About
J A Milton was established in 1989 as a furniture restorer. We have since become specialists in re-upholstery and upholstery supplies.
Where It All Began
In 1988, Joan Milton was teaching upholstery at two colleges in Shropshire. She loved the craft — but she kept running into the same problem her students did. Quality materials were hard to get hold of unless you were a trade buyer. Hobbyists and small workshops were shut out by minimum orders, trade-only accounts, and suppliers who simply weren't interested in the individual restorer.
Joan saw the gap and decided to fill it herself.
In 1989 she founded J A Milton Upholstery Supplies, starting from a simple idea: that anyone who wanted to restore, repair or reupholster a piece of furniture — whether they were tackling their first dining chair or running a busy professional workshop — should be able to get hold of the right materials without jumping through hoops.
Joan brought more than enthusiasm. She brought 25 years of hands-on professional experience as an upholsterer, alongside a teaching career that gave her a rare understanding of what people actually need when they're learning the craft. She became a director and past president of the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers, the industry's professional body, and was elected a Fellow — one of its highest recognitions. She was also awarded Freeman status by two of London's oldest trade guilds: the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers and the Worshipful Company of Upholders, an honour with roots stretching back to the seventeenth century.
J A Milton grew steadily into one of the UK's most trusted names in upholstery supplies, built on the same values Joan started with: quality materials, honest advice, and genuine service to the people who do the work.
That hasn't changed.
J A Milton was founded by Joan Milton, who passed away in 2017. Her passion for the craft and her commitment to making upholstery accessible to everyone lives on in everything we do.
Our Story
Joan Milton became involved in teaching upholstery at two Shropshire colleges in 1988. It was then that she discovered how difficult it was for the DIYer,or small business person, to obtain tools or materials, hence the launch of the J.A. Milton Upholstery Supplies Catalogue and online shop. The Catalogue has been written for the complete novice, explaining the use of the various tools and materials.
Our Experience
Joan had been a professional upholsterer and teacher for 25 years. She was very active in the industry, both as a director and as the past president of the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishings, of which she was a fellow. Joan was a freeman of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers and The Worshipful Company of Upholders, in London. We are also extremely proud to hold The Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers Crest and we do everything we can to maintain the high standard of work that it symbolises.
Our Team
J A Milton was established in 1989 as a furniture restorers. We have since become specialists in re-upholstery and upholstery supplies.
David E
Chris
Lee-Ann
