Bus Stop Bench

When do two chairs become a bench? When you bolt them together of course.

This bench is now available to bus travellers on the A40 at Trecastell, Powys.

I extricated these two chairs from a skip and connected them with a couple of pieces from a broken easel. I re-upholstered the ruined seats with waste stuffings and covered them in a 1970's fabric offcut.

I added a plastic Cowboy and Indian in conflict because that's the sort of person I am.

Oh, and I've taken to dressing as a gorilla for my exploits because that's also the sort of person I am.

Bus Stop Chair

Here's another chair from the rubbish tip that's now available for weary travellers to take a seat.

It's now on the A476 near Carmel, Carmarthenshire.

The chair is now covered in a garish print and hosts a chubby plastic Churchill/Admiral thing on the leg.

And why not?

Mahogany Carver Chair

A mahogany dining chair covered in William Morris fabric by Liberty.

This chair is actually covered in one of the customer's old curtains. The fabric is far from upholstery weight but I really don't think it matters on an over-stuffed chair because after re-upholstery it's drum-tight and nothing's going to give. By the time the fabric wears out (10-15 years?) they'll be looking forward to something new anyway, and the upholstery should last 50 years so the next job will be cheap.

I 'm not sure how old the chair is, it's hard to identify (if anyone knows, please leave a comment), but it really suits this fabric don't you think?

This was a commission.

Edwardian Armchair

An Edwardian (or possibly late Victorian) open armchair covered in Stuart Renaissance Textiles ‘Rose & Pansy’ design wool, adapted from a Turkey-work chair cover, circa 1610.

 A couple came in with their own fabric which is an astonishing re-make of a 1600's design. I thought it might be too busy for this chair (that has been in the family over a hundred years) but it is such high quality I was keen to work with it. I was wrong, it sits extremely well.

It's not a geometric pattern so nothing lines up accurately, but I didn't realise this for ages. I got quite stressed with it until the penny dropped that it isn't supposed to line up. Now I'm very happy with it and so is the customer.

This was a full restoration with traditional horse-hair and hessian. It takes ages but I love doing it.

Gingham Check Chair

Here's a slender little chair in a proud gingham check.

A customer brought this in with two broken side stretchers and asked if I thought there was any chance to save it - some glue, some dowels and a few screws later and, although delicate, this family heirloom is in full working order. She determined not to let any 'big blokes' near it. I think this is for the best.

I did really enjoy how the upholstery nails fitted exactly into the white squares.

Stripes

Six dining chairs for a customer who certainly likes stripes.

I've now done ten chairs and two cushions for her in this fabric and we both agree that's probably enough.