The Caning Shoppe

Upholstery Shop in Somerville, Massachusetts

4.3(9 reviews)
(617) 776-010099 Albion St, Unit 2, Somerville, MA 02144View on Yelp
The Caning Shoppe - upholstery in Somerville, MA

Customer Reviews

4.3
out of 5
9 reviews

Based on Yelp ratings

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About The Caning Shoppe

The Caning Shoppe is a Somerville, Massachusetts fixture serving the Greater Boston area with furniture reupholstery and repair. Rated 4.3 stars, this shop brings a specialty that's increasingly rare: traditional caning and furniture restoration alongside full reupholstery work. Somerville's dense mix of triple-deckers and apartment buildings means residents regularly inherit older furniture worth saving rather than replacing. For anyone in the Cambridge or Union Square corridor looking to restore a beloved piece, this shop covers both structure and fabric.

Services

Furniture Reupholstery
Furniture Repair

Services & Process

The Caning Shoppe handles furniture reupholstery from start to finish, stripping old fabric, repairing or replacing foam and padding, and applying new material to your specifications. Their furniture repair work addresses structural issues like broken joints, wobbly legs, and damaged frames before any fabric work begins. Caning services restore the traditional woven seat panels found on antique chairs, a craft that requires specialized tools and patience most general shops don't offer. They work with a range of materials including cotton, linen, vinyl, and more durable commercial-grade fabrics.

Service Area

The Caning Shoppe serves Somerville and the surrounding Greater Boston communities, including Cambridge, Medford, and Arlington. Customers from the North End, Charlestown, and even further out in Middlesex County make the trip for specialty caning work that's hard to find elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does furniture caning repair actually involve?
Caning is the process of weaving natural rattan or synthetic material through holes or a frame to create a traditional woven seat or back panel. When the original cane breaks or sags, a skilled craftsperson removes the old material and re-weaves or replaces it entirely. It's painstaking work that can transform a chair from unusable to beautiful again.
How do I know if my old furniture is worth reupholstering?
Generally, if the frame is solid hardwood and the piece has sentimental or antique value, reupholstery is worth the investment. A shop like this one will assess the structure first and give you an honest recommendation. Replacing a quality sofa or chair with new furniture often costs more than a proper restoration.
Can you reupholster a chair with a broken leg at the same time?
Yes, and it's actually the right order of operations. Structural repairs like fixing broken joints or legs should always happen before new fabric goes on, so the piece doesn't shift and stress the new upholstery. Doing both at once also saves you time and typically reduces the overall cost.
Do I need an appointment to bring in a piece for an estimate?
Calling ahead is always a good idea, especially for larger pieces that need space to assess. Many shops in the Somerville area can give a rough estimate from clear photos if you can't transport the item right away. An in-person look will always give you the most accurate quote.
How long does a typical reupholstery job take in the Boston area?
A single chair might take one to two weeks, while a sofa or complex antique piece could take three to four weeks or longer depending on the shop's current workload. Custom fabric orders can add time if material needs to be sourced. Always confirm a timeline before dropping off your piece.
What kinds of fabric can I choose for a reupholstery project?
Most upholstery shops carry or can source a wide range of materials including cotton, linen, velvet, leather, faux leather, and heavy-duty synthetic blends. The right choice depends on how the piece is used, whether pets or kids are in the home, and the look you're going for. A shop can advise you on durability ratings alongside aesthetic options.

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