Heritage & Heart: Upcycling Without Compromise
@monsoondragonflyinteriors Furniture designing duo Fiona and Ryan Roberts feature a stunning sideboard painted in Jubilee Heraldic Plum and GILD Gold; plus, share some insight to how they started and what keeps their upcycling business going strong after almost two decades.
Creating Timeless Furniture with Paint and Purpose: An Interview with Monsoon Dragonfly Interiors
A British Heritage-Inspired Sideboard Painted in Jubilee Heraldic Plum and Super GILD Gold
Monsoon Dragonfly Interiors, led by upcycling duo Fiona and Ryan Roberts, has quietly built a reputation for quality, craftsmanship, and originality. Their work blends vintage elegance with a bold artistic vision, and their latest project, a grand 1860s English oak sideboard, is a perfect example.
Painted in Guild Lane’s Jubilee Heraldic Plum with Super GILD Gold accents, the piece channels regal British heritage with modern flair. We spoke to Fiona about the story behind their business, what fuels their creativity, and why they’ve chosen Guild Lane paints.
Rescuing, Reimagining, Restoring Furniture
“My parents taught me to respect the value of things,” says Fiona. “That’s stayed with me since childhood.” Eighteen years ago, that ethos turned into action when she began saving antique and vintage furniture from the recycling centre. “I wanted to set up a tent at the tip and save them all!”
Today, Fiona and Ryan run their upcycling business with a commitment to solid wood craftsmanship, originality, and joy in the process.
A Day in the Studio
Their daily rhythm is refreshingly human. “Tea comes first, always outside if the weather allows,” says Fiona. “Then it’s music, painting, plenty of tea breaks, and the occasional argument to keep it real!” Their approach is rooted in freedom, collaboration and a shared love for meaningful work. “If it starts to feel like a job, we stop and reset.”
“With Ryan, my husband and business partner, we’ve built this business to support ourselves, yes, but it’s important it still feels like a choice. That’s what keeps the joy in the process alive.”
A Regal Jubilee-Inspired Transformation with Heraldic Plum and Super GILD Gold
This featured piece, a double bow-fronted English oak sideboard from the 1860s, once stood in a Scottish manor house, now being converted into a luxury hotel. Fiona wanted the redesign to feel both lavish and respectful of its past.
“We chose Jubilee Heraldic Plum, purple has long symbolised wealth and regal status,” says Fiona. “Super GILD Gold felt like the perfect crowning touch, honouring the piece’s heritage.” The result? A statement piece that feels luxurious, opulent, and timeless.
Shop The Palette
Why Guild Lane Furniture Paint Is Our Go-To for Quality and Colour
“Quality is non-negotiable for us,” says Fiona. “From the first brushstroke, I could tell Guild Lane paints were different. British-made, beautifully pigmented, and a joy to work with, they reflect everything we stand for.”
Her favourite combinations? Heraldic Plum and Super GILD Gold, and a close second: Jet Black with Super GILD Gold. “They’re elegant, strong, and striking.”
How Two Furniture Painters Built a Business on Imagination and Integrity
Fiona and Ryan don't take commissions on client-owned furniture. Instead, they buy, restore and sell their own pieces, with most of their work sold by commission to a loyal following of return clients and referrals.
"We also design and donate one charity piece each Christmas," she adds.
Their biggest challenge? Being copied. "It's flattering, but we design every piece from scratch it's disheartening when those ideas are replicated without credit. Originality matters."
Advice for Aspiring Upcyclers
"Be bold. Be original. And most importantly, be respectful," says Fiona. "There's a fine line between inspiration and imitation. Find your style and refine it. That's what we've done for nearly two decades."
Where to Find Them
Their work speaks for itself, and their waitlist is consistently full. But you can view their pieces on Instagram at @monsoondragonflyinteriors or visit their Etsy page to see select past projects.
Extended Interview: Monsoon Dragonfly Interiors in Their Own Words
We loved hearing from Fiona at Monsoon Dragonfly Interiors about what fuels their creativity and how they’ve built such a loyal following over the years. Below is the full Q&A from our conversation.
How did you get into upcycling?
“Growing up in the '70s and '80s, my parents taught me to respect the value and worth of things, not to throw away what someone worked so hard to create.
It all started 18 years ago when I began saving furniture from the tip. Seeing solid wood pieces being thrown away broke my heart. I wanted to pitch a tent at the recycling centre and save everything! They’d see my car pull up and nearly shut the gates!”
What types of furniture do you work on?
“Quality is a non-negotiable. We choose solid wood, hand-carved pieces, usually vintage or antique. It must have the potential to become a ‘Wow’, or already be one.
Function matters too. We don’t turn cabinets into drinks cupboards unless they can actually hold bottles. Everything must still work as it’s meant to.”
What have you been most surprised to learn running your business?
“That people value quality and customer service more than price. We focus on giving a personal, honest experience. That’s what keeps clients coming back.”
Do you only take commissions, or do you sell online too?
“We’re a bit old school, we sketch with pen and paper. Ninety percent of our work is commissioned from our own inventory. We don’t paint client-owned furniture or go to their homes. We keep a few slots open each year to explore new design ideas, and those pieces go up for sale to everyone. We also make and sell one special piece every Christmas for charity.”
Do you have advice for budding upcyclers?
We’ve always believed in designing from imagination, not replication. If you’re bold enough to start an upcycling business, be bold enough to bring something new to the table. That’s what we did nearly 18 years ago, and we’re still going strong.”
Other blogs we think you'll love
How To Upcycle Garden Furniture and our comprehensive guide to Jubilee Furniture Paint
