Begin Your Furniture Restoration Journey with Us
Discover how our expert restoration, refinishing, and upholstery services can transform your cherished pieces.
Furniture Repair
Our furniture repair and restoration services range from minor repairs, including loose joints, veneer replacement and surface damage, to complete restorations involving complex structural work. We have extensive experience restoring furniture affected by woodworm, carefully consolidating fragile elements using a considered balance of traditional craftsmanship and modern conservation techniques to ensure the long-term stability of each piece.
Where components are missing or beyond repair, we can accurately recreate them, including hand-carved decorative details, ensuring they remain faithful to the original design and character of the furniture.
We are also experienced in the repair and restoration of inlay and marquetry, carefully salvaging and relaying loose elements as well as crafting replacement pieces where sections are missing. Each item is individually assessed to identify the species of timber used, allowing us to match the original colour palette and character of the design. Replacement elements are shaped by hand and applied using traditional adhesives, ensuring a sympathetic and durable repair that respects the integrity of the original craftsmanship.
Furniture Refinishing
We offer a wide range of traditional and modern wood finishes to suit all types of furniture, from antique restorations to contemporary pieces. Whether you require a subtle matt finish, a durable satin sheen, or a deep, high-gloss finish, we can recommend and apply the most appropriate finish to complement and protect your furniture. We can also select and apply traditional furniture waxes and oils, carefully chosen to enhance the natural grain and colour of the timber while preserving the rich patina and character that older pieces develop over time.
French polishing is a highly skilled traditional finishing technique, and at Fox and Elder we are professionally trained in both the application of new shellac finishes and the conservation of existing ones. Whether building up multiple layers of shellac on bare timber to create a rich, lustrous finish or carefully consolidating and reviving original shellac surfaces, we use time-honoured techniques to achieve a finish that is both beautiful and appropriate to the piece. As shellac has been used for centuries to protect and enhance fine furniture, and many pieces from the Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods were originally French polished or finished with a shellac-based varnish, it remains the preferred method for restoring and maintaining antique furniture while preserving its historical authenticity.
Custom Upholstery
Our bespoke upholstery service combines traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to restore and transform a wide range of furniture. From recovering existing upholstery to complete reupholstery down to the frame, we carefully replace worn materials to ensure each piece is both comfortable and beautifully finished while respecting its original design and construction.
We upholster a variety of furniture, including dining chairs, armchairs, sofas and headboards, tailoring our approach to the requirements of each piece. We work closely with our clients throughout the process, offering guidance on fabric selection, pattern placement and the choice of trimmings to achieve a finish that complements both the furniture and its surroundings. Whether restoring an antique chair or upholstering a contemporary piece, our aim is to create a result that is both durable and elegant, combining exceptional craftsmanship with meticulous attention to detail.
Bespoke Furniture Commissions
In addition to our restoration and upholstery services, Fox and Elder also welcomes bespoke design commissions. Whether you are looking for a unique piece of furniture, a handcrafted cabinet, practical storage tailored to your home, or a decorative statement piece, we are happy to work with you to bring your ideas to life.
Every commission begins with a conversation. We take the time to understand your requirements, discuss design options, materials and finishes, and develop a piece that reflects your individual style while showcasing exceptional craftsmanship. From initial concept through to the finished piece, each commission is carefully considered and expertly made to create furniture that is both beautiful and built to last.
