
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.
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