HF Atelier designs and fabricates custom banquette seating for residential, restaurant, hospitality, and high-end interior design projects in Los Angeles and beyond.

From upholstered kitchen banquettes and breakfast nooks to restaurant booths, curved banquettes, built-in seating, and fully custom architectural upholstery, each project is developed specifically for the space.

Our process brings together design, upholstery, construction coordination, material selection, fabrication, and installation through a series of clear client approvals.

Depending on the project, your custom banquette may be built on-site by a qualified contractor or fabricated off-site through HF Atelier with our builders and upholstery team.

Every project is managed through a dedicated client portal with formal sign-off checkpoints so that dimensions, drawings, materials, construction details, and final production decisions are approved before the next stage begins.

Each checkpoint must be signed off before the next stage can begin. Delayed approvals or sign-offs may shift the production schedule accordingly.

1. Custom Banquette Design + Inspiration

We begin by understanding the look and feel you want to create.

• Whether we are designing a residential breakfast nook, luxury dining banquette, restaurant booth, or hospitality seating installation, we begin by understanding the architecture, intended use, and overall character of the space.

During this stage, we may review:

• Inspiration images
• Overall shape and configuration
• Upholstery style
• Leather or fabric direction
• Color
• Seat and back design
• Storage preferences
• Comfort requirements
• Durability requirements
• Architectural details within the space
  

Our goal is to establish a clear creative direction before moving into construction details.

Checkpoint 1 | Design Direction Approval

You will review and approve the initial design direction through your client portal before we move into detailed planning and quoting.

2. Preliminary Quote + Scope

Once we understand the approximate size, configuration, and design direction, HF Atelier will prepare a preliminary quote for the project.

At this stage, we will also determine the most appropriate construction approach.

Depending on the project, the banquette may be:

• Built on-site by your existing contractor
• Built on-site by a contractor sourced by you
• Built on-site by a contractor recommended or sourced by HF Atelier
• Built off-site and managed directly by HF Atelier with our builders
  

The final construction approach will depend on the shape, size, location, site conditions, access, shipping requirements, and overall project scope.

For many built-in banquettes, having the permanent base constructed on-site provides the most accurate fit, especially when the project involves curved walls, cabinetry, electrical, HVAC, flooring transitions, or other existing construction conditions.

Contractor construction costs may be quoted separately from HF Atelier's upholstery and fabrication scope unless otherwise stated in your proposal.

Final pricing may be adjusted if measurements, materials, construction requirements, or project scope change during the design process.

Checkpoint 2 | Quote + Scope Approval

The preliminary quote and general project scope must be approved through your client portal before we move into detailed drawings, contractor coordination, or production planning.

3. Custom Banquette Construction + Contractor Coordination

Once the scope is approved, we move into the construction coordination phase.

Option A | Banquette Base Built On-Site

For many custom built-in seating projects, we recommend having the permanent base constructed on-site by a qualified contractor.

Building on-site can provide the most accurate fit for spaces involving:

• Curved walls
• Irregular architecture
• Cabinetry
• Electrical
• HVAC
• Flooring transitions
• Existing renovation work
• Complex site conditions
  

You may:

• Work with your existing contractor
• Source and hire a contractor of your choice
• Ask HF Atelier to recommend or help source a qualified contractor
  

HF Atelier will coordinate with the selected contractor regarding the requirements for the upholstered portion of the project.

Depending on the project, HF Atelier may provide:

• Drawings
• CAD
• Renderings
• Elevations
• Dimensions
• Construction specifications
• Upholstery requirements
• Guidance for seat and back construction
• Templating requirements
  

The contractor may be responsible for:

• Banquette base construction
• Toe-kick or recessed base details
• Storage or drawers
• Electrical relocation
• HVAC or air vent relocation
• Wall and floor conditions
• Cabinetry transitions
• Final seat height and depth
• Site-specific construction adjustments
• Creating final templates after the base is installed
  

Whenever possible, we recommend using a contractor who is already familiar with the renovation or space when significant construction is already underway.

If you do not have a contractor, HF Atelier may assist with sourcing or recommending an appropriate trade partner.

Any contractor recommendations are intended to help facilitate the project. Contractor scope, scheduling, pricing, and agreements will be clearly defined separately unless otherwise included in your HF Atelier proposal.

Option B | Banquette Built Off-Site by HF Atelier

For projects that are appropriate for off-site fabrication, HF Atelier can manage the complete custom banquette build through our Los Angeles fabrication and upholstery network.

When HF Atelier is responsible for the off-site construction of the banquette, we manage the build process internally with our builders and fabrication partners.

The client is not responsible for coordinating the internal construction team.

HF Atelier will manage:

• Builder coordination
• Construction specifications
• Internal fabrication
• Upholstery
• Quality control
• Packaging and freight preparation
  

Once complete, the finished piece will ship directly to the client or designated project site.

Depending on the project, local installation may be performed by:

• The client's contractor
• The client's installer
• A trade partner arranged for the project
• HF Atelier, when installation is included in the approved scope
  

Off-site fabrication is only recommended when the project can be accurately built from approved dimensions, drawings, templates, or verified site information.

Checkpoint 3 | Construction Plan Approval

Before construction begins, you will approve the selected construction approach, drawings, scope, and applicable details through your project portal.

Construction or fabrication will not begin until this checkpoint has been completed.

4. Material Selection

Next, we finalize the upholstery materials.

Material selection is especially important for high-use residential dining areas, restaurant seating, and hospitality environments where durability, cleanability, and appearance must work together.

Depending on the project, materials may include:

• Full-grain leather
• Performance leather
• Mohair
• Performance velvet
• Commercial-grade fabric
• Leather and fabric combinations
• COM
• Other specialty upholstery materials
  

Material selection takes into consideration:

• Color
• Texture
• Durability
• Cleanability
• Performance
• Natural aging
• Intended use
• Budget
• Overall design direction
  

Material Selection for Los Angeles Clients

Los Angeles clients are invited to visit our leather house and HF Atelier studio to review leather hides, performance fabrics, mohair, velvet, and specialty upholstery materials in person.

This gives you the opportunity to see and feel:

• Leather hides
• Fabric samples
• Color variations
• Texture
• Softness
• Finish
• Natural markings
• Scratch response
• Performance characteristics
  

For leather projects in particular, viewing hides in person can be especially helpful because genuine leather naturally varies in tone, texture, and character.

These natural variations are part of the beauty of real leather and are not considered defects.

If an in-person visit is not possible, we can coordinate samples for remote review.

Checkpoint 4 | Material Approval

Your selected leather or fabric must be formally approved through your project portal before materials are ordered or production begins.

5. Base Construction or Internal Fabrication

The next stage depends on the approved construction method.

For On-Site Construction

The contractor will build and permanently install the banquette base according to the approved design and actual site conditions.

The base should be fully constructed, permanently installed, leveled, and complete before final upholstery templates are created.

Any construction changes that affect the upholstered components must be communicated before templating.

For HF Atelier Off-Site Construction

HF Atelier will manage the construction process internally with our builders.

Once the approved design, dimensions, materials, and specifications are finalized, the project moves directly into controlled fabrication and upholstery.

HF Atelier does not provide routine progress photography during production. We honor the approved sign-off process as the formal record of project decisions and production direction.

Checkpoint 5 | Construction Readiness

All required construction information must be finalized and approved before the project moves into templating or fabrication.

6. Final Templates + Dimensions

For projects built on-site, final templates are created once the permanent base has been completely installed.

This is one of the most important stages of the process.

Rather than relying solely on architectural drawings, renderings, or early measurements, the templates capture the actual finished geometry of the installed banquette.

This is especially important for:

• Curved banquettes
• L-shaped seating
• Double-L configurations
• Irregular walls
• Built-ins between cabinetry
• Remodels
• Older homes
• Projects with complex site conditions
  

Templates should clearly identify orientation and placement so that HF Atelier can accurately translate the site conditions into the final upholstered components.

For projects being fully built off-site by HF Atelier, final production dimensions will be established using the approved drawings, verified measurements, and any required templates before fabrication begins.

Checkpoint 6 — Template + Final Dimension Approval

Final templates and applicable dimensions are reviewed before fabrication begins.

Once this checkpoint is approved, these dimensions become the production basis for the project.

Changes after this approval may require revised pricing and may affect the production schedule.

7. Custom Banquette Fabrication + Upholstery

Once we have received:

• Approved templates or verified final dimensions
• Approved materials
• Final project specifications
• Required construction information
• All necessary client sign-offs
  

your custom upholstered banquette moves into fabrication at HF Atelier.

Depending on the design, we may fabricate:

• Upholstered seat panels
• Upholstered backrests
• Wood substrates
• Foam and comfort layers
• Channel-tufted backs
• Scalloped backs
• Curved upholstered components
• Custom architectural upholstery details
• Complete banquette structures for approved off-site builds
  

Our goal is to create architectural banquette seating that feels permanently integrated into the room, rather than a loose cushion or generic furniture solution.

Whenever possible, we design the seating to maintain the appearance of a single continuous upholstered surface, even when several sections are required for fabrication, transportation, or installation.

HF Atelier does not provide ongoing production photos during this stage. The approved sign-off process serves as the formal record of design, material, dimensional, and production decisions.

8. Delivery + Installation

Once production is complete, the final delivery method depends on the approved project scope.

Locally Installed Projects

Where HF Atelier installation is included, installation will be scheduled once production is complete and the site is ready.

Before installation, all surrounding construction that affects the banquette should be complete.

This may include:

• Flooring
• Cabinetry
• Wall finishes
• Electrical
• HVAC
• Base construction
• Painting
• Other nearby finish work
  

During installation, our team may:

• Position the upholstered components
• Check alignment
• Adjust adjoining sections
• Confirm fit against walls and cabinetry
• Complete final attachment
• Inspect seams and transitions
• Perform final adjustments
  

Shipped Projects

For projects constructed off-site, HF Atelier will prepare the completed banquette for shipment directly to the client or designated project location.

Installation at destination will be handled according to the approved project scope.

9. Final Project Photography + Credit

HF Atelier requires final photographs of the completed installation for our project records.

Once the banquette has been fully installed, the client, contractor, designer, or project team should provide clear photographs showing the finished piece in its completed environment.

For projects completed in collaboration with an interior designer, architect, stylist, builder, or other design professional, HF Atelier must be credited when the completed project is photographed, published, submitted to press, or shared publicly.

Credit should appear as: HF Atelier

Where applicable, we are happy to coordinate appropriate project credits so all participating designers, builders, photographers, and trade partners are properly acknowledged.

Final Checkpoint | Project Completion

The project is considered complete once the approved scope has been delivered or installed and final project documentation has been received.

Residential, Restaurant + Trade Projects

HF Atelier works with homeowners, interior designers, architects, restaurants, hospitality groups, builders, and trade professionals on custom banquette seating and architectural upholstery.

Projects may include:

• Kitchen banquettes
• Dining banquettes
• Breakfast nooks
• Curved banquettes
• Restaurant booths
• Restaurant banquette seating
• Wall-mounted upholstered seating
• Hospitality banquettes
• Custom leather seating
• Built-in dining seating
• Architectural upholstery
• Other custom built-in seating applications
  

Our work ranges from private residential interiors to restaurant, hospitality, and designer-led projects where proportion, material quality, comfort, and integration with the architecture are essential.

Typical Timeline

Our typical upholstery production timeline is approximately 8–12 weeks once final materials, templates or dimensions, specifications, and all required approvals have been received + approved. 

More complex projects may require additional time.

The overall project timeline may also depend on:

• Contractor schedules
• Site readiness
• Material availability
• Design revisions
• Construction changes
• Changes in scope
• Freight and shipping
• Client approval timing
  

Sign-Off Timing

Each phase of the project depends on approval of the phase before it.

Delayed client approvals or sign-offs will shift the project timeline accordingly.

Production time does not begin while required project information or approvals are outstanding.

Prompt review and approval through your client portal is one of the most important ways to help keep your project on schedule.

A Note About Custom Work

Every custom banquette and built-in seating project is unique.

Measurements, construction conditions, wall shapes, cabinetry, materials, access, shipping requirements, and site conditions can all affect the final design and construction method.

For this reason, HF Atelier works through a structured series of approvals and checkpoints before fabrication begins.

This process allows us to protect the integrity of the design, reduce avoidable construction issues, and create a finished piece specifically for your space.

The Process at a Glance

Custom Banquette Design + Inspiration
→ Design Sign-Off

Preliminary Quote + Scope
→ Quote + Scope Sign-Off

Construction Method + Contractor Coordination
→ Construction Plan Sign-Off

Material Selection
→ Material Sign-Off

Base Construction or HF Atelier Internal Fabrication
→ Construction Readiness

Final Templates + Dimensions
→ Template + Dimension Sign-Off

HF Atelier Fabrication + Upholstery

Delivery or Installation

Final Project Photography + HF Atelier Credit
→ Project Completion