Mid-Century Furniture Restoration Workshops in Melbourne
Learn how authentic mid-century furniture is restored in a working environment in Northcote. Practical, low-chemical methods, period-correct finishes, and honest insight into the craft.
Mid-century furniture tells a story in every grain line, curve, and joint. These workshops are for homeowners, enthusiasts, collectors, and creatives who want to understand how authentic mid-century restoration is really done.
From safe, low-chemical methods to period-correct finishes, sessions give you a practical, honest look at the craft behind mid-century restoration in a working environment in Northcote, Melbourne.
What You’ll Learn
Each workshop focuses on the real techniques used in professional mid-century restoration. Instead of quick DIY hacks, you’ll see and learn the fundamentals that actually matter.
- How to assess the condition of mid-century timber and veneer
- Safe, low-chemical approaches to stripping, cleaning, and preparation
- Timber preparation and finishing fundamentals
- Veneer repair basics and what can realistically be saved
- How period-correct finishes such as nitrocellulose and traditional stains are used
- Practical tips for caring for restored mid-century furniture at home
The goal isn’t to turn you into a full-time restorer overnight. It’s to give you a grounded understanding of what good restoration looks like, so you can make better decisions about your own pieces.
Whether you’re preparing to restore a sideboard, commissioning professional work, or simply learning out of curiosity, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of what’s possible — and what to avoid.
Who These Workshops Are For
These sessions are designed for people who care about mid-century design and want to understand the craft behind it.
- Mid-century enthusiasts who want to look after their own pieces
- Homeowners restoring or furnishing a mid-century home
- Collectors wanting to better understand restoration quality
- Students, makers, and creatives interested in furniture finishing
- Anyone curious about how professional restoration actually works
No previous experience is required — just genuine interest and a respect for original mid-century design.
How the workshops work
Workshops are structured to stay practical, hands-on, and closely connected to real restoration work.
- Small-group or one-on-one formats so there’s time for questions and discussion
- Real materials and examples drawn from mid-century furniture and interiors
- Guided demonstrations of safe preparation, repair, and finishing techniques
- Clear explanations of why certain products and methods are used — and why others are avoided
Sessions are tailored to experience level and interest. Some participants want to better understand finishes before commissioning professional work; others want enough knowledge to approach small projects with confidence. Workshops do not replace professional restoration services, but they give you a deeper appreciation of what’s involved and how to care for restored pieces for the long term.
Learn From a Working Restorer
These workshops are built on more than three decades of hands-on finishing and restoration experience.
Richard Lloyd is a master craftsman of mid-century wooden furniture restoration, working daily with authentic mid-century furniture and interiors in Northcote, Melbourne.
- A four-year finishing apprenticeship completed in 1993
- Experience refinishing luxury vintage Italian sports cars
- Professional work at Maton Guitars, using high-gloss and nitrocellulose systems
- A long-standing focus on authentic mid-century furniture and interior restoration
- A strong commitment to low-chemical, sustainable methods
The same principles that guide professional restoration work — respect for original materials, period-correct finishes, and careful, deliberate craftsmanship — are the foundation of every workshop.
Learn inside a working restoration environment, surrounded by in-progress projects and real examples of mid-century joinery, veneers, and finishes.
Techniques are demonstrated on real materials, with clear explanations about when to repair, refinish, conserve, or leave original surfaces as they are.
Group sizes are kept intentionally small so you can ask questions, see the detail of each process, and relate it back to your own furniture or projects.
Workshops, Sustainability & Respect for the Material
A key part of the education approach is sustainability. Rather than teaching quick fixes or replacement-first thinking, workshops focus on choices that respect both the material and the environment.
- Restoring instead of discarding wherever practical
- Avoiding harsh chemicals where possible
- Understanding when a piece should be repaired, conserved, or left as is
- Making decisions that respect both the history and future of each object
The aim is to help more people value restoration over replacement — and to recognise the long-term environmental benefits of preserving high-quality mid-century furniture.
Service Area & Community
Workshops are held in Northcote, Melbourne, with a strong connection to the surrounding inner-north community.
People often attend from across Melbourne’s inner north and beyond, including:
Whether you’re a homeowner, collector, designer, or simply curious about mid-century craftsmanship, you’re welcome.
If you’re travelling from outside the inner north, workshop timings are chosen to make the trip manageable, with clear directions provided once your place is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few quick answers. If you’re unsure whether a workshop is right for you, you’re welcome to get in touch and ask.
Are these workshops suitable for beginners?
Yes. No prior restoration experience is required. Workshops are designed to be approachable and practical, with clear explanations throughout.
Will I restore my own furniture during the workshop?
Sessions focus on teaching core techniques and principles. Depending on format and availability, some workshops may involve working on sample materials rather than large personal pieces, to keep learning focused and manageable.
Do the workshops replace professional restoration?
No. They are educational. You’ll gain a better understanding of the process, what to look for in quality restoration, and how to care for pieces — but complex or valuable items should still be restored by a professional.
Do you teach eco-friendly methods?
Yes. Safe, low-chemical processes are central to what we do, and we discuss why certain traditional methods still matter today.
How do I find out about upcoming workshop dates?
Get in touch and share your interest. You’ll receive current information on available formats, upcoming sessions, and how to get started.
Ready to Learn Mid-Century Restoration?
If you’d like to understand how mid-century furniture is restored properly, respectfully, and with the right materials, a workshop is the best place to start. Learn directly from a working restorer in Northcote and deepen your appreciation for authentic mid-century design.