H&A Upholstery, Third Generation Restorers

For Hector and Ana Barbacone, moving to Dumbo was an accident but staying in Dumbo has been entirely on purpose. Their passion for furniture upholstery and restoration stems from three generations of craftsmen in their native Argentina but since they set up shop in Brooklyn over fifteen years ago, they can’t imagine being anywhere else. “Our business was born in Dumbo,” says Hector. “We’ve seen many come and go but we’re proud to still be here.”

Their most popular restoration item? “Fine chairs,” says Hector. “People love their favorite chair.”

Most difficult restoration?  A fiberglass glass loveseat with horse-hair padding: no tacks could be used.

Most unusual restoration: a very rare King George III chair that was so valuable, Hector took it home with him every night.

H&A Upholstery prides itself on being one of the first retail stores in Dumbo. The winning combination of a loving husband and wife team, a dedication to their technique and a desire to share their products with locals is what keeps H&A in such demand. “We’re still here because people appreciate the work,” explains Ana. “We enjoy seeing every piece we finish. Even if it’s a simple piece, we’re proud of it.”

IMG_7860
Hector and Ana’s showroom

But for Hector and Ana, it’s about more than just the furniture. “She doesn’t just have a lot of customers, she has a lot of friends,” Hector says of his wife. In the world of factory stores and generic furniture production, Hector and Ana are creating more than just a product. They’re creating relationships. “We like the people of Brooklyn,” says Anna. “We feel very special. We really love what we do here.”

Recommended Articles

8 Comments

  1. }{Moisturizing shampoos can help with frizzy hair, so look for that property listed on the bottle. This actually stops the hair from becoming too moist. Shy away from any products that are advertised as “volumizing”.

  2. |Sheer clothes are a good option, but only limited to certain types of events. Wearing clothing items that are sheer in private areas can make you appear trashy rather than classy.

  3. |When it comes to hair accessories, there are millions of options available. Hair accessories are things like hair bows, headbands and ponytail holders, but they also include hair extensions. An arsenal of hair accessories makes it easier to look great every day–no more bad hair days! The real benefit here is that you can make a quick little accessory change and completely change your entire look! You can go from a sporty look with your hair pulled back to a classier look with one accessory change. If you’re going out for the night, pick a headband that goes with the outfit you’re wearing.

  4. |You can have a dressy look by wearing black jeans and a nice blouse, with heels. If you’re wearing the latest trend, colored jeans, it’s best to go for a more casual look.

  5. Fashion is an individual thing. It is all about how you choose to express yourself. Regardless, you can learn a lot from other people, and you can then add these tips to your arsenal as you pick up more advice along the way. This advice will help you while you are working on expanding your fashion knowledge.

  6. |Buy a lot of basics. Target items that are always in fashion, yet work with other styles as well. A basic black dress or blazer can be worn year after year.

  7. |Moisturizing shampoos can help with frizzy hair, so look for that property listed on the bottle. These products help to shield the hair from outside moisture. It’s also a good idea to steer away from a product that says it is “volumizing”.

  8. }{Create a unique fashion style of your own. Try to be as unique as possible, so that you do not blend in with the crowd. It is up to individuals sometimes to create a style that people can appreciate and that others will follow.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.