Tag: Furniture

A Traditional Transformation …

Written by Ray Clarke on . Posted in News, Portfolio, Traditional. No Comments on A Traditional Transformation …

Before:

I absolutely love transforming antique furniture with clever colourful combinations of modern fabrics and colours. The process becomes all the more enjoyable when I get to employ traditional upholstery techniques, as was the case with these two antique cane-backed pieces of furniture on behalf of Nicola Holden Interiors, who had a client based in Kew who wished to use a combination of Robert Allen fabrics and plush velvet piping to give a contemporary twist to these two traditional furniture pieces.

After:

A lot of work went into rewebbing, springing, stitching,  stuffing and revitalising all the seat suspensions. Providing a robust foundation from which I made seat pads choosing a foam core/feather wrap, giving optimum comfort levels  for the bespoke seat cushions and new and fully filled duck & down feather back cushions.

Before:

After:

My many thanks to Anna F and Rowena Murphy for their assistance in helping me transform these pieces, and to Nicola & Nick Holden and their client for their patience as I enjoyed some memorable sunny days in the new studio space, listening to the sounds of “A Moon Shaped Pool”, the most recent album from Radiohead.

Coming to you in Glorious AWT (African Waxblock Technicolour)…

Written by Ray Clarke on . Posted in Modern, modern upholstery projects, News, Portfolio. No Comments on Coming to you in Glorious AWT (African Waxblock Technicolour)…

Since producing the first of these a few years ago these custom African Waxblock technicolour patchwork Ottoman stools are becoming steadily very popular. I produced the latest one of these in July this year for a fan who saw my work on Facebook. Paying in instalments, I got little nervous and concerned when I couldn’t contact her as she had simply “Vanished” off the internet and hadn’t responded to my phone/text messages or emails!..I was delighted and surprised when one fine day in August my customer just randomly wandered into my workshop with her final deposit, explaining that she had become a victim of online fraud and hacking and had to wipe all presence of herself off the net! At that point I had almost finished the stool , needing a base cloth and custom feet attached (hence the lack thereof in the photo below)Upon finishing I delivered the stool to her parents’ address ,who were surprised and delighted that such a colourful piece had come to stay.

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Stoke Newington Xmas indoor market..The Gift that just keeps on giving!

Written by Ray Clarke on . Posted in News. No Comments on Stoke Newington Xmas indoor market..The Gift that just keeps on giving!

 Having successfully debuted last year it was difficult to not come to this event without expectations, you never know with markets at Christmas.

To be honest, 2014’s event certainly wasn’t as busy as the first time around. There simply wasn’t as much footfall as the year before. Whether that was due to a number of simultaneous events happening around Stoke Newington Town Hall that weekend, the weather, or the public mood (preferring to shop online in advance rather than brave the wind, cold & rain),  or our pitch positioning inside the hall, I “just” made my sales targets  (Despite some stiff competition for the first time I wasn’t the only upholsterer in the village displaying upholstered furniture items) with the help of my mobile and through it ever-present social media, I was able to reach people from the event who were unable to make it down, or were simply unaware that the event was happening in the first place!

What this event always does for me is it gives me an opportunity to engage with the public at large as well as get feedback, chat about my work and upholstery in general as well as give out loads of business cards and flyers  which resulted in a fair few follow-up enquiries which turned into customer sales

and the children that did turn up loved playing on the furniture!

(they’ve also really got to sort out that mulled wine though;)

My heartfelt thanks go out to Katy & Anna for helping me produce the stock during the runnup to what was a particularly busy xmas period, as well as all the great friends who bothered to come over and lend their support.

Will I take part next year if I’m offered a pitch again considering the potential setbacks? …Of course! An indoor xmas market can be the gift that just keeps on giving!

Which has got me thinking , 2015 would be great if I could find the time, energy and opportunity to take part in a few more weekend markets or even a trade fair?

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Ligne Roset Petite Siestre Armchair in Yarwood Hammersmith Moss Leather

Written by Ray Clarke on . Posted in modern upholstery projects, News. 2 Comments on Ligne Roset Petite Siestre Armchair in Yarwood Hammersmith Moss Leather

before…ligne-roset-chair-before

..After

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While getting over a rotten head cold/feeling run down.. this became my first reclining armchair, a 12-year old Ligne Roset “Petite Seistre” in Yarwood Hammersmith “moss” Leather with mustard top-stitching. Challenges (apart from top-stitching ) involved sourcing the right colour and sized eyelets for fitting the head rest struts, and sourcing a new feet to replace the plastic ones (especially the one odd shaped one that was fitted as a replacement).

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Festive feast Indoor Xmas Market @ Stoke Newington Town Hall, London

Written by Ray Clarke on . Posted in News. No Comments on Festive feast Indoor Xmas Market @ Stoke Newington Town Hall, London

My deep Thanks go out to Hackney Ventures and Hannah Edy of Big Love Gallery for inviting me to share a table with her at the Festive Feast Indoor Xmas Market, held on the 15th & 16th December at Stoke Newington Town Hall, London N16
As it was my very first attempt to physically sell some of my smaller furniture items and soft furnishings I had nothing to compare it to. So I was totally overwhelmed with the response , and sales of some of my cushions on the first day, as well as selling one of my footstools on the second day. It was a great opportunity to connect with potential customers, give away loads of business cards & flyers and take some enquiries, which I hope may return to me in the new year to use my upholstery service.

For me, That event was the manifestation of a long held wish to be able to sell my work, which was a big wake-up call to me, as this time last year I had been working part-time as a market stall porter

@ Spitalfields outdoor market. The whole week was also an opportunity to come across a space in south London where, Thanks to Hannah, I may be able to finally rediscover and apply my printed textile capabilities.

Many thanks to all my friends who showed up on either of the 2 days to lend me their support.

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Atelier Ray Clarke Ltd T/A Ray Clarke Upholstery & Design Company registration number :12018355

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