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We now accept all major credit and debit cards for orders over £10 + 2% for Credit Cards
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Who we are Susan (née Handy) and Malcolm Routh - a husband and wife team from Littlewick Green, Maidenhead, Berkshire.
What do we do? Specialize in replacing and repairing seating to chairs, stools etc using Cane, Rush, Seagrass, Danish cord - laced and unlaced and now Riempie. We are also able to make repairs to Lloyd loom and 'wicker'. We are able to carry out some structural repairs using traditional techniques and materials to preserve the integrity of the item. Information & Prices to get an idea of cost of repair or replacement of seat. If we can't fix it we can recommend someone who can. See the Links page for other restorers. Request If you wish to copy material from my website, please have the courtesy to ask for permission and credit my work. |
"Although not the cheapest or the quickest we have been told that our workmanship is second to none." |
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What do we sell? Furniture Interesting antique and vintage pieces, mainly chairs. Especially child/doll-size and folding chairs i.e. steamer chairs - the smaller and more interesting the better, although we do have several larger chairs, with character. We always have a stock of small Victorian bedroom chairs which make ideal occasional chairs for entertaining, especially at Christmas. But be sure to put your most delicate guest on the most delicate chair! Visit the For Sale page for the latest items for sale. Where do we sell it At shows during the summer months. From our new showroom in Maidenhead - open by appointment only. For details of the above see News Page
Here today Over the years many clients have expressed a wish to use unfinished tapestry panels to make your own cushions (or take to a soft furnishing specialist). We believe that we have sourced the very best quality tapestries available and have selected designs that will suit the types of furniture that we restore and sell. |
South African Chair reseated with new riempies
Stool with daisy pattern
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What else do we sell? Materials We recognize that there are many of you out there who can Do-It-Yourself but only need enough materials for one or two chairs. Therefore we are happy to supply small quantities of anything that we stock, in particular cane and Danish cord. Why buy enough for 4 or 5 chairs when you only have one that needs re-seating? Of course larger quantities are also available. Riempie - fresh in from South Africa. What's that? See Information & Prices page. Now we also have raw riempie or more usually recognisable as RAWHIDE. This is the traditional material used on North American canoes. We have both 6mm and 8mm widths. We also stock those useful little Dryad booklets and the 'Bible' of seat weaving by Johnson, Barrett and Butcher. In addition to two other well known books. See the Kits and Books page for details
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Weaving the standard 6-way pattern |
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Environment Education and Aims We have always promoted the green side of furniture restoration in general and, seat weaving in particular. Antique caned and rushed chairs were made when labour and materials were cheap; they were always intended to be reseated thus keeping them clean and fresh for the next generation. There is now an environmental impact caused by the use of rattan cane and seagrass in mass produced modern furniture. For instance, the over use of rattan has caused problems of depletion in the forests of Indonesia. Likewise, the over use of seagrass is causing problems in the areas where it is harvested. As with turtle shell and ivory, it would be a shame if these materials were no longer available for antique furniture because of modern fashions. But what could be more sustainable that reseating a chair with rushes cut from the Thames near Wantage? |
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The Heritage Crafts Association's presidentHis Royal Highness The Prince of Wales At its Spring Conference on 19 March 2011, the HCA announced the Prince of Wales as its inaugural President. |
The Heritage Crafts Association is the advocacy body for traditional heritage crafts. Working in partnership with Government and key agencies, it provides a focus for craftspeople, groups, societies and guilds, as well as individuals who care about the loss of traditional crafts skills, and works towards a healthy and sustainable framework for the future |
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There is now an international movement, known as 'Antiques are Green' and we hope to become more involved and promote this aspect of the green agenda at every opportunity. Hopefully, encouraging the revival of interest in and, sales of antiques in the process! Invest in the future, recycle the past |
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Beautiful mahogany medallion back - before
- and after
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- and after
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