Furniture Gets New Life at Steven Pace Co. in Catonsville

When it comes to furniture, Herman DeShazo has it all together. And if a job calls for it, he can do what it takes to put it back together.

At his shop, Steven Pace Company on Frederick Road in Catonsville, he recanes chairs, reupholsters sofas, boat cushions and more, make repairs, and creates custom pieces.

"We've been here so long, everybody just trusts us and brings their stuff into us," he said Monday while working in his spacious, basement workshop.
DeShazo has been reviving antiques and other beloved furniture for 32 years in Catonsville, in the shop named after his father-in-law and mentor who is deceased.

The business was founded by Pace and has been at various places in Baltimore, including on Reisterstown Road, DeShazo said.

Among the items DeShazo is working on this week are upholstering vinyl cushions for a boat and putting new springs in an antique chair. There's an antique desk that needs a new top, and He just finished recaning four dining room chairs.

When it comes to furniture, "we will spring it, respring it, rip it, sew it. We know how to take it apart ... and fix it," said DeShazo, a resident of Rockdale, referring to himself and Spencer Atkins of Baltimore.

On this day, Atkins manned the sewing machine, piecing together the coverings for the boat.

At Steven Pace, there are dozens of upholstery samples from which to choose when ordering a custom upholstery job.

DeShazo admits he's performing a dying art as a furniture craftsman. There just aren't many people practicing the craft, these days, he said.

But he gets satisfaction out of helping people, and by keeping quality pieces of furniture in top condition.

Older furniture is worth saving, he said. "Because it's good-quality wood. Today's is throw-away furniture."

He encourages others to get into the business. And, while he doesn't have any jobs to offer now, he said he considers taking on a journeyman at times.

That's someone who's willing to put in the five years or so that it takes to begin learning the trade.

Steven Pace Co. is located at 729 Frederick Road. For more information, call the shop at 410-744-0640.

Editor's Note: The original version of this article listed the incorrect telephone number. We regret the error.