Robert King trained in the traditional art of French polishing at the London College of Furniture over 40 years ago. Since then, he has restored countless pieces of furniture and piano casework, developing extensive experience in traditional finishing, sympathetic restoration, colour matching and the revival of tired and damaged finishes.

Robert has also trained more than 50 students in the art of French polishing and restoration, passing on traditional skills and techniques developed throughout more than four decades of practical experience.

Having stepped back from full time restoration work several years ago, Robert now undertakes selected French polishing and restoration commissions.

Bringing Beautiful Furniture Back to Life

Quality furniture can lose much of its appearance through years of use, sunlight, scratches, water marks, fading and deterioration of the original finish.

That doesn’t necessarily mean the finish needs to be stripped away and replaced.

Traditional French polishing and sympathetic restoration can often revive the depth, colour and character of the timber while retaining the appearance and integrity of the original piece.

Services can include:

• Traditional French polishing

• Antique and traditional furniture restoration

• Piano casework restoration

• Reviving faded and tired finishes

• Scratches, marks and surface damage

• Colour matching and staining

• Cleaning and reviving existing finishes

• Repair of damaged polished surfaces

• Sympathetic restoration of original finishes

• Complete refinishing where appropriate

Experience That Makes the Difference

French polishing is a traditional skill that takes years to properly develop.

With more than four decades of practical experience, Robert can assess each piece individually and advise what is actually required. Sometimes a tired finish can be revived without extensive restoration. Other pieces may require considerably more work.

The objective is not simply to make old furniture look new. It is to restore its beauty while preserving its character.

See the Transformation

The photographs on this page show examples of Robert’s own restoration and French polishing work.

From badly deteriorated surfaces to traditional furniture requiring careful restoration, they demonstrate what can be achieved using traditional skills and techniques.

Before and after photographs can often tell the story better than words.

Selected Restoration Commissions

Robert no longer operates a full time French polishing business and therefore only undertakes a limited number of carefully selected restoration projects.

If you have a quality piece of furniture or piano that you believe deserves restoration, photographs can be sent initially so that Robert can assess the piece and advise whether it is something he would be interested in undertaking.

French Polishing & restoration enquiries welcome.