LITTLE WHITE BIRD

We have a new look FAF this month... and another fabulous Furniture Artist to introduce you to, the supremely talented Imogen of Coco & Clementine!

 

And if you're wondering just how she chose that wonderful business name, keep reading to find out…

 

Where do you hail from Imogen?

I’m originally from Oxford, lived in London for a decade, then moved to Brighton for a few years, then re-located to Cheshire!

 

How long have you been upcycling?

I’ve always been arty…I did a degree in Art History but never really explored creating a career out of Art. After maternity leave in 2018, I threw caution to the wind and just decided to go for it. I’d been thinking about upcycling furniture for a really long time and so in 2019, Coco & Clementine was born!

 

What motivated you to become a Furniture Artist?

Creating is my happy place. The rest of the world disappears when I have a paintbrush in my hand. I tried out different mediums and even did a course in jewellery making, but I just kept on coming back to furniture. I think my Art History background and general geekery means I love the history of the pieces I work with. I always want to find out more about when they were created, identify makers marks etc, and I love the little clues you find inside about the people that have owned them. Furniture is both functional and a creative blank canvas with endless potential - so it’s the perfect choice for me.

How did you choose your business name?

My name, well, when I was much younger, I always said that if I had twin girls, they would be called Coco and Clementine. I had a boy but my business is my second baby! I also liked the alliteration.

 

How would you describe your style? What kind of aesthetic do you like to create?

I’m not sure I have one single style. I love learning new techniques and trying them out. Most of my commissions tend to be decoupaged but I also love blending paints, and creating different effects and textures.

I think the style I’ve become most known for is curvy Shrager dressing tables with Chinoiserie decoupage. Chinoiserie is my all time favourite style and I absolutely love the curves and fluidity of vintage Shrager pieces. The walnut veneer is also stunning when it’s sanded and oiled.

 

What brings you the most sales? Commissions/Own Pieces/Website/Etsy/

Vinterior/Upcite/FBMP/Other

Why do you think that is?

Definitely commissions - they account for most of my work. Etsy and local word of mouth tend to be my best sources of commission work. I’m lucky that I have quite a few repeat customers. I try really hard to keep my customers fully involved in the process with regular photos and updates. That way I can be sure they’re 100% happy with the final piece.

 

Most memorable commission?

My smallest commission was a tiny mirror for a canal boat! My largest, 60+ pieces of furniture for a restaurant!

 

For your own pieces, do you stick to what sells, or do what you love? Or are they the same thing?

I do what I love! Sometimes I wake up feeling like I want to do a crazy blended boho piece and other days I feel like sleek dark colours and precise decoupage! Most of my work is commissions so when I get the chance to do my own pieces, I go with what inspires me. 

 

Where does your inspiration come from?

Hmmm... difficult to say. I did a lot of travelling around Asia when I was younger so I always find myself drawn to anything inspired by Asia. I also love Art Nouveau and Art Deco so I often seek out prints and pieces from these periods. 

 

How do you plan your pieces... pen and paper? Photoshop? Where do you start?

I’m old school - pen and paper for me! 

 

All-time top product you can’t live without?

From a decorative point of view, it’s got to be Posh Chalk Pigments. Fusion’s SFO and Osmo Oil are also products I use a lot.

 

Which product, which can be found at LittleWhiteBird.co.uk, is on your radar to try out?

I would love to try Pentart's Liquid Metal, I've used another brand in the past and it was fab on metal hardware. (Enjoy 10% off Liquid Metal for the whole of July! Find it here liquid-metal)

 

How do you approach social media? What’s your strategy?

I wish I could say I have a strategy! It’s not my forte because I’d rather be creating than posting about creating. I post when I remember but it’s definitely an area I need to work on. 

 

Are there any difficulties you’ve faced as a FA?

Space always! I have furniture everywhere! 

 

What’s your favourite thing to do in your downtime?

I’d paint all day if I could, however I love reading and films. I also listen to pod casts when I’m working - I’m a True Crime fanatic!

 

Any furbabies in the family?

Two cats; Sam and Luna. Sam is a loveable pest, who jumps onto and inside furniture. He’s trailed his paws through paint and jumped onto freshly painted surfaces. He once managed to ombré his paws, I still don’t know how!

 

Thanks for being our Furniture Artist Focus for July Imogen, we've loved getting a real insight into your business and life. I'm still in awe of the 60+ commission pieces, and adore your cheeky cat who shares my name!

 

If you'd like to see more of Imogen's gorgeous work, you can find her Facebook page here cocoandclementine