This funny old chaise longue came to live with us a couple of years ago. Before that it had lived with my husbands Auntie for many years, but I never asked her about it’s history. It seems to be a hand made box on wheels, the upholstery and covering seem hand made …
… and she used it to store fabric in. As do I. This is what it looks like when you lift the seat up. A fab storage place for my sewing machine, and some works in progress!
I have been thinking it would be a great project, to re-upholster it, choose some beautiful fabric to cover it, some matching cushions …
… but then again, this beautiful wallpaper, which lines the box always halts me in my tracks. It appears handpainted, I have no idea how old it is or where it came from, there was certainly nothing of this style in her home.
… at the edge of the paper is a make and name …
… it reads – Rosamunde – Shand Kydd Ltd – Made in England. A bit of googling has told me that Shand Kydd Ltd. still manufacture quite expensive wallpaper, but I can’t seem to find a catalogue of their past prints so that I can date this.
I am feeling torn between preserving this piece of furniture just how it is, or bringing it a new lease of life … what would you do?
9 Responses to … this piece of furniture
Veronika
Replied on: December 14, 2011, 10:43 am
Hmmm… I think maybe you could send a photo of the wall paper to the company and ask them to date it for you.
If it really is handpainted, it would be a sin to rip it off. But that’s only the inside right? Why not re-upholster the outside with gorgeous linen and sew soft pink cushions to compliment the wall paper?
xx
Gwenda
Replied on: December 14, 2011, 11:58 am
If there is a contact address on the Shand-Kydd site how about sending them a photo of the wallpaper and see if they can date it as they must have some archive catalogues. Perhaps you could leave the inside as it is and reupholster the outside in a fabric to complement the paper. Now that would be a project!!!!!.
Gwenda
Replied on: December 14, 2011, 12:05 pm
Problem – Shand Kydd don’t seem to have a website !!!! at least I can’t find one.
Lee Ann
Replied on: December 14, 2011, 1:28 pm
I love it! I’m usually for keeping old things as they are…
bobbie (from SARK)
Replied on: December 14, 2011, 3:54 pm
If no web addy, they must have a street addy! I would send a pic, asking for info…
I wouldn’t do anything till learning more about it ~ then I would probably only change the outside.
Keep us posted!!
mollie/Lynn
Replied on: December 15, 2011, 12:41 am
My Mum’s name was Rosamunde!
I’m with Lee Ann in that love and leave it as it is,
but I’ll be watching this space with interest.
Gwenda
Replied on: December 15, 2011, 2:14 pm
I am wondering if the company have gone out of business as I cannot find any contact at all, the wall papers are all sold through other retailers.
Paula
Replied on: January 11, 2012, 8:38 pm
In loving old things, and also watching the Antique Road Show, I would definitely suggest keeping this piece as it is. It is beautiful in your photo and it is SO unique! I love it. How lucky you are to have this.
Donna
Replied on: January 25, 2012, 11:03 pm
oh i am in love with the painted rose picture it is perfect.