Meet the maker Luz Maria & Rocio Ruiz Nieto

We are two sisters from Spain who are qualified furniture restorers. We have been living in Glasgow, Scotland, for the past 25 years. Our names are Luz (pronounced 'Luth') and Rocio ('Rotheo'), names which each means in Spanish 'light' and 'dew', hence the shop's name!!

Although always together in Spain and then in Scotland (both sisters married to two Scottish brothers!) we both actually come from very different backgrounds . Luz's work background used to be in export having completed in the past a Business Studies degree in Malaga (Spain) and a Masters on Administration and Information Technology in Glasgow (Scotland), working thereafter for companies such as IBM, NCR, William Grant Whisky, etc. Rocio has a degree in History of Art and Archaeology and a Masters in Architectural Conservation both completed in Scotland. She has worked subsequently as a decorative surfaces and buildings restorer/conservator for companies such as Glasgow Museums and Art Galleries and Nicolas Boyes Stone Conservation in projects ranging from C.R. Mackintosh's tearoms, Rosslyn Chapel, St Giles Cathedral, etc.

Despite such different academic backgrounds we have always shared a love for all things beautiful, arty and crafty.

We always said to each other that we would make a good creative and business team and would love to do something together one day, as we both enjoy working with our hands. This, alongside other changes in life, such as the arrival of children, the appearance of the first few wrinkles and grey hairs and a much desired change of career on the part of Luz, led us to the decision of undertaking together an HND in Furniture Restoration. We absolutely loved this course which was very hands on and learnt loads. As a result, we now take on commissions on restoration, particularly for re-upholstery, re-caning and French polishing. However, we also like to work on our own projects on furniture restoration and up-cycling and making soft furnishings often using vintage materials which allow us to set free our creativity.