Onwards and up for furniture of the past
- Elisa's craft is rooted in precision, tradition and patience
- She upholsters furniture pieces and lamps
- Her clients are her greatest source of inspiration
Elisa Mercier Chennebault's vocation and craft are about giving a new life to damaged armchairs and old lampshades. She works with traditional upholstery techniques and chooses natural materials such as fibres or animal hair whenever possible. Her journey began unexpectedly at a middle school career fair, where a chance encounter with an upholsterer sparked a deep fascination for the craft. Since 2005 when she opened her workshop, Elisa has been located in the Sologne region, where she restores aged pieces, preserves ancient techniques, and offers an alternative to our disposable lifestyle. “Reviving old armchairs and lampshades is a form of recycling,” she says. For Elisa, every project goes beyond repair. "It is about storytelling and honouring the past, while creating something meant to last," she explains.
Interview
- What fuels your creativity?
- The blending of styles and fabrics is no longer considered a faux pas. Inspiration now comes from many sources, and can be diverse and varied. Being an artisan means contributing to France’s historical and cultural heritage.
- Do you feel the need to convey a message through your work?
- No, but I do feel strongly about respecting traditional techniques and precision in execution. To me, discipline and patience are what define quality work. Furniture conservation is a testament to collective history.
- What are the challenges in your metier?
- Access to training and visibility at career forums is still limited. Passing down knowledge can occur in simple ways, such as when people stop in front of the workshop, come inside, and we talk. Those conversations are always meaningful, as they show how much interest people still have in this craft.
- Can you remember the very first piece you restored?
- My first client brought me six Louis-Philippe chairs to restore and they had a beautiful dark green velvet. I remember it as though it was yesterday!
Elisa Mercier Chennebault is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2005
Where
Elisa Mercier Chennebault
