Williams Richmond Collaboration

Williams Richmond/ Ricmond Williams Collab…whichever way I write it ..the visitors at Art In My Garden couldn’t get enough of this!  They were perplexed that it wasn’t covered in paint - it was a soft chair! …with a perfect comfortable seat upholstered in rich velveteen.

The vintage chair (circa 1950 or earlier) was lovingly reborn as part of a fun collaboration with local textiles designer Deb Richmond.  At the heart of the project is the The Secret Garden, my 3ft by 4ft diptych which was photographed by fellow artist and photographer Elle Bruce.  

Richmond digitally enlarged the image and rendered it into a seamless pattern repeat.  Printed by Art Fabrics (Monteal) onto a rich velveteen it was professionally upholstered allowing the the vibrant colours and lively textured brush strokes to have a second life.

How did it all happen?

Read on ..if you’re a collector of strewn and abandonded furniture. If you haven’t tried it, don’t judge it - one day you might be lucky,  like me!

Over the years, I've gathered a lots of furniture – side tables, coffee tables, chairs, and outdoor pieces. Some were rescued with a splash of lively red paint for the garden, while others languished half-stripped in my garage.

It was love at first sight when I spotted the quirky pink boudoir chair by the roadside! I spared her from the monthly 'big pickup' and brought her home with excitement.

However, I confess I neglected her as my initial enthusiasm faded when I couldn't find the perfect fabric. She ended up in the basement, like Cinderella waiting for her Fairy Godmother moment. It took three long years for me to rekindle our bond, sparked by a creative conversation with Deb.

I’m happy this one turned out to be a winner - scroll the before and after images here using the password ‘secret garden’