Commissions &
The Chair Beneath The Art
An original artwork, created especially for you.
Every HELBLING creation begins with a newly crafted, antique-inspired chair, never a refurbished or previously owned piece.
Crafted in Indonesia, each chair features a solid mahogany timber frame, elegant carved detailing and luxurious microvelvet upholstery. Selected for its beautiful lustre and timeless appeal, the fabric provides an elegant canvas for original artwork.
Each chair is then individually hand-painted by Australian artist Melinda Helbling, transforming a beautiful piece of furniture into an original, one-of-a-kind work of functional art.
A Chair Created for You
For those seeking something truly personal, HELBLING offers individually commissioned artworks.
Choose from a selection of chair styles, timber finishes and upholstery colours, and collaborate on an original artwork created especially for your home.
Whether inspired by nature, classical art, a favourite animal or an entirely personal idea, each commission is thoughtfully considered and painted by hand.
01 — Choose Your Chair
Explore a selection of classic, antique-inspired chair designs, each offering its own proportions, carved detailing and distinctive character.
From elegant occasional chairs to generously proportioned statement pieces, the chair itself becomes an integral part of the finished artwork.
02 — Select Your Timber Finish
The carved mahogany frames are available in a beautiful range of finishes, from natural timber tones to classic black, antique ivory and decorative gold or silver highlights.
Your chosen finish can complement the artwork or provide a striking contrast.
03 — Explore Upholstery Options
Microvelvet is the preferred upholstery for HELBLING creations, selected for its beautiful lustre, luxurious appearance and suitability for hand-painted artwork.
Available in a carefully selected range of colours, microvelvet provides an elegant canvas for each original design.
Other upholstery options, including traditional damasks, patterned fabrics and synthetic leathers, may be considered for selected commissions, depending on the design and suitability of the material. On request.
04 — Your Artwork
The final element is the most personal.
Your commission may be inspired by an existing HELBLING creation, a particular subject, a favourite colour palette or an entirely new concept.
Each artwork is individually developed and painted by hand, ensuring that every finished chair remains a one-of-one original.
Commissioning Your HELBLING
Each commission begins with a conversation about your preferred chair, finishes and artwork.
Once the design and specifications have been discussed, an individual quotation and estimated completion timeframe will be provided.
Newly manufactured chairs generally require approximately 12–16 weeks for production, with additional time allowed for the creation of the artwork and delivery.
All commissions are subject to availability and artistic suitability.
Begin Your Commission
To enquire about a HELBLING commission, please get in touch with your ideas, preferred chair style or any inspiration you may have.
Together, we can explore the possibilities of creating something truly individual.
Chair styles, timber finishes and upholstery options are subject to availability. Colours and finishes may vary slightly from those shown. Not all upholstery materials are suitable for hand-painted artwork, and final selections will depend on their suitability for the proposed design.
I paint chairs because they already understand how to hold a body.
They are not paintings pretending to be furniture.
They are furniture shaped by the language of art.
Furniture that refuses to behave.
Quiet, deliberate and unapologetically present.
The HELBLING studio practice focuses on restraint, craftsmanship and longevity.
All pieces are prepared and painted by hand in studio and released individually as one-of-one works. The process remains slow and deliberate, allowing each chair to sit somewhere between functional furniture, collectible design, and contemporary art.
Working between art and object, each chair begins as a sculptural form and is transformed through hand-painted surface and material decisions.
HELBLING pieces are designed to live within considered interiors — spaces where sculptural presence matters as much as function.
Selected works are released periodically and placed through private enquiry.
Created to hold presence