FURNITURE UPCYCLING WORKSHOP 1: Modern Design Painting - The Barn Wirral, Sunday 19th January 2025

On Furniture Upcycling workshop 1 you'll learn the essential techniques to repair, prep, paint and create new modern designs to upcycle old furniture.

If you would like to upcycle a project with a combination of restored wood and painted areas you can do this on a Weekend Workshop or book any Workshop 1 followed by any Workshop 2 

You'll get to find out the key techniques to update old or tired furniture with a stylish new look and how to make sure it doesn't chip or scratch and stays looking good long term with professional refinishing know-how. 

No experience is necessary and you'll take home your lovely re-finished piece and the knowledge and confidence to tackle even more upcycling projects.

If you've already got some experience and are looking to improve or to try out new techniques you'll also be able to benefit from this class particularly as I share so much industry-insider info and tips that you can put to use on your own projects! 

Furniture upcycling doesn't require a lot of investment to get started and is a great thing to be able to do to extend the life of older items, add a personal touch to your home and bring some more creativity to your life.

But it really is worth learning the best techniques, tools and products to use as it will:

• Save you wasting money on products and tools 
  
• Make the process more straight forward and more enjoyable (very important!)
• Save you time rooting for answers on Google or Facebook when you get stuck!
• Make your project results better looking and you happier with them 
• Mean your creative efforts will stay looking good long-term

This 1 day workshop will cover:

• Understanding how to assess your furniture and the different preparation needed
• Planning your colours & designs, inc. colour theory for schemes and creating custom paint mixes
• Carrying out any simple repairs e.g. using wood glue or filler 
• The essentials of the prep work required before painting surfaces
• Learning about the different types of primers and when to use them
• Understanding the different kinds of paint and how to choose
• The key painting techniques and tools for getting a really smooth finish by hand
  
• Applying a design to your piece using techniques such as Tape Design or Stencilling, Metallic accents or Decoupage.
• Finishing your design off with a protective finish
• Installing new hardware such as knobs / pulls (optional)

To learn about restoring wood furniture and more in-depth techniques for preparing and applying finishes see Workshop 2 or checkout the Weekend Workshop  

Workshop run time:
10.30am- 5.30pm 


WORKSHOP VENUE

THE BARN WIRRAL
6 Pye Road, 
Heswall
Wirral 
CH60 0DB

*Please note this venue's workroom is upstairs.

What's included 
All paint, materials, tools and protective wear (aprons, masks, gloves etc) will be provided. 

There is the opportunity to pre-select a specific paint colour for your project, otherwise you can choose (with help if needed) on the day. 

You'll also get access to a specially created private online resource area where you can view and download an accompanying class guide and other useful information to help you when you move onto your next project. 

Refreshments and snacks will be available throughout the day.  

What to bring: 

You simply need to bring a small piece of furniture to work on such as a side table, chair or small bedside cabinet.

I'll ask you to send photo before attending & outline any ideas might already have and together we can make sure it's going to let you get the most out of the day and, more importantly, take home your piece fully finished! 

Comments from past work shoppers: 

"Nicky was brilliant!!!! A mine of information on all aspects, learning different techniques, with masking tape blows your mind with the outcome. It was a real fun experience and the time just whizzed by. It was great to see other people’s vision for their pieces and the results. Book on to a workshop you will not be disappointed. A great big thumbs up 👍 from me 😁"

"I really loved doing the furniture painting course with Nicky. She’s so patient and kind, very knowledgeable and incredibly generous with her time. I was so pleased with the end result. The course is great value for money in amazing surroundings and I feel empowered to get on with some projects solo now. Highly recommended."

"I would like to thank you for a very informative, interesting, and productive day. I've already recommended your course to a friends daughter. I’m sure not only beneficial but interesting."

"Fantastic day yesterday Nicky really enjoyed it and looking forward to more!!"

"I was not feeling confident about my skills and I was worried about making basic mistakes. Now, I feel so much more prepared to take on work and challenges in my journey with upcycling! Nicky provided awesome resources and guidance that I can keep with me forever."

"Nicky's tutorials are so informative. Her work is inspirational. Highly recommended."

"Just completed the upcycling workshop with Nicky at Done up North. It was a very relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Lots of useful tips and help along the way. Nicky makes the day very enjoyable and meeting other like minded 'upcyclers' from those of us who are novices to those already giving it a go. I would highly recommend her workshops. I especially enjoyed giving the geometric designs a go (with Nicky's help) and I am pleased with my finished result."

About me:

I'm an award-winning Furniture Upcycler and Designer - and Northerner! - who has featured in interiors magazines like Reclaim and Real Homes, demonstrated at events such as Grand Designs Live, Living North Live, Leeds International Festival of Ideas and exhibited at leading design shows like Clerkenwell Design Week and Decorex. 

I am one of the designers on BBC1's Money for Nothing which showcases amazing upcycling projects creating from items rescued from refuse centres.  

I have been upcycling professionally for almost 8 years having left behind the 9-5 life in search of a more creative life! 

I've been teaching other aspiring furniture upcyclers online and in person for over 5 of those years and I absolutely love getting to be part of your creative adventures and sharing in your enjoyment of what you can achieve - especially those of you who say you are not creative! 

My main goal is to inspire everyone to have a go at repairing, restyling and repurposing and enjoy the many benefits it brings to your home, your life and your well-being - as well as of course being a much more planet and purse friendly option. 

I'm happy to personalise private workshops, talks and demos if you are looking for something specific, please get in touch for a chat.  Email me nicky@doneupnorth.com

You can read more about my own Upcycling journey here - My Story

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Tiered Pricing:

I really would love to encourage as many people as possible to restore and upcycle as it has so many benefits for us in terms of wellbeing and mental health - working with our hands, creative expression, taking care of and fixing things, and being more in tune with ourselves and our environment, and enjoy a simpler lifestyle without the pressures of excessive consumerism.

With that in mind I have lowered my workshop prices for everyone and continue to seek out not-for-profit organisations to work with at reduced rates / no fee.

As part of that I'd like to make sure learning how to repair and upcycle is as accessible and safe a space for all to enjoy and benefit from as possible so have a set of discounts available additionally.

I ask that you please use these options only if you identify as a person of the Global Majority or LBTQIA+ are on a low income or in receipt of disability benefit. 

Standard Rate: Priced at market value - suited for people with stable income and access to food, housing, and healthcare.

Pay it Forward:  You can choose to pay forward by adding this option onto your order (or multiples of).  This will be added to a set aside 'Pay it Forward' pot specifically to go towards helping others who need help to start their upcycling adventures too.

Supported Rate: This is for people with unstable/reduced/low income that creates some stress about meeting basic needs. Use "Supported" at check out for 15% off. 

Supported+ Rate: This tier is suited for people with unstable or inadequate income that sometimes prevents access to food, housing, and healthcare. Use "SupportedPlus" at check out for 25% off.

Optional PGM & LGBTQIA+ Rate: 

It is not assumed that all people identify as belonging to the Global Majority or LGBTQIA+ require or want financial support to enable or encourage access. 

For those who would like to use this, I hope that in doing so it can help us create  equitable, exciting, safe spaces for repair & upcycling that everyone can enjoy together.

Please use "Equity" at check out for 25% off. 

Please contact me nicky@doneupnorth.com if you are interested in running or accessing information about scheduled upcycling workshops for non-profit organisations and charities. 

Workshop booking Terms & Conditions