By Helen Martin
Curtis’ eye-catching headboards are a great hit with kids
A new Helensville business, Upholstery Services, opened at the south end of Commercial Rd on May 1st.
Business owner/operator Curtis Davies has many years’ experience in upholstery manufacture, repairs and sales, having begun work as an upholsterer in Whangarei at the age of 17. His track record includes working for large manufacturing companies in Australia, then returning to Whangarei to open his own shop, Superior Upholstery, in an old converted church on the main road. There, Curtis and his employees did everything from manufacturing lounge suites to upholstering antique furniture, yachts, launches and car seats, including hot rods.
Taking a break from upholstery, Curtis worked as a restaurant and bar manager and for a time was in the marine chandlery business in Whangarei. He also managed properties for an overseas client in the Bay of Islands, a job he has just given up. The decision to move to Helensville was prompted by the fact Curtis’s partner Megan owned a house here and the couple felt it would be a good place for their daughter Molly to receive her education.
For three years, with Megan commuting to her job as a property analyst in the city, Curtis was a househusband, looking after Molly and at the same time manufacturing headboards for children’s beds to sell through outlets in town. With Molly now at Helensville Primary, it was time to get back to business.
The new shop is very bright and appealing. Curtis’s love of art and one-off pieces can be seen in the locally made art works around the walls. Jo Oram’s vivid paintings on silk and glass and Wendy Fraser’s beautiful wood carvings give the place the look of a gallery and provide the perfect complement to Curtis’s colourful headboards and the swatches of cloth on display.
Curtis will upholster your car seats, caravan squabs, lounge and dining room suites, outdoor squabs and canvas chairs at competitive prices. He also does repairs and custom built furniture to order. Business is brisk so you need to book.