Barnett Upholsteries

I completed the one week intensive course early on this year. Being from Canada, I had no way to bring any projects with me, and Bob was able to help me out and had a couple of projects ready for me when I got there. He is a great teacher and he will make sure you actually learn what you are doing in his class. I had a great time, Thanks Bob and Sara!

I was bitten by the upholstery bug after creating a footstool at a taster class run by Barnett Upholsteries over 4 years ago. As an absolute beginner I've since attended evening classes and more recently a succession of 5-day intensive courses to work on more challenging projects.Bob's standards are extremely high and his training helps you achieve impressive work. The end results are always fantastic and along the way you just keep learning and improving your skills as an upholsterer.The satisfaction of bringing a chair, literally back to life is very addictive!

I had never done anything like this in my life and was just trying it out, but once I started working with Bob I was completely bitten by the upholstery bug. It was an amazing experience. I finished 5 projects over the course of the year, each one more challenging than the last. Bob guided me through my work encouraging me to read up on the techniques on my own as well. He is an exacting and precise teacher; he never let me get away with substandard work, and for that I'm very grateful. All of my projects turned out beautiful. Moreover I left with a lot of confidence and the desire to keep learning more. I have since moved out of London and am looking for more projects to work on. Wish Bob was here to keep guiding me but he's given me good skills to start with. An all round fantastic experience!

I'm so glad I chose Barnett Upholsteries! I recommend this training course to anyone who is curious about upholstery or fully serious about becoming an upholsterer.I'd been looking for a upholstery course for a while and I visited a few within London but at Barnett I found what I was looking for in an upholstery course. At Barnett Upholsteries, I'm currently taking a level 2 upholstery course and I'm loving it. As a student you have to complete 8 projects (including 1 written project) within 42, 5 hour sessions. Bob has a great passion for upholstery and years of experience and he is successfully passing it on. He's encouraging the students to do their research and to come prepared for each session. During these sessions Bob will observe you, and your work and will instruct you during all stages of each project. He will make sure that you understand these steps and why these steps are taken. Bob is a great teacher, but students also learn from each other as everyone is at a different stages and working on different chairs. When the time comes to think about the top fabric than Sara is the person to ask. Her passion for fabrics is amazing and she is always ready to assist you in whatever issue a student might have.

I did a week-long intensive course and can safely say I loved every second! I had already done a few basic projects at home, relying on common sense and You Tube, but being in a professional environment with equipment, supplies and expertise on tap was fantastic. Bob is an excellent teacher who encourages you to figure things out for yourself but is always there when needed. I genuinely believe this is the best way to learn a skill like upholstery - no two projects will ever be the same, so far better to adopt this approach. I cannot recommend Barnett Upholsteries more highly.

I came to London to do upholstery from South Africa. How unbelievably fortunate that I chose Barnett upholsteries. I have loved every minute of the course. I am doing level 2 and 3 and am just beginning my final project of the course. Bob is an incredible teacher. He respects the fact that we are adults and should take responsibility for our work. If you want to be treated like a grade school student, don't study with him because he does expect maturity, perfection and self evaluation. Even when doing projects on my own, Bobs demand for perfection resonates in my head and consequently the quality of my work doesn't ever lapse. The way he teaches produces some of the very best upholsterers. If he offered a level 4 certificate I would sign up immediately and I would recommend his course to anyone who was serious about doing upholstery.

I enjoyed a marvellous week at Barnett's Upholstery learning the beginning of a new skill and leaving with an immaculate, much admired chair.The workshop provides all the tools and all but the top materials, there is plenty of room to work, the tuition is exceptional - Bob always explains why you are doing what you are doing, his demonstrations are exemplary and make it look east - then you get to try.....What makes this place really special however is the atmosphere of quiet, supportive, collegiate and purposive endeavour. There's good humour and shared convivial lunches too.Bob and Sara have managed something unique - but don't take my word for it try it for yourself. Penny

I chose Barnett Upholsteries to do the Upholstery course after visiting a variety of colleges and websites. The course offered what I wanted and having visited the workshop I was happy with my choice. I have to say, it was the BEST choice!I am working on level 2 and 3 and it is a very intensive course. Bob expects you to work and revise. He is always available if you need him and his skill, expertise and passion is evident. I came to this as a total beginner and it is hard work and so it should be. Bob has 30 years’ experience. If you want to learn how to upholster, sign up, ask questions, observe others and enjoy it. I completely agree with Liz Steyn and would sign up for a level 4 in a flash.I have seen some of the work of the week intensive courses and never cease to be amazed at what the students produce. It is only one week and you are learning new skills – perhaps if you chose to do a week intensive course, discuss with Bob and Sara what you plan to do. It’s called ‘intensive’ for a reason and as in introduction to upholstery, consider what you are hoping to achieve in a week.If you are serious about learning how to upholster, join up. You get to learn so much more with the course work, the discussions and the banter. Take from it what you want – I personally love it and am actually quite proud of what I’m achieving for which I can only thank Bob, Sara, the puppies and the decent folk that attend the course.

Barnett Upholsteries has been a huge part of my life for the last 3-4 years. Starting with a 5 day intensive course to tackle a beloved old family piece, I have just completed the AMUSF diploma and am starting to take on paid projects.Bob and Sara run an inspirational and supportive place. It's the start of a steep learning curve - not necessarily for the faint-hearted. Bob pushes you to think for yourself and to problem-solve, and always insists on the highest standards. The rich rewards are so completely worth all the effort, and you can leave with the skills to enable you to change the direction of your life. Bob is happy to support with non-course projects and I'm confident that he'll help me when I get stuck on future projects.I can heartily recommend to anyone who enjoys a challenge (and who is a dog-lover!!)

These guys are fantastic. My partner and I did the one week course together here at Barnett Upholsteries. We bought two chairs at Kempton markets and took them along. It was clear we had a big project ahead. Bob Barnett was an excellent teacher. He lets you know what you should be doing whilst all the time making you think about it and try and work things out for yourself. This is exactly what you want from a teacher. The other great thing about this place is you can book day classes. It was clear we were not going to get our projects finished in a week, so we just tacked a couple of days on the following week to finish off. I have had so many friends and family members complimenting us on the chairs we did, that I now have three other projects to do. After only a week and Bob and Sara's guidance I feel confident enough starting these projects. However I will be back to see them to help with some of the finer details. It is reassuring to know I can book and day if I need one. I cannot recommend this place highly enough for anyone wishing to fully learn upholstery or just give it a go with grandads old chair!