Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Chagnon.
Catherine, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After 20 years of engineering, I decided to enjoy life and became a young retiree! While I kept busy with a few projects for a while, I knew I was going to start something new. I always enjoyed manual work, interior design and had a particular love for chairs. Two years ago, just after I stopped working and while still living in Scotland, I crossed paths with this fantastic lady Susan Roe-Curran from (bleu flamingo upholstery ) who was teaching upholstery class. I decided to join. While Susan suggested I start with an easy beginner’s project, it occurred to me that there was very limited furniture choices out there, nothing truly unique that could show someone’s personality and differentiate their interior. I just went crazy and created my first chair, which she helped upholster.
After this first creation people started asking me if I could make one for them, for their wife or husband, if I would consider selling the one I had just finished – unexpectedly…Unique Chair design was born from this first project.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
All the stars really aligned from the beginning. Since it was never meant to be a business, but more of a personal project, all things really started falling into place naturally. I had no obligation or financial pressure which truly removed the stress. Orders started trickling and I decided to get ‘uniquechairdesign’ started. Since everything is handmade and that I work alone, it typically takes me two to three weeks from beginning to end of a project assuming material is easily available. My biggest challenge is the move to the US where I am in the process of restarting my business. With my work visa under my belt I am now able to get rolling 🙂
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Unique Chair Design – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am a chair creator, an artist. I create unique pieces for furniture lovers and passionate. I help differentiate someone’s interior.
To date, I have created three designs to choose from –
The Agnieszka chair – a revisited Tall Queen Ann wingback chair,
The Alia chair – a fan back almost egg-shaped chair,
And my latest is the Sophie chair – a revisited version of a club chair from the 1950’s with exposed wood arms.
Each piece I produce is truly unique and numbered. My clients get to choose the fabric combination, the leg and armrest color. It reflects the owner’s personality and can never be replicated
100% handmade with traditional upholstery technique from Europe.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Get my name out there, get people to know me in Houston and hopefully share my passion for design and uniqueness!
Contact Info:
- Phone: 8329040550
- Email: uniquechairdesign@yahoo.com
- Instagram: uniquechairdesign
- Facebook: uniquechairdesign
Image Credit:
Photo credit – Karine Peyre, Instagram #thatlittlephotography
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