English and French Antiques & Upcycling

Our upcycling style evolved over 25  years.

It began with restoration work on English Victorian bamboo.

Then....we wondered..

If it worked on Victorian bamboo would it translate to other items of furniture?

So...a little tentatively....we tried it on Victorian chests...painted black and decorated with fish all over.

......the first of which went to the US via a trade customer.

It appeared  a few months later...

....on the glossy pages of  the US interiors magazine, Architectural Digest.

Wooohooo imagine that?

We give the same look to vintage enamel buckets and pots and items of furniture...mostly 1930's and 40's...that are in  need of TLC.

In 2016 Liberty picked up on our collection and invited us to  take over the 4th floor of their beautiful London store ...we stayed 3 years...

Extraordinary...bit like a dream...when you're based in an old warehouse down a backstreet....

Our  upcycled pieces have wound up in some pretty spectacular locations....

The look is our own take on  the
18th century "arte povera" chinoiserie lacquerwork finish...

Mostly we use black...occasionally dark red or green... with a hint of gold....

The decoration is decoupage using 19th and early 20th century images..

Occasionally we use old documents/ music/ maps and cover a piece of furniture.


We use varnishes to age down and finish with a coat of aging wax, then buff to a soft sheen.

Hopefully we've transformed a battered piece of furniture or old pot or bucket and given it a new....more sophisticated look.

We don't use antique furniture that can be brought back to original...

and as you see... we have a very good quality control department checking over finishes.....

....we don't only deal in upcycled pieces...we have a warehouse stacked to the rafters with English and French antique furniture.
19th century buffets, monastery tables, armoires, boulangerie racks, chairs......



For details of our current collection?

website
Or message us.

To visit?
We are open Saturdays... all other times by appointment or chance.

Why so?

Busy working on furniture and pots.

Happy to open any time.
Just send a message.

Trade?

Come and see us if ever Arundel way.
Our prices are extremely competitive.

Follow us on Instagram



#upcycling #chinoiserie #artepovera  #decoupage #frenchantiques  #englishantiques #visitarundel
#paintedfurniture
#libertylondon
#fishchestofdrawers
##arundelantiqueshops 
##lovearundel 










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