Unloved and neglected?

Not anymore.

My current chair (update on progress soon!) is almost ready to come home and so I've been casting round for a new project.

This little lady has been languishing in the corner of our upholstery workshop for years. She caught my eye when I first started the class and for £35 she's now become my new beau. Good shape, bones a bit wobbly, but I like a challenge. Can't wait to breath new life into this little chair.

Chair love

A couple of years ago I drove past this little lady sitting by the side of the road. Needless to say I pulled over and went to check her out. Frankly, she was a bit threadbare and past her best, but with a fab bone structure and a little note explaining that said chair was destined for the tip unless a new home was found... well what more encouragement did I need? I somehow managed to bundle the chair, and the chest of drawers beside her, into the back of my car and home we all went!


I've since found a fab evening class teaching traditional upholstery. So for the past 18 months my chair and I meet up for a couple of hours a week to work on her looks.


It's becoming a real labour of love, but deeply satisfying. Fingers crossed that the chair will be all set to return home by the summer!

The best finds are free!

Saw this chest of drawers outside in a front garden a couple of streets away from our house. After cheekily knocking on the door, it turned out that it did indeed need a new home, so home it came. Funny what people throw away.


These drawers have definitely seen better days, but they are solidly made complete with dovetails and honey oak veneer. No flat pack here! A couple of hours spent with a sander and a little wax, and voila!


The mark on the right hand side is where I treated a single suspect hole with woodworm treatment. Hoping the mark fades, but I'd rather that than an infestation of wee little wood-munching beasties.

I think there's a bit of history with this piece as well. On the back is a brand mark - a crown with W.D. beneath (will take a picture soon). I think the W.D. stands for War Department... what were they doing building furniture?!