Est. London · Bespoke Restoration
We fix what
you can't
throw away.
2,000
Fabric Swatches
40+
Years Combined
8-Way
Hand-Tied Springs
Workshop Standard
Every staple set at 90° to the grain. No exceptions.
Specialist Voice
The Frame
Restorer
"Most upholsterers cover the problem. We remove the fabric, check every joint with a rubber mallet, and only re-cover once the frame is as solid as the day it left the joiner's bench. You can't upholster your way out of a broken frame."
— Daniel Osei, Frame Restoration Lead · 18 years
Frame Assessment — What We Check
Frame Work Options — Compared
| Criterion | Cosmetic Repair | Structural Repair | Full Rebuild |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface scratches & splits | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Broken corner joints | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Woodworm treatment | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rail replacement (beech/ash) | — | — | ✓ |
| Full timber sourcing & matching | — | — | ✓ |
| Mortise & tenon re-cutting | — | — | ✓ |
| Typical turnaround | 2–3 days | 5–7 days | 2–3 weeks |
| Suitable for auction / sale | — | ✓ | ✓ |
All frame work assessed in-workshop after strip-down. Cosmetic repair is not offered on pieces intended for sale or auction — structural integrity is non-negotiable.
Specialist Voice
The Spring
Technician
"Eight-way hand-tied is not a selling point — it's the only method that distributes weight evenly across the seat without creating pressure points. Sinuous springs are fine for a production sofa. For a piece someone wants to pass on, there is no compromise."
— Priya Nair, Spring Systems Technician · 22 years
Eight-Way Hand-Tied — Process Steps
01
02
03
04
Spring Systems — Compared
| Criterion | Webbing Only | Sinuous (Zigzag) | Eight-Way Hand-Tied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support lifespan | 3–5 years | 8–12 years | 25–40 years |
| Weight distribution | Poor | Moderate | Excellent |
| Noise over time | Creaking likely | Minimal | Silent |
| Correct for Chesterfield | — | — | ✓ |
| Correct for wingback | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auction / heritage standard | — | — | ✓ |
| Labour time (per seat unit) | 30 min | 1.5 hrs | 4–6 hrs |
| Materials cost indicator | £ | ££ | £££ |
All Chesterfields and heirloom pieces receive eight-way hand-tied as standard. Sinuous spring available on request for dining chairs and headboards where seat depth is under 400mm.
Specialist Voice
The Fabric
Consultant
"A Martindale count tells you how long the fabric will last. The hand — how it feels when you run a thumb across the grain — tells you whether it belongs on that particular chair. I've turned down a £280-per-metre silk because the piece didn't deserve it. The fabric has to earn the frame."
— Aoife Brennan, Fabric & Materials Consultant · 15 years
Our Swatch Library — 2,000 In-Workshop
340
280
190
85
420
685
Fabric Grades — Compared
| Criterion | Commercial Contract | Performance Weave | Natural Linen | Heritage Silk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martindale rub count | 100,000+ | 50,000–80,000 | 25,000–40,000 | 8,000–15,000 |
| Suitable for high traffic | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Hotel / commercial spec | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Domestic residential | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pattern matching available | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Suitable for heirloom / auction | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fade resistance (lightfast) | Excellent | Good | Moderate | Poor |
| Price indicator per metre | £18–£35 | £35–£65 | £55–£110 | £120–£280 |
Martindale counts are manufacturer-tested figures. Real-world wear depends on use, UV exposure, and cleaning method. We provide a written fabric specification sheet with every commission.
Next Step
Tell us about
your piece.
A photograph and a postcode is enough to give you a realistic estimate range. No obligation, no sales call — just an honest number from a craftsperson who's seen the problem before.