Category Archives: Retro Furniture

Parker Knoll

Parker Knoll

Parker Knoll Chairs Reupholstered | One of Our Specialties At BJ Upholstery are Parker Knoll, we take pride in reupholstering Parker Knoll chairs, one of the brands we specialise in. We recently had the pleasure of working on a traditional pair of Parker Knoll wing-back chairs. The original upholstery was a classic green, but we’ve completed the first chair in a vibrant pink, giving it a fresh and modern look. We’re currently working on the second chair, which will be upholstered in a complementary green, offering a beautiful contrast to the first. We restored the wood legs and under-seat springing too.

Parker Knoll

Wood Frame Chair Restoration

Take a look at this stunning bespoke occasional Wood Frame Chair Restoration. We restored the exposed wood frame, fixed the sprung platform and replaced the foam padding, and gave it fresh upholstery in a quality fabric. So the end result? A chair that looks and feels as good as new, if not better! With its newfound durability and looks, this chair is ready to serve our customers for years to come. Now a one-of-a-kind piece!

wing chair

Wing Chair

This wing chair, a fireside wing-back chair, is a turn of the century classic. The inside back panel you can see is a coordinating pattern fabric. The fabric is the original fabric of the chair our customer wanted to retain as it is a reminder of her late husband who loved the chair.

Linwood omega velvet fabric is what we chose to compliment the original fabric. The customer is delighted with the result and so are we – it looks just lovely.

Loose covers for sofa - detail

Uplift, Repair, and Return Service​.


All types of repairs are covered through our Uplift, Repair, and Return service. We address common issues such as broken frames, spring replacements, and under-seat platform repairs. Our prices include most repair parts; however, additional components such as bespoke foams or sprung units may be necessary at an additional cost—feel free to inquire about a quote for these items. The Uplift and Repair service is priced at £650, inclusive of complimentary collection and delivery within Darlington. In most cases, we will repair and rectify common issues and make your sofa good for many years in the future all in one go.

For areas beyond Darlington, please arrange shipment to our workshops. We currently use Proovia Couriers. For a precise estimate, please request a specific quote.

How the Uplift and Repair came about:

Over the years we have collected sofas and chairs for repair, occasionally retrieving them again later for further repairs. We realised the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of conducting all necessary preventative repairs and refurbishments in one comprehensive process while the furniture was in the workshop was a better idea. For instance, if a customer’s sofa has broken springs, we address that issue along with checking and tightening the frame, and replacing the platform, all while the sofa is disassembled on the bench. Cost-effective and prevents further disruption.

What is Covered in the Price

The uplift and return delivery to your home. Check and make good the frame, springs, webbing and any other issues like ripped platform.

Every job is different. Usually, a sofa will come into the workshop for one repair item, while it is there we check and repair all as stated above included in the price.

An Example

A customer contacted us to repair a ripped platform (the fabric liner under the seat cushions). We suggested the Uplift, repair, and return service​. On investigation, we found the cause of the ripped platform was sagging springs. So we replaced the serpentine springs and checked the frame which prevents future damage.

Options are bespoke foam seat cushions, fibre back cushions, replacement legs and new seat cases. New feather inner cases to order.

We Complete All Repairs to any Upholstered Furniture.

Knole Sofa

Knoll Sofa

A nice example of a modern knole style sofa in Linwood Omega velvet print. The black sofa is already in place. We added new large scatter cushions in the Omega print to complement the newly upholstered sofa.

When your living room looks like this, would you ever go out?

Information: The original Knole Settee (also known as the Knole Sofa) is a couch chair that was made in the 17th century, probably around 1640. It is housed at ‘Knole’ in Kent, a house owned by the Sackville-West family since 1605 but now in the care of the National Trust.

1960s Sofa

1960s Retro

1960’s retro sofa with two matching chairs. Upholstered in a blue Wemyss fabric. All the wood was stripped back and waxed. More fabrics to browse on our fabrics page. Our customer bought the sofa and chair set some years ago second hand. Stored it for a long time, then decided to have it restored and reupholstered. We are glad to see a historic design icon saved to serve for many years in the future. A side note: If you look for a new equivalent to this style of sofa and of this bespoke quality you will need some thousands of pounds. This is a restored original.

Thank you to our customer to allow a few photos at delivery – they look stunning. Now living in the West End of Darlington.

Occasional Chair

Occasional Chair

Here is another example of a completed reupholstery job. A neatly designed oak occasional chair with some wear and patina. We reupholstered as selected by our customer in a peach patterned linen with a coordinating braid.

The chair owner is shipping the chair to Wales.

Design it your way | Reupholstery experts. High-Quality Reupholstery. We restore quality, important, historic, antique, and retro soft furnishings.

Barker sofa

A Modern Take on a Chesterfield Sofa.

I recognised this sofa as soon as I saw it. Originally sold through Barker and Stonehouse furniture shop back in the 1980s. It’s a quality piece of classic furniture, basically a relaxed oversized Chesterfields sofa without the deep buttons. Originally retailed in a Kilim fabric that was slightly rough to the touch, a bit like a Kilim rug, they were super cool, stylish, massive and expensive.

We have reupholstered at least two in the last year, therefore, we know the quality of the frame. This example, our customer purchased for £50 🙂 Now it looks like a few thousand pounds. Stunning.