Living where I live I am very fortunate to have the space to work from home. My quaint little workshop is in on of the outbuildings of our farm house near Armathwaite, Cumbria. The outbuilding was a cold, cobwebbed barn before I moved my workshop in. I have created a warm, inviting space with the use of rugs, heaters, a stereo for back ground noise and a tea and coffee station. One of the beauty’s of working from home is I get to start the day with my animals. 3 horses Ginge, Little Ginger and Showka and 3 dogs Eva, Lou and Austin.
Being with them outside helps me focus on the day. Fresh air, stunning scenery and a significant number of listening ears to listen to my plan for the day.
Before thinking of me and my husband, Steve, All the animals are feed, watered and exercised. As Steve also works from home on our camping and glamping site we often walking the dogs together in the morning and have a catch up on what is in store for the day. I love our morning meetings walking through the woodland, it beats an office any day.
After the morning meeting walk Austin, Lou and Eva are usually ready for a nap. They insist on being in my workshop with me whilst I work away on whatever project i am doing that day. I think they find the tapping of the hammer, sound of staple gun and radio cumbria playing in the background relaxing.
I love that my work is really varied. Each day is different from refurbishing wood to a much loved piece of furniture to discussing fabric samples with a client, to being knee deep in the spewed out innards of a Victorian sofa. A couple of days a week Lorraine, my friend, neighbour and fabulous assistant comes to the workshop to give me a hand with some jobs such as stripping chairs and painting furniture.you can see her working away in the photo below.
In this age of up cycling and consciously creating less waste, I feel privileged to be an upholsterer with the skills to inject life back into something tired and worn.
If I'm am not spending the full day in the workshop i am meeting my amazing customers around Cumbria. I get really excited about looking at different fabrics and enthused by peoples ideas. I discover parts of the county I’ve never seen even though I’ve lived here for twenty years. My dog Lou travels in the van with me, it reminds me of Postman Pat and the customers love her.
I love my job and am looking forward to sharing the new ideas and developments at Muster.
If you are considering having an old piece of furniture revitalised, contact Paula on 07837755207.