Ask the Expert: Our Approach to Antique Furniture Restoration

We were thrilled to talk to the team at The Haines Collection as part of their Ask the Expert blog series. It was a chance to share a little more about our process, our ethos, and what we look for when restoring antique furniture for modern homes.

Below, we’ve pulled together some of the highlights from that conversation for anyone curious about how we work, what matters to us, and why we believe old furniture deserves a future.

How We Source

We’re always on the lookout for antique and vintage furniture that we personally love — the kind of pieces that would sit comfortably in our own home. We don’t follow any strict rules about period or style; we look for good-quality foundations, character, and potential.

As we shared with Haines:

“We look for good quality antique furniture in a range of styles and pricing points for everyday, modern family living.”

Whether it’s a Victorian washstand or a mid-century utility table, our goal is to select pieces that feel both interesting and usable, and to make them ready for modern life.

18th Century Oak Settle with cushion in Jim Thompson fabric sourced from Haines

Our Restoration Philosophy

Restoring furniture isn’t about making something look new - it’s about giving it a second life. That means preserving the things that give a piece its soul: the wear, the age, the tiny imperfections that tell a story.

We often clean, repair, wax, or strip back layers - but we stop before something feels overworked. Our workshop is based in rural Northamptonshire, and we collaborate closely with Anthony Beech, a conservator of over 30 years, to ensure our work is sensitive to each piece’s history and craftsmanship.

Advice for Choosing Antique Furniture

If you're just starting to introduce antiques into your home, here are a few simple things we often suggest:

• Start with one great piece. A characterful table or armchair can bring real presence to a space.

• Look beyond perfection. Patina, scuffs, and age are part of the story — not flaws.

• Consider practicality. We restore pieces to be used and enjoyed, not just admired. A 19th-century dresser can still serve brilliantly in a 21st-century kitchen.
  
  

Why Restoration Matters

We believe that old furniture deserves a future. Restoring and reimagining antique furniture is a more sustainable way to furnish a home — one that reduces waste, celebrates craftsmanship, and creates rooms filled with character rather than repetition.

We’re so pleased to have had the opportunity to share our perspective with The Haines Collection and are always happy to talk more about what we do.

You can read the full Q&A on their blog here.

^ Bamboo Armchair and Sofa Upholstered in Pomily from Haines