Leather Restoration Co: Latest News

Desede Terrazzo Restoration

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 12:36:13 +0000

This was quite a special project! Rare is the first word that comes to mind! I have restored a number of De Sede pieces over the years but this is my first and probably last Terrazza! Designed in 1973 by Ubald Klug for De Sede, you can still purchase these very unique pieces brand new but you better have a deep pocket! The craftsmanship is just out of this world. Even the staples underneath are perfectly aligned and spaced. I had the privilege to restore four of these pieces which require a bigger than average room to keep proportions right. In my top 5 for sure!

Borge Mogensen Spanish Chair (cir 1959)

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 19:03:38 +0000

He was one of the most important among a generation of furniture designers who made the concept of “Danish Modern” known throughout the world. Together with colleagues such as Arne Jacobsen and Hans Wegner, Borge Mogensen created international respect for Danish furniture design, and his simple and functional designs have for more than half a century enjoyed worldwide demand. We recently had two of his “Spanish Chairs” (1959) in our factory for restoration. These chairs had faded and been exposed to saltwater, creating some significant stains. Definitely worth restoring to their prior beauty! #leatherrestoration #borgemogensen #danishdesign #leatherrestorationco

DIY Colour Change

Sat, 30 Dec 2017 17:54:13 +0000

With Christmas coming up quickly, we are receiving more requests weekly for kits to rectify wear and tear as well as total colour changes. This customer inherited a green couch from her father but she wanted it a different colour. What a makeover! Second hand furniture is relatively cheap to purchase and some folks are finding really nice pieces to restore just on the nature strip for free! So you may want to get your lounge ship shape for Christmas or perhaps you are looking for a project to do on your holiday break. Post Christmas is a good time to buy what others are casting off for new. Check out eBay, Gumtree and your local hard rubbish collection, then call us for a kit!

Mother and Son getting it done

Sat, 30 Dec 2017 13:37:18 +0000

One of our most recent DIY customers wished to restore a couple of chairs. This mum and son team did an amazing job restoring these heavily worn family heirlooms! While we are away for the holiday break, you can still enquire and send us your samples for colour matching. That way we can fill and post them to you as soon as we return January 8th. You will still have time for your DIY project before summer is out!

I want someone to buy me a Pony

Mon, 03 Jul 2017 19:50:10 +0000

While the real deal can be a large, long investment, rocking horses can be a lot more affordable. I find it fascinating when I find other craftsmen or they find me! David Reiss of Equine Manufacturing Co has been restoring rocking horses as long as I've been restoring leather. While my (very small) part was to colour restore the original saddle and some straps for the reins and stirrups, I was a lot more interested in what he does! He purchases untanned hides and tans them on the rocking horse so they shrink to fit the framework.
So if you are looking for a unique present for the kids/grandkids, David is your guy! He can be reached on 0413 591 759.

Norwegian Kengu Chairs

Sat, 03 Jun 2017 09:17:16 +0000

These Norwegian Kengu chairs were produced between 1966-1988. When this customer brought the 2 chairs in, he was hoping we could salvage enough from the 2 to get one good chair. As these chairs are rare (approximately $2000 for the low back second hand), we took the time to save both of them!

Sometimes it takes a little longer...

Sat, 08 Apr 2017 11:56:06 +0000

I had this antique desktop at my factory for 4 months to repair the stain issue on one side. As I do with most projects as soon as they come in the door, I'm all enthusiastic with the new challenge and jump straight into it. And when issues occur, I also tend to slow right down. Let's just say it was gangbusters for 2 days then there it sat for the next 4 months! I was ever conscious that I would be getting a phone call from this customer and to be honest, when it did come, he was very tolerant and understanding. I just had to get it done by Easter.

For a job that had that 2 steps forward, 45,000 steps back feel about it, I was pretty content with the final result considering every possible bad thing that could have happened did! Then unbeknownst to me, this piece is going into an exhibition in one of the National Trust of Victoria's mansions and the customer wants a bio on me and make me a recommended restorer so I guess I've just moved 45,001 steps forward and am back in the black!

My wife informed me after this project that maybe I should remove desktop restoration from my repertoire. Within an hour of her advice, another desktop had arrived in my factory. Somebody has a sense of wanting to teach me something I guess!

Aniline leather conversion

Thu, 09 Mar 2017 18:26:27 +0000

With converting aniline leather to finished, it's all about preparation. This customer had oil stains and cat scratches on these couches. They initially contacted a competitor who said it couldn't be done!

The advantage of aniline conversions is it is possible to do colour modifications. This customer was looking for a darker colour and chose this colour off of swatches we provided. They now have couches that will no longer stain and fade and are much easier to maintain.

keeping a steering wheel original

Sun, 29 Jan 2017 10:54:03 +0000

This steering wheel was shipped to us for restoration as it was a fairly rare Walkinshaw Momo steering wheel that the customer didn't want to recover. It had lots of pH damage that needed repair and a refinish to bring back to near new. Our product Super Seal Filler features a lot in these steering wheel restorations so if you are a leather technician we recommend you try this product. We also offer steering wheel restoration kits for the DIYer. Email us with your enquiry and some photos and we will provide a solution!

Bringing Old Life to New Leather

Sat, 17 Dec 2016 08:42:31 +0000

This 1949 Riley Roadster seat for me for some reason produced a mental block. Maybe it was the paradox that I'm usually trying to make old worn leather look better and in this case it's the other way around. It's been an off and on again 6 month thing with it sitting in the corner of my shop when I hit the wall with how to approach it. Then LOTS of other work came pouring in and, well, you know the story. It's near the end of the year now and I'm pushing to empty the factory of as many projects as possible and this seat whispered to me that it wanted to be completed.
As far as what is original, only the back lumbar pleated section was salvageable. Everything else needed replacement with new leather. I just wasn't prepared to go there with fixing the existing leather in the condition it was in. It was a dialogue with the owner who really wanted all original as it is one of only 500 ever made. I assured him it would look old but be much more comfortable than sitting on old cardboard. Many thanks to Chris Lawler of Leather Care Los Angeles for advice from a 40+ year veteran of the trade. You are a wordsmith when coaching others in your craft!