Furniture Restoration and Upholstery Course 2024
Furniture Restoration and Upholstery Course 2024
- use of woodworking and upholstery hand tools
- timber stripping, surface preparation and finishing processes
- veneer repair
- assessment and repair of structure
- replacement of wadding, webbing, foam or springs, etc
- upholstery
- fabric selection, pattern making, cutting and sewing
Our standard course for first-timers is four days. This allows for induction to workshop safety, instruction on the basics of upholstery and timber work, and enough time to complete a restoration project eg. restoring a timber armchair with upholstered seat and back.
Please email us an image of your furniture piece so that we can let you know whether more days are needed for the restoration and/or upholstery to be completed. We also offer individual tuition for more complex furniture pieces such as fully upholstered furniture, please enquire.
Price:
Four day course: $1100 (incl GST).
Once you have completed one set of four days, you may purchase single days @ $300 (incl GST) per day.
Payment: payment by bank transfer. Details sent with Tax Invoice on enrolment.
Included: Instruction by Lasse and Helena. Consumables included. We will provide coffee, tea and biscuits for morning tea. Students are to bring their own lunch, and a notepad, pencil and/or a camera for notetaking.
Not included: Materials such as foams, wadding, webbing, fabric etc are not included in the course fee as these vary according to the furniture piece. These can all be purchased from us during the course. As an indicative cost, the materials for a timber framed upholstered lounge chair may be between $90 to $150 plus fabric.
Dates: Saturdays, July - October. Please contact us for available dates.
Time: 8am - 4pm. With 1/2 hour lunch break.
Venue: at our School of Furniture workshop in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast.
To enrol:
To enrol in these session or for more information please contact us for an enrolment form. Spaces are limited each day and must be booked and paid in advance, and dates confirmed on enrolment.
About your furniture piece:
Bring your own piece of furniture for restoration. If you do not have a piece of furniture and you would like to learn the processes, please visit a local op-shop or second hand furniture store and purchase an inexpensive piece in relatively good workable condition. It is important that the piece is suitable for beginner and intermediate level. Suitable pieces include timber framed lounge chairs with fabric upholstered seat and back, dining chairs or small tables. Larger pieces such as fully upholstered lounge chairs and sofas are too complex for beginners but may suitable for those with some experience already in the basics of upholstery and competence in sewing. We recommend that everyone starts with a smaller piece.
You must email us an image of your furniture piece prior to enrolment so we can assess its suitability and to discuss fabric selection. You may purchase fabric through us from one of our many suppliers.
Terms:
A deposit of 50% is due on enrolment, the balance 50% is due 14 days before class commencement. Contact us for details to pay by direct deposit to our bank account. Terms and conditions will apply to enrolment, these will be forwarded on request and prior to enrolment. Students will undergo a workshop safety induction on the first day, and there are dress standards for safety which will apply. We do not guarantee that the student will complete their restoration project during the allocated sessions. Additional workshop time can be arranged, POA. We reserve the right to cancel or postpone sessions due to low class numbers or other reasons. If this occurs, we will refund all paid fees.
Learn from the masters
Lasse Kinnunen began his career in furniture by restoring antiques and mid century furniture with his father in Finland. With this early start and his 40+ years as a furniture designer-maker he has expert knowledge of restoration that he loves to share. He will be joined on the course by fabric and sewing expert Helena to provide instruction on fabric selection, pattern making, cutting and sewing, and assistance with upholstery.
Why restore?
With a move towards re-use, recycle and material sustainability, furniture restoration is becoming increasingly popular. Not only is it responsible to care for and maintain our furniture pieces, restoration is also an immensely rewarding skill to enjoy. We love that more and more people are choosing restoration rather than purchase new, so we would like to make it easy and accessible with our course offering.