TM
Singular Furniture
Art Furniture Maker
About
Singular Furniture is a furniture venture based in Newtongrange, in the county of Midlothian, the home of the National Mining Museum Scotland.
Established by Rachel Archibald, a furniture designer, who creates custom-made pieces with an artistic flavour.
Attracted by the unusual, materials not readily found in furniture are sometimes used in Rachel's pieces, like recycled bicycle inner tubes.
The environment is very important and to that end, the plan is to use materials that are easily recycled at end of life, or are created from waste or recycled materials that can go on to be recycled again. A good example of this is a new replacement material for traditional upholstery foam, it is not only better for the environment but for health and well being too.
About Me
My Name is Rachel Archibald and I am an art furniture designer and maker.
I derive great satisfaction from creating so when a career pivot was required, I chose furniture, something that could become a business.
Furniture has been a full-on learning experience, challenging and hugely enjoyable with lots of support from staff and fellow students. I moved onto the next phase of my grand plan, where I learnt all about setting up and running a business and earned a BA Hons Creative Enterprise in the process,I got a first!!
I started at the very beginning with an NC in Furniture having never used a chisel or a saw in my life. I moved onto the HNC and followed that with the HND in Furniture winning awards both years and being fortunate enough to exhibit work in the Rothes Halls in Glenrothes in our end of year show.
I am continuing my professional development by taking part in online and in person upholstery classes, with the aim of offering classes in traditional, modern and green upholstery in the future.
Testimonials - Private Reupholstery Projects
Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Chair
I commissioned Rachel to reupholster a mid century chair which had belonged to my Grandmother. She helped me select suitable fabrics which would withstand some wear and tear and fitted with the colour scheme I was looking for. The work has been done to a fantastic standard and I am so happy with the unique finished piece. I would highly recommend Rachel for any upholstery project.
BT Newtongrange
Heirloom Stool
Rachel took on an upholstery project for me of what was a small bedroom bench, a family heirloom. She listened carefully to what I wanted to use it for and how I wanted it to look, colours, textures, patterns I liked and finishes for the wooden legs.
Rachel sourced two fabrics, one patterned and one with great texture that I liked. It was finished really well and I am absolutely delighted with the end result. It is frequently admired by visitors as it sits proudly in my hall.
JG Bonnyrigg
Publications
I have been very fortunate to have a piece I wrote published in edition 16/ Winter 2022 of Full Circle, the journal of The Association of Scottish Hardwood Sawmillers. It is part of the Women of the Woods collection of articles and is called Starting again at 51.
Previous Incarnations
In the dim and distant past I have worked in casinos, cruise ships, hotels, home care, had an ironing business and worked in libraries for over twenty years, manager for the last 11.
