Never a dull moment on her daily canvas

“I was privileged to grow up in a home where creative thinking was encouraged. My parents gave my siblings and me a lot of support to bring our ideas to life – of course, with rules and responsibilities. From a young age, I had the opportunity to "revamp" my room, and over time, my curiosity drove me to learn more and take on new challenges.”
Thamia Hougaard



Thamia Hougaard is this issue’s winner of the Reader’s Revamp and some of her upholstery projects can be seen here. She rarely says no to a challenge, and loves being creative. She also believes in making full use of her talents and helping others through her skills.

Thamia clearly enjoys all types of DIY projects: “The projects are so varied and different that I can’t single out one over another. Every project is a challenge and a passion for me. "During my studies (which I found quite boring!), my parents allowed me to take extra courses in leatherwork, shoe embellishing, and lingerie manufacturing. Later, I was a lecturer at the Institute for Adult Deaf and Blind, where I learned sandblasting and screen printing. However, I taught myself upholstery and curtain-making because I am naturally curious and love to understand every aspect of a project. This all lead to the start of my own interior business, T.H. Humble Beginnings in 2015.


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The story unfolds...

What qualities does one need to successfully upholster sofas?
A love for the industry – it must not merely be seen as a job. A clear understanding of the process is essential. Experience is the best teacher, but without passion, it could turn out to be a major disaster.

Do you work alone, or do you get help with projects?
In the past, I did everything myself, but I no longer have the same physical strength as when I was younger. I now work with a teammate who has 30 years of experience, and with my 25+ years in the industry, we make a strong team. We understand each other without needing to say much, and we are so privileged!

Is it better to buy a new sofa or reupholster an old one?
If the existing sofa is well-built, reupholstering is the smartest choice. However, we’ve seen projects where the frame was made from poor-quality materials like tomato crates or pallet boards, with no proper webbing – they used fabric strips and instead of foam they used Styrofoam sheets. It’s shocking that major brands sell such low-quality products.

We build furniture from 38 mm wood, use tested materials, and adhere strictly to our standards. Our craftsmanship is something we take great pride in.


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Tell us more about the living room project and what was your inspiration for the colourful sofa?
I wanted to create a modern look with an authentic element. It needed to be not just a focal point in the room, but also a conversation piece. So, I bought the sofa and fully restored it, including replacing the foam. The goal was to create something colourful and striking.

Our client immediately fell in love with the design, and we adjusted the chairs’ upholstery and colours to her taste. We only use high-quality foam and strong, tested materials to ensure the existing frame is sturdier and better.

Did you apply any specific techniques?
Every project differs depending on the style and type of construction. There is no “copy and paste” approach. Factors like the type of filling, springs, webbing, and cushion design determine how the upholstery is done. While we must adhere to certain standards, there is sometimes room to adjust them slightly for a unique result.
For beginners my advice is to learn by doing, but it is not that easy – it requires physical strength, and logical thinking by trial and error. The satisfaction of achieving something yourself is incredible!