Edwardian couch suite restoration

[bronte049]

Hi everyone

Recently I picked up an Edwardian (I believe) lounge suite that I am taking interest in refurbishing. I have no experience with woodwork, and this is my first restoration piece. I am looking to try and stay as era conservative with the timber, just to show my appreciation for the piece, and hopefully prevent removing all work previously done to it. I have quite an array of questions, some beginner and others maybe not (for me anyhow). Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

1. What timber am I looking at? I'm guessing a hard wood of some sort.
2. How should I touch up the timber? I love the colour and what has been done to it originally. It's just worn back around the arms and any heavy used areas. Is there a way I could just touch that up, or would I need to sand it back and start again?
3. Because it has been reupholstered before, there is a far bit of damagee to the frame where fabric and such has been tacked. Should the timber be ok for another reupholstering or would it need something to "restructure" it?
4. Where the frame looking in great original nick, it's bit cloudy. How should I polish (?) it or clean it up?
5. One of the seagrass/rattan panels has ripped previously. could it be fixed in any way? Or should I not go there

Please excuse all lack of correct phrasing
Thank you all!
Bronte

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[markharrison]

It would be nigh impossible to identify the timber species from what we can see here. I'm not really sure it is that important to know that anyway. The items are heavily stained in what looks like a Walnut stain or (more likely) a tinted varnish of some concoction. I would say it is original based on what we can see.

I think you are probably correct about the age but; I suspect this is not English in origin. India or Burma would be my guess, and that's all it is; a guess. Albeit an educated guess based on motifs and materials.

You can definitely find craftspersons that can repair or replace the broken and/or ratty looking rattan panels. There is information on the internet and replacement materials around. Here's the first link I found (Fitting Rattan Webbing To Frames - Wicker Works) using these search terms: replace rattan panels on furniture

I would not expect this set to have a large value so I would not be too concerned about ruining its long term value by removing patina. Saving it is still better than a bonfire!

Restore it to a level you would feel comfortable about keeping and using it. Disassemble and fix any wobbly joints, strip, sand, and refinish to something similar to how it was originally but don't get hung up on replicating the original process. Use it and enjoy it.

[Xanthorrhoeas]

This will make a lovely suite for a verandah or somewhere to relax in summer.

I agree with Mark's comments. Almost certainly Asian manufacture and the colour is what one could call faux rosewood. True rosewood (so called because of the smell of the freshly cut tree) is a rich, dark-coloured timber and was always expensive, restricted to the wealthiest citizens. I would date this suite to the 1920s rather than Edwardian but I am not expert on the period.

The cane work is hand-caned, not pre-cut infill panels. It is expensive to have replaced in the traditional manner through there are still people (at least here in Brisbane) who will do it - but probably more than $200 per panel, so far too much for the value of this furniture. However, if you are handy you could learn to do it yourself - look for videos on the internet to learn how.

Although the frame has been upholstered a number of times I believe there is still enough wood there to do it again.

Are the joints firm?

Personally, I like the patina of the worn arms and would simply wax the timber to give it a mellow shine. If there is too much 'bloom' on the finish for your liking you could use UBeaut EEE wax polish. It has a fine abrasive that cleans the surface as you wax it. You will need a stiff brush like a show brush for the deep carvings so that you don't leave lumps or buildup of wax in the deeper sections. If you do want a more even finish I would look for a rosewood stain. A light rub with a spirit-based stain followed by wax or else mix some of the Tain with some shellac to make your own finish.

Good luck.

David