BUSINESS IN A BOX

‘jack of all trades, master of none, but better than a master of one ’

so you love interior design…

Is your Instagram feed post after post of beautifully curated and inspirational interiors? Not to mention all those to-die-for fabric designs? Do you dream of making your own unique interior pieces? If this sounds like a bit of you, then I’ve got your covered with the perfect course to channel your creativity and eye for all things interiors. A course with carefully selected, on-trend upholstered pieces that you can master easily, but with maximum satisfaction and profit! Business in a Box provides start-up guidance, online coaching, home practical makes, online coaching, business advice and everything you need to create a range of design-led, beautifully upholstered pieces to kickstart your new business!

IS it JUST ANOTHER BORING ZOOM…?

ERr…NO!

HERE’S WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO MAKE…

  • Drum Stool

    In Magic of India by Becca Who

  • statement shaped headboard

  • DRUM STOOL

  • scatter cushion

  • statement SHAPED HEADBOARD

  • coffee table stool

  • storage ottoman

    Description goes here

  • Scatter

I’m Anthony and I love making stuff! I’ve been making stuff now for over 28 years and it never gets boring. That thrill of using my hands to create something beautiful, which other people admire and even give me money for, is a buzz that never gets old!

Around 14 years ago I took a massive leap of faith and founded my own upholstery school. It quickly became the UK’s leading modern upholstery school, attracting students from around the world. Sharing my passion for making and teaching others to do the same is my life’s work.

In November 2019, I was diagnosed with MS, which has impacted my mobility. However, it hasn’t stopped me from doing what I love. Accessibility is incredibly important to me and teaching online allows anyone, anywhere to access high-quality upholstery education without barriers.

I don’t take myself too seriously—I enjoy a good laugh, often at my own expense. This approach makes my courses relaxed and light-hearted, creating a fun learning environment.

Outside of upholstery, I have an amazing wife, a wonderful daughter and an incredible dog (read the My Story section for more about them). When I’m not teaching, you’ll likely find me tinkering with my Land Rover Defender, which I’m currently converting into a campervan!

My philosophy?  ‘Never, never, never give up!’”

MEET

ANTHONY

A man working on a piece of fabric at a crafting or upholstery station, surrounded by tools and sewing supplies, with a monitoring station and plants in the background.

HI!

Stylized black signature with the name Anthony.

what you’RE GOING TO MAKE…

  • Using the kit sent to your home, you're going to hit the ground running by making a staple for any home; the classic coffee table footstool. A perfect canvas for some amazing fabric and the best place to start your upholstery journey with loads of key foundational skills.

  • You will make a lower round stool, ideal for use a coffee table BUT these frames can be made (or bought through us) in any height and diameter. They are ideal for small tables, dressing table stools etc. Make them bold, make them bright and embellish them with pom poms or fringing for that extra maximalist pizzazz! I can't wait to see what you make, using the kit sent to your home.

  • Being able to make a bang-on scatter is a staple. I'll show you how to measure, cut and sew a professional scatter. Add some extra vavavoom around the edges to really make them stand out.

  • Statement headboards are everywhere at the moment. Tall and elegant, wavey and fun, scalloped and sexy, after this module, you'll be able to tackle all of these and more. I'll also cover wall fixings for that extra professional touch.

  • Another incredibly versatile piece for any room of the house - hallway shoe storage, bedroom bedding solution, living room throw hideaway, you name it, these are the perfect injection of colour and pattern and pack a good 'ol punch. I will be guiding you through the whole process of making the entire frame (don't worry it's easy), the upholstery and fitting those all-important safety gas struts. Then it's your turn to make your own, using the kit!

  • This course is called 'Business In A Box', so I'm going to be adding some key non-practical skills that I know you'll need. I'm talking:

    • Fire Regulations

    • Business Set Up Info

    • Photographing Furniture

    • Routes to Market

    • Setting up fabric trade accounts

    • Regular 1:1 sessions to help you develeop not only your upholstery, but your product line and confidence.

SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF LEARNING WITH ANTHONY DEVINE ONLINE

  • MULTI - CAMERA

    Never miss a snip or a staple with up to 4 different camera angles

    Read more

  • LIVE

    Every course goes out live, keeping it interactive and allowing for questions

    Read more

  • watch on-demand

    The sessions are uploaded to your membership area to watch at your leisure

    Read more

  • ACCESSIBLE

    You’re no longer limited by geography, availability or your schedule

    Read more

  • COST EFFECTIVE

    My online learning is one of the most cost-effective ways to learn upholstery without penalties if life gets in the way

    Read more

  • SUSTAINABLE

    I want all of us to be a part of a cleaner and greener upholstery industry

    Read more

the important stuff you need to know

  • Click here to download a shopping list

    • Full pre-course guidance regarding sourcing and choosing the correct tools, kit and fabric

    • Access to discounts on tools and kit with our affiliated partners

    • A mix of live and pre-recorded sessions

    • Unlimited access to the your online account, where the recordings are yours to view forever!

    • Full video guidance and the frames and sundries to make the drum stool, coffee table stool and storage ottoman, delivered to your home.

    • Full video guidance to make the scatter cushion and statement shaped headboard.

    • 20% off many fabric ranges through us.

    • Theory modules

      • UK domestic fire regulations

      • Setting up your business

      • Selling

      • Photography

    • 1:1 feedback and mentoring sessions as and when you need them to help you progress and build your confidence and product range.

    • Access to a course WhatsApp group where you'll find the guidance and support of other online students.

    • The option to spread the cost of the all-important compressor and staple gun kit.

  • The individual modules cover the following skills:

    ·         Creating the perfect corner

    ·         Working with Ultraflex (a sustainable foam alternative)

    ·         Webbing

    ·         Prep work

    ·         Borders

    ·         Piping (sewn and non-sewn)

    ·  Lining

    ·         Professional finishing

    ·         Using backtack to create a blind seam

    ·        Applying gas struts and hinges

    ·         Piped, zipped scatter

  • The course will commence on Wednesday 7th January 2026 with live sessions going out at 13.30GMT and lasting between 60-90 minutes each.

joining options

    • Receive all the frames and materials needed to create your own versions of the drum stool, coffee table stool and storage ottoman.

    • Spread the cost of the compressor kit with this comprehensive package.

    • Includes a Senco AC4504 low-noise, portable compressor, professional Senco staple gun and 5 metre airline, ensuring you have top-quality equipment to kick-start your upholstery journey.*

    • To view the package details, please download here

    *Two course installments must be received before the compressor kit will be sent

    • Spread the cost of the compressor kit with this comprehensive package.

    • Includes a Hyundai low-noise, portable compressor, Senco staple gun and 5 metre airline, ensuring you have the equipment you need to kick-start your upholstery journey.*

    • To view the package details, please download here

    *Two course installments must be received before the compressor kit will be sent

make-along

£99.00
For 5 months

£99 per month | 5 Monthly Payments | Totaling £495

✓ Unlimited access to watch on-demand in your account
✓ Kits supplied to make three products
✓ The option to join live on selected modules
✓ Two theory make modules plus business guidance
✓ 1:1 feedback sessions & ongoing support

make-along with compressor & gun pro kit

£183.00
For 5 months

Choose this option to add a compressor & staple gun pro kit and spread the cost over 5 payments | £183 per month | 5 monthly payments | Totalling £915

✓ All the benefits of the Make-Along plus...
✓ Senco low-noise portable compressor
✓ Senco pro staple gun
✓ 10 metre airline

make-along with compressor & gun kit

£146.00
For 5 months

Choose this option to add a standard staple gun & compressor kit and spread the cost over 5 payments | £146 per month | 5 monthly payments | Totalling £730

✓ All the benefits of the Make-Along plus...
✓ Hyundai portable, low noise compressor
✓ Senco staple gun
✓ 10 metre airline

If you’re confused by any of the details or wish to have a chat about the best option for you, please feel free to contact us by phone on 01663 769 227, by email on studio@anthonydevine.online or by WhatsApp on 07457411373

Frequently asked questions

  • The course goes out live each week, offering you the opportunity to join me and a community of like-minded people. This allows you to ask questions, as I demonstrate each and every step of the process. I use Zoom, which is a user-friendly and free platform. I use up to four different camera angles, so you never miss a snip or staple.

    For those who can’t or don’t want to join in real-time, don’t worry. Each session is recorded.

    When you enrol in one of my courses, you will gain access to your own personal account. Within your account you will find essential course information, such as Zoom joining information and shopping lists. The recorded sessions are uploaded to your membership area and you can enjoy unlimited access to these recordings. You can watch, pause, rewind as many times as needed to master the art of upholstery at your own pace!

  • No you don’t. The benefits of joining live are that you can get your questions answered. However, you are welcome to email in any questions at any point.

  • You will have unlimited lifelong access to the recordings in your online account!

  • When you sign up to a course, you will create an account through the website. This is where you will find the Zoom joining information and any other relevant course information. This is also where you will find all the videos to watch on-demand.

  • There are two ways to enjoy this course.

    • Join the on-demand version for immediate access to the course content in your online account.

    • Join September 24 cohort with the option to join me live each week. You will then be able to access the recording in your account, through this website.

  • Yes, you will require a pneumatic staple gun and small compressor. You will also require a sewing machine for some of the modules. A decent domestic machine will do. Also a selection of hand tools. These is a downloadable shopping list in the ‘What You’ll Need’ section above.

  • I’m here to help! I offer daytime and evening one-on-one Zoom sessions if you need them. I also have a Facebook group, where you can benefit from support from fellow online students.

  • The short answer is YOU! If you are reading this, then you want to learn some upholstery. My Foundations of Upholstery is totally accessible and expertly delivered. What are you waiting for, sign up now and let’s get you started!