Stories

  • Restoration of Antique Chairs

    ByFrank Parker

    Genuine fine antique chairs become scarcer as time ticks on due to fatigue with function and unnecessary destruction. Poor and inappropriate furniture repairs due to operators not possessing the necessary skills also increase the scarcity. It is important to always use a reputable and skilled restorer.

    Our client approached us with a dining chair from the 1880’s which was bequeathed to her by her maternal grandmother as one was for each granddaughter. After receiving the chair she had it repaired and re-upholstered however within a short time with only gentle use the lower back carved section again broke away. The chair remained in her lounge room as a decorative piece for several decades but constantly annoyed her until we were presented with the repair and re-upholstery task.

    The lumbar carved section had broken away for two reasons; only an average quality PVA glue had been used for the repair and where the timber had fractured there was burl grain so it was originally flawed. We chipped away the remaining burl timber then stage by stage rebuilt the carved section in question using two-pack epoxy resin. Each section was masked-up and filled with resin then sanded into shape. After this was completed the re-built section was stained to match the remaining timber work.

    The existing upholstery was then completely removed with new jute webbing being fitted, coil springs then laced in and tied down and a hessian overlay fitted. A synthetic thumb roll was then fitted to the seat edges and filled in with high density premium padding then a bonded polyester overlay. The chair was then upholstered in a black cut pile cotton velvet and finished with twin piping. This method reduces the cost for our client but also creates a usable and durable seat however not authentic of the period.

    Our client was elated with the finished result especially because the chair would once again become a functional piece of furniture.

    Call us Today

  • Re-upholster Antique Chairs

    ByFrank Parker

    Occasionally we receive antique chairs which are basically well preserved but they have been previously shabbily re-upholstered or upholstered out of context with the era. This rarely does the furniture justice and usually results in complete restoration.

    Our client came to us with a lounge chair made in the 1890’s having been originally purchased by her deceased husband’s grandparents. She was honest in explaining that under her instructions the chair had been re-upholstered in the early 1980’s in a pastel cotton and the style modernised to match their décor at a previous residence. She was now ashamed of her previous decision and wanted the chair re-upholstered to its previous glory.

    The chair’s design had been modernised by having a loose seat cushion fitted and absence of piped detail. We removed all the upholstery stripping the chair down to the bare frame and the turned timber legs were then cleaned and polished. Heavy weight jute webbing was then fitted to the seat and back, the coil springs laced, tied down then hessian overlays fitted. We used synthetic ‘thumb roll’ on the seat front, arms and back scrolls then laminated premium polyurethane foams finished with polyester overlays. The seat cushion inner was fabricated from high resilience foam and encased with bonded polyester fibre.

    The chair was then upholstered using a fabric selected by our client which suited the chair and was basically in keeping with the period. The result was a chair which was modernised to a degree under the cover for comfort however retained much authenticity with the upholstery finish and piped detail. Our client was over joyed with her chair and no doubt will become a family heirloom.

    Call us Today

  • Re-upholster Chess Lounge Furniture

    ByFrank Parker

    Chess Lounge Furniture originally commenced operations in the early 1970’s as BGF Furniture being a business partnership between Stan Bishop, Rod Grayson and Charles Farmer. Several years after commencement Charles Farmer left the business and it became Bishop & Grayson Furniture then in the late 70’s Rod Grayson left the business and it became Bishop Lounge Furniture. In the mid 80’s Stan Bishop retired and his foreman Paul Demopolis with his wife Glenis took over the business under the name of Chess Lounge Furniture. Paul and Glenis retired in about 2010 and ceased operations.

    Throughout the history of this business from BGF Furniture to Chess Lounge Furniture they manufactured custom made mid-range furniture. This furniture was always soundly constructed and represented good value for money.

    Our clients approached us wanting to re-upholster a three seater purchased from Chess Lounge Furniture in the late 1980’s. This settee was part of a co-ordinated lounge suite including two wing back chairs however they were downsizing and had decided to only keep the settee.

    The upholstery was completely removed from the timber frame, new seat springing and back webbing was fitted along with new high density body padding. All the cushion inserts were replaced. The seats were polyester encased premium cushioning and the backs were polyester filled channelled and quilted inserts. Our clients wanted to slightly modernise this settee so we eliminated the skirts replacing it with a padded border and replaced the black nylon glides with Jarrah turned feet. The fabric selected was a contemporary design lined yet printed with a traditional colour pallet. The result was a settee with a new lease of life retaining its character in a new setting.

    Call us Today