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furniture restorer
Furniture restorers preserve and restore modern and antique furniture. Conservation involves ensuring that items keep their original features. Restoration may involve using new materials to protect and update existing features.
The work can range from simple tasks such as re-gluing parts which have fallen off, to completely rebuilding a piece of furniture including making missing components. Furniture restorers use specialist knowledge and a variety of practical techniques, such as woodturning, veneering, marquetry, gilding, polishing and upholstery . Their work typically includes:
- making detailed observations of the piece of furniture and its condition so that they can decide on the best way to conserve or restore it
- using a range of materials and equipment and keeping up to date with developments in these
- knowledge of furniture and its history
- understanding why and how furniture deteriorates.
- sourcing materials
- keeping photographic and written records of projects
- liaising with clients and colleagues
- providing specialist information to colleagues and the public.
Furniture restorers often work on a self-employed basis, and may specialise in furniture of a particular type or period. In addition to their restoration work, self-employed restorers also have to market their work and deal with the administrative and financial tasks involved in running a business.
Hours and Environment
As a furniture restorer you will usually be workshop-based. You may work alone or alongside other restorers.
Your working hours will vary, especially if you are self-employed and arrange your own hours depending on the amount of work you have.
You will probably find a driving licence is useful, as you may need to travel to visit clients, and collect and deliver furniture.
Skills and Interests
To be a furniture restorer you need:
- good practical and manual skills, and technical ability
- a patient and methodical approach
- the ability to pay close attention to detail
- artistic and scientific interests and ability
- an interested in research and developments in the history of furniture
- good communication skills, with the ability to explain sometimes complex issues to clients.
Entry
As a starting point to learning furniture restoration techniques, you can do college courses leading to qualifications such as:
- ABC Level 2 Furniture Restoration
- NCFE Upholstery and Furniture Restoration
- City and Guilds level 1 and 2 Certificates in Making and Installing Furniture (5610).
However, many furniture restorers have a degree, foundation degree or BTEC HND. Entry requirements for courses vary, so you should check with individual colleges and universities. Courses also vary in the amount of practical work they include, so it is important to research the content of courses to check that they meet your needs.
To search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
Visit the British Antique Furniture Restorers’ Association (BAFRA) and the Institute of Conservation (IOC) websites (in Further Information below) for lists of the courses each organisation recognises. Joining professional bodies such as the BAFRA and the IOC is useful for developing a professional reputation. These bodies set quality standards and provide for professional development. You can join both organisations as a student member. See the BAFRA and IOC websites (in Further Information below) for details.
Training
As a furniture restorer, you will need to update your skills and techniques on an on-going basis. If you work for a museum or heritage site they may provide specialist training, and there may be opportunities for you to focus on particular types or periods of furniture.
You may be able to work towards NVQ Level 3 in Making and Repairing Handcrafted Furniture.
Joining professional bodies such as the Institute of Conservation (IOC), the British Antique Furniture Restorers’ Association (BAFRA) or the Guild of Master Craftsmen will be useful for establishing and maintaining a professional reputation. These bodies set quality standards and provide for professional development.
As a member of the IOC you can join their Professional Accreditation of Conservator-Restorers (PACR) scheme. This is a professional membership qualification which will accredit your professional capability against set standards. If you complete the scheme, your details will be listed in the IOC register. The register is available on the IOC website for use by organisations and members of the public who are looking for reputable conservation or restoration services.
You can join the BAFRA at different levels depending on your experience. You are eligible for full membership if you:
- are a graduate from a course recognised by the BAFRA
- have at least four years’ experience
- are a member of the BAFRA student section.
The BAFRA have a directory of members on their website.
See the BAFRA, the IOC or the Guild of Master Craftsmen websites (in Further Information below) for membership details.
Opportunities
Furniture restorers may work for organisations such as:
- museums
- auction houses
- historical or heritage sites
- antique dealers.
Because there are relatively few job opportunities there is a lot of competition for employment.
You could set up your own furniture restoration business, carrying out work for organisations and members of the public, or working on a consultancy basis for the kinds of organisations listed above.
Annual Income
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
Furniture restorers can earn between £20,000 and £40,000 a year.
Earnings for self-employed furniture restorers vary depending on the amount of work they have.
Further information
London
E1 6NW
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 1XU
Tel: 01273 478449
Downstream Building
1 London Bridge
London
SE1 9BG
Tel: 020 7785 3807
The Old Rectory
Warmwell
Dorchester
Dorset
DT2 8HQ
Tel: 01305 854822
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The information contained in our Career Profiles Database was correct at time of publishing, but since publication certain details may have changed so please use this section as a research tool and in some cases further research may be required.
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