Danish Lounge Suite Reupholstery

The Fascinating History of Hans Wegner

Hans Wegner was born in Tonder, Denmark in 1914 and often worked from early years at his father’s shoe making business. He obtained an apprenticeship as a wood carver when he was 16. After completing this he then studied cabinet making and attended the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen.

Hans was self employed with a small factory employing about six staff. They manufactured fine modern furniture of the day however delivery could be several years. Which is hard to imagine in these current times.

From here he convened Salesco AS – a group of five large Danish furniture manufacturers to make his furniture designs under licence. They included:
With the number of designs and the volume of furniture produced under licence Hans Wegner became known as the “Father of Modern Danish Furniture”. Hans died in Copenhagen in 2007.

Carl Hansen – timber chairs
Getama – timber framed chairs with lose cushions
A.P Stolen – fully upholstered chairs
RY Mobler – wooden storage units and
Tuck Barde – wooden tables.

With the number of designs and the volume of furniture produced under licence Hans Wegner became known as the “Father of Modern Danish Furniture”. Hans died in Copenhagen in 2007.

Restoring a Danish Hans Wegner Model 233

We had over the years restored a considerable amount of upholstered mid-century furniture for these particular clients. The latest job we did for them was the restoration of a Hans Wegner ‘model 233’. A classic Danish lounge suite which was in very good condition.

The Lounge Frame

Given that the lounge was in such good condition the timber frame only required scuffing, a coating with a 30% gloss lacquer then a light rub down with polish and super fine steel wool. The frame had a seat springing system which remained in superb condition, so this just required new replacement quilted padding fitted with elastic tabs.

The Lounge Cushions

The seat and back cushions were interesting being internally sprung but were slightly firm and uncomfortable. So we replaced the cushion inserts with laminated premium foam encased with bonded polyester fibre. This provided firmer cushioning and was considerably more comfortable. The upholstery fabric selected was Zepel ‘Mingle-Mangle Spice’ which gave the lounge a more updated finish while keeping within the design. Finally, the cushions were slip-stitch closed eliminating the requirement for zips (maintaining the original clean lines) and then buttoned.

Exceeding Our Clients Expectations

Our clients had high expectations and the team at Parker Interiors ensured we exceeded them. This mid century piece of Danish furniture was modernised whilst maintaining its classic mid-century simplicity. We trust this furniture will stay in the family for future generations to enjoy.

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Reupholstering Mid-Century Leather Furniture

ByFrank Parker

The History of Kill International Furniture

Kill International Furniture was a globally recognised German bespoke ‘mid-century’ furniture manufacturer named after the founder Alfred Kill. Kill developed a product range by collaborating with renowned Danish furniture designers such as Preben Fabricius and Jorgen Kastholm. However, the furniture refurbished was designed by Rudolf Glatzel (1911-1999) and produced at the Kill International factory in Stuttgart – Fellbach Germany as documented in the photograph above.

Reupholstery of a Kill International Lounge Suite

A gentleman contacted us after Parker Interiors was recommended to him. The person who recommended us was the mid-century furniture dealer who he had purchased this nostalgic and rare suite consisting of a Kill International 3-seater settee and 2 Kill International lounge chairs. We were invited to his mid-century styled home and inspected the furniture. Given that it had never been re upholstered and was almost 60 years old it was in good structural condition. Just one back leg had a large chip. We explained that the leg could be repaired and the upholstery completely replaced. Given that this was a prestigious mid-century piece, we suggested a similar high quality black semi-aniline leather be used to maintain the design integrity. The Futura ‘Lena Black’ upholstery leather was selected by our client.

The Transformation Process

We disassembled the lounge suite and the first task was to rebuild the chipped rear leg with a two-pack resin. This was to make sure the fault was difficult to notice when completed. The body padding was replaced with appropriate high-density foams and the seat and back cushions were fabricated by laminating premium foams of various firmness then encased with bonded polyester fibre.

The Finished Product

The reupholstery replicated the original finish with large panel cuts and twin-stitched detail. Using hides of exceptional quality allowed us to use single panels for the Kill International 3-seater body. This was in accordance with the original design and ensured design integrity. The detailed stitching is a credit to our sewing machinist as was the buttoning and upholstery finish a credit to our master upholsterer.

Seeing Our Clients Amazed

The most rewarding aspect of our job is delivering the completed upholstered furniture. Our client was amazed with the finish which excelled his expectations. We just hope that the skilled artisans will exist in sixty years to refurbish this suite for our client’s grandchildren.

“I can only say how delighted I am with the result”

Last year I purchased a mid 1960s lounge suite in black leather by a famous German designer. After almost 60 years of wear and tear the suite was in poor condition: cushions were sagging and some were split, there was little spring left in the couch and one chair leg had a large chip.

Frank Parker was recommended to me as someone who could complete the job of full restoration to a high standard. Frank visited my house to see the suite, provided options in Italian leather and arranged for pick-up and delivery of the finished project for a mutual agreed date, later in the year.

I admit to feeling some ambivalence having gone ahead: this was a lot of money and what would I be getting in return? I can only say how delighted I am with the result. The professionalism of Frank’s team shows through in the quality of the finished project which exceeded my expectations. I look forward to contacting Frank in relation to some future work and unreservedly recommend Parker Interiors.

Mark – Hamersley

W.A.

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Mid Century Modern Restoration – Tessa Chair

ByFrank Parker

The History of Tessa Furniture

Tessa Furniture Australia originally was known as Twen. They commenced operations in 1968 and then changed their name to Tessa in 1970. Tessa was formed by Fred Lowen, his brother Howard Lindsey and design technician Sigi Danielzik. However, Fred commenced furniture manufacturing with Earnest Rodeck in the mid 1950’s having formed Fler which was sold in 1967. Tessa Furniture expanded their operations nationally during the 1970’s. Their international links helped them to become an iconic name during the heydays of local furniture manufacturing.

Most restored mid-century furniture with a Scandinavian influence involves bringing the furniture back to its original glory, particularly for those who witnessed this era. However, there is a niche segment within the mid-century restoration market involving mainly those younger at heart who want their furniture restored with a contemporary flair.

Reupholstery of a Tessa Furniture Chair

Our Client’s Request for Their Bargain Furniture Find

A young lady who works in our industry sector approached us regarding restoring a Tessa ‘T1’ chair she had purchased for fifty dollars. However, she did not want her chair refurbished to its original splendour but wanted a contemporary finish.

A Modern Reupholstery for a Tessa Chair

To ensure a high quality furniture restoration, we first:

disassembled the Tessa chair and removed all the existing upholstery.
we fabricated replacement ply-wood panels (The outside chipboard panels were fractured near the top back, which is not uncommon).
The frame show-wood components were sanded back, stained to original and three coats of 30% lacquer applied.
The seat webbing was replaced with a heavy grade elastic webbing
the jute webbing at the back base also replaced and
Premium foam polyester wrapped seat, back and headrest cushion inserts were also fabricated

The Modern Upholstery Fabric Choice

The upholstery fabric specified by our client was Wortley ‘Axel Honey’ which was an excellent choice, a contemporary version of the period fabric. The cushioning was streamlined being wrap-around versions like what would be used on a ‘T2’ chair and without the arm-pads. The chair was re-assembled and upholstered, it just had that ‘wow factor’.

Our client was elated upon seeing her ‘special chair’ which has taken pride of place in their Chidlow lounge room. We took great pride in making sure we interpreted our client’s requirements. We are always focused on producing quality upholstery and making our clients happy 😊.

“Such an awesome job”

I purchased a Tessa T1 swivel chair and being in the industry I know most restorers.” “Parker Interiors are known in the industry for both the quality of their work and integrity of operations.” “Thankyou for such an awesome job.”

Angela

Chidlow W.A

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Midcentury Chairs/Sofa