Chesham Tales

In the midst of an established yet growing backlash against our 21st Century throwaway culture, trends such as up cycling and re-purposing furniture are gaining attention and recognition thanks to TV programmes like Repair Shop, or Money For Nothing. There are instagrammers and bloggers showing how it’s done, gaining cult followings for the magic they can do with a mid-century sideboard. Chesham has seen it’s own local campaigns to ditch the dispensable, like the push for a plastic-bag-free town a few years ago.  We still have a long way to go both locally and as human beings, but let’s hope we’re evolving in the right direction.

“I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t ‘make’. It’s like a physical urge.”

Meet Stephen Moody, a fully evolved Chesham based upholsterer with a passion for hand crafted furniture restoration, and vegetables. Alongside his upholstery, which he proudly promotes as an art form, Steve produces some fine specimens of allotment grown veg, yielding bumper crops which he is known to turn into some exotic home remedy or gin flavouring.

Originally from Stanmore, Stephen is from a creative family and one of no less than eight siblings. Yes, eight. His brother Tony, also based in Chesham, is a celebrated local artist known particularly for his bird motif paintings, whilst their nearby sister is a stained glass maker. Stephen moved to Chesham some years ago, brought here by family connections and an appreciation for the famous Chilterns beauty. Originally with a background in finance, Stephen arrived at upholstery via a series of fortunate events, including voluntary redundancy, good advice from a camper-vanning friend (“F*** it and leave your job”) and a successful application to Bucks University.

One fateful lunchtime, whilst still working for the finance department at Post Office Counters, Stephen went for a walk to re-consider his future, feeling unfulfilled yet determined. Once he’d finished his sandwiches, he made up his mind and promptly resigned from his job. He went on to study Upholstery, Cabinet Making and French Polishing at what is now Bucks New University, where he developed his finely honed, furniture alchemy.

Stephen was able to teach others and share his expertise, using upholstery as a form of art therapy, working for NHS and Mind, as well as supporting young offenders as part of a rehabilitation approach. The perfect parallel of cast away items being given some love and attention, to make them feel whole and purposeful again.

Now running several upholstery classes covering Tring, Lee Common and Ashley Green, Stephen’s workshops attract all levels of ability, with total beginners blending in with those who’ve been coming to his classes for years. The classes run termly, and once on the roll, pupils tend to return term after term, to finish a project or begin a new one. Many of Steve’s students work on pieces for themselves, family and friends, as well as commissions, which they can complete under his watchful eye and expert guidance, accompanied by the occasional hearty outburst of song.

Projects range from small footstools to impressive armchairs, with every student bringing a unique flavour to their work, honouring precious memories up-cycling fabric from Grandma’s cherished dress, or using a sumptuous and chic patterned velvet from the likes of House of Hackney. All styles and tastes are welcomed and admired. The relaxed and sociable classes foster some great conversations (some even a little saucy, not for the faint hearted) with friendships formed as a backbone to the class.

So, no exams to pass, no theory to learn. Just pure, unadulterated, hands-on happiness. And there’s always time for tea and cake.

If you’d like to have a go and see for yourself, Steve will be running a summer school at Hastoe Village Hall this August 12-16 2019 10.00am – 4.00pm, daily. This offers an opportunity to experience a full week of intensive upholstery tuition and is suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to experienced.

For further details, please call Steve on 07887 601403.