Meet Spruce
Our team of skilled artisans and design experts are passionate about transforming your beloved furniture pieces into one-of-a-kind masterpieces. From cherished family heirlooms to thrift store finds, we have the expertise to bring new life and beauty to your furniture through our meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail. With an array of high-quality fabrics, trims, and finishes to choose from, your vision for your furniture can become a reality. Discover the art of custom upholstery with us and let us create a piece that truly reflects your unique style and personality. Welcome to a world of bespoke furniture that will be cherished for generations to come.
Yes, upholstery may be our bread and butter, but we also do window treatments, interior design, and have a showroom full of fabric, wallpaper and rugs.
After Erika and Clint met in 2015, they quickly began a game of “why not?!” with each other. Want to get married on Leap day?! Why not?! Want to convert a vintage school bus into a tiny home?! You betcha! What are your thoughts on buying a small property and attempting to homestead?! Can’t see any downsides to that! And finally… How about buying an upholstery business in Austin?! Erika still has the screenshots of Clint’s simple, two word response… Why not?! Since taking over Spruce in 2020, Erika and Clint dove right into what makes Spruce so special: Amazing, technical, and expert craftsmanship with an eye for the unique, the quirky, and stylish. The two have grown the Spruce team to include more upholstery experts, more talented seamstresses, a drapery specialist, and an interior design team! Spruce’s new location doubled the size of the workshop and showroom and now houses more than just fabric samples.
Come see rugs, wallcovering, tile, and more!
Erika Barczak
Owner, Principal Designer
Allow us to introduce our Owner and Principal designer, Erika! Erika brings a lot of experience to our design team, having worked in the industry for over 15 years. She has received many awards and achieved impressive accomplishments throughout her career. With her creative vision and expertise, she leads our team. When not designing, Erika has a passion for dinosaurs, ramen, chocolate, and traveling.
Operations
Clint Moore
Showroom
Meet Clint, the owner of the delightfully British accent you hear when you call us. Formerly a skydive instructor, he brings a sense excitement to our team. With his knowledge in fabric and upholstery, we couldn’t run the showroom without him! He’s never not cracking a joke and is sure to give you a nickname as soon as he meets you. Fun fact: he’s dabbled in underwear modeling!
Katherine Baronet
Production Manager
With more than a decade of experience at Spruce, Katherine is a seasoned expert in upholstery. She’s the essential glue that holds Spruce together. Katherine is an avid photographer who loves capturing moments with her trusty 35mm camera. When not working, you might catch Katherine playing tennis or obsessing over little objects, particularly a brand of handmade little ghosts (you’ll have to ask her!).
Upholstery & Sewing
Frank Barnhouse
Master Upholsterer
Meet Frank, our talented team member who hails all the way from Germany! With an impressive 50 years of experience as an upholsterer, Frank is a true master of his craft. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team, ensuring that every upholstery project is executed with precision and skill. Aside from his upholstery skills, Frank also has a knack for knowing the best bakeries and pizza places in Austin, making him the go-to person for food recommendations. And if you’re ever in need of fashion advice, Frank’s collection of T-shirts and caps is sure to inspire.
Waldina Barnhouse
Lead Seamstress
Waldina, skill level: expert. She’s our talented Lead Seamstress, who crafts the amazing pillows that adorn the studio, each one a testament to her artistry. With her keen eye for style and attention to detail, Waldina makes our shop look stunning for every holiday season. She’s known as Spruce’s best-dressed team member, always keeping our space looking chic and welcoming. Not only does Waldina have an eye for design, but she also keeps our team well-fed with delicious treats.
Stephanie Wulf
Seamstress / Upholsterer
Introducing Stephanie: A thrifting aficionado from Iowa known for her rad outfits and an endless supply of cool jackets. She’s an extremely talented seamstress, renowned for her amazing pillow and cushion designs at Spruce (think luxurious comfort meets eye-catching elegance). She’s also very creative! Among her latest creations is a prickly cactus, specially crafted for the Spruce team. When not in the studio, you can find Stephanie baking up vegan treats and casually saving the environment.
Austin Arney
Upholsterer
Austin is a third‑generation upholsterer from North Carolina who brings heritage craftsmanship and an easygoing charm to the studio. He approaches every project with the instinct that only comes from growing up in a family of makers. Outside the shop, he’s either on a disc golf course, exploring the city's food scene, or testing new material at the occasional stand‑up comedy night. He’s also been known to indulge in a little light swashbuckling—purely recreational, of course.
Blanca Torres
Seamstress
Blanca joins Spruce as our newest seamstress, bringing a lifetime of skill that began when she learned to sew at just eleven! This early start was shaped by the women in her hometown, where sewing was simply part of daily life. After arriving in America, she spent years in bakeries and restaurants before returning to what she truly loves: working with fabric. She has a soft spot for animals, especially rabbits, and an amusing love‑and‑fear dynamic with dogs. At home, Blanca enjoys cooking turkey legs and baking her favorite pineapple bread.
Interiors and Window Treatments
Isabel Sarria
Senior Interior Designer & Window Treatments
As our window treatment specialist hailing from Venezuela, Isabel adds an extra layer of expertise and flair to our design endeavors. With a wealth of experience in the design industry, Isabel brings expertise, creativity, and a refined touch to every project. When not designing, you can find her in the stands at the Austin FC soccer games. She also has the cutest Corgi you’ll ever lay eyes on, Charlie.
Clarissa Mapes
Window Treatment Specialist
Clarissa is our skilled window treatment specialist with a fine arts background, particularly in fibers. She has a deep admiration for architects, designers, artists, and builders, and is passionate about the beauty they bring to the world. Clarissa finds joy in the sun, the beach, and anywhere near water. An avid traveler, she dreams of returning to Hawaii or Spain, and she has a special fondness for potatoes.
Kaiya Adams
Interior Design Assistant
Meet Kaiya, a UT Austin interior design grad who had a brief stint as a software development intern before bringing that same analytical precision to the Spruce dynamic. Armed with an eye for bold colors and an array of patterns, she easily transitions from being knee-deep in CAD drawings to picking the perfect fabric. When she's off the clock, she's either watching almost any sport or buried in a good book. On a given weekend you'll spot her outdoors on a walk with an iced matcha in hand, taking in the Austin scenery.
Poppy
Apprentice Shop Dog, 100% Good Girl
Strawberry Frosted Poptart - or Poppy as we call her, is the beloved shop dog at Spruce, and the unofficial CEO of Chaos (and Cuteness). Renowned for her elite ball-chasing skills (retrieving is for amateurs), Poppy keeps the team on their toes and occasionally distracts them with her spontaneous snack inspections. With a nose for treats and style, she ensures every project passes her “sniff test.”
Pete “Pizza”
Quality Control, Blue Lacey
Pete wasn’t just our shop dog—he was the heartbeat of the place. With a nose for treats, a love for horses, and an uncanny ability to charm anyone who walked through the door, he brought joy and warmth to every corner of the shop. Whether trailing Waldina for snacks or greeting guests with a wag and a grin, Pete made our days brighter. We miss him deeply, but his spirit still lingers—curious, kind, and always ready for one more treat.