The RSN Embroidery Studio has joined forces with Jay Blades, the face of the hit BBC One Show The Repair Shop. This creative partnership has combined expertise and unrivalled craftsmanship to breathe new life into two iconic chairs, which were recently launched at the luxury interior design exhibition, Decorex.

The RSN Embroidery Studio is renowned for its exquisite hand embroidery work, in particular for the Royal Family, including the wedding dress of Kate Middleton and Coronation Regalia of monarchs throughout the years. Jay Blades is an expert restorer of high-quality furniture, breathing new life into each piece to create unique results in a sustainable way.

Jay Blades and our expert embroidery team first met at Decorex in 2021 and have been working together for the past year. The project was to upcycle two Parker Knoll chairs, redesigning them with innovation and creativity to give them a new story to tell.

The Parker Knoll chairs were chosen as the company share the same strong values as us, using a highly skilled team of expert craftsmen and hand making the best British product to the highest standard and quality. Like the RSN, Parker Knoll has also been established for over 150 years.

First, a unique Art Nouveau design from our unique Archive & Collection was selected as an inspirational image for the backs of the chair. The design was pre-1920s and focused on nature, featuring an exotic bird in a fruit tree. The next step was to choose a colour scheme. Blue, green and terracotta, with a touch of copper and gold supplied the perfect combination of earth tones and natural metals. The design was then only part stitched to convey the effect of climate change and deterioration of the planet.

The same design was featured on both chairs, but with a different stitched emphasis. On one chair, the brightly coloured tail of the bird was hand embroidered using a vibrant terracotta thread and couched metal thread. On the second chair, the quince fruit was the focus with a Pearl Purl detailing. Both designs used the hand embroidery technique of Appliqué.

Anne Butcher, Head of the RSN Embroidery Studio said:

“It has been wonderful to work with Jay and to explore ways to promote an environmental message. Everything we do is by hand in our Studio at Hampton Court Palace, using the traditional art of hand embroidery techniques. We also have the infamous ‘Wall of Wool’ in our Studio, which is home to a rainbow of threads, many of which have been donated. These threads are reused in our projects, for both conservation and restoration work as well as new commissions.”

Jay Blades said:

“It has been such a great experience to work together with the RSN, not only do I love to collaborate, but I also got to learn some embroidery! This chair has brought a pair of well-known Parker Knoll designs up to date with the use of wood restoration, wool fabric from Camira and beautiful embroidery”

The team at Jay & Co expertly reupholstered the chairs, providing two stylish, luxurious chairs that offer the ultimate comfort. As a final touch, a small band of bright orange was added to one leg of each chair, the Jay & Co trademark. The chairs are available for sale.

Please contact: [email protected] for more information.