Furniture Restoration Course

This course is suitable for all levels of ability. All students will bring along a small piece of furniture such as a chair or a small table and a box such as a jewellery box or a tea caddy - both in need of restoration. If you are a beginner you can learn some basic skills, or those wanting to improve their skills can progress to more advanced projects.

With expert tuition you will work at your own pace towards fully restoring your pieces using traditional methods. Once accepted onto the course, you should contact Philip Hodge prior to the start of the course to discuss the actual pieces that you would like to restore. This is not an upholstery course and although simple upholstery tasks may be possible, they do not really come within the remit of this course.

All projects will be discussed as a group & students will learn new skills and techniques such as French Polishing, veneering, and blending repairs, from both their own and other students` pieces as well as tutor demonstrations. As a group we will discuss the problems thrown up by each project. Following expert advice and help from the tutor, each student will then work towards getting their two projects to a finish by the end of the week. While no guarantee can be given that projects will be finished within the week, if they are not over ambitious it should be infinitely possible.

You will learn new skills and techniques both from your own and other people`s projects. The actual details of this will vary according to what repairs are necessary on the pieces brought to the course. However, it would be usual for it to include woodworking repairs, veneer repairs, French polishing, and the blending of repairs. This course has a certain amount of flexibility and if the group would like a group demonstration by the tutor of a particular task such as tool sharpening or French polishing then this can be arranged.

The reason for you having 2 projects on the go is that there may be times when one of the projects is untouchable because of drying glue, polish, etc. So, to save standing around, you will be able to work on your other project.

All tools will be provided by the tutor. If you have any "favourite" tools that you like to use then you are welcome to bring them along (no power tools please). This might also help if by coincidence all students want to perform the same repair at the same time.

Most materials should be available on site or can be ordered. These will be charged at cost to the individual student.

Students should bring along a pair of safety glasses, a pair of Marigold rubber gloves and an apron or other protective clothing - Course Aprons available

Places will be confirmed in writing on receipt of completed application form and remittance. In the event of you cancelling your booking or failing to pay the full fee, your place on the course cannot be guaranteed. In the event of your cancellation, your fee will only be refunded if your place can be filled by another student. Philip Hodge has the right to cancel the course in exceptional circumstances, in which case, students would receive a full refund of all monies paid.

If you are travelling from away, and require accommodation, details of local places to stay are available . If you have any other special requirements or queries please don`t hesitate to contact me.

All courses will be held at my Kirby Bedon workshop, which is 3 miles south of Norwich, Norfolk, England. Directions will be sent with the final invoice.

All courses will be personally taught by Philip Hodge who is a fully trained furniture restorer, cabinet maker and gilder

Philip trained in all these disciplines in 1992, and also passed with distinction City & guilds Part 2 in Furniture Craft Subjects and Advanced Furniture Studies.

Since then, Philip has been in business as a furniture restorer, gilder and furniture maker. He is an experienced teacher, having taught a variety of furniture related courses over the past fifteen years. In addition to private courses Philip has also worked extensively for the Norfolk Local Education Authority and the Workers Education Authority