Eddie's Upholstery in Chattanooga: Custom Fabric and Frame Restoration for Mid-Century and Heirloom Pieces
Eddie's Upholstery is a full-service reupholstery shop specializing in frame restoration and custom fabric selection for residential furniture, with particular strength in mid-century modern pieces and family heirlooms that require structural repair alongside new covering.
What Eddie's Upholstery Actually Does
This is a traditional upholstery operation, not a furniture refinishing or slipcover service. The shop handles complete disassembly, frame inspection, webbing and spring replacement, padding selection, and fabric installation. Work ranges from straightforward re-covering of sound frames to extensive reconstruction of pieces with broken joints, sagging springs, or deteriorated support systems. The operation is owner-run and small-scale, meaning turnaround depends on shop capacity and the scope of each project rather than assembly-line processing.
Services and Pricing
Eddie's charges labor by the hour for structural work and provides fabric-plus-labor estimates for covering jobs. A basic sofa re-cover with no frame repair typically runs $800 to $1,400 depending on fabric choice and seat depth; a wingback chair ranges from $400 to $700. Jobs involving frame repair, spring replacement, or extensive padding add $200 to $600 in labor. Fabric costs are separate and start around $12 per yard for durable mid-range options; designer or performance fabrics run $18 to $40 per yard. A standard sofa uses 10 to 14 yards; a chair uses 4 to 6 yards. The shop sources fabric through major distributors and allows customers to bring their own material, though doing so may reduce warranty coverage on seams. Verify current pricing by phone before committing, as labor rates adjust periodically.
How Eddie's Compares to Other Chattanooga Upholstery Options
Chattanooga has several upholstery shops, each with different focuses. Eddie's emphasizes structural integrity and works well for pieces worth restoring; the owner will decline jobs where the frame is beyond saving. By contrast, shops like Hancock Upholstery take on higher-volume work and have faster turnaround, making them suitable for straightforward re-covers where the frame is already solid. A third option is hiring an upholsterer through a furniture restoration specialist like those at local antique malls, which adds markup but coordinates both refinishing and fabric work in one estimate. For budget-conscious customers needing quick work on less sentimental pieces, chain furniture stores offer mail-in reupholstery services at lower labor rates but with less control over materials and longer waits. Eddie's fits the customer who values hands-on consultation, wants transparency about what the frame actually needs, and plans to keep the piece for years.
Who This Suits and Who It Doesn't
Choose Eddie's if you own a mid-century chair or sofa with good bones, a family hand-me-down that deserves care, or a vintage find from an estate sale that needs structural assessment. The owner's willingness to take apart a frame and report honestly about hidden damage appeals to people who view upholstery as investment in longevity. The shop also suits customers who want to select fabric in person, discuss durability for pets or children, and understand exactly what work is happening.
Eddie's is not the choice if you need a three-week turnaround, want the lowest possible price, or own a piece not worth more than a few hundred dollars. Nor is it ideal if you prefer a large showroom where you can see many completed samples; this is a working shop, not a design studio.
What to Expect on a First Visit
Call ahead to schedule a consultation. Bring photos if the piece is large or you cannot transport it. During the appointment, the owner will inspect the frame, test springs and webbing, and identify what structural work is necessary before any fabric choice. If the frame is sound, you will discuss fabric options, see samples, and receive a written estimate separating frame repair, labor, and material costs. If the frame needs work, expect a detailed breakdown of what will be addressed and why. Timelines vary: a simple re-cover with no frame issues may take 4 to 6 weeks; structural restoration can extend to 8 to 10 weeks depending on the queue and complexity. A deposit is required to begin work, typically 50 percent of the estimate.
Hours, Location, and Logistics
Eddie's operates by appointment only, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop is located on the north side of Chattanooga and has limited street parking; confirm the exact address and parking details when you call. For pieces too large to transport, ask whether the owner makes home estimates for a fee. Delivery and pickup services are available for an additional charge; local delivery typically runs $50 to $100 each way depending on distance.
Eddie's Upholstery fills the role of a careful, frame-focused restorer in a market where speed and volume often dominate, making it the logical choice for pieces you want to last another generation.
