Chapter Four Design Ltd

Changing the furniture doesn't mean changing the memories ❤️x

I get a lot of clients feeling guilty about changing up an old piece of furniture to better suit their home, especially if that piece has sentimental value. Often things belonged to a loved one, or maybe were a big part of a childhood memory..

Totally understandable and I never pressure anyone to change up their furniture if they aren't completely sure 🫶. But if they do decide to go for it, thats absolutely fine and I think falling in love with a piece all over again makes it even more special - its evolved with you and changed with you, rather than being left behind (or worse, hidden away in the garage).

Get things out. Use them. Cherish them. Love them ❤️.

This living room furniture has been loved by Clive and his family for many years, and is absolutely beautiful; the stripped back top and the gorgeous green paint hasn't taken away from that at all. But now it feels light and bright, and in-keeping with his home today.

Have you got something sentimental that you have considered having painted or transformed in some way, but you feel guilty changing it so you've put it away out of sight? Well this is your sign to bring it out and feel proud to have it in your home.

❤️x

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The coziest room in the house is getting a colorful update. ⬇️

Save you a seat...

Well these seats have been well and truly saved.
They have that classic, nostalgic shape that so many of us will recognise from growing up, and I can only imagine how many family meals, memorable conversations and Sunday roasts they have witnessed. Which is why I was so pleased to give them a new lease of life, and the little bit of love they so deserve.

The process was simple; scrub, sand, paint, protect! East right? Nope lol, those 4 stages done right take a long time so don't be fooled into thinking chairs are easy, as they definitely aren't.. but they are obviously well worth it ☺️.

The scrubbing with mineral spirits was probably the most important step as grease naturally builds up in a kitchen, and grease and paint do not go well. Nor do grease and sanding pads ha ha. So yes, a good scrub before attacking with the sander, going through different grits of paper and different heads.

Then the paint was applied in thin coats as always to build up the coverage and ensure no drips. I also sanded between each coat of paint. I used Coalblack by . The paint was sealed with Fusion Ultra Guard.

Then all that was left to do was re-upholster the seats with carefully chosen contrasting botanical fabrics, sticking with a colour pallette across all 4 so they compliment one another, rather than clash.

They were delivered to a happy client yesterday, ready to be part of an exciting kitchen makeover 👌.

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Pretty AND practical ☺️

I am a big fan of something as functional as a child's high chair also being a thing of beauty in the home. The design of these Tripp Trapp high chairs are fantastic - classic, streamlined and super aesthetic.

The client in this project knows what she wants, has extreme confidence in her own taste, and will absolutely tell you if it isn't to her liking - oh, and she's 5 years old and one of my favourite mini humans 🥰😂.

Of course I was keen to live up to expectations so I took extra care to make sure my preparation was spot on, making sure to sand back the old paint right back to the wood. I then created this bespoke colour by mixing a couple of pinky tones of Fusion, applying in thin coats and building up the colour.

On the seat and foot rest I decided to do a contrasting finish using Alconquin and Woodwick (also Fusion), blending loosely to give this textured finish.

All the paintwork was sealed with 2 coats of Fusion Ultra Guard so I am confident it will cope with life's ware and tear.

And hopefully it makes my youngest client smile ever time she sits at the dinner table 🫶.


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Timeless Elegance...

The brief here was to refinish this writing bureau in a way that celebrated its age and beauty, whilst repairing the damage and bringing it a little up to date. I think we nailed it, what do you reckon? 🫶

I am such a big fan of a writing bureau transformation; each one I have done has been so different and this one didn't disappoint.

The water damage and scratches were making this piece look past its best, so I set about sanding off the varnish to get back to the wood underneath. It is a veneered finish so I had to be super careful. Once it was stripped bare I went in with washes of paint (Algonquin by mixed with water).

Unfortunately the walnut veneer on the front didn't take well to being sanded back, but I really wanted to keep that edge detail - so it was time to get creative. I painted the panel with a more solid coat of Algonquin and then used frog tape to create a border. Using a mix of paint and wood stain I managed to manufacture a similar detail around the panel, which worked a treat!

The wash looked a little pale so I added a coat of medium oak woodstain on top, which just gave some nice depth and tones. This was all sealed with Fusion Stain and Finishing Oil in Natural.

Inside the bureau I painted and stained until I was happy with the look. After trying (and failing lol) to paint the leather, I decided to replace it. Much better! This was edged with brass tacks to add to the vintage feel of the piece.

This beauty will now live on for years and years in my clients stunning home.

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Who doesn't love a bougie cocktail cabinet?? 🍸

So fun to look back at some of my faves over the years ..

I have several 'befores' needing an 'after' (see previous posts) so get in touch if you would like to chat about potentially having your own bespoke drinks cabinet for your home.

Cheers 🍾x

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This beautiful thing that I've done 🫶..

This project might be small but it has a big heart. This is really up my street in terms of the rustic design, beautiful texture and colour pallette.. did I mention the texture ☺️! ??

This side table was made from reclaimed wood which had lots of lovely grooves and bits of interest, so when sanding back the old varnish I was careful not to take away any of this charming character.

Once sanded back I attacked it with a punchy teal paint, applied with a dry brush.. followed by lashings of complimentary colours - pale blue, putty and browny beige. Then I was back with the sander to take back the paint little by little, until I was happy with the finish.

I darkened up the exposed wood parts and the paint with Stain and Finishing Oil in Cappuccino (by Fusion) followed by a dark wax (Rustoleum).

The legs were primed with Ultra Grip, painted in Coal Black and sealed with Fusion Ultra Guard.

Beautiful 👌x

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