The Chapel Gallery

Tucked away on Sparks Lane, just off Brook Street, you will find an extraordinary group of skilled artisans. In a state of the art, British-made, eco-friendly building, surrounded by a meadow (with bee hives) a furniture restorer, an upholsterer, and a picture framer work comfortably together. Daniel Lopez from Carlos Lopez & Son was the first craftsman to move to Lower Yard. In fact, did so before the building was even completed, so his journey there started surrounded by mud and brick dust. Now his workshop is a treasure trove for any woodwork fanatic!

As a third generation furniture restorer, Daniel has continued the family craft, and still uses tools that both his father and his grandfather used many years ago. From a total restoration of your dining furniture, cabinet or footstool, to fixing that annoying chair wobble, Carlos Lopez & Son is the only place to go for your treasured furniture. Although antique furniture is at the heart of what Daniel does, he also takes on modern or bespoke items, approaching each project as a unique collaboration with customers. One of his most extravagant projects was to hand carve and build an impressive 17 balustrade and four newel post staircase in a stately home in Sussex. Katie Ashworth moved her business – Pippin Cottage Upholstery – to its new home in Sparks Lane about 18 months ago, and she has loved the increased work space and the warm welcome from new customers from the surrounding area of Cuckfield.

Katie’s love for upholstery started at a young age, popping into her father’s upholstery shop to make buttons with his button machine – which is still going strong! Katie’s father taught her the trade over a number of years working together from her garage. Fast forward 15 years, and Katie has a wealth of experience and hundreds of happy customers who have seen their precious pieces of furniture expertly reupholstered and given a new lease of life. When choosing Pippin Upholstery, the personal service will start by discussing your project with Katie: choosing the fabric and finishes to make your piece exactly as you visualise it. You will see a huge selection of fabrics and samples in her Sparks Lane showroom. Using both traditional and modern upholstery techniques, coupled with beautiful fabrics and trimmings, your furniture will be transformed! So, if you have some tired dining chairs, a neglected armchair, or even just need some new cushions, please get in touch. And, you will always have a friendly welcome when you visit from Dennis – Katie’s cavapoo!

Tessa Land-Smith, of the Chapel Gallery picture framers, is the latest to join the group. Her business was previously situated just across the road on Brook Street. Unlike Katie and Daniel, Tessa’s background is not in picture framing, but as an artist and sculptor, when the opportunity came up to learn a new skill, she took it up with enthusiasm. And 23 years later, is still framing! The Chapel Gallery was established in 1979 as Picturesque, and its first home was in Haywards Heath. Cuckfield. Katie’s love for upholstery started at a young age, popping into her father’s upholstery shop to make buttons with his button machine – which is still going strong! Katie’s father taught her the trade over a number of years working together from her garage. Fast forward 15 years, 28 CL167 mag.indd 28 Malcolm, who crafts the frames, has been working for the company for 45 years, so his experience and skill is second to none. You are in expert hands. Tessa’s creativity as an artist will help you with your choices for mounts and frames. She will also hand paint, or decorate a frame to your specification.

“The Chapel Gallery will frame almost anything,” Tessa says. “Watercolours, oils, photographs, certificates, but we do specialise in framing unusual items. The treasures you have tucked away in a drawer, that you possibly never dreamt could be framed. Children’s ‘firsts’, scarves, ballet shoes, military medals, perfume bottles. We have framed a guitar, (previously owned by a member of Status Quo) – a sword, an axe from the Braveheart film, a lifejacket from Titanic… and, of course, sports memorabilia: shirts, gloves, boots, cricket bats… nothing is impossible. We like a challenge.” Each company have their own space in the building, but their individual skills are complimentary: the aim to provide a service to each customer that is personal, with attention to detail, to an exceptional standard. For this reason, much of their work comes through recommendations, reflecting the trust and confidence their customers have placed with them over the years. Whether you need a craftsperson in the form of a framer, a restorer or an upholsterer – the answer is closer than you think.