Maker's bio

Paint Kitchen began in April 2019 when I made the decision to go solo after 30 years combined working as a Course Leader in Interior Design, interspersed with working in the Interior Design Industry. The retail side of Interior Design introduced me to the Annie Sloan brand of chalk paint, and having delivered a few workshops and completed a few upcycling projects of my own, once my finished pieces started to sell, I soon had to hire a workspace and build the service from there. I now sell my finished work through Etsy and Marketplace, I take on commission work and travel to different sites and locations delivering workshops to help people to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of changing an unwanted piece of furniture into something to be proud of. I've also given demonstrations and talks at charity events in local auction houses, and Paint Kitchen opens its Accrington studio doors twice a year as part of our shared studio open event, allowing people to come and view and purchase from local artists, makers and designers. I believe wholeheartedly in furniture art - each piece of furniture that makes its way to the Paint Kitchen workshop is treated like a blank canvas and the design process is a huge part of what I love about the whole transformation. I work in any type of surface treatment available with the materials I have - this could be a gold leaf and floral decoupage or a masking tape geometric abstract design. The form, shape and age of the furniture is always a good starting point, and I take each learner through the processes from start to finish during a workshop, so expect to work with colour, prep, design, planning, painting and sealing to get to your completed masterpiece!