Stubborn carpet stains have a habit of showing up at exactly the wrong moment. Tea spills before guests arrive, muddy footprints after a wet school run, or that one mark you keep pretending not to see under the sofa.

Antique upholstery can be one of the most rewarding things to restore in a home. It has character, history, and that slightly irresistible lived-in look that modern furniture tries hard to copy.