Refurbish Parker Knoll chairs

By Frank Parker

Parker Knoll Chairs Perth Restored
Parker Knoll Chairs Perth Restored

The Origination of Parker Knoll

New seat and back heavy grade elastic webbing was fitted then high-density foam was laminated to the arms and frame bodies including the outside arm and back panels which were lined and padded. Polyester filled channelled and quilted back cushion inserts were fabricated. The premium foam polyester encased seat cushion inserts were fabricated by laminating two grades of foam creating a cushion that progressively firms and ensuring greater longevity.

The new venture was quickly successful producing high quality sprung furniture for the mass market. During the war years the company produced wooden componentry for de Havilland and repaired gliders then reversed into furniture production after 1945. With increasing the company listed in 1950 and then in the 1960’s saw vast production of recliner chairs which became a signature item.

The company went back to private ownership in 2004 after suffering financial difficulties then went through several ownerships and now has gone back to its roots producing high quality furniture from a state of the art factory in Nottinghamshire.

A set of two Parker Knoll chairs were completely stripped of the upholstery and sanded back to the bare timber.  Three coats of lacquer were applied being sanded between coats. The frames were then lightly rubbed back with super-fine steel wool to produce the required finish.

The client selected a 1970’s period velvet for the upholstery. The padding was fabricated by laminating premium cushioning then encased in polyester fibre. The upholstery fabric suited these chairs embracing the era.

Our Client’s Feedback

Our client was overwhelmed with the chairs adding these pieces to her home filled with beautiful mid-century furniture.

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    Cornwell Furniture was formed in the 1960’s, a division of Parker Knoll Furniture in the United Kingdom. Cornwell was a signature range of Parker-Knoll specialising in high quality mass production motion chairs.

    The chair pictured is branded “Cornwell-Norton Ltd” which signifies it was manufactured in the Cornwell factory located at Chipping Norton in West Oxfordshire which commenced operations in the mid 60’s and closed in 2003.

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