60's Lounge suite.

SOLD: 60's Vinyl Lounge suite. 

Airest Lounge Suite

SOLD: Airest Lounge Suite

I just got the squabs back from the upholsterer which was the last piece of the puzzle to finish this lovely Airest set off.  It came up from Wellington 3 weeks ago and got the full treatment.  The wood is back to it's glowing best after a being gently sanded back and finished off with Danish Oil. 

Fred Lowen Fler SC55's

SOLD: Fred Lowen Fler SC55's

I have always had a little weakness for this design by F Lowen for Fler.  Made by Fler in Australia and on license to Broadhead bros in NZ.  The sculptural frames are instantly recognisable and have remained an iconic sought after design from the these masters of Antipodean mid century design. 

70's Tubular sling Lounge Chairs

SOLD: 70's Tubular Sling Lounge Chairs

All done and back to looking great.  The covers came together well and this pair are ready for their new home. Ridiculously comfortable and super 70's.  I would have loved to re-chrome them, if they don't sell and I keep them I will definitely consider re-chroming them in the future. ab pair of chairs.. the only risk is that you sit down to read a book in the sunshine and wake up 2 hours later.

Airest Rocket chair

SOLD: Airest Rocket chair

Love these rocket chairs, solid mahogany with a cheeky style that is just so appealing. 

Parker Furniture low-back chair & footstool

SOLD: Parker Furniture low-back chair & footstool

I've had this lovely little Parker low-back for a while, always hoping that another single would come along to make the pair.  Time has come though as room is scarce.  

Back to work.

Back to work - the comings and goings in the workshop.

After a lovely R&D session during July, August takes me back to the masters.  I have almost completed a lovely little Parker furniture low back lounge chair.  I have a full Danske Møbler set in the works. The 70's Tubular sling Lounge Chairs are coming along nicely and I am on the lookout for some new pieces. Thrilled with how the R&D went & it is nice to be back restoring the pieces that inspire me.

Bent Ply & Rimu Floor Lamp

Bent Ply & Rimu Floor Lamp

Finally got the bent ply cylinder construction to work and the Rimu legs were cut and shaped from recycled stock.  

There's no such thing as too many clamps!

The first cylinder has been glued and is setting overnight.  I won't know till tomorrow if the theory has worked.  I also managed to get a couple of test curves glued so hopefully I can strength test a few of those tomorrow too.  So today we build it and tomorrow we break it... strange progress.

A little lighting love

Still having fun in the workshop testing out some imaginings, figuring out how to get the results that I want.  The neighbors have a little more kindling than they had last week :-)

R&D Love it.

So it's a little quiet on the blog, but trust me it is far from it in the workshop.  I decided to take a little time away from the restoration to indulge myself in a little R&D. I wanted to explore a few pieces that have been in my brain and on paper for so long they feel real for me already. 

Ercol Ladies Rocking Chair

Coming Up: Ercol Ladies Rocking Chair

Such a classic and for very good reason, this chair by Lucian Randolph Ercolani for Ercol  is such an icon of the designers style and design ethos.  

Cool pair of retro industrial chairs.

SOLD: Cool pair of retro industrial chairs.

A few months ago I got a set of these chairs that came out of an old boardroom.  These are the last two, they were in the back of the workshop for a while and it was about time they got the TLC they deserved. 

Fler chairs F. Lowen Design

SOLD : Fler chairs 
 

With much deliberation and after taking the photos of these and the Fler daybed as a group I decided that I would try and have them go into the future together.

Fred Lowen Fler Daybed

SOLD: Fred Lowen Fler Daybed 

I have joined this superb example of the F. Lowen for Fler day bed with the chairs, to make up a stunning set. Just lovely together I would love to see them move forward as a set, and as great examples of the brilliance of the Lowen design ethos.

The lighting fetish continues

Personal Collection  Pair of ´Iota´ table lights by Hikaru Mori 

My lighting lust was sated just a touch this week as I picked up a pair of Iota table lights by Hikaru Mori.  

Gorgeous Mahogany 3 piece Suite

SOLD: Gorgeous Mahogany 3 piece Suite

A couple more little tweaks to go and a 2 more throw cushions to make but she's done and she looks pretty happy about it. Sleek and sexy she is going to be a real pleasure to look at for as long as she is here.

Parker Furniture three piece lounge suite.

SOLD: Parker Furniture three piece lounge suite.

There are still a few tweaks and a couple of coats of oil to go, but all in all the Parker set is finished. She looks great and it is easy to see why it is such a classic and lasting design icon from the MC era. 

Don Rex (speed frame) armchairs

SOLD: Don Rex (speed frame) armchairs

 

What a pair. These man sized chairs by Don Rex are something just a little bit different, and after a full restore they are looking fab. 

Pair of Parker highback lounge chairs

SOLD - Pair of Parker high-back lounge chairs

Who doesn't love the delicate lines of the Parker chairs.... such an iconic piece from the antipodean mid century design movement. 

Viking Sofa & chairs

SOLD: Viking Sofa & chairs

Finally I found some great fabrics to make cushions & have some throw blankets for this set.  The throws are a lovely textilia fabric (Design:YILDIZ Colour:Deer) and the cushions are from some some great vintage fabric ends that I found (floral)  

Don 3 Piece Mahogany & Kauri Lounge Suite

SOLD: Don 3 Piece Mahogany & Kauri Lounge Suite

View original listing 

It has taken about a week and it's not done yet, I have another set of throw cushions to finish and a few more coats of oil to go but she is pretty much complete.  Such a difference now to when she arrived. She is back to looking and feeling great.   I ran out of both light and energy today so better photos will be added tomorrow.

Airest couch/daybed

SOLD: Airest couch/daybed

 

Poor little girl was in the workshop for a while, but finally her turn came and she was good as gold during the repairs.  

I took her apart to re-set the loose joints and clean the old flaking coating from the sides and arms.  I haven't had too many of these from Airest but most seem to have at least some mahogany or other imported timbers in the frame so it's nice to see a full native wood one; Kauri & rimu.  

Fler Sideboard

SOLD : Fler Sideboard

 

Had this lovely simple sideboard by Fler come in this week.  With solid rimu used in the drawers and cabinet I'm betting she is a NZ build.  She's got beautiful proportions and a mile of storage.  She hasn't come through the last 40 years unscathed but all in all, still a sweet piece. 

Don Furniture Lounge Suite

SOLD: Don Furniture Lounge Suite

 

I had a lovely Don set arrive last week.  

Can I just say that if you're looking at a vintage piece of furniture and you have a metal bracket, a screwdriver or a drill in your hands.... please, please, step away from the furniture.   

This poor girl had had metal brackets attached to strengthen joints that were loose due to the break down of 40+ year old glue. This set also had a broken back joint where due to the repairs the wood had split. It's such a lovely brand and set.... time to get to work.  

Airest Lowline Lounge Suite

PERSONAL COLLECTION: Airest lowline Lounge Suite.

 

Collected this superb Parker 'style' lounge suite on Tuesday.  Heavily inspired by Parker Furniture, this is a stunning low-line set by Airest.  The set has two super low chairs, a four seat couch/daybed & a footstool.  

5 Piece Teak & Mahogany Dining Suite

SOLD: 5 Piece Teak & Mahogany Dining Suite

 

Devilishly good looking dining.... I finished the teak dining chairs over the weekend and joy of joy's found a table that compliments them beautifully. I had been keeping a keen eye out for something that did them justice, but just hadn't seen anything I thought would sit like it fit.  Then up pops a little cracker!  With slightly unusual side extension panels and quality detailing it has a personality of it's own, which I like.   Together... it's a party.

Low back fireside chairs

SOLD - Low back fireside chairs

 

I'm not sure who designed these lovely little fireside chairs.  They do have a slight Don Furniture feel to them. Many of the companies of the era were inspired by each other so they could also be from a number of other manufacturers of the day.  I do think they are early, probably 60's.  The frames had to have the old coating removed but that was the least of their worries when I got them.  

4 Teak High Back Dining Chairs

SOLD - 4 Teak High Back Dining Chairs

| View Finished set

Just went to pick up these high back dining chairs. Bit of a drive but I'm glad I did.  They need work of course but this quartet will be singing by the time I'm finished.  with the solid teak frames in great condition apart from the coating and some new covers, these may just be keepers!  

Don Furniture Lounge Chairs

SOLD - Don Furniture Lounge Chairs

I love the sculptural frames of these Don Furniture chairs. Heavily inspired by the iconic Fler Narvic Armchairs by Fred Lowen.

Don Furniture Mahogany & Kauri 3 Piece Suite

Restored - Don Furniture Mahogany & Kauri 3 Piece Suite.

View the restored set

This great Don Suite came up from wellington this week. I know, I know, it needs work; A lot of work!  It's a full strip back, all new foam, all new upholstery, joints checked and reset where necessary.  

Fler SC55 Rocket Armchairs

PERSONAL COLLECTION - Fler SC55 Rocket Armchairs

A pair of beauties. Picked up these lovely chairs the other day.  There is a bit of work to do but the steel frame, springs & wood itself looks great.  They need some joints reset, probably a full pull back of the coating and some new upholstery.  

Mix & Match Vintage Lounge Suite

SOLD: Mix & Match Vintage Lounge Suite 

I have combined the Airest Ply Backed daybed and a pair of vintage fireside chairs.  They sat so well together that I have listed them as a set.  Both pieces are finished to a vintage look. This means they are not finished to look 'brand new'.  

Pair of Don 60's lounge chairs

SOLD : Pair of Don 60's lounge chairs

After a full restore these are back to their former glory.  It took a full breakdown and rebuild.  The frames were sanded and have had an oil and wax finish applied. 

60's/70's Airest Sofa/Daybed

SOLD: 60's/70's Airest Sofa/Daybed.

Just given this a second coat of oil.  It was another full restore of the frame, with all the wood sanded, joints reset, broken hinge replaced etc etc.  

Fantastic Don Furniture advert

Gorgeous 1961 advert for the 1960's Don Furniture Suite.

Don Furniture 3 Piece Lounge Suite - Complete

SOLD - Don Furniture 3 Piece Lounge Suite

It took a while, but she's ready.  Most of the wood was reconditioned and the loose joints reset. The new seating foam has been covered in an oatmeal woven fabric.  

Otto Larsen dining suite - sweet!

SOLD -  Otto Larsen dining suite - sweet!

I had this lovely Otto Larsen set delivered this week in full original condition.  It has some stunning grain in the wood of the chairs.  There was very little of the standard fight with myself about restoring V leaving it original as it is in such lovely condition.  

The lighting fetish continues

PERSONAL COLLECTION - Coconut Husk Sea Urchin Lamp.

Just picked up this sea urchin coconut shell lamp.  Made from individual pieces of bleached coconut husk sewn together onto a wire mesh frame.  At just under half a meter wide it certainly makes its presence felt. Lovin' it.  

Don Furniture 3 Piece Lounge Suite

Complete - Don Furniture 3 Piece Lounge Suite

View restored set

 Just started work on this lovely 1960's F. Lowen inspired lounge suite by Don Furniture NZ.  So nice to find a full set together. 

Pair of Don 60's lounge chairs

Restored - Pair of Don 60's lounge chairs 

View the finished set

Heading North today to pick up a pair of special Don Furniture chairs.  I've restored a pair of these before and love their lines.  I am going to have to hand restore the frames and some new upholstery will be in order.  

Retro Diplomat Chairs

SOLD - Retro Diplomat Chairs

Retro Dining Table & Chairs

SOLD - Retro Dining Table & Chairs

Fler Lounge Chairs

SOLD - Fler Lounge Chairs

Don Furniture Lounge Chairs

SOLD - Don Furniture Lounge Chairs

Don Furniture Spring Recliner

SOLD - Don Furniture Spring Recliner

Don Lounge Suite

SOLD - Don Lounge Suite inspired by Narvik Lowen 

Don Furniture 60's Chairs

SOLD - Don Furniture 60's Chairs

D.A. Lewis Lounge Suite

SOLD - D.A. Lewis Lounge Suite

Airest Coffee Table

SOLD - Airest Coffee Table

Sixties Airest Chairs

SOLD - Sixties Chairs