UPCYCLING, it seems, is everywhere.

With TV shows such as BBC2’s Great Interior Design Challenge showing what can be done with a lick of paint and a creative streak, more and more people are picking up a paintbrush and embarking on their own furniture restoration projects.

And Clementene Coates, specialist professional furniture painter, is passing on her expertise in a series of classes at venues across Yorkshire.

Clementene, from Saltaire, swapped the legal profession to pursue her passion for upcycling and hand painting antique and vintage furniture. A former solicitor, she found her heart lay in interiors and set up her own furniture painting business.

“For as long as I can recall I’ve loved interior design,” says Clementene. “The beautiful Yorkshire countryside I grew up in influenced my love of all things rural, from country cottages to rustic farmhouses.”

For Clementene, an old, tired piece of furniture is just waiting to be loved. “I don’t believe in throwing furniture away just because it’s a bit dishevelled,” she says. “Often it has the potential to be transformed into something beautiful and worth cherishing. Some pieces I work on are over 100 years old. As long as furniture is solid and has longevity, I can breathe life into it so it can be treasured - a piece of the past restored for the future.

“I love nothing more than sourcing a shabby old piece of furniture bound for the scrapheap; by applying a few simple yet effective faux finish techniques I can transform it into something stunning. And in the process I’m doing my bit for the environment by preventing it from becoming another piece of landfill.”

Clementene’s classes, at venues including Sleningford Estate near Ripon and Hepworth Wakefield, are suitable for beginners or those with a basic understanding of furniture painting. She’s teaching classic and artistic ‘faux finish’ painting techniques including two-colour distressing; cracking the paint with craquelure; gilding with metallic gold and silver leaf; dècoupage and stencilling.

“I’ve been painting for many years and I firmly believe anyone can learn the basic skills,” she says. “All you need is a good teacher and plenty of enthusiasm!”

Clementene’s bespoke hand-painted creations have featured in leading interior design publications and have been showcased at venues such as Hampton Court Palace and a reception at 10 Downing Street. As well as commission work in the UK, she has orders from as far as Sydney and New York.

Much of the furniture arriving at her workshop is in a poor state. She becomes attached to pieces she works on, even giving them names. “A name adds individuality and charm,” she says. Her own home is filled with pieces she has picked up from auctions and second-hand shops, and some inherited furniture.

“I like Victorian designs, French glamour, the understated Scandinavian look, and vintage retro,” she says. “I use specialist furniture paints which are water-based, eco-friendly and versatile, allowing me to create different styles.”

With many 21st century household items not designed for longevity, she cherishes furniture as something that can have a second life. “You can create a beautiful home by reusing discarded items in innovative ways,” she says. “No two pieces of furniture I paint are the same.”

With painting furniture for her online store and working on commission pieces for clients, it’s a wonder Clementene - who also has a blog on upcycling and painting - finds time to fit in furniture painting classes. “After receiving so many requests from people wanting to learn from a professional, I decided to put on a series of classes,” she says. “There’s lots of information out there, particularly on the internet, on how to paint furniture. Sadly, much of it is either too vague, too complicated or simply poor advice.

“I want to teach people how to apply professional techniques so they can achieve wonderful results at home.

“The various venues I’ve chosen for the classes are very special and each provide all the artistic inspiration you could wish for. The classes will be fun, interactive and hands-on - so bring plenty of enthusiasm!”

Visit clementenecoates.co.uk.