Tutor: Franco Marinelli

This chair has a bit of a story. It belonged originally to my partner’s great-great grandfather. My partner’s father, Harry always used it as his chair. The chair now belongs to my partner’s mother, Frances.

Their good friend, composer Graham Williams wrote a wonderful piece commemorating Harry’s life and we went to hear it at the Purcell Rooms at the Southbank Centre in London. Some years later, Frances received a postcard from Graham with this message on the back. The idea for how to tackle the design of the chair was born.

The original postcard and starting point of inspiration sent by composer Graham Williams with a line of music entitled ‘Chair Music’

It had been upholstered in brown draylon and the springing had gone. Unfortunately I lost the early pictures of the chair, here’s the earliest one I have taken during deconstruction.

The earliest ‘before’ photo I have of Chair Music

It was all traditionally reupholstered.

Chair Music back during upholstery – close-up of stitching work involved

Chair Music – seat in progress

Chair Music back during upholstery

It was covered in a very fine velvet on the seat, arms and inside back. I chose cathedral buttoning for the back where it had previously been plain.

Chair Music – side view

Back view of Chair Music

On the back, I used a digitally printed fabric which I designed using Graham’s composition message repeated in different sizes – with Graham’s express permission, of course. Thank you, Graham, I am much indebted to you!

And here’s the chair at home, with a matching cushion cover. I made a second and gave it to Graham as a thank you for letting me use his work. He has it in his study.

Chair Music with matching cushion