Watch Chloe Kempster Give New Life to Old Furniture in This Domestika Diary

British furniture artist Chloe Kempster shows us how she transforms worn out pieces into modern works of art

Upcycling old pieces of furniture has been Chloe Kempster’s (@chloe_kempster) passion since the age of 11 - long before upcycling became a trend.

Chloe’s career as a furniture artist stemmed from her Fine Art degree and experience in retail. Now with her own, successful UK-based furniture design business - Maisie’s House - she takes old, forgotten or unloved furniture and transforms it using modern patterns and colors. Apart from having contributed to publications such as Country Living Magazine and the Financial Times, she also makes regular TV appearances in the BBC upcycling show, “Money for Nothing”.

In this edition of Domestika Diaries, join Chloe on her journey from client brief to statement piece.

A modern twist

A lick of paint can make a world of difference. By adding floral patterns, geometric shapes, or neon paint, Chloe revives old bits of furniture and brings them into the 21st Century. “I really like to discover the pieces of furniture that people have written off, to give them a modern twist and bring them back to life,” Chloe explains.

Creative process

After receiving a brief from a client, Chloe goes to a secondhand store with “an open mind”. Although she tends to have an idea of what she wants, she leaves room for any creative inspiration that may unexpectedly strike. Once she has chosen the piece of furniture that fits the client’s description, she brings it back to her colorful studio, sands it down, and works her magic.

If you have any old bits of furniture that could do with a new lease of life, check out Chloe’s course Upcycling Vintage Furniture with Painting Techniques.

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- 12 Online Upcycling Courses for Getting Creative at Home
- Furniture Restoration and Transformation for Beginners, a course by @Antic&Chic
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