Reupholstered leather lounge Canning Vale

Leather Interiors Reupholstery Project

ByFrank Parker
Old leather lounge Perth
Reupholstered leather lounge Canning Vale

Background Information

Leather Interiors were a dominate up-market leather furniture retail store based for many years in Hay Street Subiaco. They manufactured a substantial amount of the furniture they sold.  They also purchased a significant amount of furniture from other leading Perth leather furniture manufacturers.

Clients Request for Leather Sofa Repair

Our client contacted us saying they purchased two leather settees from Leather Interiors in 2003. She explained that the sofas received constant heavy use and were overdue for re-upholstery. Our client had decided on selecting a Tasman Tanning leather for their sofas.

The Leather Reupholstery Process

First Steps

These 2 ½ seater settees had indeed seen heavy use however the furniture seemed in good structural condition. We removed all the existing upholstery. We stripped the settees down to the frames which were constructed from Jarrah and plywood. No structural work require was required.

Webbing and Foam Upgrades

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.

Webbing and Foam Upgrades

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.

Time for the Tasman Tanning Leather

The leather selected was Tasman Tanning ‘Settler Amber’ being a beautiful traditional full-aniline leather. This was upholstered using large panel cuts meaning no sub-panel joins were required and it was top stitched to the original finish. The general finish reflects both the care that we took with patterning the job, our detailed sewing and upholstery skill.

The workmanship on this job spoke for itself and we know the reupholstered sofas will be enjoyed by the family for another twenty-two years.

 Just admiring how wonderful the settees look

5 star rating
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5 star rating
Hi Frank, Just admiring how wonderful the settees look. Thanks so much for doing a great job, we are very pleased with them. The whole process from start to finish has been great. I will pay the remaining invoice tomorrow when I’m in the office. Once again thank you it’s been a pleasure working with you.
Sue & John
Henley Brook W.A. 
Call us Today to Get Your Leather Settee Beautifully Restored

Refurbishing 1950s Western Australia State Ships Chairs

ByFrank Parker

Some History About the State Ship Chairs

These mid-century armchairs were originally either purchased or commissioned by the State Shipping Service of Western Australia. State Ships was owned and operated by the WA government having commenced operations in 1912 for servicing North-West ports and then operated a national service before being shut down in 1995. The chairs are interesting and appear to have been made in the 50’s, the era linking art-deco and mid-century. It’s also difficult to confirm the origin of these chairs, either imported from Europe or locally made using imported timber.

A WA Family and Their Interesting Chairs

Our client contacted us saying her parents arrived in WA after the war, previously living in Dutch Indonesia then returning to the Netherlands due to the Japanese invasion. After the war they migrated to Western Australia and her father worked for State Ships. These chairs were purchased by her father from State Ships in the late 60’s and then recovered in a floral linen.

How We Brought Back These State Ship Chairs to Life

Our Furniture Reupholstery Step by Step Process

We worked through our standard (and thorough) reupholstery process to ensure a high-quality finish on this pair of chairs. The upholstery fabric selected was Warwick ‘Eden Chintz’ also a floral linen but a bright contrast from the original fabric chosen by her parents almost sixty years ago.

  • The seat cushion inserts were fabricated in a similar fashion using a denser premium foam also encased in bonded polyester fibre.
  • We stripped the chairs to the bare frames; they were well constructed from Oak requiring no structural repairs.
  • the timber was sanded back, stained Walnut and lacquered to replicate the original finish. (The show-wood rails and legs on the mid-century chairs had been knocked around)
  • the upholstery seat foundation was also brought back to original with the inside back and inside arms fitted with jute webbing then hessian overlays as the chairs featured coil seat springing, so.
  • we brought the chairs into the modern times using high density polyurethane foam as the original body padding was formed using flock .
  • The back cushioning was deep buttoned with the cushion inserts fabricated from premium foam with bored buttonholes and a polyester wrap.
  • The seat cushion inserts were fabricated in a similar fashion using a denser premium foam also encased in bonded polyester fibre.

Why We Do What We Do…

Our client was referred onto us by her friend who said we could be trusted for quality work. However, this job as with many of the tasks we undertake are about more than just respecting a client’s expectations, its about honouring history and maintaining often bygone industry standards.

 Happy with your workmanship

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5 star rating
Hi Frank, I am very happy with the refreshed look of the chairs and I am happy with your workmanship.
Margie – Como
W.A.
Call us Today to Get Your Precious Accent Chair Reupholstered

Danish Lounge Suite Reupholstery

ByFrank Parker
Hans Wegner Lounge Chair Perth
Hans Wegner Lounge Perth

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. 

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. 

reupholster hans wegner stool Perth
Recover hans wegner couch Perth

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.

Call us Today to Get Your Quality Furniture Reupholstered