Furniture Restoration

This short course introduces you to the restoration and repair of wooden objects and furniture. It is taught at London Met's art school The Cass, which has a long history of teaching furniture restoration courses for beginners, students and professionals.

More about this course

The course will cover a wide range of practical skills and knowledge relating to the restoration of furniture or wooden objects. You'll have the opportunity to work on your own projects, which may include decorated objects, gilded antiques and polished antiquities. It's recommended that beginners without a project purchase a box-shaped antique, such as a writing slope, tea caddy or jewellery box, as these objects often allow for a multitude of practical restoration applications.

We will supervise you individually and give you the relevant information needed so that you can continue to work independently at home.

You'll be taught how to:

• assess the antique, including dating, materials construction, authenticity and damage
• identify, plan and choose appropriate ethical treatment to undertake the repair of a piece of furniture including decorated objects
• build on previous knowledge of construction and the woodworking skills necessary for the complete restoration of furniture and other artefacts
• acquire new skills using a range of traditional and modern materials and techniques
• learn how to use and handle chemicals safely
• learn the names and correct, safe usage of assorted woodworking tools and machinery
• identify constructional techniques and historical information that enables you to identify objects and put them into historical context

During your first day of the course, there will be an induction session where your tutor will provide you with the course and materials information. Health and safety, and other procedures will be discussed during this introductory period.