Give your old furniture a new lease of life: restoration, chalk painting and upholstery courses
Chair backs being prepared for the restoration treatment at the Furniture Restoration course at Gorey Community School in Co Wexford.
Old furniture doesn't have to die! Indeed, a re-varnished and re-upholstered chair can add a wonderful, homely look to a bedroom or living room which could never be achieved with the modern, flat-packed alternative.
And the even better news is that you don't have to have a degree, or have served an apprenticeship, to bprofessionally restore old furniture. You can pick up all the disassembly, treating, varnishing, french polishing and upholstery techniques in a simple adult education evening class at your local community or comprehensive school.
Upcycling, using chalk painting and other techniques, is other simple ways of turning new furniture into modern features. While furniture restoration seeks to return the item of furniture to it's former glory in keeping with the original design, style and craftsmanship, upcycling gives a whole new look to old, plain or unloved furniture.
Upholstery, the process of applying padding and fabric to chairs and seating, is incorporated in many furniture restoration projects, but can also be used for new furniture projects, bed heads and other interiors.
During a typical furniture restoration, upcycling or upholstery course you will be guided through a restoration, up-cycling or upholstery project, learning all the required skills along the way. You will usually work on an item of your own furniture, which will need to be small enough to transport to and from the school each week.
And the even better news is that you don't have to have a degree, or have served an apprenticeship, to bprofessionally restore old furniture. You can pick up all the disassembly, treating, varnishing, french polishing and upholstery techniques in a simple adult education evening class at your local community or comprehensive school.
Upcycling, using chalk painting and other techniques, is other simple ways of turning new furniture into modern features. While furniture restoration seeks to return the item of furniture to it's former glory in keeping with the original design, style and craftsmanship, upcycling gives a whole new look to old, plain or unloved furniture.
Upholstery, the process of applying padding and fabric to chairs and seating, is incorporated in many furniture restoration projects, but can also be used for new furniture projects, bed heads and other interiors.
During a typical furniture restoration, upcycling or upholstery course you will be guided through a restoration, up-cycling or upholstery project, learning all the required skills along the way. You will usually work on an item of your own furniture, which will need to be small enough to transport to and from the school each week.
Chairs in the various stages of restoration from the Furniture Restoration course at Gorey Community School and up-cycled tables from the Furniture Painting class at Ashbourne Community School
Where to find furniture restoration, up-cycling and upholstery courses
If you have some furniture that needs to be restored or would like to learn about upholstery and upcycling, then check out the courses running at the following schools:
Ashton School, Cork City (Furniture Restoration & French Polishing) • Boyne Community School, Trim, Co Meath (Furntiure Upcycling) • Cabinteely Community School, Dublin 18 • Douglas Community School, Cork City • Gorey Community School, Co Wexford (Furniture Restoration) • Malahide Community School, Dublin (Furniture Restoration & Upholstery) • Moate Business College, Co Westmeath (Furniture Paining & Upcycling) • Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock, Dublin (Antique Furniture Restoration; Upholstery) • Old Bawn Community School, Tallaght, Dublin 24 (Upcycle Furniture) • O'Fiaich Institute, Dundalk, Co Louth (Upcycling Furniture) • Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane, Co Kildare (Furniture Restoration; Traditional Upholstery) • St Colmcille's Community School, Knocklyon, Dublin 16 (Furniture Upcycling) • St Tiernan’s Community School, Ballally, Dublin 16 (Furniture Restoration & Conservation; Upholstery for Beginners & Advanced).
Most of these classes are suitable for complete beginners, though some schools cater for mixed ability, and a small number offer classes specifically for those looking to advance their skills. Courses are added at other schools in our network from time to time. Check out links to your local schools on our homepage for the most up-to-date course lists. A small number of schools also run furniture making and carpentry courses.
Ashton School, Cork City (Furniture Restoration & French Polishing) • Boyne Community School, Trim, Co Meath (Furntiure Upcycling) • Cabinteely Community School, Dublin 18 • Douglas Community School, Cork City • Gorey Community School, Co Wexford (Furniture Restoration) • Malahide Community School, Dublin (Furniture Restoration & Upholstery) • Moate Business College, Co Westmeath (Furniture Paining & Upcycling) • Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock, Dublin (Antique Furniture Restoration; Upholstery) • Old Bawn Community School, Tallaght, Dublin 24 (Upcycle Furniture) • O'Fiaich Institute, Dundalk, Co Louth (Upcycling Furniture) • Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane, Co Kildare (Furniture Restoration; Traditional Upholstery) • St Colmcille's Community School, Knocklyon, Dublin 16 (Furniture Upcycling) • St Tiernan’s Community School, Ballally, Dublin 16 (Furniture Restoration & Conservation; Upholstery for Beginners & Advanced).
Most of these classes are suitable for complete beginners, though some schools cater for mixed ability, and a small number offer classes specifically for those looking to advance their skills. Courses are added at other schools in our network from time to time. Check out links to your local schools on our homepage for the most up-to-date course lists. A small number of schools also run furniture making and carpentry courses.
