Ascot Upholstery: Over 40 Years of Bespoke Furniture Craftsmanship in South Africa

Good furniture is something you live with for years. It needs to be comfortable, beautifully made and able to stand up to everyday life, whether it’s a favourite armchair at home or a sofa in a busy commercial space. For Ascot Upholstery, these qualities have shaped the business for more than four decades.

The personal touch

Established in 1983, the South African furniture company has built its reputation on skilled craftsmanship, attention to detail and a personal approach to furniture making. Since taking over in 2004, Michelle Teebs has guided Ascot’s evolution from a business focused primarily on re-upholstery into a specialist manufacturer of bespoke furniture for residential and commercial interiors.

Today, everything from sofa proportions to fabric choices and finishing details is considered with the client and the space in mind. It’s a hands-on approach that combines traditional upholstery skills with contemporary furniture design, creating pieces that look beautiful and are made to last.

Now, with the introduction of the Made By Ascot showroom and online shop, the company is making its furniture even more accessible, allowing clients to see, touch, and try the pieces before choosing.

Meet the team

We caught up with Michelle to talk about Ascot’s journey, what goes into creating a bespoke piece of furniture, why getting the details right matters, and what comes next for the business.

1. Ascot has a history stretching back to 1983. How has the company evolved over the years, and which values have remained at the heart of the business?

“When I acquired the business in 2004, its focus was predominantly on re-upholstery. Over the past 22 years, we have increasingly moved towards manufacturing custom furniture for homes and commercial spaces, while continuing to offer re-upholstery. Throughout this evolution, our values have remained consistent: quality artistry, attention to detail, honest service and dependable delivery. I remain personally involved in every project, ensuring that each piece reflects the care and craftsmanship at the heart of Ascot.”

2. There’s a strong emphasis on craftsmanship and attention to detail at Ascot. Can you take us behind the scenes and describe what goes into creating one of your pieces from concept to completion?

“It begins with understanding what the client needs: how the piece will be used, where it will sit and what they want it to look and feel like. From there, we work through the dimensions, frame drawings, foam specification, upholstery details, and leg selection.

Our talented craftsmen and women bring those decisions together. Much of the work lies in details you might not notice at first, but that influence comfort, proportions, and finish. I stay closely involved throughout, ensuring the finished piece reflects the original brief. It is a hands-on process, and every stage deserves care and attention to detail.”

3. How do you balance timeless furniture design with changing interior trends, particularly when selecting shapes, finishes and local or international fabrics?

“For me, the starting point is always good proportions, comfort and a shape that will have lasting appeal. Trends can bring freshness and personality, especially through fabric, colour, texture, and finishes. Whether a fabric is local or international, it needs to suit the piece and its intended use. A beautiful fabric should also suit the demands of the space. The aim is to create furniture that feels current while still being something the client will enjoy for years.”

4. Customisation is an important part of what Ascot offers. How do you work with homeowners, interior designers and architects to turn an initial idea into a piece that feels distinctive to a particular space?

“We start by listening. A homeowner might come to us with an idea or reference image, while a designer or architect may have a detailed brief. Our role is to translate that vision into furniture that works beautifully in the space.

We consider scale, comfort, fabric, finishes and the smaller upholstery details together. Customisation lets us adjust those elements to suit the project, rather than expecting the space to accommodate a standard piece. Clear communication helps us preserve the client’s vision while bringing our manufacturing experience to the practical decisions.”

5. Looking ahead, what is the next chapter for Ascot Upholstery – are there new designs, materials, collaborations or directions you’re particularly excited to explore?

“An exciting part of the next chapter is bringing our furniture closer to our clients through the ‘Made By Ascot’ showroom and our online shop. The showroom gives people the opportunity to sit on our furniture, feel the fabrics and appreciate the artistry in person, with our manufacturing factory just a short walk away.”