Hands on Traditional skills and where to learn them

Furniture Restoration

What is it?Furniture restoration involves the repair of upholstered chairs, antique tables and other furniture using conservation approaches in cabinet-making, upholstery, gilding and French polishing.

How is it done?To restore an upholstered chair or couch, the cover is removed and the piece is brought back to its bare frame. Cabinet-makers will then repair or replace mortise and tenon joints and missing pieces of timber which will be shaped to match the original frame. Loose legs and arms are also repaired and the piece is checked and treated for woodworm if necessary.

A gilder will then strip areas of the gilding where plasterwork is damaged or artificial gold paint has been added. Ten to 15 coats of gesso are then applied to help solidify any loose plasterwork. After a fine sanding, sheets of gold leaf are put in place and burnished using a gilder’s knife.

The upholstery is repaired layer by layer. First, a herringbone webbing is tacked into the base of the seat. The coil springs are sewn into place by hand and interlaced with sisal cord. Then a hessian fabric is tacked on. The old horse hair, which has been washed, dried and hand-teased is put on top of this. Another layer of hessian is tacked in place, then a layer of wadding, a lining and finally the cover itself.

The covers can be traditional patterns such as Gainsborough or made from silk or damask. The gimp (border) is glued on at the end. French polishing is the application of up to 100 coats of wood-stain to antique pieces of furniture. The piece of furniture is lightly sanded between coats.

How long does it take?Each stage takes varying times for glues and layers of gesso or polish to dry. It takes up to two weeks for an upholstered chair to be fully restored and about 10 days for a large table to be French polished.

Where do I sign up?The Office of Public Works runs a four- year apprenticeship scheme for furniture restoration skills including conservation cabinet- making, upholstery, gilding and French polishing at Mount Shannon Road, Kilmainham, Dublin. The Galway/Mayo IT at Letterfrack, Co Galway, runs a three-year degree course in furniture, conservation and restoration (gmit.ie). Antique dealer/restorer George Williams runs short furniture restoration courses in Nobber, Co Meath (Georgian-antiques.com 087-2529959).

The OPW will demonstrate furniture restoration techniques at the free Traditional Building and Conservation Skills in Actionexhibition at Farmleigh, Phoenix Park, on August 13th and 14th. The Irish Antique Dealers Association will take part in Farmleigh. See the Traditional Skills register on the Irish Georgian Society website (igs.ie) for furniture restorers.