When a beautiful piece of antique furniture becomes worn or damaged, many people wonder whether it’s worth restoring. But as these recent photos show, the right care and craftsmanship can make all the difference.
At The Abbey Group, we recently took on the restoration of this lovely antique chair, which arrived with a badly damaged cane seat. As you can see from the before images, the cane had completely worn through in several places. Years of use, exposure and perhaps even a curious pet or two had left the seat fragile and unusable.
Instead of discarding the piece or hiding it away, the client brought it to us to see what could be done. This is where our skilled team steps in.
From Broken to Beautiful
The first step was to carefully assess the condition of the entire frame—not just the seat. This allows us to identify any weakness in the joints, hidden cracks or signs of stress in the woodwork. Once the structure was confirmed to be sound, our craftsmen began the delicate task of removing the old cane and preparing the seat for reweaving.
Using traditional hand-weaving methods, the seat was completely restored with new natural cane, woven with precision to match the original pattern. The final result speaks for itself: a restored seat that’s both strong and authentic in style, allowing this lovely antique to be used and enjoyed again.
Why Restoration Matters
For many customers, antique furniture carries family history or sentimental value. Throwing it away just isn’t an option. But good restoration is about more than just fixing damage—it’s about preserving character.
The Abbey Group is proud to offer sympathetic restorations that keep the original charm intact while making the furniture fit for modern use. Whether it’s a child’s apprentice piece, a Georgian chest or a Victorian chair, we treat every project with the same level of care.
Your Local Restoration Specialists
Based in Bedfordshire, we help homeowners across the region restore, repair and protect their furniture, both antique and vintage. If you’ve got a piece that needs attention—no matter how small the job might seem—get in touch. We’re always happy to give advice, and our workshop is open to visitors by appointment.
Contact The Abbey Group today and let’s bring your furniture back to life.