Stories

  • Reupholstered Catherine Martin Designs by Mokum Fabrics

    ByFrank Parker
    Antique Chair Recover in Panthera Fabric Perth

    The Popularity of Catherine Martin Designs

    Over the last few years, we have had several clients specify that they wanted stunning Catherine Martin Designs by Mokum Fabrics for their furniture. These include such fabric designs as ‘Leopardo’, ‘Panthera’ and ‘Beverly Hills’.

    Apparently, these fabric designs were inspired by Elvis’s iconic stage costumes and jewellery.

    Our First Client’s Story

    A Carved Antique Chair

    A client approached us with a carved antique chair that required considerable frame work with re-polishing and complete period re-upholstery. Our client specified that they wanted Mokum Fabrics ‘Panthera Olive’ with a space studded finish.

    Clients That Come Back to Us Again and Again

    We had previously done work for this client restoring their farm furniture for their Perth, city apartment. They presented us with four antique ‘Bridge Chairs’, covered in decades of dust in severe need of restoration.

    In addition we had previously restored a 1930’s ‘Club Lounge’ for them in a plain green velvet so they required a fabric tone that would work with this. The fabric they selected was Mokum Fabrics ‘Beverly Hills Olive’ with a plain black velvet for trim.

    How We Restored The Antique Chair

    Antique Bridge Chair Before Reupholster Perth
    Antique Bridge Chair Beverley Hills Mokum Fabric Perth
    • The Jarrah frames were stripped back and re-polished revealing the beauty of the timber
    • Traditional re-upholstery was used with modern twin-piping trim
    • The chairs beautifully complemented the existing restored farm furniture

    The refurbished chair spoke for itself, and our clients were absolutely elated.

    Antique Chair Before Reupholster Perth
    Antique Chair Reupholster After Perth
    Antique Chair Recover in Panthera Fabric Perth

    Our Second Client’s Story

    Reupholstering a Queen Size Bed

    This second client contacted us as they had several upholstery tasks to be undertaken including re-upholstering their queen size bed.

    They wanted a classy, patterned fabric. As we have lots of experience with recovering a bed we were able to advise them about their fabric selection. 

    We suggested that as bed frame was sectional a small overall design maybe most appropriate. The fabric our client selected was Mokum Fabrics ‘Leopardo Palm Leaf’ which was a perfect selection for this purpose.

    We were able to exceed our client’s had high expectations.

    Upholstered Queen Bed Before Perth
    Repholstered Bed After in Mokum Fabric Leopardo Palm Leaf Perth

    Our professional team of upholsterers would love to help you with choosing the best upholstery fabric for your chairs or upholstered bed.

    Contact Us to Get Help Choosing Fabric To Reupholster Your Furniture or Bed

  • Reupholstering Hans Borg Lounge Furniture

    ByFrank Parker
    Authentic Hans Borg Furniture Perth

    The History of Hans Borg Furniture in Perth, WA

    Hans Borg Furniture was a Western Australian furniture manufacturer operating from a factory in Bassendean. Hans Borg Furniture produced bedroom, lounge, dining and occasional furniture from the mid-1960s through to around 1980. The brand became known for its Scandinavian-influenced designs with clean lines and solid construction.

    Today, original Hans Borg pieces are still found in Perth homes, making them ideal candidates for high-quality restoration rather than replacement.

    This original maker’s mark on the furniture confirms the authenticity of the suite we restored.

    Storm Damage to a Classic Perth Home

    We were contacted by our client’s nephew after a severe storm caused the lounge room windows of a large 1970s clinker brick home to blow in.

    The home featured a classic sunken lounge room, where the Hans Borg suite took centre place:

    • 2 x armchairs
    • 2 x three seater lounges
    • Large 4 piece sectional ottoman

    Unfortunately, the furniture sustained extensive glass and water damage, requiring a complete rebuild.

    Rather than replacing the suite, the family after obtaining several quotes for their insurer, chose our business to restore these original pieces for two reasons. One because of our attention to detail in the quoting process. The second reason was because they trusted us.

    The Process for Fixing the Hans Borg Furniture

    Stripping Back the Furniture to the Frame

    The first stage involved carefully stripping the furniture back to its original structure.

    • All existing fabric, padding and internal materials removed
    • Water-damaged chipboard panels replaced
    • Timber frames inspected and retained due to their excellent condition

    This highlights the benefit of well-constructed mid-century furniture, where the original frames are often worth restoring.

    Rebuilding Comfort and Support

    With the frames prepared, we rebuilt the internal structure to ensure long-term durability and comfort.

    • Heavy-grade elastic seat webbing fitted
    • Outside arms lined and reinforced
    • High-density foam body padding laminated

    We then fabricated new cushions, including: polyester-filled, channeled and quilted back cushion inserts and premium foam seat cushions with polyester wrap.

    Reupholstered Hans Borg Arm Chair Perth

    This stage demonstrates the level of detail involved in professional furniture reupholstery by our Team at Parker Interiors. Where both internal structure and external finish are critical to the final result.

    Fabric Selection and Staying True to the Original Design

    The client wanted to maintain the original look and feel of the Hans Borg suite while refreshing the overall finish.
    We worked closely with them to select a suitable fabric, ultimately choosing Zepel Baron Emerald.

    This provided a close match to the original upholstery in both colour and texture, ensuring the finished suite remained true to its mid-century Scandinavian style.

    For more examples of similar projects, see examples of our other pieces of furniture we have restored.

    The Finished Hans Borg Lounge Suite

    The completed suite has been fully restored and is once again the focal point of the home.

    The completed suite has been fully restored and is once again the focal point of the home.

    3 Seater Sofa Hans Borg Reupholstered

    Why Clients Choose Parker Interiors

    Our client obtained several reupholstery quotes through their insurer and ultimately selected Parker Interiors due to our attention to detail and clear communication throughout the quoting process.

    Most importantly, they trusted us to deliver the right outcome.

    • The furniture is beautiful


      Thank you very much, the furniture is beautiful.

       
      Sophie
      City Beach WA   
       
    Call Us Today So We Can Help You with Your Damaged Upholstered Furniture

  • Recovering Traditional Lounge Furniture in Perth

    ByFrank Parker
    1920's USA Chair recovered Perth

    Restoring Character Furniture for a Mid-Century Home in Bentley, WA

    New contemporary lounge furniture can look completely out of place in a mid-century home. However, individual pieces of furniture can be refurbished and then provide both an interesting and comfortable living experience.

    About Our Clients

    Our clients were recommended to us by a former industry colleague. They had several items of upholstered furniture; 1920’s sitting room chair from the USA, a 1950’s Parker Knoll wing back chair and a replica miner’s sofa. This furniture suited the living area and they wanted it to be re-upholstered so the individual pieces co-ordinated whilst keeping their authenticity.

    How We Refurbished the Chairs

    Recovered Parker Knoll Chair Perth

    Preparation and Structural Restoration

    The American and Parker Knoll chairs had the

    1. Layers of previous upholstery and materials removed
    2. The timber frames were repaired including the show-wood legs being touched-up and polished.
    3. The chairs were fitted with jute webbing and coil springs laced into place.

    Upholstery and Cushion Construction

    1. Premium foam cushioning was fabricated and laminated with bonded polyester fibre.
    2. The outside arm and back panels were lined and padded and the upholstery featured piped detail as per the original finish.
    3. A polyester encased premium foam cushion insert was fabricated with a box piped cushion cover for the miner’s bench.

    The Upholstery Fabric Selection

    The fabric used on the Parker Knoll chair was Warwick ‘Flemington Grey’ then the fabric featured on the 20’s American chair and replica miner’s bench was Warwick ‘Mason Denim’.

    The Finished Reupholstered Chairs

    The photographs of the chairs say it all. These refurbished pieces of furniture compliment the room and provide a coordinated finish. We trust our clients enjoy their living area furniture for many years to come.

    Recovered Replica Miners Bench Perth

    • “master craftsmanship and attention to detail”


      The master craftsmanship and attention to detail that the Parker Interiors team used in renovating our two older style chairs and our ‘miner’s bench’ cushion has given our furniture new life.

      The detailed description of the work done was an added insight into the preparation and the upholstery process. The results are outstanding.

       
      Suzanne
      Bentley WA   
       
    Call Us Today So We Can Help You to Have Your Chairs Recovered