THE ONE WEEK BEGINNERS COURSE IN ANTIQUE FURNITURE RESTORATION

INCLUDING A TWO WEEK HOME STUDY SECTION [course 03]

PRINT DATES & FEES BOOK

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TOTAL COST: £595 INCLUDING 5 DAYS TUITION, A SIMPLE LUNCH, TEA & COFFEE EACH DAY, 2 WEEK HOME STUDY COURSE SECTION, COURSE MANUAL & ALL MATERIALS. A DEPOSIT OF £250 IS REQUIRED IN ADVANCE TO SECURE YOUR COURSE PLACE.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Five days of the course (Monday to Friday) are entirely practical, hands on, and are conducted at Exeter University or in one of the other suitable venues near the centre of the beautiful cathedral city of Exeter within easy reach of the M5 motorway, railway stations and airport.

There is also a 2-week home study part of the course that is designed to prepare you for your course and to provide the opportunity to learn more about the topics we will be covering. If you find you do not have the time to complete it or you are interested in a purely hands on experience, don't worry your course will still be fine, please just complete the parts that interest and inspire you.

A course manual is also included it explains the techniques you will be learning, so nothing will be forgotten when you get home after the course.

This course is for the complete beginner and acts as a basic introduction to the fascinating world of antique furniture repair, conservation and refinishing techniques. You will receive plenty of one-to-one tuition taken, step by step, carefully through some of the basic cabinet repair and traditional hand finishing techniques required in the sympathetic restoration of antique furniture.

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THIS IS A LIST OF THE TOPICS WE WILL COVER IN THIS COURSE:

• You will learn how to sensitively and efficiently dismantle fine antique furniture without doing further damage to the piece. You will learn about our dismantling methods, the reversed clamping system, paired wedges and other tools used for this purpose.

• Once the piece of furniture is apart, you will learn about our methods and the tools used to efficiently remove nails, screws, old glue and dirt from the joints, splits and cracks in the right way, so all original surfaces and the integrity of the joints are preserved.

• Then we will show you how to reassemble the piece of furniture using the right clamping systems, the right glues and again ensuring all original surfaces are preserved.

• You will learn how to let in a small veneer patch. First choosing the right section of veneer so it matches the piece of furniture in figure, pore size and colour.

• You will learn how to re-glue a small area of lifting veneer.

• You will learn how to sharpen a chisel and a plane iron manually and with a sharpening machine.

• You will learn the careful cleaning and re-waxing of an original antique surface.

• You will learn the correct solvents to use, when removing old perished polish from an original antique surface.

• You will learn about shellac polish, its history, how it is made, how to use it safely and how to store it. (Shellac is the only varnish to use on antique furniture. It is an ingredient in the making of French Polish)

• You will learn how to make and use a polishing rubber, the tool used to apply shellac polish.

• You will learn how to treat woodworm infestation

• You will learn about wax polish, how to use it, its history, how it is made and how to store it.

• You will learn how to flawlessly fill small and large gaps and holes.

• You will learn how to remove stains and marks from a polished surface without needing to use solvents.

• You will learn how to remove stains and marks from an unpolished surface after using solvents.

• Health and safety in the workshop.

• You will be shown some of the ways to spot a fake.

• You will be shown how to recognise the different woods used in the making of antique furniture and how they change in appearance over time.

• You will learn the importance of original surfaces and how to preserve them.

• We will provide you with a reading list to learn more.

• We will provide you with a list of suppliers of restoring materials.

• You are invited to bring photos of simple furniture restoration projects you are planning for the future. We will evaluate the pieces originality, age and the woods from which they are made. We will also provide restoration advice for you to carry out after the course. It will not be possible for you to bring any furniture to the course.

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WHERE THIS COURSE IS HELD AND ACCOMMODATION

This course will be held at Exeter University or in one of the other suitable venues near the centre of the beautiful cathedral city of Exeter within easy reach of the M5 motorway, railway stations and airport.

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THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OF THE COURSE TUTORS

Josie Thomson:

She completed her training with distinction 24 years ago, a master craftswoman. She specialises in refinishing and French Polishing techniques. Her ability to render a difficult antique furniture repair invisible is unsurpassed.

Peter Thomson:

He is a 4th generation master craftsman. He completed a traditional training at his family’s antique furniture restoration workshops and then attended West Dean College where he received a B.A.D.A diploma in antique furniture restoration and conservation in 1974.

Our superb training sparked off a great love for antique furniture that culminated in the privilege of being asked to restore some of the finest antique furniture in the world and to teach restoration techniques in the USA and later in the UK. Our previous clients include The National Trust, Sotheby’s, the Jordanian Royal family, museums, private collectors and antique dealers in Britain and America.

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DATES FOR THIS COURSE

DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

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FEES & BOOKING

The course runs on Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm - Lunch - then from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, with tea & coffee breaks at 11.00 am and 4.00 pm.

TOTAL COST: £595 INCLUDING 5 DAYS TUITION, A SIMPLE LUNCH, TEA & COFFEE EACH DAY, 2 WEEK HOME STUDY COURSE SECTION, COURSE MANUAL AND ALL MATERIALS. A DEPOSIT OF £350 IS REQUIRED IN ADVANCE TO SECURE YOUR COURSE PLACE.

BOOK COURSE

If you have any questions please call Josie or Peter Thomson on: +44(0)1392 432 786 or enquire via our Contact Page.

We provide an attractive Gift Card with an enclosed course voucher that makes one of our courses the perfect birthday or other present.