Upholstery, restoration and woodworking
Kim Buckminster handles everything from museum antiques to the family sofa, truck seats and restaurant booths, all by hand in his Falls City, Nebraska shop. He works with customers across the United States, from Omaha and Kansas City to the coasts. Each project is quoted individually after he has seen the piece.
Antique restoration and conservation
For Victorian, Eastlake, Arts and Crafts and early twentieth century furniture. Kim documents the old work as it comes off, keeps original materials where they can be saved, and rebuilds with the same methods the maker used. Archival photographs can guide the work when a piece has lost its original form.
See it in the 1890s Turkish rocker and the Napoleon III settee.
Traditional upholstery
Jute webbing, coil springs tied by hand in eight directions, burlap, stitched edge rolls, horsehair, cotton and muslin. This is how furniture was upholstered before foam, and it is still the most durable way to do it.
Old horsehair can usually be cleaned and reused.
Leather upholstery and tufting
Hand-sewn leather seats, rolled arms pleated by hand, and deep diamond button tufting over horsehair. Leather work is often paired with brass nailhead trim set one nail at a time.
See it in the 1890s Turkish couch and the 1932 office chairs.
Modern furniture and cushions
Sofas, recliners, club chairs, dining chairs and mid-century pieces, reupholstered with new foam, padding and fabric. Flattened or torn cushions can be rebuilt or remade to fit.
See it in the mod 1960s high-back chair and the 1930s club rocker.
Car, truck and motorcycle seats
Torn, split and sagging seats for cars, trucks and motorcycles, repaired or fully recovered in vinyl, leather or fabric, with the foam rebuilt underneath.
Watch Kim's truck seat and motorcycle seat repairs on the Videos page.
Booths, commercial and public seating
Restaurant booths, office and business seating, and historic pieces for public buildings. Kim has upholstered a 1930s-style diner booth and chairs for the Governor's Hearing Room at the Nebraska State Capitol, and restored a barber's chair now displayed at the Schuyler Historical Society Museum.
Woodworking and refinishing
Kim worked in carpentry and finish work before he took up upholstery, and woodworking is still part of nearly every job. He repairs loose joints and broken rails, refinishes show wood and restores hardware.
A sound frame is the first step of every restoration.
Shipping your piece
Smaller projects can be shipped to the shop by UPS or FedEx. Pieces have come to Falls City from as far away as Arizona. Ask about packing when you request a quote.
Watch Kim at work
Kim films his projects and shares them free on YouTube, from tying springs and stitching edges to refinishing and repairs.
Watch the videosHow a project works
Send photos
Use the quote form to send a few photos and tell Kim what you know about the piece.
Get an estimate
Kim reviews the photos and replies, usually within 24 hours, with questions and a starting estimate.
Bring or ship it
Drop the piece off by appointment in Falls City, or ship smaller pieces by UPS or FedEx.
The work
The work is done by hand in the shop. You'll hear from Kim when it is ready to come home.
Questions and answers
Do you work on modern furniture, or only antiques?
Both. Alongside antique restoration, Kim reupholsters everyday sofas, recliners, dining chairs and cushions, using foam and modern materials where they suit the piece.
Do you reupholster car, truck and motorcycle seats?
Yes. Kim repairs and recovers car, truck and motorcycle seats in vinyl, leather or fabric. Send photos of the seat and any damage with your quote request.
Do you do commercial upholstery like restaurant booths?
Yes. Kim reupholsters booths and business seating, and has done institutional work including chairs for the Nebraska State Capitol.
How much does it cost to reupholster an antique chair?
Every piece is different, so Kim prices each job after seeing it. The cost depends on the size of the piece, how much of the old work has to come out, the condition of the frame, and the materials and fabric you choose. Send photos through the quote form for a starting estimate.
What is traditional upholstery?
Traditional upholstery is the way furniture was built before foam: jute webbing, coil springs tied by hand, burlap, stitched edges, and natural stuffings like horsehair and cotton. It takes longer than modern methods, but it lasts for generations and keeps an antique true to how it was made.
Can you reuse the original horsehair?
Usually, yes. Good horsehair can be cleaned, re-curled and laid back into the piece, often with some new hair added to restore the loft. It is one of the reasons traditional upholstery is so durable.
Can I ship my furniture to you?
Yes. Smaller projects can be shipped by UPS or FedEx, and pieces have been shipped to the shop from as far away as Arizona. Ask about packing and shipping when you request a quote.
Do I need an appointment to visit the shop?
Yes. The shop in Falls City, Nebraska is open by appointment only. Call 402-245-3542 to set a time.
Do you provide fabric and leather?
Ask Kim about fabric, leather and trim suited to the period of your piece, or let him know if you plan to supply your own. Mention it in your request.
Do you repair frames and refinish wood?
Yes. Loose joints, broken rails and worn finishes are repaired as part of a restoration, and the show wood can be refinished when it needs it.
Have a piece that needs this kind of care?
Send a few photos and a short description. Kim will look them over and reply with next steps.