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"The wonderful part about vinegar painting is that
while the technique is quite old, my interpretation can be either
traditional, or in some instances, very modern."
- Stephen Mottram
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About the Founder
If you're hoping to
breathe new life into tired or unfinished furniture, or, if you're an interior designers
looking for that special piece of furniture for their design plans, then Stafford
Design is quickly becoming a valuable resource for visually unique
vinegar-painted furniture and household items.
Founded in 2001 by artist
Stephen Mottram, Stafford Design was recently featured on Home & Garden Television (HGTV)
and noted in the New York Times. Stafford
Design is the result of Stephen’s fascination with the types and styles of
furnishings from the Colonial period in American history. He credits his
numerous visits to early American landmarks such as Thomas Jefferson’s
Monticello, George Washington’s Mount Vernon and historic
Williamsburg, along with his innate, creative curiosity, for his designs to
explore the somewhat neglected art form known as vinegar painting.
 Vinegar
painting, the art of creating real and imaginary wood veneers and marbleized
effects on many types of surfaces, was both popular and practical during
Colonial times, when high-quality wood was unavailable or unaffordable.
After experimenting with vinegar paint blends and treatments, Stephen
settled on a formula that best suits the rich array of
color and patterns
that are his signature.
Each piece featured in the
Stafford Design Showroom
is a
one-of-a-kind, carefully
handcrafted work of art. By transforming
the ordinary into the
extraordinary, Stephen helps to keep alive a traditional folk art process
not currently practiced by many artists, while cleverly re-purposing worn
furniture and accessories.
You may order items from Stephen's selection
of finished art productions.
The studios of Stafford Design are located
in Saugatuck, Michigan,
an area teeming with art galleries and interior design shops just two hours
from Chicago.
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