Who We Are

Picture of Ralph Martin sorting out fabrics RALPH MARTIN
originally worked in the electrical wholesale trade but after doing an evening upholstery class decided he liked it so much that he decided to change his career. To this end he went back to college and studied full time at the London College of Furniture (now Metropolitan University) where he obtained his City & Guilds Level 3 Furniture: Traditional and Modern Upholstery qualification. He enjoys restoring pieces of furniture back to their original glory, using a mix of modern and traditional methods as appropriate – for example staples, although a modern invention, are better for old pieces of furniture because they do less damage to the wood. Whilst studying he benefited from working with another upholsterer to practise what he learnt at college. In turn, he now also enjoys teaching and has trained two young French upholsterers over the last two years – see below.

Picture of Ludivine Grateau working on a chair LUDIVINE GRASTEAU
comes from Bordeaux and trained at Centre de Formation d’Apprentis at Joue-les-Tours, France where she did the BTM (Brevet Technique des Metiers). She also trained in Bordeaux where she achieved her CAP (Certificat d'Aptitude Professionnelle) in soft furnishing and upholstery.
She originally joined Ralph under an EU initiative, the Leonardo Project (http://www.leonardo.org.uk/). This is a European Community vocational training programme. It encourages collaboration between organisations involved in vocational training, aiming to improve the quality of training provision, develop the skills and mobility of the workforce, stimulate innovation and enhance the competitiveness of European industry. Ludivine is an excellent all rounder, equally at home with modern or antique furniture. As a result of her training, Ludivine is now a full time employee of Ralph Martin and has settled in the UK.

Angelique Lahaye with her first project, a children chair. ANGELIQUE LAHAYE
comes from the Les Landes area in South West France and obtained her Brevet Technique de Metier (BTM) at the Centre de Formation d’Apprentis in Joue-les-Tours, France. Like Ludivine, she also did a CAP (Certificat d'Aptitude Professionnelle) in soft furnishings and upholstery in Pau. She is currently in the UK under the auspices of the Leonardo Project. She enjoys traditional upholstery work and exercises great precision in her work – matching complicated patterns in fabric is a hobby of hers! Here you see her with her first finished project done in Ralph's atelier, a children's chair.

Ralph finds that the advantage in working with people from a different culture and background is that both parties can learn from one another and that although he teaches Ludivine and Angelique English upholstery methods, he also learns a lot about French upholstery techniques.

	Traditional and Modern Upholstery by Ralph Martin
Who We Are What We Do Sample Projects Partners Contact Us Home Page	Who We Are RALPH MARTIN originally worked in the electrical wholesale trade but after doing an evening upholstery class decided he liked it so much that he decided to change his career. To this end he went back to college and studied full time at the London College of Furniture (now Metropolitan University) where he obtained his City & Guilds Level 3 Furniture: Traditional and Modern Upholstery qualification. He enjoys restoring pieces of furniture back to their original glory, using a mix of modern and traditional methods as appropriate – for example staples, although a modern invention, are better for old pieces of furniture because they do less damage to the wood. Whilst studying he benefited from working with another upholsterer to practise what he learnt at college. In turn, he now also enjoys teaching and has trained two young French upholsterers over the last two years – see below. LUDIVINE GRASTEAU comes from Bordeaux and trained at Centre de Formation d’Apprentis at Joue-les-Tours, France where she did the BTM (Brevet Technique des Metiers). She also trained in Bordeaux where she achieved her CAP (Certificat d'Aptitude Professionnelle) in soft furnishing and upholstery. She originally joined Ralph under an EU initiative, the Leonardo Project (http://www.leonardo.org.uk/). This is a European Community vocational training programme. It encourages collaboration between organisations involved in vocational training, aiming to improve the quality of training provision, develop the skills and mobility of the workforce, stimulate innovation and enhance the competitiveness of European industry. Ludivine is an excellent all rounder, equally at home with modern or antique furniture. As a result of her training, Ludivine is now a full time employee of Ralph Martin and has settled in the UK. ANGELIQUE LAHAYE comes from the Les Landes area in South West France and obtained her Brevet Technique de Metier (BTM) at the Centre de Formation d’Apprentis in Joue-les-Tours, France. Like Ludivine, she also did a CAP (Certificat d'Aptitude Professionnelle) in soft furnishings and upholstery in Pau. She is currently in the UK under the auspices of the Leonardo Project. She enjoys traditional upholstery work and exercises great precision in her work – matching complicated patterns in fabric is a hobby of hers! Here you see her with her first finished project done in Ralph's atelier, a children's chair. Ralph finds that the advantage in working with people from a different culture and background is that both parties can learn from one another and that although he teaches Ludivine and Angelique English upholstery methods, he also learns a lot about French upholstery techniques.
Top of page	Ralph Martin Traditional and Modern Upholstery - Call 07971 434 115

Traditional and Modern Upholstery by Ralph Martin

Who We Are

Traditional and Modern Upholstery
by Ralph Martin