Uphol-Stories: Amy Bullock

Amy is a true renaissance woman. Her passions run deep from animals, especially birds, to painting, carpentry and just about any sewing craft. She’s done it all and done it well. Nothing surprised me more than her tackling a kitchen remodel last year by herself, including building new she cabinets. They turned out beautifully. Seriously, follow Amy for so much inspiration!

I’ve always loved giving new life to old things. That’s how my upholstery journey began. For years, I refinished wood furniture, playing with different patinas and finishes. It was creative, rewarding work—until the day my husband put his foot down. “That’s it,” he said. “I’m not moving another piece of furniture!”

To be fair, I couldn’t blame him. That day, I was struggling to move a massive hutch with glass and brass on three sides. I realized I needed a new creative outlet—something smaller, lighter, and easier to handle on my own.

That’s when I stumbled upon Wendy Conklin’s Chair Whimsy class. I didn’t hesitate for a second—I signed up right away! Upholstery had always interested me, but I had set it aside when I got into refinishing. Now, it felt like the perfect fit. I could still work on beautiful wood finishes but also bring new life to chairs by reupholstering their seats and backs. Best of all, chairs were light enough that I could manage them without help!

In addition to upholstery, I have a background in carpentry and sewing, skills I’ve used over the years to decorate my home. I believe in lifelong learning—so at 67, I’m now diving into quilting! My goal is to incorporate quilted designs into my upholstery, creating unique dining chair seats and backs.

Animals have always been a big part of my life. Over the years, I’ve had horses, donkeys, geese, turkeys, ducks, chickens, and parrots. I guess you could say I have a special love for birds—and if you look at my work, you’ll see that influence woven throughout.