I grew up with family & friends where everyone was a 'maker' of some sort; joiner, carpenter, tinsmith, lampshade maker, electrician etc. My dad was a very skilled carpenter, he could make anything and everything out of wood. It is him I learned my craft and a way of always striving to perfection. During school years I spent summers working with him painting, decorating and assisting with building houses and furniture. I however ended up going to university and working in finance / IT for years, with restoring furniture and making things just a hobby.

 

A few years back I decided to change the hobbies to a career. I studied at Upholstery Craft Training Centre Scotland, learning the craft of upholstery from Master Upholsterer James Keane & achieving AMUSF (Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers) Level 2 qualification.

 

I set up FredRiikka's upholstery because I simply love old furniture, the history and tales behind each piece! And now I hear all of you asking who is Fred in FredRiikka's? I can reveal there is no Fred. Fredriikka is simply a name my granddad used to call me; a Swedish version of my Finnish name. Thanks for reading my story!