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You don’t need any experience or practical knowledge to take part in our courses or workshops. We love helping you learn the skills you can use for life.
Join our comprehensive course in furniture restoration, suitable for beginners to advanced enthusiasts. Whether it’s a broken chair, a damaged table, or a piece in need of a new lease on life, this course equips you with the skills to bring them back to their former glory. We offer flexibility with evening, day, and weekend sessions, making it easy to fit into your schedule.
Our course structure is designed to be approachable, allowing you to learn at your own pace, regardless of previous experience. You’ll receive essential materials and detailed instructions, along with hands-on practice, ensuring you gain confidence in repairing broken joints, fixing veneers, and concealing unsightly scratches or dents. Additionally, you’ll master the art of reviving and repolishing surfaces, as well as basic upholstery.
If you have small furniture items like tables, chairs, boxes, writing slopes, or tea caddies that need some TLC, bring them along, or we can provide items for practice. Guided by our experienced tutor, Mike Thompson, you’ll become proficient in these techniques and embark on a rewarding journey into furniture restoration.
Dive into the timeless art of French Polishing, an intricate skill that can be learned efficiently through our course. Suitable for individuals from all backgrounds, this course offers flexibility, allowing you to practice this craft at home. Our experienced tutor, Mike Thompson, will guide you through the process, ensuring you achieve stunning results.
You’ll begin by learning the right way to strip or clean old surfaces, preparing them for the polishing process. We’ll teach you to apply the correct stain and delve into the techniques involved in applying shellac-based polishes. You’ll become adept at filling and disguising dents and scratches, ultimately finishing with beeswax polishes to attain that exquisite, deep shine characteristic of traditional polishing.
All the essential materials, course information, and handouts are included in the fee, ensuring you have everything you need to succeed in mastering this art. Join us in this journey into the world of French Polishing and discover the beauty of restoring furniture to its former glory.
Our upholstery course is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, catering to beginners and advanced learners. Led by our experienced tutor, Paul Richmond, you’ll embark on a creative journey starting with a simple traditional drop-in seat and progressing to modern upholstered stools. You’ll be introduced to the tools and equipment necessary to complete your projects.
Our course notes provide valuable insights alongside practical skills, allowing you to understand the intricacies of upholstery. You’ll have the opportunity to advance to more complex projects, such as overstuffed and sprung armchairs. Notably, successful completion of this course can lead to City and Guilds qualifications, offering recognition for your newfound skills.
We offer both evening and daytime sessions, making it accessible to a wide range of learners. Whether you’re a novice or have some experience, our upholstery course is designed to help you excel and create beautiful, comfortable pieces of furniture.
Delve into the world of traditional chair seating through our comprehensive course, suitable for beginners to advanced enthusiasts. Under the guidance of our experienced tutor, Paul Richmond, you’ll discover the intricate techniques of cane and rush seating.
Our courses are equipped with all the necessary materials and guidance you need to succeed. You’re welcome to bring your chairs for restoration, or we can provide items for you to practice on. From learning the six-way pattern of caned seats to mastering the art of rush or sea-grass seating, you’ll develop valuable skills that can be applied to a variety of projects.
Our course notes and handouts supplement your practical experience, ensuring you gain a comprehensive understanding of chair seating. Whether you’re looking to revive antique chairs or create new seating, our course provides a solid foundation to achieve your goals.
Come and make a box of your choice under expert guidance from Mike.
In our beginner to advanced course, available on both day and weekends, our experienced tutor, Mike Thompson, will teach you how to design and craft wooden boxes that reflect your unique style.
Throughout the course, you’ll gain hands-on experience in basic cabinet making, veneering, fitting, and fixing hardware. You’ll learn the art of timber marking, gluing, sanding, and the delicate process of cutting and laying veneers. The course covers finishing techniques using polish, oils, and wax, as well as lining the box interiors.
We provide all the necessary tools, equipment, and materials for your projects, and detailed notes accompany the course, ensuring you grasp the intricacies of box making. By the end of the course, you’ll not only have created beautiful boxes but also acquired valuable woodworking skills that can be applied to various projects.