On My Design Bench Archives

String Lampshade Makeover

It is not just myself who likes to be creative and bring old unloved pieces back to life. One of my staff has recently completed this lampshade makeover using chunky natural string purchased from here in the store. The original lampshade has undergone two makeovers now. The first transformation was done using the Blake & Taylor Chalk Furniture Paint in Blush Pink. As lovely as the colour was, Kerena decided it was time for a change and it needed a more natural rustic look to compliment her vintage ceramic base. Armed with just a few materials and an hour or [...]

Ellie Ramsay2019-02-19T21:43:37+00:0019 February 2019|Blog, On My Design Bench|

Chair Makeover

This Chair Makeover made the colour pop in the bedroom! From a dull and faded colour into a classic red and navy colour combination. These gorgeous Thibaut and Diane Bergeron fabrics compliment each other beautifully and add a pop of colour into this new bedroom. Our home has recently gone through a bit of a transformation. My ‘chuck everything in’ room downstairs has finally been converted into a beautiful bedroom and a separate more organized store room space. The previous room was somewhere to store all my vintage treasures, old furniture and those ‘I’ll work on it one day’ projects. After [...]

Ellie Ramsay2019-02-15T15:33:30+00:0017 February 2019|Blog, Furniture, On My Design Bench|

Classic Sofa Makeover by Blake & Taylor

After clearing out the storeroom downstairs, ready for bedroom renovations I found a few hidden furniture treasures that were intended for makeovers many years ago like this Sofa, but I just hadn’t quite got around to starting. This sofa screamed out at me and I knew it would be perfect at the foot of our bed facing out into the garden. This piece was destined to be recovered in one of my all-time favorite fabrics and colours – Indigo Canvas and to complement the new upholstery I chose a classic blue and white stripe cushion. The legs and arms were [...]

Ellie Ramsay2019-02-19T02:20:04+00:0011 February 2019|Blog, Furniture, On My Design Bench|

Crochet Bags – Handmade by Ellie

I am happy that plastic bags are being phased out of usage by stores and people alike. We are now aware of the damage that plastic is causing to our earth, waterways, and animals, so I completely support this movement. While there are many places to find yourself some reusable grocery bags, in true Ellie style, I MUST make my own! If you did not know, I simply love to crochet and knit. I make purses, cloths and bags. They are a great replacement for plastic, as well as reusable grocery bags, and in my opinion, are much more beautiful. [...]

Ellie Ramsay2019-02-07T11:55:38+00:007 February 2019|Blog, On My Design Bench|

Shoe Makeover Using Blake & Taylor Chalk Furniture Paint

Yes, you really can use my Blake & Taylor Chalk Furniture Paint on leather shoes! Here is a pair of great wedges that I needed to go with a specific outfit but I didn’t want to go out and purchase a new pair. I had a bit of 'Hampton' colour left over from some other projects, so I thought I would give them a little makeover and create a new look. Here’s how I did it. Firstly I gave them a good clean with a damp cloth to remove any dirt. I then left them to dry fully. I then [...]

Ellie Ramsay2019-02-07T11:36:35+00:007 February 2019|Blog, On My Design Bench|

On My Design Bench: Soft Furnishings

This week on the design bench, my first project was to create some lovely soft furnishings for this bedroom. I designed and installed this blue and white embroidered pattern set of bed pillows, drum shades and bed runner to make the bed pop. To finish off I designed the bench seat cushion using navy and white ticking fabric and plain navy cushions with the same navy and white ticking for the piping to create a sense of drama in a room that was very plain. I really love how it ties in so well with the dark wood accents, and [...]

Ellie Ramsay2019-01-08T02:07:12+00:008 January 2019|Blog, On My Design Bench|

What Is On My Design Bench Today – Crochet Bag

design bench crochet bag design bench crochet bag design bench crochet bag design bench crochet bag I have been working hard crocheting these beautiful linen handbags this week. I wanted to make each one special and individual to create a one of a kind look. I rummaged through my box of French treasures from my recent trip to France and found the perfect vintage red stripe linen and vintage glass buttons to use. If you love them as much as I do they are available to purchase through the Blake & Taylor Webstore. Bag Details Crocheted Bag with Fastening Code - B&T38744900B $145 [...]

Ellie Ramsay2018-06-08T20:35:45+00:008 June 2018|On My Design Bench|

TIMBER MIRROR MAKEOVER

Timber Mirror Makeover Timber Mirror Makeover Timber Mirror Makeover Timber Mirror Makeover Timber Mirror Quick, easy, beautiful? Yes, please! I am excited to share with you another fantastically simple project completed in only a few hours using my Blake & Taylor Chalk Furniture Paint. Timber Mirror Makeover This mirror in my daughter's old bedroom was previously painted with the Blake & Taylor Chalk Furniture Paint in Turquoise. My daughter has outgrown this space and is moving to another room in the house. Her new room -- and this gorgeously ornate mirror -- are now ready for a makeover. How [...]

Ellie Ramsay2018-06-08T02:51:39+00:0030 May 2018|Blog, On My Design Bench|

A Simple (yet stunning) Staircase Makeover

A Simple Staircase Makeover Stairs Make-over Stairs Make-over Stairs Make-over Stairs Make-over Stairs Make-over Stairs Make-over After 8 years we decided to complete a simple staircase makeover in our home. It needed a quick revamp and a new look for 2018. With only half a day’s elbow grease, our staircase was transformed with a faux painted runner! Stairs Make-overmake-over One of the advantages of the Blake & Taylor Chalk Furniture Paint range is that you can mix the paints together to create your own unique colour. This is exactly what I decided to do for our staircase. I used a combination of, Steel Grey, Ink [...]

Ellie Ramsay2018-05-18T06:49:53+00:0018 May 2018|Blog, On My Design Bench|

Vintage Re-Imagined Dining Set – UPDATE

Antique Dining Set Re-Imagined Antique Dining Set Re-Imagined Antique Dining Set Re-Imagined As promised in our recent blog post introducing this fabulous makeover, our gorgeous re-imagined, vintage dining set is ready and available for sale! We have just set up the items in the store and we can are all in jitters about how wonderfully it turned out. The reception has been so great and we cannot wait to see who will take this lovely set home. When I acquired the table and chairs you could tell they were originally made with such care and detail. The timber is solid and the [...]

Ellie Ramsay2018-05-17T06:10:03+00:0017 May 2018|Furniture, On My Design Bench|

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