Decorator, Inès gives pep to the furniture of yesteryear in Caen, with La Pie Factory
By Mathieu Girard
Published on
At 33, Ines Lefevre finally found his way. Just a year ago, this young Norman launched Magpie FactoryNope workshop furniture restoration deploy on the Caen peninsula (Calvados). A talent that she discovered almost by chance.
I am a fan of upcycling, which consists of recycling an already existing object. I transform, I repaint, I add parts, etc.
A curious person who likes to experiment
In other words: it makes new out of old. One of the essential principles of the circular economy, which is gaining more and more followers in France and around the world. Her skills, she acquired them on her own, “by dint of experimenting, because I am very curious”.
Its trigger? “When I moved to Caen 7 years ago, I absolutely wanted a vintage chest of drawers at home. But since I couldn’t afford one, I found an old one to fix it up. “A piece of furniture that will give him a hard time.
I stripped and sanded four coats of paint, in my small apartment in the middle of summer, it was the Bronx. But I was so happy and super proud to have done something with my hands.
An ace of gilding
An impression reinforced by the compliments of his friends, who quickly placed an order with him. At the time, however, she did not plan to make it her job. “I was embarked on nursing studies, which did not really suit my hypersensitive character. »
So much so that she feels the need to take a break, during which she will indulge like never before in her new passion, retyping one or two pieces of furniture a month. “It amused me a lot. She continues her experiments and affirms her style.
I started gilding, a real challenge for me. It was my way of bringing light into a very dark time in my life.
Compliments from Christian Lacroix
This gold leaf work has become his trademark. “I fell in love with this technique, which allows you to redraw the volumes. She gives her creations a unique cachet, both simple and sophisticated. And it pleases, a lot!
My posts have been blown up on Instagram. I only had a few hundred followers, but my photos easily produced 2,000-3,000 likes. I thought it was a bug.
She even receives compliments from the great French couturier Christian Lacroix! Magic of social networks, its orders “explode”. A success that finally convinced Inès to make it her livelihood. At first, she groped her way to minimize the risks.
I had more and more customers, but my rates were too low. And as soon as I put them up, I lost some, because for some, recycled furniture shouldn’t be expensive. They don’t realize the hours of work behind it.
Attractive prices for unique pieces
Still today, Magpie Factory very attractive prices. Count 200 euros for a dresser, 250 for a desk, 300 for a small sideboard or 400 for a secretary! It’s really cheap for unique pieces, which you are not likely to see in others. Inès is paying here for her lack of visibility and her absence of a shop.
A problem she hopes to correct in the future, when her business is well established. In the meantime, she relies mostly on word-of-mouth.
I’m overwhelmed with orders for fall.
During October, you will also find some of his creations at The Leaning Clockthe large consignment-sale-flea market located in Mondeville.
Was this article helpful to you? Know that you can follow Liberté Caen in the Mon Actu space. In one click, after registration, you will find all the news of your favorite cities and brands.