Stories

  • 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

      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

  • Re-upholstering Summerbank Furniture

    ByFrank Parker
    Summerbank settee Perth
    Recover Summerbank Settee Perth

    The History Behind Summerbank Designs

    Summerbank Designs founded by John and Shaun Murdoch, commenced operations in 1989 producing upper middle range upholstered furniture. They started production in Newcastle Street Perth, Western Australia. They then shifted to a larger purpose-built factory in Canning Vale. After several years thet shifted into a smaller factory in the same suburb as Australian furniture manufacturing declined. Summerbank ceased operations in 2006 with Parker Interiors acquiring the trading name.

    Changing From Fabric to Leather Reupholstery

    Our clients initially approached us a number of years ago seeking a quote to re-upholster their two Summerbank Designs settees. Then several years on the same clients re-contacted us saying they had sold their home and were downsizing so the time was now right for having their settees recovered.

    Initially we had quoted on re-upholstering the settees in a fabric however they now decided that they would prefer leather. A durable and serviceable leather was required so it would be suitable for family room use. We recommended a semi-aniline leather for the re-upholstery. Our clients selected Tasman Tanning ‘Matisse Olive’ which also represents good value in the high-end leathers.

    How We Transformed These Settees

    The existing upholstery covering was removed, with the bung feet sanded and re-polished in an Oak finish. The seat webbing was replaced then also as the settees were being re-upholstered in a leather opposed to fabric we replaced the back and arm cushioning with a higher density and slightly firmer cushioning. The seat cushions were replaced with laminated premium foam polyester encased inserts as leather cushions are not reversable so two different grades of foam are utilised which provides superior comfort. The settees upholstered beautifully in the superior leather with lined and padded outside back and arm panels, piped trim and twin-stitched centre joins.

    Our Clients Trust

    Our clients only retained some of their furniture from their larger residence so we felt honoured that they trusted us with the furniture restoration of their classic settees. We are always delivering beautifully restored and reupholstered furniture for all our clients.

    •  “I will sing your praises high and low”

      Just wanted to say thanks again Frank, the recovered couches look perfect, the leather is so soft. And the delivery guys came early and were very lovely and helpful guys, so thanks to them too. I will sing your praises high and low.
      Alex – Coolbellup
      W.A.
    Call us Today to Get Your Settees Reupholstered