When you’re eyeing up a piece of furniture - whether it’s on Marketplace or sitting patiently in an antiques shop - your senses are great tools for figuring out whether it’s solid wood or veneer. In this article, we explore how we can use them.  But first... what is veneer, and why does it matter?   Veneer is simply a thin layer of real wood applied over a core, which could be plywood, MDF, particle board, or a cheaper solid substrate like birch.  If you’re restoring a piece,

Did I write this partly as an excuse to share our beautiful kitchen which made us lose every ounce of peace we had? Yesss. Naturally, I'm feeling very proud of our efforts and I'm excited to share the result - but it also has ' sustainable’ written all over it - and that makes this post very relevant (have we decided which emoji depicts smugness yet?). Anyway, here’s why: The kitchen units are second-hand. Rather than buying a brand new kitchen, we looked on the second-hand

If you’ve ever purchased an old dresser or chair caked in layers of paint, you know the first question isn’t what colour will I repaint...

Buying second-hand furniture is basically treasure hunting – except your map is Facebook Marketplace, and the 'X' is a blurry photo...

By the time I’ve spent a week or two refinishing a piece of furniture, I’ve likely spent more time truly seeing it  than anyone has in...

How many times have you driven past a tatty old chair or a three-legged table sitting (would a three-legged table ‘sit’?) on the curb and...

Volunteers serving homemade cakes at Southfields Mend, Fix & Repair Cafe In the local church hall, conversations hum and the aroma of...

The volunteers of Southfields Mend, Fix & Repair Cafe What would you do with a pair of 20-year-old jeans, unfashionably torn with messy...

It’s National Relaxation Day on 15th August – so isn’t that the perfect excuse to create a cosy corner in your home, dedicated to...

Sentimental furniture holds deep connections to memories and loved ones. These pieces may not always be on trend, and their owners may...

For National Upcycling Day (24th June), I want to talk about something that makes The Furniture Narrative special – stories and memories....

As Earth Day approaches on April 22nd, we reflect on our responsibility towards preserving our planet. This year, as we celebrate Earth...

As we approach International Women's Day, let's take a moment to acknowledge the remarkable contributions of women in the world of...

About Time to Talk Day:   Time to Talk Day (01/02/24), run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, is a campaign that aims to create...

In this informative blog post, we'll explore an extensive list of various finishes, each offering unique characteristics for wood pieces....

Ty Messiah delves into our intricate relationship with objects and furniture, reflecting on our needs and the importance of letting go.

In this blog post, I’ll show you how to upcycle a piece of your own, walking you through prepping, painting, and protecting your new...

Refurbishing furniture can breathe new life into old pieces, transforming them from tired to tasteful. When it comes to giving your...

I enjoy community events - I always end up speaking to someone thoroughly interesting, and often find my beliefs or perceptions...

Is there still a place for painted furniture? Upcycling furniture has been trending for a few years now. It seems that the latest trend...