? How did you get started in the trade? 

I have been a classically trained upholsterer for around 15 years now. It has been such a rewarding career for me. The sense of pride and achievement you get when you restore something to its former glory days is pretty awesome. And with the huge variety of furniture out there, it never gets boring and I never stop pushing myself to reach perfection. I think I've always been creative but I've never found the right outlet for it until I started down this road. My family used to work in antiques so I'm used to going to auctions and house clearances to try and find treasure hidden amongst the tat. I think that just made me always appreciate and admire the craftsmanship that went in to antiques so the fact that I've fallen into an industry that helps restore those pieces and involves the same level of skill and craftsmanship makes perfect sense but it was never planned.

As a member of the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishing, what role do you believe professional organizations play in promoting high standards of technique and customer service in the upholstery trade?

I strongly believe there is a huge need for organizations like the AMUSF. They promote and help uphold a high level of standard and training. We have valuable pieces of history put in our hands and if people don't know what they're doing then those wonderful antiques will be ruined and won't be there anymore. Sadly, I hear the phrase "oh I've done some upholstery" all too often, people think they can pick up a staple gun and watch a YouTube video and then become a professional upholsterer. Don't get me wrong, we all have to start somewhere but if you want to be a professional in any trade you should seek proper training. I certainly wouldn't let a doctor operate on me just because they'd watched a few YouTube videos and thought it was pretty simple. I know I'm not a doctor but you get my point.

Could you share some of your most creative and challenging upholstery commissions? How did you approach these unique projects?

I once had to make 2 cloud sofas for a festival. Someone I know is the art director for a festival and she asked if I could come and help out, I said yes as I love doing fun, random, creative projects. One day I was spray painting baby dolls gold and making wings for them to turn them into cherubs and the next I was asked to knock up 2 cloud sofas. In 2 days, this was a bit of a tall order but I do love a challenge and with the help of a carpenter, we did it. Luckily, they turned out just as good as the image I had in my head and they were super comfy too.

Being a trusted member of The House Of Upcycling and a mentor to future upcycle designers and upholsterers, what advice do you have for aspiring professionals in the upholstery industry?

The best advice I would give to anyone would be to get some good training and practice, practice, practice. Upholstery is a big craft, there is so much to learn, which is great but don't beat yourself up just because haven't learnt everything or mastered it all in a year. Practice and take your time with it.

We understand you were a specialist restorer on Channel 4's show, "Mend It For Money." How did this experience contribute to your expertise in upholstery restoration? What were some of the most memorable restorations you worked on during the show?

Oh god TV work is strange. I'm used to working for as long as something takes but on a TV set with a tight schedule you don't have that luxury. You have to do things a bit differently due to time constraints but you still have to make sure things are done to high standard. You certainly don't have the time to agonize over every detail like I normally would. You kind of forget you're being filmed after a while. I do remember on the last day I was rushing to finish as they were literally packing up and closing the set as it was the end of the show and they had to be out of the studio that night. That felt a bit stressful and of course everything was going wrong.

The National Upholstery Association aims to increase the health of the upholstery trade. From your perspective, what are some of the current challenges or opportunities facing the industry? How can organizations like the NUA address these?

Years ago, upholstery was a highly respected and valued trade but sadly that isn't the case anymore. Quick fix tv shows making things look like they take a fraction of the time they do, people stapling on some fabric to make something look good on an Instagram post and churned out cheap factory furniture have made people think what we do is both simple, low skilled and quick - it is none of these. I think we need to get out there and show people what we really do, to show the real skill and craftsmanship behind upholstery. On the plus side it's a perfect time for that. Craft fairs and farmers markets are hugely popular. People are wanting to learn more about what they eat, drink and put in their homes. They want to learn about artisan crafts and to see how things are created and to sometimes give it a go too. This will then in turn lead to more people wanting to seek out good ones when they have something they want upholstered and some will want to learn to become upholsterers themselves. People need to know that it's a career option, most people don't. So, for me I think it's about spreading the word, upholding high standards for your members and making sure there's good training available for those learning.

Upholstery is a highly skilled craft that requires continuous learning and improvement. How do you stay updated with the latest techniques and trends in the field? Do you have any favorite resources or educational opportunities that you can recommend to other upholsterers?

Well pretty much the only people I follow on Instagram are upholsterers! I like to see photos of things and then work out how they did it. Sometimes you see something done a little differently and you want to try it out. The English way of upholstery is a bit different from the French and then Swedish is a bit different from them and so on and so forth, every country will have a slight variation on things but the main basis is the same. I was taught how to do things a certain way and then I've picked up a few things from other upholstery teachers I've worked with over the years and the odd advanced course I've been on but some of what I do are things that I came up with myself because to me they make sense and work. I think every craftsman is a bit like that. So, you never stop learning and wanting to try new things.  Armand Verdier is one to follow and he does some training courses on traditional French stitching techniques and Gareth Rees from the British School of Upholstery is another one... 

The former and first president of the National Upholstery Association takes yet another big leap within the big picture of the upholstery trade.

By Monica Rhodes of Monday Wash Furniture

A few months ago, in February of 2023, Rachel Fletcher loaded herself, 2 dogs, a cat, and her collection of a dozen or so succulents into her SUV and drove cross-country, for days, from Knoxville, Tennessee to Oakland, CA. Upon her arrival, she stepped out to California sunshine and a brand new chapter in the beyond impressive story of her career in the upholstery trade. The animals were troopers and weathered the trip well as Rachel ushered them (sometimes surreptitiously) in and out of hotel rooms. The plants, wrapped snug in a blanket in the front seat of the truck, received words of encouragement to hang on through cold nights with the promise of a warm California window seat on the other end of the journey. That journey was not without challenges, including long lonely stretches of road, inclement weather and a few “absolutely disgusting” hotel rooms.

To celebrate Black History Month, we would like to recognize Leroy Graves’ historic career and profound impact on the upholstery trade. Last year, the NUA hosted a CWC pre-trip to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, where our members got an exclusive look at Leroy’s meticulous work on display. Inventor of the “Graves Method,” this non-destructive approach to upholstery preserves the delicate wooden frames of the furniture Leroy works on. It has been adapted and used by conservators around the world. 

Leroy’s story from humble beginnings to world-renowned upholstery conservator and author serves as an inspiration to upholsterers everywhere. His book, Early Seating Upholstery : Reading the Evidence, can be purchased via the link, and The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s website has more information on his work, Upholstery CSI: Reading the Evidence. 

Please visit the links below to learn about Leroy and his incredible contributions to the trade. 

The legend of Leroy Graves: From fields to fame in furniture—ABC News

"Upholstery CSI": Preserving antique furniture at Colonial Williamsburg—CBS News

LEROY GRAVES SHARES 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN UPHOLSTERY CONSERVATION—The Decorative Arts Trust

Unmasking the secrets of 1700s upholstery in Colonial Williamsburg—Daily Press

For Leroy Graves, Upholstery Means Detective Work—New York Times

Earlier this month, I had the privilege of chatting with Ceil DiGuglielmo for the Opportunity Thinking series of her podcast, Sew Much More. We talked about my journey into upholstery, the important work of the National Upholstery Association, and a little about my full-time job as a pricing strategist. This episode was released yesterday.

I spent a good deal of time talking about the NUA and its mission, so I wanted to share that episode with all of you. I am incredibly proud of the work we've done in the last three and a half years, and I think it's worth celebrating! 

Here's a link to listen. You can also find the episode by searching for the Sew Much More podcast on your favorite podcast app. I hope you'll give it a listen and share, if you can!

Harmony

As I reflect back on 2022, I feel a huge sense of pride in our association and the things we’ve accomplished in the three years since its founding. However, we would not be where we are today without our members and volunteers. First and foremost I want to say THANK YOU to both our members and our dedicated volunteers for your ongoing support. We are a volunteer-led organization, which means that 100% of your membership dues go directly toward building programs that benefit and strengthen our industry.

The National Upholstery Association (NUA) seeks to reestablish the systems that provide key resources for our industry - including professional development opportunities, apprenticeship paths, support groups, grants and scholarships, hiring and placement assistance, training opportunities, ongoing education, and more. The decline of available resources for upholstery professionals is colossal and systemic; meaningful change is a huge undertaking and will take time. But each year we march toward that goal, advocating for our members and focusing on the projects that will have the most immediate positive impact within our trade.

2022 marked our first year back to in-person events since the pandemic began. The personal connections we make when face-to-face are incredibly important in building relationships and fostering collaboration. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to meet so many of you in person and to listen to your ideas and feedback at last year’s Furniture Manufacturing Expo and Custom Workroom Conference. I felt incredibly energized after those events - and I bet you did, too. They gave me an opportunity to network, commiserate, and connect. And I want more of that.

In the spirit of togetherness, we’ve decided to announce a theme for 2023 - COMMUNITY. This year, we’ll focus our efforts on creating more opportunities for connection and collaboration. We’re still working out the details, but stay tuned for more information about community building programs such as regional events, mentorship programs, and more. Want to help? Apply to become a volunteer!

At the end of the year, I like to reflect on and celebrate our progress. Here are a handful of our key accomplishments in 2022:

• Met with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to clarify the impact of the new Standard for the Flammability of Upholstered Furniture as it relates to reupholstery
• Developed resources to explain the new federal flammability regulation in plain terms and how it impacts our members
• Added 3 new membership levels to give our Industry Partners and Educators more flexibility in the level of benefit they receive
• Overhauled our Membership Overview page to better articulate the benefits of each member level
• Developed a directory of Upholstery Educators in the United States and Canada
• Exhibited at two trade conferences, including the Furniture Manufacturing Expo and the Custom Workroom Conference
• Signed up 22 new members at the Custom Workroom Conference (welcome, new friends!)
• Conducted our second annual Pricing Survey (results available to members only)
• Doubled-down on our PR efforts in order to broaden our recognition and reach in the industry
• Distributed our first-ever press release, which was picked up by Furniture Today
• Grew our social media reach by ~22% across all platforms, totaling more than 6,100 followers today
• Elected 6 new Board members to help us carry the NUA to the next level. There is SO MUCH TALENT in this group! Take a look at your 2023 Board of Directors here.

»»»»»  WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!  «««««

During the pandemic, nearly all of our volunteers understandably stepped down from their NUA volunteer activities to concentrate on their businesses, their families, and their health. In response, we scrambled to reprioritize projects and focused our efforts on the core benefits our members love. A few very dedicated volunteers remained, and the Board of Directors rolled up their sleeves to keep the association cogs turning. I am incredibly grateful to everyone for getting it done in spite of the circumstances. A special thank you to:

• The 2022 Board of Directors for pitching in when there was no one else to do the work: Kim Newell, Rachel Fletcher, Grace Reff, Lewis Mabon, Andrew Bodjanac, Keaven Willa Hartt, Manda Marie, and Kevin Fuller.
• Our remaining 2022 volunteers who gave their time toward our mission: Jeanne Henzel, Ruti Wajnberg, Audrey Lonsway, Angela Dreis, Debbie Lousberg, Debby Albrecht, Carla Pyle, Sue Sifakis, Amber Robertson, Sarah Linde, and Laura Archer - THANK YOU.

Our 2022 volunteers and board members picked up the slack when others stepped down - and they are tired. It takes a COMMUNITY to run an association of our size, and we need help! We are looking for volunteers to serve on committees or take on single projects. The average volunteer commitment is just 2-3 hours per month.

I want to help, but I don’t have the technical or business skills to be useful.

Many of our volunteer projects don’t require any special skills. Maybe you’re good at crafting emails, or picking up the phone and talking to people, or using search engines to do research…or perhaps you have a strong social network and can spread the word. Let’s chat and find out what projects you’re most passionate about and where you feel you can make the most impact!

Volunteering is also a great way to network. If you are a new upholsterer looking to make connections, or a seasoned one looking to broaden your network, this is a fabulous opportunity. There’s an old saying that you get out what you put in, and I can personally attest that becoming a volunteer with the NUA has opened professional doors I never knew existed!

Here are just a few areas where we’re looking for help. Have another idea about how you can support the industry? We’re all ears! Apply here to become a volunteer.

• Volunteer recruitment (our most immediate need!)
• Committee leadership (all committees)
• Regional events coordination
• Blog writing and curation
• Mentorship program development and administration
• Online library organization
• Website updates and overall organization
• Calendar updates - webinars, NUA events, Industry Partner and Educator events, etc.
• Contests, grants, and scholarships curation
• Industry Partners and Educators liaison
• Connecting upholsterers and interior designers
• Developing an apprenticeship readiness plan for workrooms
• Negotiating member discounts
• Securing sponsorships for events
• Business education
• Promoting reupholstery as an intrinsic component of the circular economy

Are you already working towards the betterment of our trade? The National Upholstery Association also seeks to amplify the accomplishments of our members and to connect them to resources that aid in their success. If you’ve begun your own project or entrepreneurial endeavor to strengthen the upholstery industry, we’d love to hear about it!

In closing, I truly believe that 2023 will be a watershed year for our association. We have some incredible projects on the horizon - projects that will have a lasting impact on our industry. We just need a handful of enthusiastic volunteers to help bring these projects to life. Please join us on our mission to strengthen the industry by supporting the National Upholstery Association in any way that you can: by becoming a member, renewing your membership, inviting others to join, buying some swag from our online shop, spreading the word about the NUA, or rolling up your sleeves and volunteering on a project or committee.

Warmest wishes for a prosperous new year,

Harmony Maraldo
President, National Upholstery Association 2022/2023

By Amy Petersen, CPA, aka “The Recovering Accountant” 

Important:  This article is meant to provide general information regarding taxes for US-based upholstery businesses.  Every situation is different.  Consult a tax advisor for more information regarding your specific circumstances.  

Yes, it’s that time of year referred to as “tax season” in the USA.  The federal income tax filing deadlines are quickly approaching: 

• March 15, 2023, for Partnerships (Form 1065), S Corporations (Form 1120S), and C Corporations (Form 1120) 
• April 18, 2023, for Individuals, including Sole Proprietors (Schedule C).  (We get a few extra days this year for the weekend and the DC holiday, Emancipation Day—yay!) 

Note:  Check your individual state’s Department of Revenue (or similar) website for filing deadlines, as your state may not follow Federal deadlines 

I would like to suggest that all of us upholstery business owners start working on our taxes sooner than later.  Like now.  Block off the time on your calendar, chain yourself to your desk, hire help, do whatever you need to do!   

“Why should I start thinking about taxes now?  It’s still months away!” 

The sooner your taxes are filed, the sooner you get your refund!  Or, if you’re going to owe, the sooner you file (or at least have a draft of your tax return prepared) the earlier you’ll know what that number is, and the longer you’ll have to save up for that bill.   

If you’re using an accountant to prepare your taxes, the sooner you have your information to him/her, the better the chance that they will not have to file an extension for you.  Extension calculations take time to prepare, and time=money. 

Either way, you’ll sleep better once you have them done.  Guaranteed. 

“Oh my gosh!  Where do I even start?” 

In an ideal world, you are using QuickBooks or another accounting program, you are keeping accurate books, your bank accounts and credit cards are reconciled for 2022, and you’re ready to go! 

Most of us don’t live in an ideal world.   

If you are using an accounting program, it’s time to review your data, enter missing information, and reconcile your accounts through the end of 2022.   

If you haven’t looked at a single number all year, don’t panic, but get busy gathering and organizing your income and expense numbers.  Build a spreadsheet using your bank and credit card statements, receipts, and other paperwork.  Categorize your expenses in a reasonable way.  Use your prior year taxes for a starting point for categories, look at the lines on the forms, or let TurboTax suggest groupings for you.  And don’t be afraid to create “other” categories that fit your individual business.   

“What if I’m forgetting something?” 

If you are using one bank account and one credit card for your business, and not co-mingling your personal expenses with your business expenses, no worries!  All the money in and out for your business (with a few exceptions) will be found on those statements.  If not, please consider making this a 2023 New Year’s Resolution: “I will only use my business accounts for business expenses, and I will only use my personal accounts for personal expenses.” 

If you’ve been using various personal accounts for business deposits and expenses, it’s going to take a while to sort through the statements, plus any other paperwork you have that supports the numbers.  It’s a good idea to start now.   

Here are some deductions that probably aren’t going to be run through your business accounts:   

• Business use of the home.  Is your workroom in your basement, dining room, or other part of your home?  Then you will get a deduction for it based on a percentage of all your home expenses, or a simpler method of $5/square foot.    

• Mileage.  Do you drive to clients, or to your supplier, or anywhere else business-related?  If you have tracked those trips on a log, with an app, or in your calendar, you can take a deduction.  For 2022, that deduction is 58.5 cents per mile for the first half and 62.5 cents for the second half, which adds up fast!  

• Cell Phone and Internet.  If you use your cell phone and internet for business (don’t we all?), then take a deduction for the portion that is business related.  Do your best to estimate this portion.   

“There’s no way I’m going to be ready to file my taxes on time.  Now what?” 

About 1 in every 10 taxpayers files an extension, and most of them are business owners.  It’s OK! 

Here’s the important thing to remember about extensions:  They are an extension to file, NOT an extension to pay.  So based on last year, or the information that you do have pulled together, or (worst case) your gut, if you think you’re going to owe taxes, pay something into the IRS/state with your extension.   

What are the consequences of not paying an extension payment?  Once you file your taxes (no later than October 15^th, 2023), you will most likely owe 0.5% percent of the amount due for every month or part of the month (even one day) past the April 18^th deadline, plus interest on the amount due (currently at an annual rate of 7.0%), calculated on a daily basis.    

Please don’t blow off the extension.  The late filing penalties (you file after April 18^th, owe taxes, and didn’t file an extension) are much higher than the late payment penalties outlined above, usually 5% per month or part of a month, plus interest. This is 10x the late payment penalties! 

One more thought about extensions:  If you file one, try not to wait until the extended due date of October 15^th (for individuals and sole proprietors) to file your tax return.  Do it as soon as you can.  Your accountant will thank you and you’ll sleep better! 

Note:  Many, but not all, states accept the Federal extension as an extension of the state taxes, too.  Check with your Department of Revenue (or similar) or accountant to see if you need to file a separate state extension. 

“What if I can’t pay?” 

It happens.  If your business is new, or you made more money than you thought you did, or whatever the reason, you may owe more than you can pay.  The IRS (and most states) are happy to set you up on a payment plan.  The interest rates are less than putting this obligation on a credit card, and the terms are set up for you to succeed in paying it off.  If you file your tax return and can’t pay the amount due, you can be proactive and set up a payment plan (see IRS.gov), or you can wait for the IRS to send you a bill and “invite” you to set up a payment plan. 

“Is there anything good about tax season?” 

Yes!  Seeing your business profit to the point of owing taxes means that you are making money doing something that you love!