The minute we moved into our Victorian terraced house in East London, I started planning upholstery projects. I'm obsessed with textiles and pattern and being surrounded by colourful, crafted things at home. But I'm also passionate about the ethos 'buy less, choose well, make it last'.* Old furniture is typically better made than new. So by working with an upholsterer you can breathe new life into it and keep it for another hundred years or more. Then you have an original, sustainable piece to treasure.

So with this in mind, my local upholsterer Pauline Hilton has been on speed-dial for a few years. This gorgeous Geraniums armchair is the third piece she has recovered for me. The work involved is exquisite and it shows in every detail: the generous frill, the piping and matching buttons. Below is a little more about the project in Pauline's own words:

"The chair I have completed for Sophie, once stripped down turned out to be a Victorian iron backed chair. This is where the base/seat of the chair is wood but the back of the chair is an iron frame. Whereas most chairs have wooden frames and you can attach materials and fabric to the frame. An iron frame necessitates different techniques and is a little more labour intensive. I have had to stitch where I would usually have stapled; it's a slower process. 

Sophie's beautiful fabrics are lovely to work with and I think the fabric suits the style of the chair perfectly, though I can't take credit for that! The skirt hiding the legs is typical for the Victorian era as legs should not be seen, not even on their chairs!"

Pauline has worked from a collective space with a shopfront in Leytonstone for many years but recently moved to a new home studio. She can be contacted via email: upholsteryorange@gmail.com or found via Instagram: @orangeupholstery Orange Upholstery doesn't have a website yet but funnily the first chair Pauline covered for me was a sort of orangey-coral colour, so let's pop that here... Read on as Pauline answers my nosy questions about all that inspires her and how she got into upholstery.

When did you first start to love the thing you do, or was it always there? 

I've always loved fabric, I used to watch my mum make all our clothes as kids. I remember being especially proud of some Tutankhamun trousers she made me, I must have been about 7! I learned to sew by watching her. My love of furniture came later.

My real awareness of upholstery started around 15 years ago. I've always dabbled in craft and done various evening classes: ceramics, stained glass making and silversmithing to name a few. I started upholstery leisure classes around 12 years ago and this led to completing a 3 year training course completing my AMUSF (Association  of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers ) diploma. Whilst training I joined forces with two other upholsterers and shared a space, and that grew to four of us.

Alongside this I have always been working part time in the NHS as an Occupational Therapist. Whilst also a practical and sometimes creative role, three days in each role has had its challenges! 

I love the process of peeling away the layers and history of a chair and then rebuilding to give it new life. It fits well into the recycling and sustainable agenda. 

However, the industry as a whole is currently battling with key materials being petrochemical based and with legislation requiring the use of harmful chemicals.  The battle is ongoing.  

Describe your style in 3 words.

Colourful, eclectic and maximal-minimalism!

What inspired you to build the business you have now? What impact do you hope to create? 

My love of craft, practical skills and creativity which all come together in the process of upholstery.  My aim is to stay small in both scale and projects. I enjoy the individual client relationship. I’m lucky that I have the luxury to do this, but it is also a necessity until/if I choose to do just one job, not the current two!

Where, who or what experience taught you the most invaluable lessons about the work you do now? Was it university, career or the school of life?

School of life and working on the job. College was theory and work is applying that. Every chair is different and that is a good thing, I’m always learning new skills. 

It’s your day off, what do you do? How do you unwind or find inspiration?

The concept of a day off is interesting, I’m not sure I do those unless I’m on holiday. Though my garden is a source of relaxation and a change of scenery. But in the back of my mind I am always planning the next project, or resolving a tricky part of a chair. 

What’s on your lifestyle shopping list at the moment? (Clothing, beauty, home, anything!)

It's usually home related! I like to change things and swap things around at home regularly, much to the family’s dismay!

Song you can’t get out of your head right now (or an all time fave):  

My daughters are loving Taylor Swift at the moment, so as it's all I am hearing, it's not a choice but its in my head right now.  (I did see her at Wembley with them!) 

A favourite staycation recommendation: 

Northwest Scotland 

Favourite place to travel abroad: 

A certain corner of Mallorca! But it’s not the Northwest!

Words of wisdom, what’s the best life or work advice you’ve received?

‘More is more’  

Who’s the funniest person you know? 

Possibly my Husband, well he thinks he is!

Your desert island book? I love reading, and there are simply too many books to choose.  I love the feeling of just finishing a book that has been hard to put down. 

What item in your home gives you the most joy? Where did it come from? I don't think any one thing in particular. It's the combination of things and how they work together.  I have an eclectic approach and I usually over do and clutter a room, before I then, edit and find a combination of things I am happy with. 

If I came around for dinner, what would you cook? 

I'd probably suggest we go out! I used to love cooking but am a bit out of love at the moment. It is a necessary chore, rather than a pleasure, but that will change. 

Your favourite season and why? 

Summer for the warmth, colour and slightly slower pace. 

A guilty pleasure?  

Turning over after the alarm has gone off for an extra 10 minutes snooze!

What’s the most surprising fact about you? 

Possibly that I’m still relatively sane! Doing two jobs, running a home and family. It feels like I'm keeping a few plates spinning. I love it all and I don't want to stop doing any of it. 

Proudest recent achievement? 

My two daughters are growing up but still talking to me, mostly! I'm so proud of them both, being funny, hard-working and compassionate people with integrity. 

*'Buy less, choose well, make it last' is a phrase coined by Vivienne Westwood but there are variations of it floating around. Essentially quality items tend to last a lifetime so 'cost per wear' or per use is actually better for your pocket and the planet because it will be many years before the item needs replacing.