Mid-century restoration.
When I started as an apprentice more than 30 years ago, most restoration work focused on Victorian and Edwardian antiques. Over time, client demographics changed and attention shifted to mid-century furniture. Today, mid-century restoration is the main type of restoration work carried out in our workshop.
The term “mid-century furniture” is often misused. Mid-century furniture refers to any furniture produced around 1940 to the 60s. Mid-century modern, MCM, refers to a design movement which was often applied in furniture production. Scandi MCM furniture, with the emphasis on timber and design , is in massive demand along with the plastic shapes and shells like those produced by Knoll and Herman Miller. Below is my insight into some common questions and issues around MCM furniture restoration.
Is MCM expensive to restore? The answer depends largely on the design. Some pieces are relatively inexpensive to restore yet command high market values, meaning their price is driven more by demand than by restoration costs. Other pieces include plastics, curved timber, and metal hardware, all of which can increase the cost of restoration. For example, most Hans Wegner dining chairs have a simple seat construction that can be removed, recovered, and reattached quite easily. By contrast, some plastic shell and egg-shaped chairs are far more challenging. Take the Tulip armchair with its upholstered inner shell: because the inner shell cannot be removed, reupholstery is difficult and time-consuming. The Egg chair is another example. Restoring it requires careful fabric selection, skill in gluing the fabric to the inner form, and hand-stitching the back into place. These factors are time consuming and thus costly.
Timber treatment. I’m not a polisher but over time I have developed my own approach to timber restoration as applied to upholstered furniture. My approach is , less is more. My early training in antique upholstery taught me to always restore the timber in some way . I try to avoid stripping and too much sanding. It unnecessary and can strip away the patina, the dept of colour and grain, that builds over the years. I have my own secret recipe wood reviver that has never failed me. The less is more approach works well on Scadinavian MCM chairs and sofas. A clean and revive with may be a light sand and oil work wonders. The iconic Eames chair , on the other hand, with its curved back veneer can often be a challenge . I leave this type of wood timber revival to the specialist.
What should you look for in a potential restoration project? Naturally, the less damage, the better, but it is important to distinguish between minor and major issues. Torn fabric and deteriorated foam are usually superficial problems, as both can be removed and replaced. Minor structural issues, such as small splits in the timber or slightly loose joints, are also generally manageable. Major damage includes broken timber joints, or timber affected by termites or borer. Damage to plastic shells, swivel mechanisms, or metal fittings can place repairs beyond the scope of many upholsterers. While most pieces can be restored, the real question is often how much time and money you are willing to invest. If you are considering a project, most restorers, myself included, will be happy to advise on the best approach.