MID CENTURY FURNITURE RESTORATION &
STRIKING FURNITURE-ART FOR THE MODERN HOME
During my childhood, my parents renovated several old houses and collected antique furniture. I grew up exploring salvage yards, antique emporiums and flea markets and with all kinds of restoration going on around me, which I loved to be involved with wherever I could. I recall the excitement of helping my parents find the perfect piece of antique furniture for a certain spot in our family home - and a sense of awe, imagining the life it may have had before we found it.
Fast-forward two or three decades, with several house renovations of my own under my belt and three children in tow, and it is no surprise to find me where I am today! - professionally salvaging, restoring and reimagining old furniture.
Mid Century furniture designers pushed new boundaries and blurred the lines between form and function with effortless style and simplicity. The characteristic smooth lines and curves sit just as well now in our contemporary homes as they did when these pieces were first made; old blending perfectly with new. My passion lies with furniture from this era - my own home in Brighton is filled with it, and I am brimming with knowledge - I will talk endlessly about it, given the chance!
DesignRetro set out to introduce the Mid Century aesthetic to a new audience, allowing even the most undesireable, damaged and overlooked items from this era to escape landfill and be used and enjoyed for years to come. Luxurious statement furniture, meticulously restyled using only the highest quality materials, featuring stunning restored woodgrain, precise, hand-painted geometric designs and sumptuous decoupage prints. In 2019, I became (and remain to this day) a proud member of The House of Upcycling, partnered with the British Institute of Interior Design.
DesignRetro's focus has shifted in recent years, with an emphasis on restoration over restyling. There is nothing more rewarding than returning a tired but otherwise desireable piece back to its former glory! In 2023 I began displaying my restored furniture items for sale at North Laine Bazaar in Brighton's vibrant North Laine, along with a carefully curated mix of decorative Mid Century items, such as glassware, mirrors, prints and West German Pottery. I also offer a sourcing service, with nationwide delivery available.
I am so hugely grateful to all my brilliant customers over the years, who have allowed me to take my passion and run with it!
Please do get in touch if you have any particular Mid Century furniture requests, along the lines of anything you see on these pages. I'd really love to hear from you.
Emma x
