Chris Hatzes got out of the Navy in 1987, and worked with his brother in the tablecloth business -- renting and selling to hotels. That's where he learned to cut and sew. In 1993 Hatzes took an adult education upholstery class, which set his career path. He started with some upholstery side jobs, and by 1995 had opened his own business.

Hatzes buys and sells new and used furniture, collects pieces worth reupholstering and offers a wide selection of fabrics for sale. He particularly enjoys mid-century modern furniture, trendy, but always good quality. He's experimenting with what he calls "tattoo furniture" -- painted stretched canvas as unique artistic upholstery fabric.

Furniture Work's studio/workshop is behind Meadow Wood shopping center in Silver Spring, 12846 New Hampshire Avenue (rear), 301-646-8200. Saturday 9-1, or by appointment.

Below, Hatzes reties the springs of an armchair. Below right, Hatzes painted a "tattoo" on the canvas seat of this chair.

Below left, a luxuriant swatch of upholstery fabric in the foreground, a drumset in the background, evidence of Hatzes' other artform. Below, a bench he covered in leather stars and stripes.