There’s something magical about vintage chairs – they’ve got stories to tell, character in spades, and a craftsmanship that you just don’t see anymore. When we get our hands on a piece that’s been around for fifty, seventy, or even over a hundred years, we know we’re not just restoring furniture – we’re preserving a bit of history.
The Vintage Beauties We Specialise In
The Mid-Century Modern Magic
We absolutely love working with Mid-Century Modern pieces – they’re like little time capsules from the swinging sixties! Usually crafted from beautiful beech wood, these chairs often feature faux leather seats in those brilliant bright colours that really made that era sing: sunshine yellows, vibrant oranges, electric blues, and pillar-box reds. They bring such a fantastic funky energy to any venue.
Our Vintage Restoration Process
Vintage chairs need a completely different approach from their modern counterparts. These pieces have lived full lives, and every scratch, every loose joint, every worn edge tells part of their story. Our job is to preserve that character whilst making them strong enough for another century of service.
Careful Disassembly
We treat every vintage chair like the treasure it is. Depending on what needs doing, we’ll carefully take them apart piece by piece – no rushing, no shortcuts.
Gentle Restoration
- Light sanding to smooth out blemishes and marks whilst preserving the original patina
- Remove and replace old, worn dowels that have done their job for decades
- Secure new dowels with high-quality glues and adhesives
- Add pins or tacks where needed for that extra stability
Structural Reinforcement
Those support struts beneath the seat get a proper going-over. We’ll remove and repair them as needed, using glues and pins to make them solid again. If they’re beyond saving or have gone missing over the years, don’t worry – we’ve got a treasure trove of vintage spares that can usually do the job perfectly.
Careful Disassembly
We treat every vintage chair like the treasure it is. Depending on what needs doing, we’ll carefully take them apart piece by piece – no rushing, no shortcuts.
The Intricate Bits
The delicate laths on the seat backs need special attention. We carefully remove, repair, and secure them back in place. It’s fiddly work, but it’s what makes all the difference to the final result.
Quality Control
Once all the adhesive has properly set, we double-check every joint, every strut, every connection. These chairs need to be as sturdy as the day they were first made.
Common Vintage Chair Challenges
After working with vintage pieces for years, we know exactly what to look for:
The One-Piece Problem: Unlike modern chairs, vintage pieces often have the back and legs formed as one continuous piece. This means when the joints around the seat area start to wear (which happens after decades of faithful service), the whole back section can become wobbly. We sort this with carefully applied glue, pins, and occasionally small screws.
Support Strut Issues: Because of that one-piece construction, problems with the back often affect the support struts under the seat. We’ll remove and re-secure these as needed.
The Triangular Supports: Most vintage chairs have four triangular support blocks underneath the seat that hold the drop-in seats. These little heroes often get damaged or worn over time, but we can usually replace them from our stock of vintage spares and screw them securely back into place.
Why Vintage Restoration Matters
In today’s throwaway world, there’s something deeply satisfying about giving a piece of furniture that’s served faithfully for decades (or even centuries) a new lease of life. These chairs have character that you simply can’t manufacture – the patina, the gentle wear patterns, the way they’ve settled into their shape over time.
For restaurants, pubs, and cafés, vintage chairs offer something special. They give your venue that authentic, lived-in feel that customers love. They’re conversation starters, Instagram-worthy, and built with a level of craftsmanship that’s becoming increasingly rare.