Refurbish Moran chairs

By Frank Parker

Our Clients’ Favourite Two Moran Chairs

A local Perth client approached us who had acquired quality pieces of furniture during the 1960’s and 70’s but was having to downsize and could only take her favourite two Moran chairs purchased new in 1972.

The Moran Furniture Story

The Moran story started with John Moran completing his upholstery apprenticeship then starting John Moran Furniture in 1950 at his mother’s garage then shifting to a rented factory. Moran Furniture grew over the decades providing furniture for several generations of Australians.

The Steps for Repairing These Chairs

These Moran chairs were worthy of complete reupholstery as the frames were sturdy and the sprung edge was in good condition. The original upholstery was stripped to the frame and the rejuvenation process began by doing the following:

  • new jute webbing
  • hessian
  • high density foam overlays
  • polyester encased premium cushion inserts

The result is these two luxurious chairs are in new condition ready for many more years of enjoyment.

The Moran Five Points of Difference

Moran Furniture was always marketed with the “5 Points of Difference”

  1. Genuine 8 way hand tied springs
  2. Spring cell seat cushions
  3. Body correct lumbar support
  4. Kiln dried, close grain hardwood timber
  5. Premium leathers & fabrics

Our customer was thrilled with their Moran Furniture repairs.

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    This American company was founded in 1932 by two brothers-in-law starting business as a homewares manufacturer. In 1936 they purchased a bankrupt high-end furniture manufacturer in Vermont and adopted the name Ethan Allen in 1939.

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    Le Cornu was an iconic South Australian furniture manufacturing and retailing business. Operations commenced in 1861 when Phillip Le Cornu started a wholesale cabinet making business in Adelaide. In 1885 the factory was largely destroyed by fire and recommenced operations at a former church in North Adelaide. In 1921 the founder died and his son Phillip took over the business expanding operations and by 1924 employed 25 people.

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    Our clients approached us by saying they loved their Torrance & McKenna lounge furniture which they had purchased in 1989 but it has just worn out due to heavy use over a thirty year period. They wanted to flash back thirty years with an identical suite.

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    We removed all existing upholstery from the timber frame and the only casualty from almost two decades of heavy use was one broken spring which shows the value of purchasing high quality Australian made furniture. We laminated new high density foam to the frame body and fabricated polyester filled channelled and quilted back cushion inserts and polyester encased premium foam seat cushion inserts. The settee was then re-upholstered with the outside arms and back lined and padded with piped detail.

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