In with the old
Growing up on a small farm might seem like a strange place to pick up the trade of antique upholstery and restoration. But one small-town girl’s hobby has launched a career that spans more than three decades, focusing on refinishing “grandma’s old chair” to the beautiful piece of furniture it once was.
Sharon Hoover, owner of Lansing Upholstering Service and Interior Accents, 734 E. Grand River Ave., in Lansing, restored furniture with her sisters as a child.
“We had tenants that would come in, and so us girls would have to go in and work in these tenant homes and rebuild walls and tear up floors,” Hoover said.
What started out as a sibling-oriented project has not strayed away from the family ties. Hoover runs the upholstering service alongside her son, Gary Poe. The two work the showroom of their shop and do hands-on work.
“I can always count on him, he can always count on me, and there are no worries when you have a hard-working son,” Hoover said.
Gary Poe, left, works on a chair with his mother, Sharon Hoover on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, at Lansing Upholstering Service and Interior Accents, 734 E. Grand River Ave. The two work together in their shop to refinish high-quality and antique furniture for customers.
Sharon Hoover, owner of Lansing Upholstering Service and Interior Accents, 734 E. Grand River Ave., cuts a piece of fabric off of a wooden foot stool Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. Hoover has been working with upholstery since 1972.
Sharon Hoover, owner of Lansing Upholstering Service and Interior Accents, 734 E. Grand River Ave., staples a portion of fabric to the back of a chair's pillow Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013. Hoover has been working with upholstery since 1972.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The State News.