Stories

  • Woodmark Furniture – Reupholster

    ByFrank Parker
    furniture upholstery Mandurah
    Woodmark Sofa Reupholstery

    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-20th 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

  • Reproduction Chairs Antique

    ByFrank Parker
    repairing antique chairs
    upholstered antique chairs

    An Overview of Reproduction Antique Furniture

    Reproduction upholstered antique furniture was a more substantial sector of the market during the 1960’s and 70’s. The majority of reproduction antique furniture made during this period tended to be of higher quality than furniture presently manufactured. The reasons for this are that generally antique furniture has declined in popularity over the prior decades and reproduction furniture produced now is sold on price not quality, so the value has vanished.

    Our Client’s Story

    The History of the Chairs

    Our client approached us with two antique reproduction chairs that had originally been purchased by her mother in Johannesburg in the early 1970’s. They were re-production antique chairs made in South Africa which had a thriving furniture industry during these years.

    The Chairs Condition

    The vintage antique chairs had only attracted light use over the years so had never been re-upholstered but were now in drastic requirement of re-upholstery. They were originally covered in a regency stripe brocade which tends to be distorted with the deep buttoning.

    Here is How to Reupholster an Antique Chair (the Parker Interiors way)

    1. The chairs were stripped down to the frames
    2. Then jute webbing was fitted
    3. Coil springs were laced in and tied down
    4. Hessian overlays were fitted
    5. Synthetic ‘thumb roll’ was also replaced with premium foam laminated to the seats and backs
    6. The button locations were pre-marked and cored and
    7. Bonded polyester fibre was then laminated over the foam with the chairs gaining shape

    Our Recovering Antique Chairs Process

    The refurbished antique chairs were reupholstered in a floral brocade This looked superior to the original fabric as the abstract floral pattern was a preferable choice for buttoning. The outside back and arm panels were lined and padded then quality gimp was used for finishing trim.

    Two Reupholstered Antique Chairs – Perfect for Retirement

    Our clients had just re-located to a new down-sized home and these chairs have taken pride of place. We know they will enjoy their retirement in their superbly reupholstered antique chairs.

    • Excellent Job

      Frank, thank you for an excellent job on the chairs.
      Liza   
      Dawesville W.A
    Call us Today For High Quality Chair Reupholstery

  • Molmic Furniture – Chair Reupholstery

    ByFrank Parker
    Molmic Fransisco Chair
    Reupholstered velvet chair

    Molmic Furniture Origination

    Molmic Furniture is a Melbourne based upholstered furniture manufacturer having commenced operations in 1987. Molmic is an acronym formed from the names of the founders Molly and Mick McMahon. Today several generations of the family are involved with the business as well some of the original staff members.

    The Decision to Reupholster a Velvet Chair

    Getting Our Professional Opinion

    Our Perth client originally purchased this Molmic ‘Francisco’ chair in 2009 and contacted us about reupholstering her special chair. Upon inspecting the velvet chair we reassured her that this was of superior quality and certainly worthy of re-upholstery. Her intent was to re-upholster the chair in a contemporary velvet similar to the original covering but more subdued. Quilted velvet is presently in vogue and it was these ranges that caught her eye and the particular velvet upholstery fabric was selected.

    How We Refurbished the Lounge Chair

    The original upholstery fabric was removed revealing a well-constructed timber and ply frame sprung with linked heavy gauge zig-zag springs. The chair had been well used over time so the seat cushioning was replaced with bonded polyester wrapped premium foam. The existing back cushion was preforming and so also laminated with bonded polyester. The upholstery cutting was concise as the fabric was a quilted square design ensuring a symmetrical finish. Another production test was the concave back being upholstered in a square-line fabric, the finished appeared balanced.

    The Result – a Very Special Velvet Chair

    This Australian made chair proved to be a good investment for our client as when we lovingly re-upholstered it fifteen years later, it looked and performed like new. We expect her to have another fifteen years of comfort in her special velvet chair.

    • Highly Professional and Helpful

      Thrilled with the stunning upholstery on my old lounge chair. Frank’s service is highly professional and helpful. A wide range of high quality fabrics to choose from.
      Caroline   
      Palmyra W.A
    Call us Today For High Quality Chair Reupholstery