Georgette Russell: Upholstering dreams
Georgette Russell is not your average woman; she defies the status quo in every way. Her day job is in finance, but for the past nine years, this 33-year-old has also been dabbling in upholstering and interior designing.
Russell says she loves to work with her hands, and so her ventures come as a pleasure.
“I am the middle child for my parents and so growing up, mother, who is a seamstress, would make our clothes,” she explained. “As you can imagine she is very good with her hands, and so I inherited the creative streak.”
She said every time her mother would make something, she would be in awe, and wanted to replicate that kind of skill in her own life.
“But growing up, my creative juices didn’t begin to flow right away as initially I wanted to be a veterinarian. However, my mother’s influence was very strong and so I began to learn how to sew from watching her. I quickly realised that sewing was not my great love, even though my friends and family were excited by what I created.
“I literally saw the excitement on their faces when they saw my pieces. It was only then that I realised that I had a knack for this thing and branched off into upholstering and interior decorating.”
Russell soon became a dedicated fan of HGTV, a cable channel which offers tonnes of home decorating and design ideas.
“I was greatly fascinated with how beautiful and unique upholstery can be and whenever I saw things on the TV, I would always tell myself that I can do even better.”
Since then she has watched countless self-help videos and learnt much and the results are evident in her creations.
“I can remember it like it was yesterday, people would tell me I can’t do it and that I should leave those things alone as it is a man’s job,” she said.
But undeterred, she went on to increase her knowledge of interior decorating and upholstery through formal schooling, a testament to her commitment to her passion.
Now she adds padding and soft covers to furniture, creating her one-of-a-kind uniquely modern designs.
“I want people to look at my creations in awe,” she said. “I want them to fall in love with the fruits of my labour and say, ‘I’ve got to have this!’ I want to have a world-class business.”
