About Needle Rock | Remarkable Upholstery
A Traditional Upholstery Workshop in Ceredigion, Wales
The home of Needle Rock | Remarkable Upholstery is a beautifully restored traditional upholstery workshop in Ceredigion, Wales. Nestled in a stone barn near Llanrhystud, it sits along a winding country lane, where heirloom furniture is reborn and bespoke pieces come to life by hand, using time-honoured techniques.
Visitors often say it feels like stepping into The Repair Shop. The space is full of heritage, creativity, and craftsmanship. Inside, our talented team restore and reupholster everything from antique chaise longues to contemporary sofas. In addition, we use natural and sustainable materials wherever possible.
A summer house doubles as our fabric studio and design office. Red kites soar overhead, songbirds chatter in the hedgerows, and horses graze in neighbouring fields. As a result, it’s an inspiring setting for creating heirloom furniture that will last for generations.
Every piece that leaves our workshop reflects the values that define Needle Rock | Remarkable Upholstery – quality craftsmanship, sustainable materials, and timeless design, all proudly made in Wales.
Traditional Upholstery Workshop in Ceredigion, Wales
Our Craft, Values, and Place
At Needle Rock, our passion for restoring antique and vintage upholstered furniture sits at the heart of everything we do. Each member of our small, skilled team brings a unique mix of craftsmanship, creativity, and care. Because we blend experience with a commitment to sustainability and quality, our team crafts and restores furniture made to last.
From intricate deep-buttoning to complete frame rebuilds, every piece that leaves our traditional upholstery workshop in Ceredigion Wales carries our hallmark – Remarkable Upholstery, beautifully made. Moreover, we continue to learn, refine, and share these skills with the next generation.
Meet the Needle Rock Upholstery Team
Crafting Remarkable Upholstery in the Heart of Ceredigion
Dr Ali J Wright
Founder, Master Upholsterer & BBC-Featured Craftswoman
Ali founded Needle Rock in 2013, driven by a passion to rescue tired and unwanted furniture from landfill and give it new life. What began with local furniture auctions and a growing collection of “projects” soon turned into a full-time calling. With her husband Gordon lending his woodworking skills, the pair quickly became known for their expertise in chair restoration and repair.
Professionally trained in both traditional and modern upholstery through the Association of Master Upholsterers & Soft Furnishers (AMUSF), Ali combines craftsmanship with creativity. She loves pushing the boundaries of design — blending colours, textures, and fabrics to create bespoke pieces that feel both timeless and individual.
Under Ali’s leadership, Needle Rock has received national recognition, winning Micro Business of the Year at the FSB Awards, and Small Employer of the Year at the Apprenticeship Awards. Her commitment to nurturing new talent and preserving traditional skills has helped shape the next generation of upholsterers.
During 2025, Ali has appeared on BBC One’s Money for Nothing and later on Quest’s Salvage Hunters, showcasing her craftsmanship and creative approach to furniture restoration. These features have helped shine a spotlight on the quality and passion that define Needle Rock.
When not at the helm of Needle Rock’s workshop in Ceredigion, Ali can often be found in the polytunnel at her allotment, tending home-grown vegetables. Life is kept lively by her three large, good-natured dogs — Rosco, Barnaby, and Edgar — who ensure there’s never a quiet moment.
Jason - Upholsterer at Needle Rock, Ceredigion
Upholsterer at Needle Rock & Multi-Award Winning Apprentice
Jason first joined Needle Rock through a government-funded training scheme, where he quickly discovered a passion for upholstery. What began as an opportunity to learn soon became a true vocation.
After completing his upholstery apprenticeship with Needle Rock, Jason’s talent and dedication were recognised when he was named Foundation Apprentice of the Year by Skills Academy Wales in November 2023. He went on to complete his Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Improvement Techniques, further strengthening his technical and professional skills.
In December 2024, Jason was honoured with the Apprentice of the Year Award at the Caru Ceredigion Awards Ceremony, celebrating his continued growth and contribution to the local craft community.
Within the workshop, Jason takes the lead on classic car and automobile upholstery, along with complex pattern-matching projects that demand precision and patience — skills he’s mastered with quiet confidence. His eye for detail ensures every seam and contour is perfectly aligned.
Outside of work, Jason can often be found in Aberystwyth’s pool halls or enjoying summer bonfires on the beach with friends — usually staying up to watch the sunrise. A creative spirit through and through, he’s also an avid costume-maker, well-known for his incredible Comic Con transformations.
Rosie - Lead Machinist at Needle Rock
Lead Machinist and Upholsterer at Needle Rock
Rosie first joined Needle Rock working just one day a week. Fast-forward, and she’s now our lead machinist, responsible for keeping our busy workshop running smoothly — from repairing and maintaining the many industrial sewing machines to overseeing fine stitching and finishing work. With her distinctive Scottish accent and ability to speak Welsh, Rosie is a rare and valued part of the team.
Having completed her Level 2 Upholstery Apprenticeship at Needle Rock, Rosie’s role has expanded far beyond sewing. She now undertakes all aspects of both traditional and modern upholstery, from hand-stitching to deep buttoning and frame rebuilding, as needed within the workshop.
Outside of work, Rosie is an avid gamer and digital creator, often found designing intricate builds and storytelling worlds within Minecraft. What began as an online pastime has grown into real-world friendships, with her network of gamers now meeting in person at Comic Con events across the country. A true creative at heart, Rosie shares her love of costume-making and cosplay adventures with fellow upholsterer Jason — the duo have even been spotted on the London Underground in full costume, much to the delight of fellow travellers!
More recently, Rosie and Jason’s gaming friends from across the UK, Canada, and the USA have joined them to experience the wonderfulness of these events — proof that creativity and connection know no boundaries.
The Name Behind Needle Rock Upholstery
The Gulls Needle – a rocky sea pillar that once stood proudly on the beach at Llanrhystud — inspired the name Needle Rock. Long since washed away, it’s pictured here as it stood in 1903.
In the same way, that coastal landmark, together with our deep ties to traditional upholstery and the ever-changing Welsh coastline, shaped the identity behind Needle Rock | Remarkable Upholstery. It reflects our belief in craft that endures, nature that inspires, and work that evolves with time – just like the sea that shaped our shores.
Curious about the full story behind our name? Read more in our blog!
