Arthur's Custom Upholstery in Oklahoma City: Single-Dealer Shop for Vintage Furniture Restoration

Arthur's Custom Upholstery is a one-person operation specializing in reupholstering mid-century and vintage furniture, located on the south side of Oklahoma City. Unlike the multi-dealer antique malls clustered along Broadway, this is a working restoration studio where the owner completes every job himself, meaning turnaround is measured in weeks rather than days and the work reflects one person's standard.

What Arthur's Custom Upholstery Actually Is

Arthur's operates as a one-man upholstery shop focused on restoration rather than sales. You bring a piece, the owner (Arthur) assesses the frame, fabric, and filling, and completes the reupholstering in his studio. There is no showroom; this is a service business, not a retail space. Most clients arrive with vintage chairs, sofas, or benches that have solid bones but worn or damaged fabric. The shop does not buy or sell antiques.

Services and Pricing

Reupholstery pricing depends on piece size, frame condition, and fabric choice. A simple straight-back dining chair typically runs $250 to $450. A mid-sized wingback chair or small sofa averages $600 to $1,200. Large sectionals or heavily damaged frames requiring structural repair can exceed $1,500. These figures assume standard fabric; designer or specialty textiles add material cost on top. Arthur requires a deposit (typically 50 percent) to begin work. Turnaround is usually four to eight weeks depending on the job queue. Confirm current pricing and availability by calling; rates adjust with material costs and demand.

The shop handles both complete reupholstering and partial repairs such as patching, cushion replacement, or backing repair, which cost less and can often be done in two to three weeks.

How Arthur's Compares to Other Oklahoma City Antique Options

Oklahoma City's antique market splits into two types: multi-dealer malls (Broadway Antique Mall, Architectural Salvage) where you buy finished pieces, and specialized service providers like Arthur's where you bring your own furniture for restoration. If you own a piece needing work, a restoration shop is your only practical option; antique dealers do not typically offer in-house upholstery. If you want to buy an already-restored vintage sofa, you will find selection at Broadway or Crescent, but prices are higher and you have no say in the reupholstery choice.

Among upholstery shops in the metro, Arthur's distinguishes itself by focus on vintage and mid-century pieces rather than general upholstery. General upholstery shops (which handle car seats, boat interiors, and modern contract work) often deprioritize the detail work vintage frames demand. Arthur's reputation is built on understanding the structure and proportion of older furniture.

Who Arthur's Suits and Who It Does Not

This shop is ideal for someone with a specific inherited or thrifted piece they want restored to usable condition. You should choose Arthur's if you value consistency and personal attention over speed, and if you trust one person's aesthetic judgment on color and pattern choices. The shop suits patient buyers willing to wait weeks and pay moderate to moderate-high prices for solid work.

Arthur's is not appropriate if you need fast turnaround (under two weeks), want to buy multiple finished pieces at once, or prefer to see samples or options before committing. It is also not the right fit if your piece has serious frame damage; Arthur can assess whether repair is worthwhile, but he is an upholsterer, not a woodworker, and complex structural work may require a separate carpenter.

What the First Visit Involves

Call ahead to schedule a time to bring your piece. Arthur will inspect the frame for stability, assess the existing upholstery and filling, and take notes on dimensions and style. He will discuss fabric options (you can bring your own or he can recommend sources), confirm the scope of work, and provide a written estimate. A deposit reserves your spot in the queue. You will drop off the piece and return when it is ready, typically four to eight weeks later.

Hours, Parking, and Logistics

Arthur's Custom Upholstery operates by appointment only; there are no walk-in hours. Call to schedule a consultation. Street parking is available near the shop. The location is accessible by car from most of Oklahoma City; public transit access is limited. Confirm current hours and phone number before visiting, as a one-person operation sometimes shifts availability seasonally.

Arthur's Custom Upholstery fills a gap between big-box furniture stores and antique malls: it is the place to restore a piece you already own rather than buy something already finished. For owners with vintage furniture worth saving, it offers focused expertise most general upholsterers do not provide.