Upholstery in New York City
Bruno Paulin Lopez, Master Artisan in Upholstery
Tuesday, May 7th, 2019 AT THE GENERAL SOCIETY LIBRARY
The lecture starts at 6:30 P.M. –Reception to follow
Atelier Bruno Paulin Lopez, renowned for his exceptional work, will discuss the craft of upholstery. Mr. Lopez specializes in traditional period upholstery, upholstery conservation and bespoke upholstered furniture.
Bruno Lopez creates upholstered pieces to the highest European trade standards following strict guidelines dictated by each style of furniture. The authenticity of these methods can be found in various written theoretical manuals, some dating back to 1771, such as the Diderot & d’Alembet Encyclopedia. During his talk he will describe the techniques and the processes he uses to handcraft and upholster diverse pieces of furniture. He will also provide a historic perspective on the tradition and development of upholstery in New York City; and related to that the impact of cross cultural immigration on the craft in the 19thCentury.
Mr. Lopez was born in Paris into a family of Spanish masons, French milliners and haute couture designers and fabricators. He grew up surrounded by fabrics, buttons, threads and patterns. His attraction to the upholstery trade never ceased. After a traditional apprenticeship program and technical training, he eventually joined the staff at the Ritz Hotel in the fashionable Place Vendome. There he became Upholsterer in Residence, which included the fabrication and maintenance of all the interiors. In 1982, he came to America, and several years later established Atelier De France, where he has been serving an elite trade for three decades. His work can be viewed at www.atelierdefrance.com.
20 WEST 44th Street (BETWEEN 5TH AND 6th AVENUES), New York City.
Advance registration is recommended. To register, please click here
Admission: $15 General Admission; $10 General Society member, Senior Citizens & $5 Students.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.