Shelley Johnson has always had a very artistic and creative streak. A few years ago she started refurbishing furniture as a hobby and her finished painted pieces gained admiration from friends and family. She spent time sourcing interesting items of furniture to fuel a pastime that was eating into her already busy life as a young mum with four children! She sold an item here and there to make space for new arrivals (furniture, not children) and realised she had the foundations of a small business. We call Shelley 'The Artistic Fairy'.

After racking her brain, she eventually coined the name 'The Fettling Fairies'. 'Fettle' is a Yorkshire dialect verb meaning ' (a) to prepare or arrange (a thing, oneself, etc.), especially to put a finishing touch to (b) to repair or mend (something)'.

At this stage Shelley's mum Joy joined, taking care of reupholstering, some prep work, painting, purchasing, sales and administration. It's probably unfair that we call Joy 'The Bossy Fairy' (she's not, and does loads of work! ) Joy spends a lot of time looking for interesting items of furniture. If she likes it, she'll try and buy it. Her main criteria is that if she wouldn't have it in her home, it's not for The Fettling Fairies.

Shelley's dad David had been on hand to make occasional repairs. In late spring 2014 we found that it had become rather impractical to work out of two homes and a storage container (15 miles distant) so we started to look for suitable premises.

We were very lucky to find an enormous dry barn not far from home on the outskirts of the lovely village of Moulton, near Richmond in North Yorkshire. Our premises are in the middle of sweeping arable fields and we have spectacular (and distracting) views across the Vale of Mowbray to the coast, the North Yorkshire Moors and the Cleveland Hills. David joined full-time when we moved into our barn, we refer to him as 'The Practical Fairy'. He has many years professional experience with wood. He does all our spray painting, cabinet making - and also takes care of local deliveries.

Our team is supplemented by carefully vetted couriers who specialise in furniture delivery to ensure you receive your purchase in the top condition it left us - and in a friendly manner.

Between us, we want to ensure you will be delighted with our amazing refinished furniture and our service.