logo

Ideal House APP

Your Go-To Interior Design Hub
HomeHome
BoardBoard
ExploreExplore
Logo

Mara Nelson’s Cover Girls: Upholstery made to last

Mara Nelson, a West Marin resident, has dedicated nearly five decades to working with fabric, transforming her childhood hobby into a successful career in upholstery. After graduating in early childhood education from Illinois, a move to Inverness in 1971 led her to discover her entrepreneurial spirit. Her initial venture involved designing and producing high-end stuffed animals, which gained international popularity. This business provided a creative outlet and a stark contrast to her emotionally demanding previous work with severely autistic children. In 1979, after marrying contractor Axel Nelson, she closed the stuffed animal business to focus on raising her two children. A new opportunity arose when her youngest child turned three: a studio space became available, prompting a collaboration with local artist Jayne Zimmerman. Inspired by her grandmother's aging furniture, Ms. Nelson, despite lacking upholstery experience, decided to salvage it. In 1987, they established Cover Girls Upholstery in Point Reyes Station, hiring an experienced upholsterer for nearly two years of training before officially opening. The business quickly gained recognition for its commitment to quality, offering services that included hand-tied springs and jute cord, distinguishing their work from mass-produced furniture. Initially, Cover Girls served clients from both West Marin and San Francisco, with Ms. Nelson making weekly trips to the city for pickups and deliveries. Today, 90 percent of her clientele are from West Marin. The business primarily offers two services: creating new slipcovers and reupholstering furniture. Ms. Nelson emphasizes durability, aiming for a standard twice as high as the industry average, which she believes is insufficient. She sources fabrics from long-standing partners and highlights the significant advancements in fabric technology, particularly in outdoor materials that no longer fade due to innovative coloring processes. Ms. Nelson employs a personal “scratch test” to assess material wear and tear, ensuring longevity. When assisting clients in fabric selection, she considers various factors such as the furniture's usage, the room's characteristics (flooring, windows, light), and the presence of children or pets, in addition to the client's aesthetic preferences. Her priority is customer satisfaction and the lasting quality of her work, a reputation that ensures a steady flow of business. She currently manages the business as its sole employee, working with two contractors for seamstress and upholstery tasks. In recent years, Ms. Nelson has ceased paying herself to keep her services affordable, as she no longer depends on the income for basic needs. She is also gradually downsizing the business to make time for other creative pursuits, including reviving old weaving and sewing projects like carpeted handbags, cowboy shirts, and even her original stuffed animals. Despite these plans, she intends to keep her studio open, as it provides the stimulating environment she needs to remain active and engaged. Cover Girls Upholstery operates by appointment and can be reached via email or phone. #Upholstery #FabricCraft #SmallBusiness #WestMarin #FurnitureRestoration #DurableDesign #TextileInnovation #Entrepreneurship #HomeDecor #Upholstery #FabricCraft #SmallBusiness #WestMarin #FurnitureRestoration #DurableDesign #TextileInnovation #Entrepreneurship #HomeDecor
No comments yet
This Family-Friendly Furniture Collection Effortlessly Combines Form and Function
This Family-Friendly Furniture Collection Effortlessly Combines Form and Function
How South Africa inspired designer Suzanne Miller Farrell's living room and her new fabric collection
How South Africa inspired designer Suzanne Miller Farrell's living room and her new fabric collection
St. Frank’s Founder Loves This Kind of Fabric for Nurseries, Including Her Own
St. Frank’s Founder Loves This Kind of Fabric for Nurseries, Including Her Own
The Best British Textile Designers
The Best British Textile Designers
Is There Really a Difference Between a Coverlet and a Bedspread?
Is There Really a Difference Between a Coverlet and a Bedspread?
Prints Charming: Our Favorite Indie Home Textile and Wallpaper Designers
Prints Charming: Our Favorite Indie Home Textile and Wallpaper Designers
A Nina Campbell-designed bedroom where comfort and beauty go hand-in-hand
A Nina Campbell-designed bedroom where comfort and beauty go hand-in-hand
Livingetc Style Awards 2025 — Decorating
Livingetc Style Awards 2025 — Decorating
8 Steps to Make Your Living Room Look Like a Nancy Meyers Movie
8 Steps to Make Your Living Room Look Like a Nancy Meyers Movie
This Bedroom In Our 2025 Idea House Is A Lesson In Pattern Play
This Bedroom In Our 2025 Idea House Is A Lesson In Pattern Play
19 Girls’ Bedroom Ideas for a Chic and Playful Sanctuary
19 Girls’ Bedroom Ideas for a Chic and Playful Sanctuary
10 Nurseries You Have to See to Believe From RH Baby & Child
10 Nurseries You Have to See to Believe From RH Baby & Child
Brittany Ellis
Brittany Ellis
Home & Design | Pro to Know: Nicole Crowder
Home & Design | Pro to Know: Nicole Crowder
DLT Interiors Designs a Luxe Living Space in Scarsdale
DLT Interiors Designs a Luxe Living Space in Scarsdale
Moiré is coming back in a way – here's how interior designers are using the pattern
Moiré is coming back in a way – here's how interior designers are using the pattern
The Best British Textile Designers - Interiors 2023
The Best British Textile Designers - Interiors 2023
Meghan Markle Just Gave Us a Peek Inside Her Home—Here's How to Get Her Nursery Look
Meghan Markle Just Gave Us a Peek Inside Her Home—Here's How to Get Her Nursery Look
Why we need soft textures right now
Why we need soft textures right now
Dreamy Beverly Hills Nursery Design by Little Crown Interiors
Dreamy Beverly Hills Nursery Design by Little Crown Interiors