Project

Painted Antique Furniture

MELISSA WHITE AT FLEET GALLERY

I’m delighted to be collaborating with Fleet Gallery on a new painted furniture adventure.

I’ve become enamoured of a certain style of painted furniture, with its origins in Italy, that features strong geometric designs painted in an all-over fashion. The bold, structured patterns, often in black and white, have a rhythm and energy that I find very exciting when they cover characterful pieces of antique furniture.

When I found that antique specialist Patrick Robbins of Fleet Gallery shared my enthusiasm it made perfect sense to bring our skills together. Based in St. Leonards-on-Sea (not far from Hastings studio) Patrick has great experience in sourcing and recognising beautiful pieces that have provenance and character, but he also recognises the potential of pieces in need of sprucing up.

From cupboards to cabinets, drawers to commodes, we will let his finds speak to us and select suitable patterns that will enhance and elevate. Then back at my studio I’ll be working my painterly magic on some beautiful items.

For furniture painting I use natural, chalk paints to apply the designs free-hand or with the aid of simple stencils in the English tradition. I’ve avidly collected patterns for many years with a particular interest in Elizabethan wall painting but also a love of European folk art and vernacular decoration.

With the design painted I gently distress the surfaces. This stage is especially rewarding when working with antique furniture because all the history imbued in the surface; layers of paint and years of wear and tear, melds with the new paintwork in thrilling and serendipitous ways. A waxed finish further enhances the inherent patina and gives the piece longevity. I think this painted furniture can add vibrancy and personality to any space serving as a standout, statement or as a key piece to an inspired room scheme”

This portfolio is about soft furnishings for domestic use.

Some Past Projects

Soft Furnishings

For bespoke cushion covers, door & window curtains etc. I paint with washable, light-resistant paints that leave the fabric with a soft handle. I use a selection of favourite fabrics, mostly lovely slubby, unbleached linens, but I’m happy to trial a client’s own cloth for suitability. Some velvets take paint very nicely and most mixed fibres are fine too. It’s always interesting to see what works. The paints are thin and watery so tend not to lend themselves to layered paintwork or fine detail but are perfect for woodblock or damask type designs.

Once painted I recommend dry clean only.

Painted Fabric Gallery