Sep 9
At the end of Summer I have Finally got this set of 8 dining room chairs and table ready for a wonderful and patient customer. Drop-in seat pads completely reupholstered with new fillings and covered in Beautiful @houseofhackney #Limerence. Went abit nuts trying to get the right colour for the show wood. Lots of sanding , staining, re-sanding and finishing.
Big thanks to @sg_upholstery and @the_upholstery_cabin for their assistance through the process.
Just afew more projects to go before I have to take enforced leave for my Hip operation coming up in just under 3 weeks!
...
Aug 21
Have you made or are you making any new(or old)additions, renovations or repairs to your creative workshop space during the holidays?
Earlier this summer, Vicky sourced for me a great MCM vintage sideboard from @fish4junk, and with some welcome help from her and #Bertiebeagle, we moved my old @ikeauk #expedia shelving unit from home to its new space in my studio- Perfect for my growing library of fantastic furnishing fabric books and swatches. Transforming my home and workspace in a matter of hours.
Its amazing how a making a few small changes to your envirnoment can make a BIG difference! X
#atelierrayclarke #studio #London #FabricStorage
...
Aug 19
No 2 days are ever the same.
Wasn`t up for covering my upholstery in fine sawdust plus it was really humid so I took it all outside
Thank @mirkauk for inventing #Abranet -I wish I could afford their complete extraction system and one or 2 of their premium sanding machines.
Even so, their abrasive papers are ingenious and work really well, even with my trusty Henry and current sanding equipment.
Check out our @sit_on_this_workshops podcast #Upholstery supplier series special about @mirkauk and their amazing sanding system (available on @youtube @applepodcasts and @spotifypodcasts )
#StreetSanding #atelierrayclarke #bespoke #london #craft
...
Aug 15
After a marathon sprint, or in my case, limp (as I have a partial hip replacement op coming up around September30th) to the finish line, traditionally Reupholstering these 6 x 18th century antique dining room chairs, covered @houseofhackney #Palmeral #Velvet for another patient but supportive Local customer near #VictoriaPark.
Can I have your permission to get some sleep this afternoon (I was up till 4am this morning and Ill need my strength)
...
Aug 12
During July I completed this mammoth set of outdoor seating for the rooftop terrace space for a great customer based in Queens gate gardens.
These custom pads were made from scratch , with fillings encased in waterproof barrier cloths , which along with the covers made with #laureston and #dalby fabrics supplied from @wemyssfabrics , are all mould and mildew resistant.
Final stages of this project had to be worked on site: fitting “Hook and eye” (aka “velcro”) to the frames to prevent the pads blowing off the roof into the street below ( and it does get windy up there!)
My heartfelt thanks to Vicky @the_upholstery_cabin , @shoreditchdesignrooms and my dear neighbour @jane.latchford.272 , for their help and support.
#AtelierRayClarke #Bespoke #outdoor #seating #wemyssfabrics #london
...
Aug 8
Made and delivered some lovely piped scatter cushions (and my first “Flanged” Scatter)for @haynes.interiors in @zimmerandrohde_uk and @linwood_fabric fabrics
What have you been up to?
#Bespoke #Scatter #Cushions #soft #furnishings #atelierrayclarke #London
...
Aug 2
Have you been getting outdoors much this summer?
A large part of my summer so far has been spent on my customers rooftop terrace, creating outdoor seating pads in @wemyssfabrics #Dalby #Ocean fabrics.
At least 1 four-legged friend approves. #atelierrayclarke #bespoke #london #craft #chair #Pads #cushions #indoor #outdoor #wemyss
...
Jul 27
My heartfelt thanks for your hospitality as well as massive congratulations to Louise, @loulourich ,@Nickitarr and all the stage 1 & 2,s @the_amusf upholstery graduates @sussexupholstery .
Great standard of work on show with some lovely creative details. Also Loving your workshop/ studio environment..Hope you all get to enjoy some well earned R&R over what’s left of this summer! #upholstery #AMUSF #Awards #Sussexupholstery
...
Jul 26
Refurbish and recover of this #blanketbox #lid #seating in @linwood_fabric for @haynes.interiors #atelierrayclarke #upholstery #bespoke ...
Jul 22
Are you looking to learn a new upholstery craft skill?
There are a number of Superb AMUSF training centres around the UK.
In #London there are 2 places I know and cannot recommend highly enough. One of which,whose stage 1,2&3 students have produced such gorgeous work (which had totally blown me away)is @shoreditchdesignrooms this past weekend.
It was an honour to present your student awards.. Very Well done indeed! I’d also like to acknowledge and congratulate all the SDR staff — for building such a lovely, warm and joyful space to learn: You’re doing something special here. It shows in your Students work, and it shows in the confidence I see on each of your faces- SKILLS!! #Graduate #awards #students #Upholstery #craft #atelierrayclarke
...
Jul 19
Super busy week. Still much to complete. Thanks to @sg_upholstery for your assistance early on in the week. A couple more Antique dining room chairs (of 6)to complete , clothed in @houseofhackney #Palmeral in colour #Midnight / #green. ...
Jul 9
For those that have recently started following me Thank you 🙏🏿 and May I reintroduce myself:
I’m Ray Clarke. I love the craft. I love art. I love my family and friends (whom I don’t see often enough) and I particularly love upholstery, re-upholstery and bringing my own art to this craft through developing textile designs , which I get digitally printed to create original statement one-off pieces which I post here and on @arc_atelier_ray_clarke
I love learning through practice it and recently, through @sit_on_this_workshops and have in the last year taught leisure classes at the prestigious @shoreditchdesignrooms.
If you are about and want to come and say Hi you’ll usually find me beavering away in my Bow-based workshop. Call or text first though as I’m either totally absorbed or i’m out and about delivering or collecting
Whether I’m working alone or assisted, Music is my constant companion, as I hope are you on this journey.
My collaboration with The lovely & amazing @the_upholstery_cabin continues to evolve; with upholstery leisure courses and most recently meeting and chatting to thoroughly lovely inspiring people which we feature on our @sit_on_this_workshops Podcast (available to listen to on @applepodcasts & @spotifypodcasts )
Thank you for following! x
Big shout out to ace photographer @nickdavid for sending through the above images from a shoot we did in August. Go check out his work it’s Fantastic!
Much love to you all and have a great week ahead! Rxxx
#AtelierRayClarke #Upholstery #textiledesign #softfurnishingsuk #craft #Skills #SitonThis! #Podcast #Learning #chairs #sofas #art #bespoke #furniture #London
...
Jul 8
As I get older and pass through this life I realise that No ones an island and we all need help and support from time to time.
I want to take this time to give a special Thank you to this Wonderful, funny, challenging, gifted, tenacious and not to mention gorgeous lady that is Vicky G of @the_upholstery_cabin.
Thank The Devine They broke the Mould When you were created! Rxxx
May you all be grateful for your blessings too-and have a Blessed day/week/month/restoftheyear xxxx
#gratitude #upholstery #love #atelierrayclarke #theupholsterycabin #sitonthis!
...
Jul 2
This Edwardian-Style sprung, stitched and stuffed armchair, was refurbished and recovered in a beautiful Bouclé, called #tirée from the lovely people up @butefabrics is finally ready to deliver back to my customer.
This past last week or so has felt like wading through warm treacle in my studio even with my biggest fan blowing warm air full pelt and the high windows open.
Better keep on truckin’ this first week and finish as many projects as I can , as
Apart from @sit_on_this_workshops Podcast, this month I have the honour and privilege to congratulate and celebrate the excellent work (putting mine to shame)of graduate students from many of @the_amusf upholstery schools and training centres.
#Upholstery #Armchairs #Bespoke #bouclé #atelierrayclarke #london
...
Jun 20
How are you all holding up in this UK heat?
My biggest fan has being working overtime- as have I this past week, just to keep cool.
Among the projects coming in and going out (shortly)are this set of 3 x cubed stools , recovered in @clarke_clarke_interiors #acies #Charcoal and @wemyssfabrics #Nabis , colour “Elephant” (Perhaps rename that one folks)..
Anyways - Let me know your most novel tips for staying cool while working at the bench?
...
Jun 7
This beautiful burnt umber colour variant of the #BrainScan print designby @susanaldworthstudio which I have recoloured & embellished, highlighted with quilted contrasting turquoise thread ”tendrils”, painstakingly stitched through superb digitally printed Eco-velvet from Alexander and his fabulous team over @maakeuk.
So excited to deliver them later today!
#atelierrayclarke #arc #design #fabric #bespoke #furnitureart #London
...
May 31
How would you fit the trimmings on this Late Victorian Beauty? ...
May 27
Did you all have a great Bank holiday weekend? As some of you know I’ve been hard at it at the bench (Hence the Lo-to-no posting). Got quite a bit on at the mo: These set of 4 #midcentury #modern dining room #chairs were designed by Arthur Edwards for an Irish furniture manufacturer called #Crannac.
Now looking smart in @mournetextiles “Stream” (Colour B&W 104/2) for @nicolaholdendesigns
My Thanks to Nicola & Nick for their continued custom, patience and support.
What are you upholsterers working on?
Have a great week! Rx
...
May 2
My customer came to me looking for new fillings and covers to replace her worn-out, shapeless and totally uncomfortable pair of large leather sofa seat cushions.
Once the leather was chosen, a beautiful Rich Chestnut coloured Aniline Pull-up from those lovely people from @wildmanbugby .
Of the 3 options of fillings I presented my customer wisely decided to go for the fully sustainable option: Brand new pocket springs in the core, encased within layers of rubberized hair, wrapped in #ultraflex foam(made from recycled plastic bottles), wool felt, (recycled Polyester skin wadding, stockinette and finally Flame retardant calico.
This was my first created pair of sofa seat cushion fillings using Recycled foam as part of a system. And I love the use of eyelets in the zip panels which help create air circulation within each unit.
I think my client will love to “Sit on This!”😉
What do you think?
Thank you @martinsuph for swift and expert supply of some super sundrys for this (and every)project!
#upholstery #atelierrayclarke #bespoke #sustainable #sofa #seat #cushions #london
...
Apr 25
I completed and delivered some New seat & arm pads for this drop arm sofa in a beautiful #bouclé (Customer Supplied Fabric). Normally I don’t like to do projects in COM however my customer has been using my services for over 10 years so I knew he was open to a proper fabric consultation, ensuring it was fit for purpose plus he has excellent taste in my humble opinion so the Job’s a good one!
Don’t know about you makers but my body feels as stiff as an old board this morning- My customer recommended me their physio.
How’s your old body holding up?
#insitu #bouclé #Seat #pads #atelier #Ray #Clarke
...