This pair of vintage old gentlemen, originally from Londons Park Lane Hotel were stripped, re-padded and recovered in record time; as they are the tools of the therapist clients trade they had to be delivered after a holiday and before the next mornings session, complete with tailored arm caps, antimacassars and scatter cushions – mission accomplished ;)
Not all office chairs are dull, some are injected with a large portion of zesty zing :)
Edwardian traditionally sprung armchairs stripped and recovered in a contemporary fabric with the old unattractive castors replaced with new, taller, more floor friendly feet.
This charming vintage drop arm sofa was a bit boney and in need of some seat restoration; new stuffings applied and edge roll hand stitched before new fabric and taller feet to raise the overall height.
When a client saw an inspirational photo somewhere of oversized opulent dining chairs, it was my pleasure to work with an expert carpenter to make the dream come true ….
This large pair of sofas were re-covered in durable, family friendly velvets; sounds like an oxymoron – it isn’t!
A delightful pair of Art Deco chairs recovered in a punchy plaid with a little button detail; keep it simple and let the fabric do the talking.
Woodwork beautifully restored by client.
Always ready, willing and able with the right tool to hand.
This pair of inherited chairs were hand painted by the client in a one-to-one workshop at ‘Cositas’ on Holywell Hill, St Albans before being recovered in a dainty stripe for a tastefully subtle finish.
It was with great delight that I was able to strip off the ill-fitting, badly slipping loose covers of this three piece suite and replace with the clean lines of upholstered elegance in a luxury wool fabric inspired by an Alpine ski lodge.
This much loved, well travelled mid-century settee was transported from New York to the Ladyshed for some restoration work; new stuffings to back and arms and a hard wearing family friendly fabric to ensure years and years of rough and tumble
It’s not all about the dramatic transformation, sometimes a sympathetic refurbishment is in order; this traditionally upholstered sofa had a sloping seat making for an uncomfortable sitting experience.
Upon stripping the reason became clear – the independent sprung edge had collapsed and buckled and required an entire re-lash of the spring system and reconstruction of the seat prior to the replacement of the original fabric. 
The collapsed front seat edge
Loopy Lashings allow springs to wobble around in any direction; now tethered tight and standing to attention and ready to do the job they’re designed for.
The tops of the springs are stitched in through the tough hessian with the gulley behind the front independent sprung edge ready to be packed hard with stuffing to keep those pesky coils under control :)
Original fabric replaced and a smooth, durable front edge achieved.
This cute shaped chair had great potential under the old and dated cover…..
Mirror, mirror on the wall; who’s the most gorgeous chair of all??
The pattern chosen for the back of this chair sits perfectly with the shapely frame – it’s all in the detail :)
A perfectly sized and shaped corner set in need of some pizzazzzz.
(and boy, do I like pizzazz!)
Even Baby wouldn’t mind being put in this corner ;)
This most cherished mid-century armchair has moved with its owner from the USA; arriving in the ladyshed wrapped in polythene and parcel tape!
It took bold vision to imagine the finished piece – A mention of a favoured tartan during initial consultation gave food for thought and made for a truly unique and personal project to the delight of the client :)
An absolute labour of love – some chairs are hard to give back :)
When the comfiest chair in the house isn’t quite comfy enough!
This reclining armchair was sun damaged, tattered and a little out-dated; new soft chenille fabric and added stuffing to back and arm pads have made this the cosiest place to sit ;)
The untidy loose covers of this little armchair have been stripped away and in is place is a smartly tailored fixed cover in a luxurious Moon wool- reminiscent of a cosy school cardi, this chair now oozes a sleek style with a Scandinavian feel.
With a wobbly wing, this little chair had seen better days; a small repair and new patchwork-esque fabric has given a new look.
This sad but much loved little mid-century office chair was dated and wobbly; upon stripping the frame pinged apart as only the fabric was holding it together.
With the help of some glue and a clamp, the chair was rebuilt using all new stuffings and given a new lease of life with this glowing kryptonite green designers guild fabric – photographed with no filter necessary!
This tidy but tame little chair has been livened up with a tangy tangerine of terrific tactility.
:)
From drab to fab!
Acres of durable blue chenille were used to recover this Ercol suite of colossal proportions with a pop of patchwork to funk up the footstool 
Perished webbing had let down an otherwise intact seat of a much loved inherited armchair; the existing top cover is carefully peeled back, superior webbing replaced and springs restitched for restored relaxation :)
Deep, deep surgery was required to revive this Edwardian beauty; saggy bottom? -No problem!
A new traditionally hand lashed seat has it looking perky ;)
One of Moon Fabrics wool cloths in tweed was chosen to cover the elegant curvaceous shape, giving a cosy and inviting finish.
These Guy Rogers reclining ‘Manhattan’ chairs were found by my client wishing to replace chairs he had when newly married 40 years ago.
They were in a poor state – frames wobbly and stuffings perished, so loose joints were re-glued and clamped and all stuffings replaced from the frames up; the results are most becoming.
:)
A small and tatty inherited chair recovered in the most beautious Designers Guild tangerine velvet.
The result is truly stunning.
After a complete strip, these chairs where specialist resprayed in a flashy gold metalic paint, before being rebuilt from the frames up with new modern materials and covered in contemporary fabrics befitting the new bedrooms of a pair of princesses :)
A worn and grubby seperating narrowboat sofa bed storage unit is recovered and perfectly pattern matched with a fabric in keeping with its surroundings :)
A seat repair and a change of colour to both fabric and legs gives this well used chair a sleek new look and scandi-feel.
These tired chairs were very much ‘of their time’ – sadly dated and ready for a re-vamp; and what a new look!
Woodwork hand painted in a soft dove grey to complement to fabric, the overall finish is charming :)
This inherited chair was ripe for modernization, a change of colour, buttons and legs together with almost invisible fitted slip covers to arms and seat make it a perfect piece for a young family’s new home :)
The cause of the lumpy and uncomfortable seat was revealed upon stripping; broken, bent and unlashed springs. A full traditional rebuild to include an independent sprung edge was required to reinstate maximum comfort, followed by a re-cover in a modern grey fabric to ping this old girl into the next century ;)
This stained leather chair was literally bursting at the seams; now, the handsome fellow has been re-covered with new hide to restore it’s classic, understated good looks :)
These inherited curvaceous classics have had a rejuvenation; the original brown Draylon and perished foam has been replaced with this tasty tangerine fabric – why have only one statement chair?
The first quarter of the year has been fuelled mostly by plutonium for time travel :)With methods of construction that span all the upholstery ages:
from an iron-back victorian ladies crinoline chair and
traditional tub chair; through the mid-century modern classics of a sky
blue egg chair and a pair of centa easy chairs; then bang upto date with a trio of sofas and a set of dining chairs.
- interspersed with two pairs of high revving, racy red, Ferrari
F40* seat covers. (*I really wish I could have written Delorean
here)
Like I said, variety ;)
In a hand made leather, diamond quilted, luxury alcantara lined folder and slip cover with magnetic grab and personalised tags, I would hope ??
;) 
Damply stored in the garage for years, this old chair of grandads was completely stripped, damaged woodwork revived; rebuilt and finished in strokable chenille that feels like a hug! 
Another pair of inherited Parker knolls get a modern makeover and a whack with the wow wand ;)
With a broken suspension system this family heirloom was looking a bit forlorn; new springs and stuffings and she’s revving high on the comf-o-meter ;)
With the clients great vision, this ‘seen better days’ sofa / chaise combo arrived at the ladyshed along with 30+ mts of the finest Italian Lizzo velvet.
The rest of it was my pleasure :)
Grandma’s Parker knoll; no longer dated and frumpy – now she seeks attention!
Just a quickie but enough to add a pop of colour around the kitchen table :) 
This dated but still perky suite was refinished in a tactile peachy fabric with a fruity array of scatter cushions :)
Once clapped out and drab; new cushions and a brand new attitude give this suite a whack with the wow wand; love it or hate it, you won’t ignore it ;)
A dreary office chair? -never!
A large portion of pizzazzzz and mock crock chenille and this baby’s ready to disco ;)
Where once the seat was saggy and droopy, new springs traditionally lashed and freshly teased stuffings ensure ‘buns of steel’ – firm and perfectly formed ;)
This dowdy Victorian little old lady is now the ‘belle of the ball’ with sumptuous hot pink velvet and glitzy crystal buttons – I called her Barbara Cartland; old but incredibly glamorous :)
This camel back sofa has been stripped and recovered in a Laura Ashley striped fabric.
The old dogs bed reborn ;)
Buttoned bouffant banished! -Now a neat and stylish boudoir chair :)
With methods of construction that span all the upholstery ages:
from an iron-back victorian ladies crinoline chair and traditional tub chair; through the mid-century modern classics of a sky blue egg chair and a pair of centa easy chairs; then bang upto date with a trio of sofas and a set of dining chairs.
– interspersed with two pairs of high revving, racy red, Ferrari F40* seat covers. (*I really wish I could have written Delorean
here)
Like I said, variety ;)
And with a very long & patient waiting list 2015 looks to off to a strong start!!
Ever wondered what a record breaking England rugby player would sit on to eat breakfast?? ;)
It’s not just chairs that need upholstering …….
This charming vintage pram has had a total restoration starting with a repaint and then a super comfy new lining :)
