Turnstyle13: Meet the Glasgow woman transforming old furniture into statement pieces

After years of jumping from job to job, the 41-year-old has finally found her calling.   

From her home in Carntyne, the artist is giving a new lease of life to pieces of old furniture that would have otherwise been set for the dump. 

Her hallway is lined with sandy-coloured cabinets, bedside tables, lamp stands, materials and the tools of her trade. 

On reflection, she admits that it wasn’t easy to get to where she is now – a self-employed businesswoman and creator who is honourably “addicted to furniture”.

Jenny said: “My career path hasn’t been straight and narrow – it has been here, there, up, down and all over the place but I wouldn’t change it.

“It was never my intention to start a business but I soon figured out that this was my calling and that I could never see myself doing anything else.” 

Jenny’s passion for craft began when she was a schoolgirl growing up in the East End. Her tech lessons led her to pursue a carpeting and joinery course at the College of Building and Printing. 

From there, she bagged an apprenticeship in 1998 at the age of 17.  

“I was over the moon”, she said. 

“Women still need to prove themselves today and show that they can do these things but back then it was even harder to get in. I worked for eight months once the apprenticeship finished before I was made redundant. By that point, I felt as though I’d had enough anyway.” 

Inspired by her interest in music to test the waters, Jenny bought herself a set of turntables that later helped her to achieve a degree in audio technology at Glasgow Caledonian University.  

“It didn’t take off”, she admitted. 

“But I still went and got my degree. When I finished up, that’s where bra-fitting came in. I worked in House of Frasers for a short spell. Retail was really hard but I liked the fact I could help others. 

“I had ladies coming in who had had a hysterectomy or who had reconstruction looking for help. Seeing them walk away feeling more confident made me feel good about myself – it was nice to be able to give that to someone. I had male customers, too, who I know walked away feeling better about themselves. 

“I eventually decided that I had had enough of bra fitting and that I was a bit fed up with retail and rude customers so I went into cleaning for a little while.” 

Jenny’s next chapter took place at a local bingo hall in Possilpark. 
She found herself working the bookings after her partner was made redundant a short while after their engagement.  

“When we got engaged, my gran had dementia. I always wanted to be there for my wedding day so we went ahead and booked the venue. 

“Suddenly, my partner was made redundant so I had to find something quickly to pay the wedding off.” 

Fondly recounting her days in the North of Glasgow, Jenny broke out into a giggle, describing some of the scenes that unfolded as “bingo hall mafia”.  

She said: “Every day was different and I met so many characters. I met a great bunch of people and the staff were amazing – they became family and I still stay in touch with a lot of them.  

“If someone asked me now if I wanted to go to the bingo, it would be like my worst nightmare after all those nights in Possilpark but it would give me a laugh.  

“People would take it very seriously and it got a bit like bingo mafia, there was a lot of character.” 

She added: “That job made me really realise I had a trade, a passion and a degree that I should be making use of.” 

The artist found her true calling when she took a course in furniture restoration at the City of Glasgow college. Although she misses the hustle and bustle that came with hospitality and retail, Jenny is grateful to have found her feet.  

She said: “I don’t see my job as work and I’m grateful that I’m doing something that I live and breathe for. 

“It wasn’t plain sailing, I went through a lot of different things and there was a lot of bumps along the road.  

“If I won the lottery tomorrow I would still do what I do but only in a bigger house. When I talk about my work it lights up my face. I needed the other jobs to get by but at the end of the day, it got me to where I am now.” 

Jenny’s business – named Turnstyle13 – rejuvenates and breathes new life into old or unwanted furniture. The distinctive pieces are given a modern twist while still maintaining their classical style.  

Jenny added: “It’s like therapy to me. I love seeing the potential in an old piece. I think furniture should stand out with bright colours and quirky designs.  

“Life is too short to be boring – so add a little colour to your life.” 

Turnstyle13’s online shop can be found at www.turnstyle13.co.uk