Oct 19, 2025
Mandy Szigethy discovered upholstery while completing her
Theater Technology degree at Indiana University and decided to
forsake the stage in favor of the workshop. She has had the
unique opportunity to work in both furniture manufacturing at
Beachley Furniture and now custom upholstery as the owner of
Rose City Upholstery in Portland. She has
received training in both modern materials and traditional methods
through Upholstery Education and is now able to apply time tested
techniques to all of her projects. Her love of learning lead
to her to co-ownership of Upholstery Education in 2025 where she
hopes to foster the same enthusiasm in others. Her
passion for revitalizing and repurposing home furnishings has led
to an in depth--if unintentional--study of older and newer
furniture, and the potential of any antique store or curbside
find.
Marta Powers is the owner of
MartaPOW LLC, a custom workroom in Richmond,
Virginia, offering upholstery and soft goods services nationally To
The Trade. Her past career as a project manager for
architecture and design firms has informed her business processes
and broadened her network of professionals across the hospitality
and interior design sectors. Marta's early training in
tailoring, pattern drafting, clothing design, and fabrication
skills led to her creation of a business serving designers, helping
them to achieve their and their clients' vision.
A co-owner of Upholstery Education LLC,
Marta and her partners bring educators from the UK and France to
the U.S., offering courses in traditional upholstery methods,
materials, and related interior furnishing
trades.
Marta has served on the boards of the
National Upholstery Association and the Virginia chapter of the
American Society of Interior Designers (as an Industry
Partner). She is also a member of IFDA Richmond, the
SeatWeavers Guild, and the NUA's Education Committee.
Justin Dazey is the owner of Foxglove Artisan and Castillo’s
Custom Upholstery on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle,
Washington. Justin has a BA in
Interior Design and over 30 years of experience in the antiques,
interiors, and
furniture world. In 2014, Justin took up sweeping floors in the
shop of a
third-generation Upholstery family. He brought his design skills
and furniture
history knowledge to the role of Studio Manager, eventually
becoming their lead
upholsterer. In 2024, Justin took up the mantle as his mentor
retired, becoming
the owner, designer, and upholsterer of the Seattle Studio. Most
recently,
Justin partnered with Marta Powers and Mandy Szigethy to acquire
Upholstery
Education, offering the very best in traditional upholstery
training available
in the United States.
Justin is a collector at heart. He collects history, chairs,
and curiosities. He firmly believes every piece has a story to tell
and loves
bringing old items back to life through patient and accurate
restoration.
Sharing his insights and seeking education to honor the traditions
of craft and
furniture is one of his true passions.
Links and Resources;
Upholstery Edcuation