Furniture Restoration

Good furniture restoration isn’t about making something look new. It’s about giving it back its strength and character while keeping the traces of time that make it interesting. I restore and refinish solid wood furniture so it feels both authentic and ready for daily use. Every piece is handled by hand, using traditional materials and a mix of patience, repair and colour that lasts.

What Furniture Restoration Means To Me

Furniture restoration is about understanding what each piece needs. Sometimes it’s fixing a loose drawer or a tired joint, other times it’s about bringing out the quiet beauty of the timber beneath old varnish. The aim is always the same, to make the furniture work properly again and look quietly beautiful without erasing its history.

Most of the restorations furniture I work with are made from pine, oak or mahogany. I use mineral primers, shellac and wax finishes depending on what suits the wood. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s care. When restoration furniture is handled with intention, you can still feel the presence of the original maker, just supported a little by mine.

When a Painted Finish Completes the Restoration Furniture Process

After stripping a piece back to bare timber, sometimes a natural finish doesn’t quite suit the room or the wood. The tone might be too dark or uneven, or old repairs might always show through. A painted finish can bring balance, soften the feel and help the piece tie into a colour scheme.

Painting also highlights the proportion, form and hardware of the piece rather than the grain. In some restoration furniture projects, a painted finish adds calmness and cohesion, making the furniture easier to place within a space.

 

My Restoration Process, Step by Step

Assessment and joinery

The first step in any restoration furniture project is structure. I check for loose joints, drawer runners, veneer lift and any signs of woodworm or filler. Repairs always come before finishes.

Preparation

Old layers are removed and cleaned down. Any polish, wax or silicone residue is treated so it doesn’t interfere later. For oak or mahogany, I use sealers to stop tannins from bleeding into the finish.

Colour and layering

I start with a mineral or shellac ground, then build colour in thin layers. A deeper tone often goes underneath, so that edges can be gently worn back over time to show history without force.

Texture and gentle wear

I place wear where hands would naturally go. Handles. Corners. Edges. Flat surfaces are left cleaner. Glazes and limewashes help soften the finish and keep it believable.

Protection and finish

Depending on the function and room, I protect each piece with wax, oil-modified varnish or waterborne lacquer. Kitchens and tabletops need durability. Bedroom pieces need softness.

 

Colour and Style in Restoration Furniture

My colour approach is shaped by Italian, French and Gustavian influences. Italian styles bring warm umbers, hints of verdigris and soft black. French country tones work well in putty grey, linen and dusty blue. Gustavian furniture restoration benefits from chalky whites, pale sage or muted blue-grey.

You can view sample finishes in person to see how the colours shift with light. That’s one of the most important steps in restoring furniture with character that suits the home it’s going into.

 

Sustainability in Furniture Restoration

Furniture restoration supports sustainability by giving old pieces new life. Solid timber is preserved. Carbon is saved. Waste is avoided. I use low-VOC waterborne systems, dewaxed shellac and natural waxes, and wherever possible I retain the original handles, locks and runners. Good restorations furniture work respects the story already held in the materials.

 

A Few Recent Restorations Furniture Projects

Victorian pine chest

Restored for a coastal cottage. A warm stone base with a misty linen top coat helped lift a low-ceiling room. Subtle edge wear and revived handles gave it new focus.

Gustavian-style sideboard

Used in a modern dining space. Cool grey beneath, a pale blue-grey above, finished with lime glaze. Satin lacquer kept it strong for daily use while holding depth and movement.

Hand-painted kitchen

Carcasses were in good condition. They were cleaned, sealed and painted using a sprayed primer and brushed top coats for texture. It cost about a third of a new kitchen and created almost no waste.

 

Things to Consider Before Starting a Furniture Restoration Project

Think about where the piece will sit and how it will be used. Warmer tones suit darker corners, cooler tones suit brighter rooms. Low sheen feels antique. High sheen is easier to wipe. Restoration furniture pieces that are large or heavy can benefit from two-tone finishes to help balance the scale. Handles and hinges change the tone entirely, so they’re worth considering carefully.

 

Restoration Furniture Pricing and Timing

Small items such as stools or side tables usually range from £120 to £350. Medium pieces like dressers and chests typically cost between £450 and £1,100 depending on condition. Full kitchen repaints are quoted individually, but often come in at a quarter to two-fifths of the cost of a new kitchen. Lead times vary, and a few finished pieces are usually kept ready for quicker turnaround.

 

Caring for Restored Furniture

Clean with a dry or barely damp cloth. Avoid harsh sprays or anything silicone-based. Coasters help avoid ring marks. Most scuffs can be gently blended back in with wax. Try to keep pieces away from direct heat, which can dry out the timber over time.

 

Why People Choose Jumbletique for Furniture Restoration

My training in Fine Art and traditional Italian artisanal restoration has shaped how I see proportion, colour and tone. I work with care, clarity and respect for each piece. Every job comes with a clear quote, a planned finish schedule and aftercare guidance. Clients include homeowners, families and interior designers looking for texture and authenticity without gloss.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does furniture restoration involve?

It means repairing and finishing a piece so it works again, while keeping its original feel. Good restoration furniture still shows its age, just more gracefully.

Is all restoration furniture worth saving?

Not always, but if the frame is strong and the wood is good, it’s usually worth the time.

Do you repaint or leave wood bare?

Both, depending on what suits. Some restorations need colour to bring balance, others look better oiled or waxed to show the grain.

Do you use traditional techniques?

Yes. Most of my restorations use hand tools, old joinery methods, and finishes like shellac, oil and wax.

 

Commission or Browse Restorations

If you’re considering a restoration, send over a few photos and measurements. I can offer colour suggestions, finish options and joinery notes. You’re welcome to browse available pieces online or request samples to help you visualise the result. Please note nationwide delivery is also available. To get in touch, please give me a call at 07824 771140, email simon@jumbletique.co.uk or fill out our online enquiry form. 

 

About the Workshop

The workshop is tucked inside an old water tower, once part of the former RAF West Raynham site. Its high ceilings, thick walls and natural light make it a good place for slow, careful work. There’s space to move around large pieces, time for finishes to cure properly, and quiet for detail that needs focus. It’s not a showroom - more a space for process, tools, timber and patience. The building has its own history, which feels right for restoring furniture with one too.

About Simon

I’m a decorative painter and restorer. After a career in media licensing, I retrained in Tuscany and now focus on thoughtful, handcrafted furniture restoration. My aim is always to support the work of the original maker, not to compete with it. When it’s done well, restoration furniture feels quietly alive again.