I became a professional upholsterer after moving to France

My husband Tich, 62, and I first thought about moving to France when an advert for the perfect house popped up during a property search. 

We had actually been looking for a property in Gloucestershire, UK – the sort of house where we could create a lovely home, as well as space to work. 

Tich designs and builds electrical systems and wiring harnesses for classic vehicles. At the time, I was working in-house as a graphic designer, but I had freelanced in the past and wanted an office to work from in future. 

We needed a property that offered us room to do all this, but the search had proven fruitless.

When the advert popped up we laughed – it was not exactly the right location! However, clicking on the link out of curiosity opened our eyes to the type of property available in France. The old stone houses had so much potential that we began to consider emigrating.

Alongside my work as a graphic designer, I had also done upholstery for years. I had a natural aptitude for the work, and enjoyed updating and renewing furniture for friends and family. 

As it was a hobby, I would generally do the work in exchange for a couple of bottles of wine. When we moved, I assumed this balance would continue and intended to freelance in graphic design with the odd upholstery project on the side.

After some deliberation, we decided to try finding a house in France. We took four trips in 2019, looking at different properties in several areas. 

Finding work in France

By the time we found our current home – a stone house in Gers – we had spent a fortune on airfares and accommodation, but it was important to find the right place. 

With the Brexit deadline looming, we finally made the move in July 2020.

Although we had researched and planned before finalising our move, we could not account for the Covid-19 pandemic. It changed my work landscape irrevocably. 

The majority of my clients ran small businesses and many closed down or had to cut back due to the repeated lockdowns. Bigger firms tended to have in-house graphic designers, and the smaller companies who did survive no longer had the budget. 

While I had only been a ‘hobbyist’ upholsterer before, I had taken my work seriously and had plenty of experience. I began to wonder whether I might be able to take on upholstering work to supplement my income. 

After making some enquiries with local friends and acquaintances, I was assured there would be plenty of business. So I asked my handholder to add a second activity to my SIRET number and I have not looked back.

When upholstering, all pieces are different and require an individual approach. The key is to be careful and methodical, taking your time to plan and execute it to a high standard. 

There are challenges, but as long as I take the time to think it through before I start, I am able to tackle more or less anything that comes my way.

I still take on graphic design work from time to time, but upholstery has become my main source of income.

I am delighted we made the move. In the UK I was doing a 30-mile commute to an office, which took around 45 minutes to an hour. Now my commute is 10 metres! 

I have added other strings to my bow too – I proofread (English language) and do some work as a seamstress.

Importantly, I am in charge of my own time. If the weather is good and I have jobs to do on the exterior of the house, I will swap my days and work the weekend instead. 

While the primary reason for our move was to find the right house, we feel very settled here and really enjoy the pace of life and the beautiful surroundings. Our only regret is that we did not do it sooner.