The Ottomini at Grand Designs Live

Last week I loaded up the van and headed up to London for Grand Designs Live to showcase the ottomini.  I’ve visited the show heaps of times, but always as a visitor, this time I was performing!

I had two slots throughout the week on the design and build forum, where I upholstered the ‘Ottomini’.  This is a sweet little footstool that I upholstered, made the buttons, and painted the legs –  all live in front of an audience! There’s nothing quite like a bit of pressure to get the nerves going.

Special guest appearance

However, my nerves soon disappeared after seeing the friendly face of Ray Clarke.  Ray, a fellow upholsterer and another of the BBC one’s Money for Nothing artists popped along to the stage and even got his hands dirty! Rachael Taylor, co-founder of Make it in design also gave an inspiring talk about her passion for surface pattern design, and gave some amazing ‘how to’ advice.

What is the ottomini?

You may have seen me shout about, or even been on one of my footstool courses, where you learn to upholster the cube footstool or the larger ottoman.  Well, the ottomoni, is just as it says, a mini version of the ottoman footstool.

Over the two days, I worked with delicious fabrics from Rachael Taylor and Charlotte Jade. Check them out.

I will also be at Grand Designs Live in Birmingham in October, sign up to the newsletter for all the latest news including more on ottomini courses dates too.