Paint and Make - Drum Lampshade Workshop

Hi, I’m Mel — the artist and founder behind Redeemed Decor, a family-run creative business based in North London specialising in hand-painted furniture, geometric artwork, furniture restoration, and sustainable upcycling workshops.My passion for upcycling comes from my love of transformation — taking something forgotten or overlooked and turning it into something beautiful and meaningful again. Furniture upcycling perfectly combines my passions for creativity, art, interiors, vintage furniture, and people.Before starting Redeemed Decor, I spent 15 years working in the fashion industry, which gave me a strong foundation in colour, design, craftsmanship, and attention to detail. I later worked alongside internationally renowned leather etch artist Mark Evans, whose extraordinary artistry and precision greatly influenced my own creative journey and standards of workmanship.Today, Redeemed Decor is recognised for its highly detailed geometric furniture designs and high-quality craftsmanship. Every piece is completely hand painted by me using precision brushwork, careful design planning, and years of artistic experience. My work has been featured in Metro, HGTV Magazine, Reclaim Magazine, and Round & About Magazine, and I’ve sold bespoke pieces to customers across the UK, USA, and Europe.What I love most about running my business is having the freedom to continually evolve my art while building a business centred around creativity, sustainability, craftsmanship, and community. I’m passionate about creating distinctive pieces in a world increasingly filled with mass-produced duplicates.Teaching has become one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. I love seeing people arrive feeling nervous or convinced they “aren’t creative, ” then leave inspired, confident, and proud of what they’ve achieved. Watching that transformation in people is just as fulfilling as transforming the furniture itself.My workshops are designed to be relaxed, welcoming, and accessible for all abilities. Alongside learning practical furniture painting and upcycling skills, I also want people to experience the mindful and therapeutic side of creativity and reconnect with their confidence and imagination.One of the most special parts of Redeemed Decor is our Furniture Redemption Club. After attending one of our full-day workshops, many students continue their upcycling journey by joining the club, where they learn alongside others in a supportive and creative environment. Over time, it has grown into a genuine community, with many members affectionately referring to it as their “Happy Place.”Sustainability is at the heart of everything I do. Upcycling and repurposing furniture not only helps reduce landfill waste, but also supports craftsmanship, creativity, and conscious living. Investing in a bespoke upcycled piece gives customers something truly unique and personal for their home that can’t simply be bought on the high street.I teach from my countryside studio at Ferny Hill Farm near Potters Bar and North London, where guests can enjoy a creative escape in a beautiful setting beside the tea rooms. Alongside public workshops, I also run private events, team-building experiences, corporate workshops, and creative training sessions for young people outside of the mainstream education system, helping build confidence, practical skills, wellbeing, and a sense of achievement through creativity.