Applying mouldings to the foot with a scratch stock
New bookcase standing next to the original bookcase.
Biscuit jointing to make wider boards for the sides,top and bottom.
A Cabinet Scaper when used properly gives as good a finish as sandpaper.
Carcase ready and prepared for glueing up.
A commission to build a bookcase to match in style,material and colour of an existing original bookcase.The original is in a Regency style and built from BrazilianMahogany.
With the discovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum, people grew completely fascinated with Greco-Roman style, now having more historically accurate ideas of the styles and motifs. The goal became to create chairs and furniture that were as close to the originals as possible.
The various furniture styles that evolved in France under the Neo-Classical period are quite congruous and difficult to separate. There isn’t a definitive break in the styles, but instead a flowing development of French style from prior to the Revolution up until the fall of the Napoleon Empire. Neo-classical style bears its own distinct hallmarks, but how these motifs are interpreted speaks volumes about the ideals of the populous, and those of their leader.
Thus, the variety of chairs during this period do not change so much as their details, ornamentation, and subtleties in the shapes of their frames.
This chair is an English reproduction of a late 18th century lounge chair made in around 1880.
Dismantling,repairing the component parts and reassembly of a Louis xvi style chair
Here we have on offer our Hare And Moon Bygone Nostalgic Chest Of Drawers.
I acquired a number of old drawers from a photography studio that was closing down and selling of stock used as props and storage.The drawers were missing the original carcass .The piece of furniture would have been called a Wellington chest or plan chest,probably used for storing drawings or plans for buildings or land. I did some research on the style and design of such furniture and decided to rebuild the carcass in the style of what might of once been.Reclaimed yellow pine was used as this is the timber the drawers are made from and an exact colour match could be achieved.Built in a traditional frame and panel construction and finished with shellac and handmade wax polish.
When driving or cycling around ,If I see a skip,then I have to have a quick look inside.I found this small wash stand upright in a skip in Chorlton Manchester,the base of the stand was missing.I had already bought an Ikea brushed steel pan rack which was still in its box and I didn’t like it that much.But I thought maybe the two could be combined to create something upcycled and interesting.I thought the wash stand upright had potential,made in solid oak and underneath the pink painted tiles i could see they were a rich warm Victorian green colour.
Skip find in Chorlton Manchester
Featured below are before and after restoration photos of an antique Camphor wood chest.Restoration involved gluing back broken or fractured areas of the lid,removal of wood from the front section of the lid to accommodate for shrinkage.Refitting of the lid,so that it functions properly and closes again.Cleaning reviving and building the surface finish.Colouring out bleached defects in the surface finish,probably caused by something leaking whilst it was stored in a garage.The handles look to have originally been electroplated in brass,this is expensive to do and the decision was made to respray in a matt black paint.
Cleaning reviving and polishing to reveal the true beauty of this timber
Photos showing before during and after shots of a pair of Antique late Victorian mahogany balloon back dining chairs.The original surface finish has been cleaned with a mixture of Methylated spirits,Pure Turpentine,Acetic acid,Brasso, Washing up liquid, and Ammonia.Given a good shake this emulsion of ingredients is very effective at removing the build up of dirt and grime,water marks,paint(from when people have redecorated a room and not protected the furniture)very rare to come across old furniture that doesn’t have paint spots on it 🙂 All the stuff that obliterates and hides the natural beauty of wood and isn’t desirable as patina.
Another fine job done by Chris Roe at furniture Restoration Manchester
Pictured below is a fine Regency Satinwood sofa table with Rosewood crossbanding . The table had some deep scratches in the surface finish.The process of restoration involved using a polishing rubber charged only with methylated spirits
Restoration involving reworking the surface finish
.This was worked in small circular movements,followed by small figure of eights then large figure of eights and finally straight lines,all working with the grain direction. The purpose of this is to rework the existing surface finish and in moving the shellac finish around the scratches are gradually filled.
Pictured below is a late eighteenth century Satinwood Pembroke table with floral painted decoration.I have a possible commission to make something similar but I don’t have the knowledge or the skills to do the painted decoration.Are there any artists out there able to do this type of work? Further photos show the type of floral decoration in a similar style.If you think you can do it and you live in the UK please make contact through the website.
Know anyone that could do this type of painted decoration
The case has been carefully restored ,involving glueing down any lifting Rosewood veneers.Glueing back the broken Gothic finial.Consolidation of the paper label inside of the case to prevent further losses.(The label shows the makers name and how to operate the clock) A replacement door has been made with use of a Mahogany substrate and an old rosewood veneer to match with the original in exacting style and form.I was lucky enough to find a piece of reverse glass painting on ebay that is the perfect size.The clock door would have had something like this originally.The
Another one saved from the grave by Chris Roe at Furniture Restoration Manchester
dial has been repainted and then a transfer print applied ( Supplied by M&P Clock makers supplies) The glass used in front of the clock dial is period 2mm glass complete with bubbles and imperfections. The clock movement has been restored by a professional clock restorer and now works perfectly. This clock is for sale,please enquire if you are interested contact details are on my website.
Chris Roe Furniture Restoration 
