One woman upcycles old armchairs and sells them for 20 times their original cost

From Country Living UK

Turning old, dusty furniture into fresh, stylish pieces for your home is always satisfying. But it can also become a viable business...

One lady, Emily Barnes, upcycles second-hand armchairs using bright and beautiful fabrics, and sells them for up to 20 times their original cost. Her story is an inspirational one which might just make you want to unearth your creative flair in your own home.

Emily, based in Australia, runs a successful business called CoQuelicot Designs where she sells her repurposed products.

"My armchairs start at $650 (£385) and wingbacks start at $1,350 (£800). The end price really depends on the fabric and finishes chosen by the client," the mother-of-four from Queensland told Mail Online.

"It's not a cheap process but you'll end up with something that's going to be unique - something unlike anything anybody else owns."

Emily uses a variety of techniques to make sure that the finished product is of high quality, which sometimes involves painting by hand. For each item, she considers the timber stain, paint, piping, fabric, strip tacks, feet and legs, castors, buttons and cushions.

When looking for her next project, Emily raids garage sales for antiques and vintage pieces. She also searches deceased estates and online sales pages. 30% of the time, however, her clients come directly to her with a piece of furniture they want upcycling.

"I've always been fascinated by the history of old pieces so restoring them made sense," she added. "Old furniture tends to be made of quality hardwood and are inner sprung so the quality is superior to buying new."

Emily says you can find inspiration everywhere for your upcycling tasks, including in nature, photography, architecture and shop windows.

So why not try your hand at upcycling furniture? You might earn a few bob.

Read: Upcycling: 20 Creative Projects Made from Reclaimed Materials, £13.07, Amazon

For more inspiration from Emily, follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

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