Meet the Founder
(The one on the left)
James, a Product Design graduate from the Glasgow School of Art, has applied his design craft throughout his career in both a self employed basis and in the corporate world. Over the past 15 years he worked in the UK domestic energy sector developing digital products and services and building teams of great product, research and user experience people.
Following a set of leisure classes some years ago and with a craving to move back into a more hands-on, creative role whilst having the drive to do something about our unhealthy, global fast-furniture culture; he decided to complete his upholstery diploma accredited by the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishings (AMUSF) with Elsie and her incredible team at Cornhill Courses in Cupar, Fife.
In 2024 he founded Suí Upholstery with the aim of building a business with strong sustainability principles at its core across all points of the value chain and maintaining traditional skills and crafts to the highest professional standard. He has been working on client projects in parallel to support his diploma which he graduated from with a triple distinction in June 2026.
James has learned, and continues to learn, not only practical upholstery skills, but also the critical thinking to approach antique, mid-century and modern furniture restoration. With his extensive business and design experience combined with his new burgeoning skills, he has already successfully begun building up a strong portfolio and group of satisfied clients who not only now have a unique and personal piece in their home that can be passed down to the next generation, but are also helping us all move to a circular economy.
Who We Are
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Reviving furniture to help preserve memories and the planet
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We create business value in a way that’s good for society and good for the planet
The people and story behind the furniture are as important as the furniture itself
We hone our craft by being inquisitive, bold, creative and collaborative
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We are at the early stage of our journey at Suí Upholstery, but the foundational values, passion and principles have been moulded over decades of observing consumer behaviour, meeting their needs and trying to do what’s right. We are very excited about the future as we meet our next clients and continue to develop new relationships within the industry. It’s all about the journey.
“helping to move us to a circular economy, where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated, is critical if we want to tackle some of the key global challenges we face today. It is a difficult path to take, but If we can do our small bit at Suí upholstery to try and give people compelling alternatives to fast-furniture and change their buying behaviour, then it’s the right place to grow from”
James Maclean, Founder, Suí Upholstery