Learn a new skill on an upholstery course in France with an expert – and enjoy a relaxing break in a gorgeous mansion in the Loire Valley.
May 2025: your date with a new hobby
There’s a particular joy you get from an experience holiday that lasts much longer than the time you were away. Indulge yourself on a residential Upholstery Skills Retreat and you’ll have skills that stay with you long after your vacation, enabling you to take on a whole range of projects and broaden your upcycling horizons. This five-day retreat runs from Saturday 18th May to Thursday 22nd May 2025, and it’s a great way to combine learning with relaxation, working in small groups and a laid-back atmosphere.
Learn upholstery skills from an expert
This exclusive retreat is taught by Jacqui Jackson, an expert in traditional upholstery who specialises in French antique furniture. After gaining her qualifications at the London College of Furniture, Jacqui pursued her upholstery passion and now has 25 years’ experience to share with like-minded enthusiasts.
A respected professional in the industry, Jacqui repairs, upholsters and sells French furniture via her website, and her expertise is in demand from private clients and interior designers across the world. Her company, Essentially French, specialises in sourcing unique items from brocantes and village fairs in France, then bringing out the best in each piece, restoring, reupholstering and painting them so that they can enjoy a new life as a treasured piece in someone else’s home.
If you’re a fan of French elegance, shabby-chic, vintage gems and stylish upholstery, Jacqui is sure to be a source of wisdom and a great inspiration for you.
The programme of this upholstery residential also includes a trip to a fabulous French Flea market in Chinon, where you’ll get an introduction to ‘how to shop at a brocante’, particularly when it comes to sourcing items to reupholster. And you’ll be able to browse the stalls and look for a few new – or possibly very old – pieces to fall in love with.
Upholstery course in France – the details
Whether you’re a first-timer fresh to the world of upholstery or you have some knowledge and want to improve and finesse your existing ability, this residential workshop will be a haven of hands-on teaching. The small, exclusive groups mean that you can get one-to-one guidance, boosting your skills in a short time while surrounded by supportive individuals.
The retreat is designed to be suitable for all levels of upholstery, from complete beginners to those who are more experienced. Jacqui is also happy to speak with you beforehand to discuss your skill-level and your current project so that you can get the most from your time.
An inspiring location
The location for this retreat is La Maison Trumeau, a period property dating from the 1850s. This elegant townhouse feels like a château inside, thanks to its impressively high ceilings, tall windows and grand proportions. It has been lovingly restored by Mandy Murphy, your hostess, and is decorated with beautiful pieces of furniture and architectural details such as marble fireplaces, wainscoting and cornices, enhanced by chandeliers, fabulous bedsteads and flowing voile drapes. In such a setting, you can’t help being creatively inspired!
La Maison Trumeau is in the heart of the stunning Loire Valley, which has earned a global reputation for delectable wines. While you’re here, you can take a trip to the nearby vineyards to enjoy a wine-tasting or two (Mandy jokes that this holiday could be called “sip and stitch’), visit some French châteaux and soak up the photogenic landscapes.
Your accommodation is located right in the heart of the city of Saumur, within walking distance of boutiques, shops and superb restaurants. No doubt you’ll be tempted to extend your stay so that you can spend time strolling along the banks of the famous River Loire, sipping an espresso in one of the pavement cafés or tracking down your own antiques in one of the brocantes.
This area is also famous for significant historical sites, from the 14th-century Château du Saumur to the neolithic standing stones that date back to prehistoric times. In the surrounding areas, you can also tour the fascinating maisons troglodytes, houses built into the rocks that are still lived in today.
A relaxing break
When you arrive on Saturday, you’ll have time to unpack and unwind from your travels, settling into your elegant surroundings. On Saturday evening, you’ll meet your fellow guests and enjoy a 4-course meal that will set the tone of relaxation and enjoyment for the rest of your stay.
Every morning you’ll be served a healthy and hearty breakfast inspired by French traditions, and you can look forward to a good lunch to reward your morning’s work. For those who truly enjoy feeling immersed in French culture, you’ll have the option of a glass of wine to accompany your daily lunch, and an apéritif each evening: a glass of sparkling wine served with delicate snacks.
With its balance of learning, socialising and exploring, previous participants have especially appreciated the hands-on teaching, the fabulous food, and the conversation and laughter that flows through every day’s activities.
Visit La Maison Trumeau’s website and check out the details of this unique upholstery retreat in the Loire Valley: lamaisontrumeau.com
