Furniture Repair & Structural Restoration in Melbourne
I repair and structurally restore mid-century and vintage furniture from my Fitzroy workshop, with a focus on rebuilding strength and stability while keeping as much of the original material and construction as possible.
If a chair rocks, a frame moves, a joint has opened up or a piece simply no longer feels solid, the problem is often structural rather than cosmetic. I start by working out what has failed before deciding how much intervention is actually needed.
Repair the Structure Before the Surface
Mid-century furniture often looks simple, but the structure depends on joints, rails, frames and carefully fitted components working together. After decades of use, movement and old repairs, those parts can loosen or fail.
I prefer to repair, reinforce and stabilise original components rather than replace them unnecessarily. The aim is to make the piece sound and usable again without stripping away the construction and material that make it original.
- Loose joints — mortise and tenon joints, dovetails and dowels
- Broken rails, legs and hidden support structures
- Cracks, splits and lifting or separated veneer
- Loose or damaged hardware, repaired or replaced where appropriate
Common Furniture Problems I Repair
A piece can look fine from the outside and still have problems underneath. Movement, old glue, moisture changes and previous repairs can all affect how safely and reliably the furniture works.
The aim is to make the piece stable and usable again while keeping its original character wherever possible.
How I Approach a Repair
Assessment
I inspect the piece carefully to understand what is loose, broken or under strain, and to see what previous repairs may already be present.
Careful Disassembly
If I need access to hidden damage, I dismantle only what is necessary and avoid disturbing sound original material.
Structural Repair
Loose joints, damaged timber and weakened areas are repaired using methods suited to the way the piece was originally made.
Material Preservation
I keep original timber, veneer and existing finish wherever they can reasonably be retained.
Refinement & Finishing
Once the structural work is sound, I deal with the surrounding surface only as much as the repair requires.
Final Quality Check
Before the piece leaves the workshop, I check that the repair is stable, usable and appropriate to the furniture.
Why These Repairs Need Care
Older furniture can be easy to damage with the wrong glue, fasteners, replacement parts or sanding. Understanding how the piece was originally constructed helps avoid turning a repair into a larger problem.
- Experience with mid-century and vintage furniture
- Repair before replacement wherever practical
- Repair methods chosen to suit the original construction
- Care around timber, veneer and joinery details
- I assess and work on each repair personally
Furniture Repairs from Fitzroy
I work from Fitzroy and take on furniture repair and restoration projects from across Melbourne and the surrounding suburbs.
Each piece is assessed on its own condition. I’ll explain what I think is worth repairing, what can be preserved, and whether the work makes sense before going too far.
Have a Piece That Needs Repair?
If you have a mid-century or vintage piece that feels loose, damaged or unstable, send me a few clear photos and a short description.
I’ll take a look and let you know what I think is happening, what may be repairable and what the next step should be.
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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