We went to Tepe with an order for 11 window cornices for our camper. They are smaller in scale than a house and are hung at eye level. We spent months finding just the right fabric. We bought extra because it was being discontinued. We worked with Nikki at Tepe and the store manager. We showed them the exact example from the original window cornice from our camper so they could show their sewing team. Tepe couldn't be slopier in their work and their customer service is terrible. They are all nice at the beginning, but then they did shoddy work. They put white fabric on the top and stapled it in. But the sample we showed them had the full fabric covering the top. We explained to Nikki that the cornices needed to be sewn in the same way. She said no problem. So, they apologized and said they would use my extra fabric and recover them all correctly. I told them please do not just take the white fabric off the top and staple on my colored fabric, because you can see the staples at eye level. The manager assured me they would not. She said she felt terrible that nobody told the shop how I needed them done, so they just did industry standard. She absolutely assured me they would not simply replace the white piece of fabric on top and staple in my fabric. This was important because we can see the staples at eye level. We called 4 times after that to check on status and they were rude when we called, saying they'll tell us when their people tell them. This was weeks after they said they would fix them. Well today we picked up the cornices and they did just what we said we didn't want and what they assured me they wouldn't do. They simply plucked off the tops and stapled on the matching fabric. It is so sloppy. After thousands of dollars, months of planning and 4 months waiting for them to be done, we are so disappointed. And they used up most of my extra fabric that I bought to use for other purposes. When we called and spoke to the manager about this second mistake, she was unprofessional and refused to deal with the situation properly. She acted like I was never told any of the things they told me. She said the best she can do is send them back to her shop and they will do them industry standard, which is what they delivered to me. Nikki told her I yelled at her, which I did not. I told her how disappointed I was. The manager criticized me and told me I can't talk to her employees like that. I told her I didn't yell. I used the same disappointed tone I was using with her. She was extremely rude, unapologetic and had no concern for their errors and waste of my money and time. We're now almost 4 months since we first contracted with them. I highly recommend you don't deal with these people. They are unprofessional, sloppy, and a waste of money. They are also terrible communicators with their customers. Notice the pic on the left has the fabric completely covering the top. The Tepe version has a piece of fabric stapled on top. In a camper, you look down on these as they sit at eye level and some lower than that. They promised me they wouldn't do this. PROMISED! Now, they are back peddling and saying they couldn't do it any other way.......? read more

Tepe Upholstery & Design - Fabric Stores Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

From start to finish we were beyond thrilled with Quality of work and customer service we received from the people at Tepe Upholstery. We could not have been happier with the work they did for us on our two club chairs. I would highly recommend Tempe Upholstery to anyone. read more

I generally frown on writing negative reviews because I feel like there are better ways to spend one's time- howeverrrr... WARNING WARNING!!! I want to strongly advise anyone out there that needs an upholsterer...please AVOID TEPE UPHOLSTERY!! The original owners have sold the business and Its not what it used to be, the quality has fallen far below standard, it's just sad what has happened to this great shop. The result..HORRENDOUS QUALITY AND EXTREMELY POOR SERVICE! The totally inexperienced Tepe associate Kailin expected me to accept cushions with trim unraveling and unevenly sewn.. saying it was the best they could do... (after 8 weeks and 2 tries to get it right, plus additional trim ordered.. and several hundred dollars later). I demanded to speak to the owner, and was promised they would call me to discuss my issues and a potential resolution.. yet no-one ever called. Now I'm out $620 and will now need to have my cushions re-made elsewhere. Thanks for nothing Tepe. What a waste of time, money, and effort. This design firm WILL NOT be using Tepe again. read more

5 star experience! From start to finish was a pleasant and always professional. Definitely a reason why Tepe has been a trusted name in Sarasota for this long. read more

I have been a customer of Tepe Upholstery on and off for over 15 years. Tom and Tim Tepe are great! However, since the business was taken over by someone else, I am disappointed and will not use them again. I had a set of two couches recovered by them about 2-3 years ago. Unfortunately, the fabric was ruined by an upholstery cleaner. I purchased new fabric and called Tepe to set up recovering both couches. I was told by Kayln that if I brought the fabric in and made a deposit (half of the cost) that I would be in the "queue" to have the couches recovered. I did so on April 8. She was told by me that I had guests coming for the Fourth of July week and would like them back by this time. I asked about picking up the couches and was told that could be done prior to my returning to my northern home. The couches were picked up May 19 by Mark and his helper. By the way, Mark has worked for Tepe many years. He is the best thing about Tepe! When I called the week of June 27, I was told that the couches would not be ready for another 4-6 weeks. When I asked what was the point of bringing in fabric and a 1/2 down deposit, I was told that they couches were not brought in at that time! Ridiculous! I then asked them to return the couches with the fabric as I was going to be without them in one of the main living rooms of my home. Kayln told me this was not possible as they were "in production." It is now over two weeks post-Fourth of July week, and still no call on the couches. My deposit was cashed over three months ago and nothing I was told was true! read more

Have two beautiful black chairs that needed new cushions because the company that cleaned them ruined them. So we took the cushions to Tepe then decided the brass fittings at the bottom needed work so we hauled them in too. The chairs just came back today and they look amazing! The cushions are very firm just as they said they would be. I have heard nothing but good reviews from long-time Sarasota residents. And I have asked tons! of people. Now it's on to the rest of my honey-do list. Thanks Tim. read more

We took our 100 year old amazing sofa to them, and they were very attentive in helping choose fabric and telling us what how they would make the cushions, retie the springs, and reglue the frame where it was needed and clean the wood -- but the attentiveness stopped there. We got no updates on when to expect it to be finished, and when finally they delivered it, I was disappointed. The fabric choice was wrong (my fault for letting Tim and my husband talk me out of my first choice), and although the seat cushions are comfortable and firm, they do not have the "plush" look that he said the would have, and the tight tailored look just doesn't look so great with that style of sofa. (The original cushions were down-filled.) Also, they didn't clean the carved wood base at all. It was even dusty. He didn't have to tell me they would clean it, but he offered, and since he even wrote it on the contract, I expected it and was hoping they would know better how to clean it than I did.) So, whereas the work they did seems excellent, I would not go back to them because I will not be able to trust they someone in the front will see to it that someone in the back actually does what they promised. read more

We brought 2 chairs down from Connecticut to Florida. They sat more comfortably than any chairs we owned. Ethan Allen contracted Tepe's to reupholster the chairs. They were ruined and Tim Tepe lied to us telling us that his upholsterer did nothing but changed the fabric. The truth is they removed the padding to the point that we were practically sitting on the springs. When we went back to them to add padding they put in a minimal amount. Tim Tepe told us he could not add anymore padding. Our chairs are ruined. Ethan Allen Corporate also lied and told us they have nothing to do with Tepe's Upholstry. Strange since we paid Ethan Allen. Very corrupt. read more

We had bought a beautiful sofa from Pamaro 2 years ago. It was beautiful, but way too soft! I took the 2 seat cushions and 2 back cushions to Tepe Upholstery to be refilled. They did an OUTSTANDING job! They are friendly, family owned, excellent workmanship! I couldn't be any happier! Our sofa looks like new! And it is so much more comfortable! Would recommend them to anyone! Also, their price was reasonable! Dropped off the cushions one day, and they were ready the next day! read more

I am an interior design consultant. I have used Tepe for two of my clients so far. They have both been extremely pleased with the workmanship and the turn around time to get the work complete. I would highly recommend Tepe for re-upholstery. I will use there service again. read more

Had my leather sofa rebuilt by Tepe Upholstery. From the first phone call to the completion of the job, I am pleased with the work done. The owner invited me to come to the shop and observe their operations. As this was the first time I had ever had any upholstery rebuilt , I was concerned as to the process. Tim assured me that they had the expertise to do the job and he was correct.. Thanks again Tepe! read more

I took a chair to Tepe, with a broken spring. The owner told me it would ,as, difficult access to the spring, it would take one week, and cost $240. I called in a week and was told it would take another week. When the owner called, I came the next day. The owner left the counter and returned 20 minutes later with the chair. I asked and he said there was no problem. It seemed odd. In 3 days the same spring broke. I took off the bottom cloth, and found there had been no repair, they had not even taken off the seat to access the spring. When I took it back, the owner said it had been repaired. When I disputed that, he changed his story and said his workman "made a mistake". I asked him to summon the workman, he said, "no". He refunded my money, but did not repair the chair. This seems like intentional consumer fraud, then lying to cover up. A second opinion from a reputable furniture repair person confirmed that the seat had not been removed, the chair never worked on. He charged $40 for a real repair. Readers, use Tepe Upholstery at your own risk or avoid them altogether. read more