Antonia Clare Grant

The Furniture Upcycler

Upholsterer

©Adam Kang

Upstanding upcycled upholstery

Antonia wants to bring change with her atelier
Reused materials and equality define her work
She believes furniture should be adapted to people

Antonia Clare Grant was led to upholstery by first studying narrative environments and considering the emotional connection between humans and objects. “When someone sits on a piece of furniture, they coexist with that piece of furniture,” she says, describing an intersection of experiences. It is that acute awareness of the importance of furniture that led her to create The Furniture Upcycler, an atelier committed to adapting the object to its owner to make it a perfect match. As well as promoting recycling of materials by upholstering furniture instead of buying new, Antonia believes that everyone should have access to well-fitted furniture, regardless of their income. "Furniture should be as unique as every person, and good furniture should always be accessible," she states.

Interview

©Adam Kang

©Adam Kang

What brought you to upholstery?: I got involved in the short stay rental market, and I met people with pieces of furniture that did not work for them, so they would get new ones to replace the old. I realised that most people had sofas, that are so integral to our lives, that were not working for them.
Is your craft about people’s comfort?: I believe in egalitarianism, everyone should be able to afford luxury even if they do not have money. Living in a nice environment should not be exclusive to the wealthy, why should somebody with no money endure a sofa that is bad for them?
How would you define your artistic mindset?: I design one piece at a time, one person at a time, one idea at a time. It is all about the people, to me, that is what furniture is. I want to show people that upcycling is about sustainability, and sustainability is about humanity.
What do you love most about your profession?: Changing people’s life for the better by making them more comfortable. Having a piece of bespoke furniture made for you is a deeply personal thing, it is as unique as you. Understanding what tiny differences I can make is the key to a good life.

Antonia Clare Grant is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2011