LITTLE WHITE BIRD

Hello and welcome to the first edition of Furniture Artist Focus!

This month we're really excited to introduce Kelley of Funky Vintage!

Kelley's 43 and hails from Dublin, however swapped Ireland for England, and has now lived in Scotland for 16 years!  In a beautiful place called Bridge of Allan, near Stirling.

Five years ago, when a house move necessitated the hunt for furniture, Kelley looked for pieces that would complement their 1960’s era home.  It was then she discovered she adored the clean stylish lines of mcm (mid-century modern) furniture. Not being afraid to jump in with both feet, her first piece was a huge G Plan sideboard!

Aside from furniture, Kelley has found upcycling to be incredibly therapeutic and healing, helping her through the grieving process when she lost her Mum.  Focusing on the stages of upcycling meant thoughts were directed elsewhere.

Over the years, Kelley has honed her style.  She loves being bold with colour but equally, has a love for natural materials.  You'll often see bits of exposed wood on her pieces, she comments, 'I think the combination works really well!'.

Although selling her work is the end goal, Kelley lets her heart lead the way, over which pieces to buy and how she upcycles them.  She only chooses furniture she adores and spends many a happy hour reimagining them, with colour, style and 'funk' of course!  Next up, is pen to paper, drawing out potential designs, with originality uppermost in her mind. Inspiration comes from the piece itself, rather than any outside source.

What's her go-to product?! Well, Kelley can't live without Two Fussy Blokes rollers!!  And tape of course (for those clean lines!).  Two Fussy Blokes produce premium paint rollers for a perfect brushstroke-free finish.

I asked Kelley to choose her favourite product amongst LittleWhiteBird.co.uk goodies and although not normally one for decoupage, she’s loving Winter Petals by MINT By Michelle, definitely on the wish list!  You can find it here winter-petals-decoupage-paper

Life can be a juggle!  Kelley has three kids, aged 9, 12 and 15, plus Freddie the escapologist dog, all of which means work sometimes has to wait but thankfully, upcycling is ideal for this. Kelley works the hours that suit her family, although this can mean working evenings to catch up, however she says, ‘It’s not really work, after all!’.

In her downtime, Kelley's favourite thing to do is paint, and cook with the kids.  She also loves to play the piano and finds as many excuses as possible to visit vintage and antiques shops... all in the name of work, of course!

Thanks Kelley, for taking part in our very first Furniture Artist Focus! It’s been lovely to get to know you better!

If you'd like to follow Kelley, find her FB page here funkyvintage20 and check out the full directory of her work at FunkyVintage.design!