A favourite armchair rarely wears out all at once. It sags a little, the fabric fades, and the frame still feels solid. That is where a good upholsterer comes in, and Ellie's Upholstery & Furniture, at 354 Highett Road, has been doing that kind of work since 1979.
A second-generation family business
According to the shop's about page, Ellie's upholstery, furniture restoration and furniture design is a second-generation business, commenced in 1979, and is independently owned and operated in Bayside Melbourne. Ellie has decades of craftsmanship experience in upholstery and furniture-making, and the website says there is "absolutely no cutting corners and a high appreciation and care is taken to every piece".

On the home page, the business describes furniture as Ellie's passion, something "he lives and breathes every day all year round", and says you will find Ellie working in his store every day of the week. The page even suggests a Sunday drive and a bit of furniture shopping outside business hours.
Repairs, upholstery and restoration
The services are summed up as furniture repairs, furniture upholstery and furniture restoration. According to the about page, no matter how small or large the job, and especially with antique, priceless and sentimental pieces, the finish is "seamless and of superior quality". The business also designs and makes furniture, with a custom-made furniture section on its website, along with bed heads.

Ellie's integrity and ingenuity, the page says, give customers the best solutions, and a hand-picked team provides what it describes as an exceptional customer experience. One review quoted on the home page, dated October 2021, calls the work "fast, efficient and reasonably priced" and describes Ellie as hard-working and knowledgeable.
Retro and antique furniture
Ellie's is also a furniture shop. The website's shop sections cover antique, retro, dining, tables and bed heads, and its photos show a lively mix of mid-century armchairs with timber arms, tub chairs in bold patterned fabrics and retro dining chairs. Stock turns over, so check with the shop for what is currently available.

Browse online, visit in person
The business also has an online shop and an eBay presence, so you can browse pieces before you visit. For anything needing repair or recovering, bringing in a photo of the piece, or the piece itself, is the easiest way to start the conversation.

Who it suits
Ellie's suits anyone with a cherished chair, couch or dining set that deserves another decade of life, interior-minded locals looking for mid-century character, and people wanting a custom piece made.
Planning your visit
Ellie's Upholstery & Furniture is at Shop 2–4, 354 Highett Road, Highett. Opening hours are not published, so call (03) 9532 0730, or the mobile on the website, or email elliesupholstery@gmail.com before you visit.
Visit Ellie's Upholstery & Furniture
Bring in the piece you have been meaning to fix, or browse the retro range, and ask Ellie what is possible.
Contact
Ellie's Upholstery & Furniture
Shop 2–4, 354 Highett Road, Highett VIC 3190
Phone: (03) 9532 0730
Email: elliesupholstery@gmail.com
Website: elliesupholstery.com.au
Hours: Not published; the website says Ellie works in the store every day of the week
