Artisanal Furniture

Artisanal furniture is built to last and made to feel right in your home. At Jumbletique I restore vintage and handcrafted furniture, using traditional patina methods and reclaimed wooden furniture. Each piece is treated with care and patience so it carries substance, authenticity and quiet endurance.

What Is Artisanal Furniture?

Artisanal means more than “hand‑made”. It means working with furniture using methods that honour the timber and the craft. In my work the aim is to revive what’s already there rather than starting fresh. I repair and refinish the piece so it feels balanced, respected and ready for daily use. Surfaces are often prepped with sharp tools instead of heavy sanding. Finishes use oil, wax or shellac so the wood can breathe and develop its own patina. The result is depth and proportion you rarely see in mass‑produced furniture. A restored artisanal piece should stand solid, feel calm to the touch and sit quietly in the room rather than arrive as something new.

 

Why Choose Artisanal Furniture Rather than Off‑the‑Shelf?

Choosing artisanal furniture via restoration rather than flat‑pack or factory‑made means:

• Your space might have awkward dimensions and a tailored piece works best.
• You appreciate reclaimed wood furniture with visible history and texture.
• You need furniture that ties into an existing colour scheme or joinery detail.
• You prefer natural finishes that can be maintained and refreshed easily.
• You value sustainable sourcing and supporting local craft.

Rather than replacing something with new, I bring new life to something that already exists. A dresser can be restored to match skirtings and windows exactly. A sideboard can fit your room and still carry decades of use in its surface.

My Restoration Process Step by Step

Assessment and structure first

I always begin by examining the piece. I check for loose joints, weakened carcasses, drawer runners that stick, signs of woodworm or poor past repairs. The structural work is done before any surface treatment.

Surface preparation

Old coatings and waxes are removed. Surfaces are cleaned and abraded lightly to accept finish. Tannin‑rich woods such as oak or mahogany are sealed to avoid stain bleed. Veneers that have lifted are stabilised and gaps are filled with tinted resin or solid timber depending on the scale of repair.

Joinery and detail

Where possible I restore original joinery: dovetails, mortise and tenon, bridle joints. Hardware is cleaned and refitted rather than replaced unless beyond repair. This respects the original maker’s work and avoids unnecessary substitution.

Building tone and texture

Once stable, the piece gets a base layer of mineral or shellac ground, followed by one or more colour or oil layers. I often use an undertone so that over time, the edges and corners wear gently and reveal a subtle contrast. The aim is a surface that evolves naturally rather than one that looks artificially aged.

Protection and sheen control

The final finish depends on how and where the furniture will be used. Wax or hardwax oil gives a soft, tactile sheen for living spaces. For busier areas I might specify a waterborne varnish or oil‑modified finish. The aim is wear‑gracefully, not wear‑out.

 

Materials and Sustainability

The base of most commissions is reclaimed or locally sourced solid vintage pieces; oak, pine, elm and ash are common. I preserve character marks where practical. I use low‑VOC finishes, natural oils and waxes and avoid unnecessary replacement of hardware. The aim is to divert good antique furniture from landfill and continue the life of something well made rather than settle for a lesser replacement.

 

Typical Finishes and Palettes

Warm tones: natural oak, soft walnut, aged pine, oiled elm showing grain and variation.

Neutral finishes: chalk whites, putty greys, linen tones, pale stone and soft greys.

Coloured finishes: hand‑mixed paints using mineral pigments, chosen to complement existing interiors. Each tone is tested in natural light so you see how it shifts across the day.

 

Case Studies

Reclaimed oak coffee table

Brief: build a low table from salvaged beams, keep visible wear.

Approach: beams hand‑planed, joints pegged with oak, oil finish for open grain.

Result: subtle depth, stabilised surface, matched floorboards and light.

Restored pine dresser

Brief: refresh a Victorian dresser without stripping to bare timber.

Approach: stabilised panels, old paint softened and consolidated, applied thin mineral wash, waxed top.

Result: texture retained, surface breathable, tone adjusted to match interiors.

Restored elm bench

Brief: use storm‑felled elm for a simple bench.

Approach: book‑matched seat boards, hand‑cut bridle joints, hardwax oil for low sheen.

Result: tactile finish, visible craft, solid piece for use.

 

Important Considerations Before Commissioning

• Function. Decide how the furniture will be used and where it will live.
• Lighting. Warm finishes suit shaded rooms; cooler tones work better in bright spaces.
• Sheen. Low sheen feels softer and older; higher sheen wipes easily in kitchens.
• Hardware. Retaining original handles preserves character; new fittings can modernise subtly.
• Maintenance. Choose a finish that suits your lifestyle, not one that looks good but demands constant care.

 

Pricing and Lead Times

Small items such as stools, mirrors or bedside tables typically start around £150. Medium pieces such as chests, sideboards or dressers generally range between £480 and £1,150 depending on condition and scope of restoration. Bespoke commissions are quoted individually after design discussion. Lead times vary with season and workload and are usually between four and ten weeks. A limited selection of ready‑to‑deliver pieces is held at the workshop.

 

Care and Maintenance

Clean with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry straight away. Avoid silicone‑based sprays or harsh detergents. Use coasters or mats to prevent rings. Minor scuffs can often be blended back with a touch of wax. Keep a steady room climate where possible as solid timber still reacts to temperature and humidity changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of wood suit artisanal furniture best?

Solid timbers such as oak, pine and elm are ideal for restoration. Veneer pieces can be excellent too if the base is stable.

Can you colour match existing furniture?

Yes. I can match most major paint ranges and mix subtler tones based on your space and lighting.

Will the piece look genuinely old or just newly painted?

The finish aims for credible age. Wear is placed where it naturally occurs rather than random distressing.

Is this suitable for kitchens and busy areas?

Yes, provided the correct primer and top‑coat system is chosen to handle frequent use.

 

Commission a Piece or Choose an Existing One Today

If you’d like to commission a restoration or enquire about available pieces, feel free to call me on 07824 771140, email simon@jumbletique.co.uk or use the online enquiry form. I’m happy to offer advice, suggest finishes, or arrange a visit to the workshop if you’d like to see the space and materials in person. Whether you’re nearby or further afield, nationwide delivery is available and each piece is carefully wrapped and handled with the same care it was restored with.

 

About the Workshop

The workshop is inside a repurposed water tower near Fakenham. The space’s high ceilings, thick brick walls and tall windows are perfect for furniture restoration: large pieces, careful finishing and time for materials to settle. Visitors are welcome by appointment.

About Simon

I’m Simon, a furniture restorer and decorative painter. After working in tech and media licensing I retrained with artisans in Tuscany to learn the traditional craft of woodwork and finishing. I don’t build new furniture from scratch. Instead, I bring new life to vintage and well‑made pieces by restoring them with care, artisan methods and respect for history.