Business Details
Expert Upholstered Furniture Design & Restoration in Wiltshire
Balding Design is a family-run upholstery business with a deep commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship. Specialising in the restoration of antique furniture and the creation of bespoke handmade pieces, we utilise natural materials and time-honoured techniques to produce durable, elegant furnishings. Our expertise spans over two decades, with Tara Balding leading a skilled team that includes her husband Gerald and assistant Kelly. Based in South Wiltshire, we serve an international clientele, combining meticulous attention to detail with a passion for comfort and style.Our work encompasses bespoke headboards, loose covers, and reproduction furniture, alongside specialist restoration projects for iconic brands like Howard & Sons. By collaborating closely with interior designers and maintaining accounts with premium fabric suppliers, we ensure every project meets exacting standards. Our reputation for quality has been built through decades of delivering handcrafted furniture that harmonises timeless design with modern functionality.
Services
Bespoke Furniture
Antique Restoration
Loose Covers
Headboards
Custom Upholstery
Highlights and features
- We combine 25+ years of traditional upholstery expertise with modern design
- Our team uses mortise-and-tenon joinery and natural materials for durability
- Specialists in Howard & Sons furniture restoration and reproduction
- Bespoke service tailored to exact size, fabric, and design requirements
- Collaborate with leading fabric suppliers including Designers Guild and Romo
Services
Bespoke Furniture
Handmade furniture tailored to exact specifications using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery. Clients choose dimensions, fabrics, and design elements to create unique pieces that complement their space. Crafted with woven webbing, coil springs, and natural fillings for lasting comfort and durability.
Antique Restoration
Specialist restoration of antique furniture employing period-appropriate materials and techniques. Expertise includes Howard & Sons chair reproduction, fabric replacement using heritage textiles, and structural reinforcement while preserving original character and integrity.
Loose Covers
Custom-made removable covers for various furniture styles using premium fabrics. Available in pattern-matched designs or modern interpretations, with options for arm caps, valances, and decorative detailing to refresh existing pieces.
Headboards
Handcrafted headboards designed to client specifications or selected from standard forms. Options include fabric-covered panels, beadwork displays, and bespoke shapes that serve as focal points for bedroom interiors.
Reproduction Furniture
Accurate recreations of classic furniture designs like Howard Bridgewater chairs and Portalington sofas. Each piece combines historical accuracy with modern comfort improvements, featuring down-filled cushions and traditional spring systems.
People
Tara Balding
Founder & Lead Upholsterer
Master upholsterer with 25 years' experience specialising in traditional techniques. Established Balding Design to combine heritage craftsmanship with contemporary design, leading a team that delivers bespoke furniture solutions for international clients.
Gerald Balding
Business Partner
Joined the business in 2016, bringing complementary skills to support production and client relations. Works alongside Tara to maintain quality standards while expanding the company's capacity for large-scale projects.
Kelly
Assistant Upholsterer
Skilled team member supporting all aspects of furniture creation and restoration. Trained in traditional methods, ensuring each project maintains the high standards required for bespoke and heritage work.
Questions
What materials do you use in your furniture?
We use traditional materials including mortise-and-tenon hardwood frames, woven webbing, coil springs, natural hair, wool, and down cushions with schedule 5 fire barrier for safety and durability.
Can you restore antique furniture to original condition?
Yes, we specialise in sympathetic restoration using period-appropriate techniques and materials, including fabric replacement from heritage sources while preserving structural integrity and character.
Do you work with international clients?
We have an established international client base and can manage projects remotely through detailed consultations and fabric samples sent worldwide.
What fabric options are available?
We hold accounts with premium suppliers like Designers Guild and Romo, and can source most fabrics to meet specific design requirements for both bespoke and restoration projects.
How long does a bespoke project take?
Timelines vary by complexity but typically range from 8-12 weeks for standard pieces, with detailed timelines provided during initial consultations for each custom project.
Can you create furniture to match existing decor?
Yes, our bespoke service allows complete customisation of size, shape, fabric, and detailing to ensure perfect integration with your existing interior design scheme.
