Recline in style: the history, upholstery and restoration of antique sofas 

Antique Furniture, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Modern & Contemporary Furniture, Useful articles

Long before the advent of television and the everyday inclusion of a sofa in every living room, these large and richly designed chairs were exclusively owned by a privileged few. As centuries went by, the obtainability of furniture to recline upon (and the luxury to do so) became evermore accessible and by the 1950s, no… Read more »

Post-war furniture revival: mid century modern care & period appropriate restoration

Antique Furniture, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Modern & Contemporary Furniture, Specialist Items, Upholstery, Useful articles

Mid century 1950’s modern furniture has simplicity and durability at the core of its design, making it both an ideal choice for a comfortable home and a lifelong investment. This period of furniture can be dated back to the post-war era, gaining major influence in the 1950s and 1960s across the western world, with particularly… Read more »

Caring for high value upholstery: professional cleaning and damage prevention

Antique Furniture, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Modern & Contemporary Furniture, Textiles, Upholstery, Useful articles

Over the centuries, fashions have changed and interior design along with it. One of the biggest features in a room, prior to minimalism, is the choice of textile – more precisely, the upholstery of central pieces of furniture. Therefore many chairs, settees and cabinets have been altered to fit with fashion over time, whether this… Read more »

How to identify antique furniture from Tudor and baroque to mid-century modern

Antique Furniture, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Modern & Contemporary Furniture, Useful articles

When identifying the era of your furniture there are often factors to consider, this includes the aesthetic style, the craftsmanship and the variety of wood. This article on how to identify antique furniture will cover some of the most popular periods and the signs and features you may notice when investigating furniture in your care,… Read more »

Sourcing era-appropriate repairs: historically accurate furniture restoration

Antique Furniture, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Modern & Contemporary Furniture, Useful articles

Furniture tells a story of how we lived in the past, it displays the designs of influential periods and connects us to interiors throughout history. Therefore, sourcing the correct era and variety of wooden panels or details during furniture restoration is important. This serves a purpose for both preservation and historic integrity for the antique… Read more »

Traditional furniture restoration: materials, treatments and finishes 

Antique Furniture, Guides and Advice, Latest News, Modern & Contemporary Furniture, Useful articles

When it comes to antique furniture you may come across many different methods of restoration. Some restorers will be in pursuit of a ‘perfect’ finish which fits in with a modern interior – disregarding the historical nature of the piece, whilst others will entirely transform a piece as an upcycling exercise. At Fine Art Restoration… Read more »