Midcentury Chairs/Sofa

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.
Call us Today For Mid-Century Chair or Sofa Reupholstery
Read More ... Reupholstering Mid-Century Leather Furniture
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
Call us Today For Mid Century Chair Reupholstery
Read More ... Mid Century Modern Restoration – Tessa Chair
Woodmark Furniture – Reupholster
ByFrank Parker
Background of Woodmark Furniture

Woodmark was founded in Australia in 1986 by Arne Christiansen having departed Denmark for Australia in 1968. Initially the company was importing premium quality upholstered Danish furniture into Australia. In 1990 they commenced manufacturing high quality furniture in Australia. Christiansen, an upholsterer by trade, established their manufacturing operations by producing iconic Danish brand names under a licence. Woodmark Furniture then started collaborative work with local Australian furniture designer Charles Wilson and other notable designers. The Woodmark company won many prized contracts for suppling furniture including the new Parliament House and have furniture on display at the Powerhouse Museum.

Our Client’s Story

A Special Family Connection

Our Mandurah client approached us with their Woodmark sofa for reupholstery. Her late husband was an upholsterer working for Woodmark and had upholstered this sofa. It was made in 2008 and was upholstered in a high-quality knitted wool suiting the design but unfortunately also silverfish.

How Parker Interiors Restored This Settee

We removed the original fabric revealing a ply-wood frame and cold-cure molded foam, obviously designed for heavy commercial activity. The new premium fabric selected by our clients was a synthetic olive boucle being insect proof. With the two-way curves and twin-stitched detail we first made-up mock sections to ensure correct patterns. Fitting the sewn fabric covers was a two person task and lifting the sofa was a four person task

A Timeless Piece Of Furniture

The result spoke for itself with the twin-stitched fabric snugly fitting the contours of the couch. We’re sure this iconic piece of Australian made, Danish influenced furniture will continue to endure the rigors of time.
Exemplary Attention to Detail
Frank and his team transformed our mid-20^th century designer settee, whose condition had deteriorated substantially, with aplomb. His advice on choice of material and his determination to ensure that the restoration made the item of furniture more than just functional, is a testament to his exemplary attention to detail and client service.
At the same time, we also had eight dining chairs re-upholstered and again, the craftsmanship in their repair could not be faulted.
Nic & Kiki
Secret Harbour W.A
Call us Today For Sofa Reupholstery
Read More ... Woodmark Furniture – Reupholster