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THE DIGEST
Inside Bell Hutley's Exclusive Painted Furniture Collection for Vinterior
From botanical motifs to bold colour combinations, Bell Hutley and Annie Sloan explore the creative process behind a collection of hand-painted vintage furniture made exclusively for Vinterior.
When it comes to decorating with vintage, personality is everything. It's what draws us to a particular piece, whether it's the patina on a well loved chest of drawers, the shape of a mid-century cabinet or the craftsmanship behind a beautifully made bureau.
For artist and designer Bell Hutley, that personality becomes the starting point.
Created exclusively for Vinterior using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Bell's collection transforms a series of vintage finds through colour, pattern and hand-painted detail. Inspired by nature, decorative arts and the enduring appeal of painted furniture, the collection celebrates individuality at a time when interiors are moving away from the uniform and towards the personal.
Nature runs throughout the collection. Birds, flowers, vines and fruit trees appear across cabinets, coffee tables and bureaus, creating pieces that feel decorative without being overly precious. Some designs reference historical influences, including the work of Austrian Swedish designer Josef Frank, while others evolved more instinctively, with Bell allowing each composition to develop as she worked.
It's an approach that feels particularly relevant at a time when interiors are becoming more individual. Rather than following a single trend or aesthetic, homeowners are increasingly creating spaces that reflect their own tastes, combining vintage finds with pieces that tell a story.
That idea of storytelling sits at the heart of painted furniture. As Annie points out, decorative painting has existed across cultures and centuries, yet rarely feels dated. Whether it's folk art, traditional painted finishes or contemporary decorative work, these pieces continue to resonate because they bring character and craftsmanship into a space.
Colour plays an equally important role. Bell's process often starts with softer, quieter tones before introducing bolder shades through motifs and layered details. Throughout the collection, vivid blues sit alongside calming greens and warm paprika reds, creating pieces that feel joyful but considered.
“What defines this collection is nature and bringing nature indoors. Flowers and vines and all those sorts of things. I want it to be a very joyful, uplifting collection full of colour and fun detail”
Bell Hutley
For anyone looking to experiment with painted furniture at home, Annie's advice is refreshingly simple: step slightly outside your comfort zone. That doesn't have to mean painting an entire room bright pink. It could be introducing a coloured side table, adding pattern to a vintage cabinet or experimenting with texture on a smaller piece.
The collection ultimately reflects what makes vintage furniture so enduring. Long before any paintbrush is picked up, each piece already has a history. Bell's work doesn't erase that history. Instead, it builds on it, bringing together craftsmanship, colour and creativity to create something entirely new.
Feeling inspired?
Shop the exclusive collection
