Many people ask me how I got into design and furniture refurbishment so here is a little of my background...
When my two children were very young, as a solo mother, with the support of my wonderful parents I started a business designing, manufacturing and retailing high end children's furniture. The Junior Room Company was my dream and passion and I embarked on a very steep learning curve in retail, accounting, manufacturing and importing!
Unfortunately NZ manufacturers were very expensive and only wanted to deal with high volumes of furniture, so after increasing prices and delays in deliveries, I investigated overseas options. With the reassurance of an Auckland based company who would monitor quality control and deliveries to NZ I ordered and paid for three 40ft containers of my furniture.
Disaster! Not only were the containers delayed, they were full of poor quality and incomplete "rubbish". Then to top things off one of the containers was sold through an auction house - illegally and redistributed out in the marketplace, when it was supposed to have been destroyed!
Sadly this whole episode was clincher in deciding to close the business down after nearly five busy, hectic and fun years!
However, with a new relationship and a new baby I found myself once again drawn to design work and furniture, and now my garage - and home - is full of vintage pieces I am repairing, reupholstering and repainting! And yes I hope in a few years, to have another studio or store once my youngest is at school, but in the meantime I am busy with commissions, interior design work and my latest venture event styling and furniture hire!
Rachel
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Truly, you're an embodiment of the modern woman! It is true that adversity comes with creativity. I love what you have done to your home. It looks splendid.
ReplyDeleteEd Iwasaki