Why Antiques Look Better After Careful and Expert Restoration & Upholstery
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Well-chosen antique furniture can transform a room in a way modern pieces rarely achieve. However, in buying antique furniture, what is acceptable? What will work and how will it look?
In our experience, when buyers hesitate, it is often because of the difficulty of reimagining. Peering through the centuries of dust and grime on our unrestored collector pieces is challenging. Old, tattered upholstery or worse, no upholstery at all. Loose or missing veneers, dirty polish, scuff marks and lots of dust.
Condition, however, is a subjective and impermanent idea. Our carefully selected antiques are done so specifically to ensure a remarkable result once restoration is complete – we buy with the end result in mind. As dealers, we apply our 50 years of experience to carefully selecting pieces for quality, authenticity and – importantly – that will transform given the right treatment. This removes the risk for you as the buyer and allows you to decorate with your own personal flair when it comes to antiques.
We work with numerous designers across Australia on selecting, supplying and transforming antiques. Importantly, however, sometimes a picture tells a thousand words. Please see below for some inspiration galleries and ideas.
Antique Furniture Before and After – How Fabric Choice Changes Antique Furniture
This week we digitally reimagined a few of our upholstered antiques from the collection. The contrast was stark. What difference would a new, vibrant fabric make to the overall appeal of a piece? More, how does the many varied fabric options change the context in which the piece of furniture can now sit?
In our view it was significant and a luxurious silk brocade provided a Parisian sophistication to a piece that might long have forgotten its grand origins, while a linen relaxed and engendered a more comfortable feel.
Pieces like this pair of French Louis XVI armchairs are often overlooked in their original condition, yet careful upholstery can completely change their impact in a room. Please note the digitally generated completed example above is indicative only.
This rare antique king size bed was hand-selected as part of our collection for sale, and here it has been re-imagined through the gentle restoration of the frame and application of a beautiful Braquenié fabric. Please note the digitally generated examples here are indicative only.
This silk jacquard transforms this exceptional 19th century French Louis XVI settee. Please note the digitally generated examples here are indicative only.
Reminiscent of grandma’s curtains, this fabric has been reimagined as a forest green velvet here which would fit beautifully into antique classic modern interior.Please note the digitally generated examples here are indicative only.
Reminiscent of grandma’s curtains, this fabric has been reimagined as a forest green velvet here which would fit beautifully into antique classic modern interior.Please note the digitally generated examples here are indicative only.
This beautiful chaise longue has been digitally reimagined with a soft fawn coloured damask to fit into any neutral interior. Please note the digitally generated completed example above is indicative only.
The sharp lines generated from beautiful recovering on this pair of Wallrocks armchairs transforms them and the many contexts they’d now suit.Please note the digitally generated examples here are indicative only.
So many options with this unique hooded French chaise. Chinoiserie flowers bring it to life here and allow the frame to stand forward, but a burnt umbre velvet would just as easily transform it into a cosy and more masculine piece.Please note the digitally generated examples here are indicative only.
A fabric that accentuates the curves and adds light and shadow makes the before and after of these settees breathtaking.Please note the digitally generated examples here are indicative only.
A before and after chaise longue reimagined using a Chelsea Textiles embroidered linen.Please note the digitally generated examples here are indicative only.
A before and after concept of a beautiful pair of English Country House Armchairs that morph to become a double ended chaise longue. Please note the digitally generated examples here are indicative only.
Why Interior Designers Often Prefer Antiques in Original Condition
Many of the distinctive pieces we source and sell have extraordinary craftsmanship but tired finishes. With skilful restoration and considered upholstery, well-chosen antiques can become exceptional pieces for classic and modern interiors.
- Designers like to customise the fabrics they use to suit their scheme.
- Antiques provide individuality and character – pieces with history and a story. It doesn’t matter how beautiful the contemporary space, the addition of antiques featuring period craftsmanship add warmth and uniqueness to a space that is otherwise very difficult to achieve.
- When decorating with antique furniture, restoration allows the antiques to be tailored to the project and bring depth and gravitas to a room.
Click on any of the gallery images below to enquire on that specific antique.
How do we work?
Many of the antiques we sell, have extraordinary craftsmanship but require thoughtful restoration or reupholstery before entering a modern home. Our workshop allows us to prepare these pieces carefully, ensuring they retain their character while becoming practical and beautiful for contemporary living. If you’re considering restoring an antique piece, our workshop provides museum-quality restoration and bespoke upholstery. Please contact us to understand how any of the curated pieces for sale in our collection can be transformed to suit you and your space.
