Comfort Zone Upholstery: Preserving History and Carrying Furniture into the Future
Upholstery may initially sound like an almost forgotten profession. However, in the small workshop of Comfort Zone Upholstery in Itzig, a centuries-old tradition is not only being continued but reinterpreted with sensitivity and a modern understanding of style.
Experienced upholsterer Friederike ODonnell has run her business here since 2022, combining 30 years of craftsmanship with a deep understanding of materials, shapes and the history of each piece of furniture. ‘I love how varied the requirements are. Every piece needs its own approach, and it’s this diversity that makes the craft so exciting for me,’ says ODonnell. Whether it’s a baroque chair, a mid-century armchair or a contemporary design, each piece calls for a distinct technical and creative solution.
Handcrafted with character: individuality over mass production
She creates only unique pieces in her workshop. No two chairs are alike, and no upholstery job is routine. Industrially manufactured furniture naturally focuses on efficiency, while ODonnell’s work follows an entirely different philosophy: material authenticity, originality and high-quality craftsmanship. ‘I never make a hundred chairs at once,’ she says. ‘The requirements of industrial production do not correspond to my approach.’ For her, the priority is to restore a piece of furniture to its original form, quality and dignity. She particularly enjoys working on pieces handed down through generations. ‘These items always have a story to tell. And it’s wonderful to give them a new lease of life.’
Natural materials and sustainability in practice
One focus of her work lies in traditional, natural materials such as horsehair, palm fibres and coconut mats. At the same time, she uses high-quality modern materials where appropriate. She is not dogmatic but material conscious. For her, sustainability is not something exceptional, but a logical consequence of the profession: furniture is preserved rather than replaced. ‘Depending on the materials used, a piece of furniture can often be made very sustainably. The determining factor is always the piece itself and what it needs,’ she explains.
A look inside the workshop: from Baroque to Mid-century
Typical jobs include refurbishing a 170-year-old chair and reupholstering an armchair in mid-century style. Custom-made items are also part of her daily work, such as individually crafted seat cushions or custom-fit upholstery elements that are not available off the shelf. One of her recent favourites was a badly damaged chaise longue with worn green velvet and an entirely unstable seating surface. Today, it is an elegant, striped piece of furniture that has become a striking focal point in an old apartment. ‘Transformations like this are of course particularly enjoyable,’ says ODonnell.
Guidance, a sense of space and the right choice of fabric
As a trained interior designer, she has an eye for the bigger picture. Fabric texture, colour scheme, spatial effect and the intended use of the piece always play a role in her work. Customers may arrive with clear ideas or seek advice on site if they are unsure. ‘A dining-room chair needs a different fabric from a rarely used armchair. And it’s always a question of texture and the effect it has in the room,’ she explains.
‘Made in Luxembourg’: Local craftsmanship with high standards
For ODonnell, it is important that her work is entirely made in Luxembourg. She considers the ‘Made in Luxembourg’ label a valuable symbol of local craftsmanship and quality. ‘I find the logo aesthetically pleasing and friendly. For me, it stands for authenticity, high-quality work and the people behind it.’ She also appreciates the role of the Chambre des Métiers in providing professional development and networking opportunities. ‘They do a very good job in this area.’
A place that preserves craftsmanship and demonstrates appreciation
Ultimately, the aim is for both the furniture and its owners to gain something visible and tangible from the process. ODonnell wants people to leave feeling confident and satisfied. ‘I want customers to feel that they have received excellent advice and to notice that the result does justice to the piece of furniture.’ Comfort Zone Upholstery combines traditional craftsmanship with a deep understanding of historical techniques and confident use of modern materials and solutions. It is a place where old furniture is given a new future, where quality, authenticity and personal guidance take centre stage.
