Why Should You Restore Your Furniture?

You have your own house and your own collection of priceless furniture. But for how long? Your house is going to stay fine for long but your furniture will not, they would never stay the same after years of use. You love them, and you do not want to abandon them. 

The problem is that the love you have for your furniture is exclusively yours and nobody else is going to relate to that emotion. Others will always come and ask you to change your line of furniture and get new pieces; but deep inside you know you love them. So how do you handle the situation? What is the secret to add that charm to your pieces of furniture which they have lost long ago. 

Buying new pieces is always an option but what if you could bring that charm back in your old pieces? Furniture restoration can perfectly suffice your need. Furniture restoration has a number of benefits and to say the least, it saves you a lot of money. Refinishing your favourite Ercol pieces with Ercol restoration can save you a huge amount of money. There are several other benefits and some are listed below:

• Design and style - You can successfully enhance the design and style of your favorite pieces without spending a lot of money. Restoring your furniture adds an improved design and finish to your furniture. This also lets you preserve the value of your old pieces and give a new life to them.
• Eco-friendly - Experts say that it takes a thousand times more carbon dioxide to create a new piece of furniture than restoring one. If you want to care for the environment and be a responsible human, you must consider minimising the effect that carbon has on the environment. Most people choose restoration over buying new pieces just because they do not want to affect the environment.
• Extra features - The greatest benefit of furniture restoration is that after the pieces are restored, you would get to enjoy using them once again like the old times. If you buy new pieces, you would never have the same quality like your old pieces.

These are just some of the advantages of furniture restoration and if you make up your mind to opt for restoration, you are never going to regret your decision. 

The Most Popular Dining Chairs by Ercol

When looking for vintage furniture, one issue that numerous clients need to confront is that they can easily get confounded about which Ercol items they are endeavoring to source. For instance, they may know the appearance of what they are searching for, however not the name. Furthermore, since all Ercol have quite similar design aspects, this can prompt a cumbersome discussion as somebody tries to draw in mid-air a chair’s shape. 

So, to make things simpler, here's a guide on the distinctive sorts of dining chairs by Ercol, as offered by experts of Ercol furniture repairs: 

Quaker

The Quaker is presumably the least demanding of all the Ercol dining seats to source. Try not to let that trick you into suspecting that you won't need to look hard to get it. They are frequently preferred for their striking look and for the high back, which gives additional prop to taller clients. This is an extraordinary seat that will sit consummately around a blonde wood table & a decent set will quite often convey what you need for a long time to come. 

Goldsmith

The Ercol Goldsmith's is the kind of seat that induces strong sentiments. It gloats a genuine feeling of quality that few can coordinate. These seats can be found, however they have turned out to be progressively difficult to source in the course of recent months. The additional stature may make them helpless to a touch of wobble, so make certain, where conceivable, to check condition before purchase. 

Windsor

The Windsor is the first ever Ercol dining seat. These seats are shorter than the two that have preceded it in this rundown, yet don't let that trick you into suspecting that they are any less striking. They look brilliant around any good complementary eating table.

391

Vigorous, minimised and striking in their effortlessness, the Ercol 391 Dining Chair may well be the top choice of many. They hold the same spread leg outline as others among the more conspicuous shapes, however incorporate subtle variations. The unobtrusive bend in the back rest makes for a cosy dining experience & the progressions to the structure make them as strong a seat as you'll discover. 

Candlestick

The Ercol Candlestick Chair is an uncommon wondrous thing. First off, it would appear that the back shouldn't have the capacity to stand up individually. It seems like something auxiliary is missing yet it truly isn't. They're bounty durable and flawlessly suited to home usage.

Now go ahead and shop for your favourite Ercol chair while referring to these details carefully.

Signs That Indicate Authenticity Of Ercol Furniture

As many of us know, Ercol is one of the most popular brands of British vintage furniture. It has been in existence for over a century now, standing the tests of time with its top notch pieces that have excellent design and are made of high quality materials. Still now, many people try getting their hands on pre-owned Ercol pieces just so that they can furnish their homes with these symbols of high end workmanship. However, the market is filled with fakes and replicas that are sold at sky high rates in the name of the famous vintage furniture brand. 

Fortunately, one can stay away from such scams by being aware of certain signs typical of Ercol furniture. Let’s see what those signs are:

Signature Characteristics

It is a highly prudent move to familiarise oneself with the signature features of Ercol when shopping for its secondhand versions. PIeces belonging to the era of the brand’s inception are usually made of figured oak and have intricate carvings. On the other hand, the chairs produced around the 1960s have rear spindles and legs sloping outwards. In addition to that, any Ercol furniture has a highly solid and sturdy feel to it. Moreover, it would always be made of either elm, pine, beech, walnut, oak or ash.

Ageing Signs

Just like any other furniture, Ercol pieces age over time and the signs indicating it generally include slight changes in tone, colour fading, slight wear & tear in places and so on. In general, most Ercol furniture items have light or dark finishes that may get altered to a similar beautiful tone with passage of time. Such things are not at all major issues, and can be resolved with the help of any reputed firm offering the service of Ercol restoration.

Markings

There are certain markings unique to Ercol and they can definitely help in differentiating a fake one from an original piece. These markings are generally in the form of stamps, labels and badges. If one wishes to study about these markings in detail, they will have to do a bit of research over the Internet.

Drawers & Doors

Ercol furniture always have adjustable screws on their drawers and doors that can be used to align them properly so that they do not get stuck. This is because temperature fluctuations can expand or shrink the wood during summer and winter respectively.

Thus, these are the signs that can help to identify an authentic piece of Ercol.

How Are Antique Furniture Pieces Restored?

If you have recently given your antique or vintage furniture to a professional for restoration, you might be wondering how the expert would accomplish the task. If curiosity has got the better of you already, here are a few things explaining how experienced furniture makers perform it:

• In order to keep the original finish intact, most furniture makers apply a wax on antique furniture. Doing so eliminates old dirt as well as makes the piece look attractive. It also removes smudges and streaks, in addition to making the dull appearance of the furniture go away.
• Your antique furniture may also be in need of cleanup prior to application of wax. In that case, its surface would be cleaned using a good quality polish revive. There are many polish reviving solutions out there that produce excellent results.
• It can also be possible that your furniture item has some minor woodworm damage. The professional would first use a woodworm killing solution for destroying the insects within the wood, and then begin the restoration work. The holes caused by woodworm would be filled up using some form of wax.
• In case there are any paint marks on the piece, the professional will probably use methylated spirit for removing it. After applying the solution on the marks, he or she would scrape them off with a piece of softwood.
• Grease or oil can also accumulate over time on antique furniture, it is nothing unusual. To eliminate the buildup entirely, the professional will initially strip the old finish off with a polish stripper or paint. He or she would then neutralise it with white spirit.
• For removing dents, the most common method used by professional furniture restorers involves swelling the dent by applying heat with an iron. A large cloth is kept underneath the iron for preventing accidental damage to the wood. Once the dent disappears, the surface is sanded and re-polished.
• Ink stains on any antique furniture piece are usually removed using some mildly acidic solution. In case of tough stains, an expert may even utilise very weak hydrogen peroxide solution. After that, a good wood stain is applied for darkening the area and matching its colour to that of the surrounding.

Be it a Stag or Ercol restoration or any other now you know a number of the important steps involved in restoring antique furniture. If you wish to research the topic further, look for relevant articles over the Internet.

Tips For You To Identify An Authentic Second Hand Ercol Furniture Before Buying

Purchasing used furniture can be quite a daunting task, especially if you do not have much idea about the item you are going to end up with. When it comes to Ercol, you must know how to differentiate an authentic piece from a fake one. This is because there are many vendors ready with lookalikes that can easily fool a newbie.

Have a look at the information provided below that can help you to identify an authentic second hand Ercol furniture:

Fundamental Features

Generally, the designs of Ercol furniture depend largely on the decade that they were made in. For instance, the earliest of the lot were manufactured out of figured oak, were chunky and had intricate carvings. However, most of us are more familiar with the elegant style that was around during the 1960s - the chairs produced with rear spindles and sloping outward legs. But the best feature of Ercol furniture is its high manufacturing standard and fantastic quality. Each and every piece feels solid and sturdy, though the sturdiness can sometimes change with age.

Markings

While looking at an Ercol furniture piece, it is very imperative that you check for the unique markings to make sure the item is original or not. The markings can be either stamps, labels or badges. These markings have undoubtedly varied with the progress of time. To know how they look like, consider doing research on them over the Internet.

Ageing

Don’t worry if the Ercol furniture you are planning to buy looks a bit damaged, there are plenty of firms offering Ercol restoration services in UK. But do check for some signs of ageing that are unique to the classic brand of furniture. Extended exposure to the sun generally causes the timber to adopt an entirely different colour. In addition to that, the finish is bound to mellow over time and achieve a beautiful tone.

Drawers & Doors

In general, drawers and doors of old or used furniture tend to stick at the time of opening and closing. This happens due to expansion or shrinkage of the wood caused by temperature fluctuations. To resolve this issue, Ercol furniture has adjustable screws on drawers as well as doors that can be used for adjusting the alignment.

Besides the above mentioned factors, there are also the general pointers that you should look out for, such as scuffs, wear & tear, small holes indicating the presence of termites and so on. 

Exemplary Chairs Straight From The ‘70s

The furniture style prevalent during the ‘70s was mostly about bold colours and patterns, with extensive usage of shades like purple, yellow, orange and brown. Wood was extremely popular, particularly teak and pine, and became a common preference of some popular brands of British vintage furniture. As the decade progressed, the hues became darker along with increasing popularity of the two wood types as well as other materials like steel. As such, the stylistic ethics existing among reputed furniture makers underwent a renaissance, which gave birth to some really iconic chairs that enjoy a celebratory status even to this day.

Let’s have a look at some of those exemplary chairs straight from the ‘70s:

Ercol Dining Chair

This is perhaps the most popular seating made in the ‘70s, and some people still own it as rare antique pieces. It represents beauty, function and the absolute best of British design, bringing together elegant style, master craftsmanship and finest materials. There are also many notable firms such as Corwell, that provide ercol restoration services for this dining chair.

Supporto

Manufactured in 1979, the Supporto was originally designed by Fred Scott using leather, foam and aluminium to compete with the aluminium office furniture group owned by Ray & Charles Eames. At that time, Supporto became the most influential office seating all over the world. This was largely due to the fact that it offered more comfort and support without restricting free movement.

AEO

In the year 1973, the fibreglass reinforced polyamide and lacquered steel AEO chair was unveiled by Paolo Deganello. It is comfortable and lightweight, and available nowadays in either leather or fabric upholstery. It can also be collapsed when not in use and consists of distinct parts relating to the function. It is preferred mainly because it encapsulates the liberal idea of breaking social and grain norms.

Armchair 4794

This one is an expanded rigid chair designed out of polyurethane in 1975. It was created by designer Gae Aulenti who wanted to work with various materials. She softened plastic materials for crafting a curvaceous and gentle form. In other words, she adopted a unified approach for designing the Armchair 4974.

Omkstak

Designed and launched in 1971 by Rodney Kinsman, the Omkstak went on to become one of the most commonly used chairs during the ‘70s. It comprised a pressed seating and back that were made from steel and attached to a tubular frame. The design was extremely durable and strong, and combined simplicity, functionality and precision. That’s why, the piece of furniture has survived the tests of time and become a design icon.

Buying Pre-Owned Ercol Furniture?

Selecting and purchasing pre-owned furniture is generally considered as a daunting task by many. When it comes to buying something of Ercol and you do not have much idea about it, it is quite obvious for you to feel confused. The first thing you need to know is that Ercol  pieces were designed excellently using quality materials capable of standing the tests of time. But to stay safe from scammers and distinguish fake from original ones, there are certain things which you will have to consider and observe meticulously. Given below are some of them, have a look:

Signature Attributes

At times, fraudsters may try to sell ordinary furniture at sky-high rates by listing them Ercol. The only way that you can prevent yourself from falling victim to them is by familiarising yourself with the different signature attributes of the famous vintage furniture brand, which include intricate carvings and an overall chunky design. The chairs feature spindles on the backs and legs sloping outward. The wood used is generally pine, elm or beech, with rare utilisation of walnut, oak and ash as well. Each piece usually feels solid and sturdy, yet this can change with age.

Markings

When examining an Ercol furniture piece, make sure it has markings that verify its authenticity. The stamps can differ in their design, and there may even be labels or badges instead. However, every item will have some kind of a marking. If you wish to know more about the labels, stamps and badges, do a little bit of research over the Internet.

Ageing

In case the piece you are considering for purchase has suffered from damage over time, you can either ask the owner for getting it repaired or take it to a company offering Ercol restoration. Before that, it is imperative that you take a note of the finish that's already present on it. The finish can either be clear and light or traditional and darker. If the colour of the piece has faded, you can be sure that it was exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods. There is another catch - an authentic piece of Ercol furniture generally ages by mellowing naturally, and attains a beautiful tone. This information can also serve as a dictating factor when you are examining the originality of a product.

For many people, buying Ercol furniture can be a huge investment. If you are the same, it would be better if you take the above mentioned factors into account.

How Is The Webbing of Ercol Furniture Replaced?

The origin of Ercol furniture dates back to the early years of the 1940s, when the government Board of Trade asked Lucian Ercolani to produce a 100 thousand units of affordable Windsor chairs. In order to make the chairs commercially successful, Lucian made combined usage of elm and the steam-bending technique for completing the order. What happened after that is history. In modern times, Ercol is regarded as a classic British furniture brand , and the firm now supplies its furniture pieces all over the world.

In UK, there are many furniture making firms providing effective ercol restoration services. They use a wide variety of methods for completing the repair tasks, out of which replacing old webbing is an important one. Want to know how this job is carried out? Given below is a step-by-step explanation of the procedure:

• At first, the old webbing is removed from the frame, which is followed by extraction of the wooden dowels. After that, one end of the new webbing is fed through one back slot from top to bottom. Once that has been done, the end is folded over for forming a loop of about 125mm.
• Next, the webbing is fixed together using a plate and staple. The legs of the staple pins are flattened with a vice or hammer. The dowel and the loop are pulled into place and the webbing is then extended to the other back slot for marking the position where it crosses the head of the slot (On daybeds and settees, the webbing is stretched to gauge near the expected end of the loop).
• After marking a second point 25mm away from the previous one towards the back, the webbing is folded at that point and stapled about 25mm away from the fold’s end (in case of chairs, the second mark is made at a distance of 15mm from the initial point).
• A string is threaded through the slot and the loop, after which the loop is pulled through the frame. A dowel is inserted in the loop from beneath the frame.
• The string is then withdrawn and tied on all subsequent webs. The webs of the sideways are interwoven for additional support and strength. Once the entire replacement job is complete, the webbing springs back into its place when pulled and released slightly.

Although some furniture makers implement a few minor changes in the overall process, the basic technique remains the same.

Restoring An Ercol Furniture

Ercol furniture are iconic items in the history of English furniture, and are often passed down from one generation to another. They often require to be restored. Whether it’s worn finishes or loose spindles, restoring an Ercol is not a tough job if one possess the right tools, materials and knowledge of how to restore them.

Tools and Materials needed for Ercol restoration:

• Varnish remover
• Stripping Knife
• Sandpaper (240 grit)
• Wire wool (No. 4)
• Wood oil
• Wood glue
• Cotton cloth
• Paint brushes

Additionally, one needs to wear eye protecting goggles and rubber gloves during the stripping work.

Stripping Off Old Coats of Finishing

The varnish remover must be applied with a paint brush for stripping away the old varnish coats. It is better to dab rather than brush to get a heavy concentration. Usually, one coat of the remover is enough to strip off the old varnish entirely. After the remover dries, it will have to be stripped with the knife and a rag may be used for wiping subsequent applications. The steel wool can be of great aid in removing hardened varnish.

Sanding the Wooden Surfaces

Sanding will perform a two-fold duty on the Ercol furniture - it will eliminate the remaining old finish and prepare the surface of wood for receiving the new finish. While sanding, care must be taken to ensure that too much pressure is not applied as it may alter the contours in the wood. The sanded surfaces will have to be wiped using a damp cloth for removing sawdust before applying the new finish.

Salvaging Loose Spindles

Spindles which generally prop the base and back of an ercol furniture often become loose with passage of time because of glue separation and wood shrinkage. Using a high grade wood glue can help to restore the spindles and secure assembly joints. Working a slack joint backwards and forwards when the glue is being applied will spread it into cavities of the conjunction points.

Applying the Finish

Wood oil is the most popular material used as finish as it preserves delicate wood products efficiently. It is also quite easy to apply and does not bubble or run during application. Excess application can be wiped off with the cotton cloth.

Although a DIY restoration of an Ercol is not very tough, the task requires fine skills and experience of handling delicate wooden furniture. It is often better to get professional help rather than trying to do the restoration work at home, especially if the furniture piece is very old.