I'm based in West Berkshire and tend to work with clients in Berkshire, North Hampshire, South Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. After an inital call/email, if you have a piece of furniture you want to commission for updating, I can work from a photograph to initially evaluate what could be achieved and then if it's decided to take it to the next stage, I would come to see the piece of furniture and discuss possible options. My quote will include the cost to pick up and return your furniture to you.
A formal quote would be then be sent to you on email with the costs for my time and materials. Sometimes, there are additional costs to add if a decision would need to be made about, for example, handles, legs etc.
A formal quote would be then be sent to you on email with the costs for my time and materials. Sometimes, there are additional costs to add if a decision would need to be made about, for example, handles, legs etc.
Preparation
I spend a lot of time before I start to paint, ensuring that each piece is in a good state for painting. Each piece is thoroughly cleaned, sanded (often back to bare wood), primed using a stain blocker to ensure no bleed through from wood resin and repairs made if needed. All hardware is removed and holes filled and sometimes, the base is altered to allow for new legs.
Painting
I use high quality paints with no VOCs or harmful ingredients to humans, pets or the environment. 2-3 coats of paint are applied and then a sealer applied on top of the paint, to ensure that the furniture will be protected against possible damage in the home.
I spend a lot of time before I start to paint, ensuring that each piece is in a good state for painting. Each piece is thoroughly cleaned, sanded (often back to bare wood), primed using a stain blocker to ensure no bleed through from wood resin and repairs made if needed. All hardware is removed and holes filled and sometimes, the base is altered to allow for new legs.
Painting
I use high quality paints with no VOCs or harmful ingredients to humans, pets or the environment. 2-3 coats of paint are applied and then a sealer applied on top of the paint, to ensure that the furniture will be protected against possible damage in the home.
Detailing
The devil really is in the detail! I always try to finish pieces on the inside as well, whether it's using wallpaper to line drawers; stencilling along the sides of drawers and always masking areas to ensure a crisp paint line.
The devil really is in the detail! I always try to finish pieces on the inside as well, whether it's using wallpaper to line drawers; stencilling along the sides of drawers and always masking areas to ensure a crisp paint line.
Design
Design is a key feature of my work! This is always in consultation with my clients and advice given if needed but I like to make each piece unique and slightly different to pieces that you could buy from the shops. Below are some examples of different design styles that I can use but are by no means exhaustive. I'm always trying new things and extending my repertoire of techniques!
Design is a key feature of my work! This is always in consultation with my clients and advice given if needed but I like to make each piece unique and slightly different to pieces that you could buy from the shops. Below are some examples of different design styles that I can use but are by no means exhaustive. I'm always trying new things and extending my repertoire of techniques!
Retaining some natural wood
There is a growing trend towards retaining some of the natural wood on pieces that are made from good quality wood and using paint in a more design focused way. This piece was sanded right back and we discovered the most beautiful woodgrain underneath the varnish, so using 2 different coloured paints (green and gold), I changed the look of the table from a rather 'chunky' table into something more elegant and contemporary. The whole piece was oiled to bring out the natural grain and protect the paint.
There is a growing trend towards retaining some of the natural wood on pieces that are made from good quality wood and using paint in a more design focused way. This piece was sanded right back and we discovered the most beautiful woodgrain underneath the varnish, so using 2 different coloured paints (green and gold), I changed the look of the table from a rather 'chunky' table into something more elegant and contemporary. The whole piece was oiled to bring out the natural grain and protect the paint.
Stencilling
There are endless ways to create patterns and interest on furniture, as there are SO many beautiful stencils available. I use stencilling sparingly but with stunning effects. This piece combines the beauty of the wood with a small amount of paint and gold stencilled detail on the drawer. Stencils can also be used to create texture using texture paste and painted on top.
There are endless ways to create patterns and interest on furniture, as there are SO many beautiful stencils available. I use stencilling sparingly but with stunning effects. This piece combines the beauty of the wood with a small amount of paint and gold stencilled detail on the drawer. Stencils can also be used to create texture using texture paste and painted on top.
Transfers
There are a plethora of beautiful transfers to enhance furniture and create a unique piece for your home. This small pine box was painted white and some floral transfers added front and back to make it a pretty laundry box for my Mum!
There are a plethora of beautiful transfers to enhance furniture and create a unique piece for your home. This small pine box was painted white and some floral transfers added front and back to make it a pretty laundry box for my Mum!
Faux Wood effect
Whilst it's great to retain wood, sometimes pieces of furniture are either veneered or laminate, so it's not 'proper 'wood and sometimes it's just not very nice wood! In these cases, it's possible to create a 'faux wood' effect, using paint and wood stain. This piece was veneered and had been painted white all over, so the top was stripped right back and a faux wood effect created on top.
Whilst it's great to retain wood, sometimes pieces of furniture are either veneered or laminate, so it's not 'proper 'wood and sometimes it's just not very nice wood! In these cases, it's possible to create a 'faux wood' effect, using paint and wood stain. This piece was veneered and had been painted white all over, so the top was stripped right back and a faux wood effect created on top.
Gilding
This is a lovely technique to enhance furniture - sometimes used on edges but also used with stencilling. This piece was 'made' from a 'lazy susan' and metal light shade from IKEA and screwed together. The top was painted and then decoupaged using decoupage tissue and the edge gilded using gold gilding sheets. It creates a luxurious look and with a sealer on top is very durable.
This is a lovely technique to enhance furniture - sometimes used on edges but also used with stencilling. This piece was 'made' from a 'lazy susan' and metal light shade from IKEA and screwed together. The top was painted and then decoupaged using decoupage tissue and the edge gilded using gold gilding sheets. It creates a luxurious look and with a sealer on top is very durable.
Decoupage/Decoupatch
I do both! Decoupage is a technique to transfer very delicate paper images (sometimes napkins) onto furniture/household items and creates some beautiful effects. This piece is a small drawer unit and uses crackle effect in the background paint and has floral decoupage added and sealed on top. Decoupatch is similar but uses lots of small torn pieces of paper to cover the surface. This piece has used a simple colour scheme of black and white papers to create an almost Escher type effect on these drawers. |
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