Owner, Threadz Nola
For Andreina Salazar Snyder, upholstery tells a story. At Threadz Nola, a custom workroom offering upholstery, drapery and design, the owner’s family legacy is stitched into each piece as well. Salazar Snyder grew up watching her mother Jacqueline Salazar grow a one-woman clothing alternations operation in the family garage into a thriving commercial enterprise (Jackie Wackee Designs, derived from Andreina’s nickname for her mother). As Salazar Snyder recalled, “To see her want to learn — she really had an interest in the all-around of sewing. That’s where my passion grew.” Salazar Snyder always adored design. Classmates complimented her well-appointed college dorm room, with its upholstered headboard and frequent décor updates. After graduation, she hesitated to enter the competitive design world, steering toward a hospitality career instead. But she felt something was missing.
Salazar Snyder began helping her mother more with the design business, which in 2018 became Threadz Nola. When Salazar retired, her daughter took over the business, amplifying its reach through social media and growing her skills and staff, including some longtime employees who formerly worked for her mother. Salazar Snyder’s two-year-old daughter carries on the family tradition, pitching in with her own tape measure. “I want her to be an astronaut,” said Salazar Snyder, “but if she’d like to take over this business, I’d love to have her.”
Salazar Snyder treasures the opportunity to breathe new life into heirloom pieces, many of which hold deep sentimental value for clients. One such piece originated with a client’s great-great-grandmother. According to Salazar Snyder, “She was a slave on River Road who finally bought her freedom and was able to establish herself and buy this piece of furniture that she was able to pass on. We had the pleasure of redoing it — it was a touching moment to see it revived and new.”
The creative leanings of New Orleans clients offer room to experiment. That might include bold color or funky textures, like the geometrically patterned cowhide wall panels Salazar Snyder installed in a client’s bedroom. Or it could even be something more neutral. “If you want a beige sofa, I’m here for it,” said Salazar Snyder. “It’s going to be the best beige sofa you’ve ever had.”
As younger clients increasingly turn to vintage furniture for its craftsmanship and sustainability, the demand for upholstery remains strong, as does Salazar Snyder’s appetite for continuous improvement. “I want to learn and continue learning,” she said. “Between upholstery and drapery and sewing and décor … there is always something new, always a different method you can use.” She also wants to pass these skills on to the next generation by offering upholstery classes.
Salazar Snyder’s top priority is maintaining the quality, creativity and personal touch that keeps clients coming to Threadz Nola. “When you think of getting a specialty piece, I want people to think of us.”
