01 · The material
Read the fabric
The right upholsterer understands the way fabric moves, how it settles and how it will feel once it belongs to the piece.
The hands behind the work
Meet Cardinal Hinds
The second generation behind Hinds Upholstery & Drapery Creations
Cardinal grew up around the workshop his father, Doyle Cardinal Hinds, began in 1970. What started with a curious child watching the work became a life shaped by fabric, patience and the relationships built one piece at a time.
From the beginning
Curiosity became a craft
“Being mischievous and curious, my parents never shied away from allowing me in the workshop.”
The business was founded in 1970 by his father, Doyle Cardinal Hinds. Cardinal represents the next generation, having grown up around the workshop and learning from his parents along the way.
He keeps two things from those early years: patience and the value of working relationships with customers. Over the years, he has also learned that good workmanship is only part of that relationship. Being dependable, delivering when promised and communicating well matter too. Those lessons continue to shape how he approaches the work today.
For Cardinal, the work is about understanding the individual piece, solving what needs to be solved and adding his own personal touch. Every piece presents something different, and that individuality is what keeps the work interesting.
Cardinal’s approach
Understand the fabric. Then trust the process.
For Cardinal, good upholstery is not only about choosing a colour. It is knowing how a fabric moves, settles and feels on the particular piece beneath it.
02 · The piece
Make it individual
Cardinal is most proud of pieces he can transform and give a personal touch. The individuality is the point; mass-produced pieces do not hold the same interest.
03 · The relationship
Trust the process
His ideal customers are simple to describe: “Those who trust the process.” That trust gives the workshop room to bring experience and judgement to the result.
Experience across Barbados
Selected properties served
Hinds Upholstery has completed upholstery-related work for villas, hospitality properties, residences and commercial clients across Barbados, including the properties listed here.
Client privacy matters. Property names are shared only as examples of completed work. No particular service, owner or photograph is attributed to a property, and identifiable photographs are published only where permission allows.
- Clifton Cove
- Mango Bay Villa
- Crystal Spring
- Heron Bay
- Royal Penthouse 309
- Athena
- Merlyn Bay Villas
- Mullins Beach Houses
- Coco De Mer
- Bachelor Hall
- Happy Days Villa
- Cherry Beach Restaurant
- Carlyon House
- Hadley House
- Illaro Court
- Oceana
- Sugar House
- Villa Saint Lucy
- Maddox
- Alang Alang
The next generation
Something his children can be proud of
Cardinal wants to leave behind something worthwhile — a business, a standard of work and a family story that his children can be proud of.
See the workshop’s workSaint James workshop
Have a piece worth doing properly?
Tell Cardinal what you have in mind and send photographs of the piece. The workshop will advise on the next step.