Furniture Restoration Specialist in Melbourne
I’m Richard Lloyd. I restore mid-century furniture and interiors from my Melbourne workshop, mostly pieces from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. I try to keep as much of the original piece as possible, repair what has failed and avoid changing things simply for the sake of making them look new.
About Richard Lloyd
I’m Richard Lloyd, a mid-century modern furniture restorer based in Northcote, Melbourne. My work is grounded in a simple philosophy: restore what already exists, respect original craftsmanship, and avoid unnecessary intervention.
I specialise in eco-conscious furniture and interior restoration using traditional methods and carefully chosen finishes to preserve vintage pieces from the 1950s-1970s.
A Foundation in Craftsmanship
My path into restoration began long before furniture.
In July 1993, I finished a four-year motor vehicle painting apprenticeship in Box Hill. A lot of the work involved restoring vintage Italian sports cars for national restoration shows, where the preparation had to be right because there was nowhere to hide a poor repair or rushed finish.
That work taught me to slow down, prepare properly and understand the material before trying to improve it. I still work that way now.
From Instruments to Furniture
After that I worked at Maton Guitars, finishing acoustic guitars with stains, high-gloss coatings and nitrocellulose systems.
Guitar finishing teaches you very quickly that more is not always better. Too much finish changes the instrument; too little leaves it unprotected. That idea has stayed with me in furniture restoration: use what the piece needs and no more.
A Sustainable Approach to Restoration
Today I mainly work on mid-century furniture and interiors. If an original part can be repaired, I would rather repair it than replace it. I also avoid finishes that make old timber look sealed under plastic or remove every sign that the piece has had a life.
Teaching, Workshops & Mentorship
I also run hands-on workshops for people who want to understand how furniture repair and finishing actually work.
Hands-on restoration methods
Repair, preparation and finishing
Practical learning for beginners and enthusiasts
I learnt this work by doing it, making mistakes and spending time around people who knew more than I did. The workshops are a way of passing some of that on.
Learn more about the restoration workshops hereWhy I Do This Work
Good furniture lasts because someone thought carefully about how it should be made. When a piece has already lasted 50 or 60 years, I think it deserves to be repaired properly rather than treated as disposable.
Work With Me
If you have a piece you’re unsure about, send me a few photos. I’ll tell you what I think is worth doing, what probably isn’t, and whether restoration makes sense.
Ready to Restore Your Mid-Century Furniture?
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Bring your vintage furniture back to life with expert mid-century furniture restoration in Melbourne.
- Expert restoration for mid-century furniture
- Traditional craftsmanship and sustainable methods
- Restore teak, timber, and vintage furniture pieces
- Professional advice and personalised restoration solutions