Stray Dog Design in Chattanooga: Custom Upholstery and Salvaged Furnishings

Stray Dog Design is a small upholstery studio and furniture shop on the South Shore that specializes in reupholstering customer pieces and selling salvaged or reclaimed furniture with original upholstery intact. Unlike chain furniture retailers or high-volume upholstery services, this operation prioritizes custom work on existing pieces and sourced vintage stock, positioning it for homeowners who want one-of-a-kind results rather than catalog inventory.

What Stray Dog Design actually is

The business operates as a hybrid retail and service space. The retail side stocks salvaged and vintage furniture, most pieces offered as-is with their original fabrics and finishes. The service side takes in customer furniture for full reupholstery, including frame repair, spring replacement, and fabric selection from a curated library of textiles. The shop is small enough that work is hands-on and visible; owner involvement in each project is standard, not an exception.

Services and pricing

Reupholstery pricing depends on the piece size, frame condition, and fabric choice. A standard armchair typically runs $800 to $1,500 including labor and fabric; a sofa ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 or higher if springs or frame repair is needed. The shop sources mid-range to premium upholstery textiles; fabric upgrades can significantly shift final cost. A detailed quote requires either bringing the piece in or scheduling a consultation. Turnaround time averages 6 to 10 weeks depending on workload (verify current lead time on contact, as this fluctuates seasonally). The retail side prices salvaged pieces from $200 for small side tables to $2,000 or more for sectionals in excellent condition, though most fall in the $400 to $1,200 range.

How it compares to other Chattanooga furniture options

Stray Dog Design differs sharply from big-box chains like Ashley Furniture HomeStore or Wayfair, which offer new stock at lower price points but no customization or existing-piece service. It also differs from purely salvage or consignment shops (like those operating in Frayser or along Main Street), which sell used pieces but rarely offer reupholstery. For local upholstery work, independent upholsterers scattered across Chattanooga will take reupholstery projects, but few operate as retail showrooms; most are service-only. Stray Dog's combination of a curated salvage gallery and in-house upholstery sets it apart. Choose Stray Dog if you own a piece worth restoring or want a unique vintage base; choose a chain retailer if you need quick delivery and standardized pricing; choose a general upholsterer if you want service without the retail experience.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

Stray Dog works best for homeowners with inherited or thrifted furniture they want refreshed, design-conscious buyers seeking authentic vintage pieces, and anyone willing to wait two months for a custom result. It suits small spaces where a single statement piece matters and budgets that prioritize quality and longevity over quantity. It does not suit those needing immediate delivery, working from a flat budget without flexibility, or preferring new-construction guarantees and standard return policies. It also skews toward smaller furnishings; the shop's floor space and workload mean sourcing or restoring full room sets is not the focus.

What the first visit involves

Walk-ins can browse the retail inventory and get an informal sense of available stock and style. To discuss reupholstery, call ahead or visit with the piece in question if it is movable; taking measurements and photos is helpful for larger items. The owner or team will review frame condition, estimate structural repairs, and show fabric swatches. Expect honest feedback on whether a piece is worth the investment; not every old chair passes the durability test. A written estimate typically arrives within a week.

Hours, parking, and logistics

The shop operates Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (verify hours before visiting, as they have adjusted seasonally). Parking is street-level on the South Shore with modest availability. Delivery of completed upholstery work within Chattanooga is available for a fee; long-distance shipping is possible but expensive. Retail pieces can leave same-day if small; larger purchases require coordination.

Stray Dog Design fills a gap between disposable retail furniture and purely salvage hunting, making it essential for Chattanooga households that value craftsmanship and history in what they sit on.