1940's Wooden Sofa - Furniture Restoration and Reupholstery

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Using mainly hand tools for the vast majority of processes resulted in a good outcome, all be it taking a long time. Join me as I restore and reupholster a furniture piece that I believe is of Jacobean style made in the late 1940's to 1950's.
This video ended up taking a lot of time to complete and edit due to work and other things, so thanks for taking the time to watch!
Regards,
R.E
Also check out Buckminster Upholstery on KZbin for some great videos to watch on vintage upholstery! / buckminsterupholstery

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks for watching! Some people have asked, and I always said not to worry. But if you really really would like to, you can buy me a coffee. www.buymeacoffee.com/restorationendeavours

[@taviasgrannieable]

Awesome restoration job.. Where are you at? Love the birds what type of bird are they?

[@wendyhenschel.]

i spent the first 45 years of my life watching my grandmother do what you did to this chair. she would strip them down and redo the strapping with new strapping and replace the foam and make all new cushions for them. it is some serious hard work and very time consuming. she passed away almost 2 yrs ago a few months before her 101st birthday. watching you do this brought back many memories. i used to sit on the table and watch her in total fascination and in awe. i have never reupholstered like she did but have done my own cushions back in the day. i had a pair of chairs one was a rocker while the other was a chair. they had belonged to her and she passed them on to my mother to which i took them off her hands when i turned 19 and moved out on my own. they themselves had the strapping and springs and skirts like this piece. they were made in the mid to late forties. i got rid of them 10 years ago. had them about 40 years. loved them as they were extremely comfortable to sit on. hope you enjoy this one like i did my grandmothers. beautiful work. btw she had the singer wrought iron industrial sewing machines. 2 of them. large one to handle the heaving thick materials and a smaller one she used to put the side pieces together with zippers when needed. i subscribed to your channel

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you for sharing your story. I am glad you enjoyed seeing my work and that it brought back good memories for you. I have been keeping an eye out for one of those lovely old Singers for myself, but they are worth so much these days. Hopefully that will be part of one of my video in the future. Thanks again 😊

[@wendyhenschel.]

@@RestorationEndeavours good luck. Hope you find one. Would be a pleasure to see one again.

[@priest_of_Egupt]

Да ,вещь приобретает другую ценость, если ею пользовались ваш предок...а если очень древний предок?

[@madalenasouzadasilva8397]

Lindo

[@ransomdaniels8395]

First time seeing your channel and I really enjoyed it! I like how you reasoned out each step and explained why you chose this action over that one, etc. Also,I see you used some hand tools like the drill and jack planes.i used to collect old woodworking tool and honestly sometimes they were preferable to the new ones, and they were a lot less noisy! It was a pleasure to watch you and the finished piece looked more than worth all you time and care. Thanks!❤❤❤

[@terrgall]

I love how methodical you are. Very calming.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Glad you think so!

[@Artfull-Spin_Search]

I love that “tensioner” you made. Well done!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you. It just seems like such a simple tool, but made it a lot easier.

[@SparrowStockwell]

Yes. That was impressive!

[@sshaw9157]

I love listening to the birds in the background while you work. It sounds like a relaxing environment.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

It really is! Though every now and then some of the construction sounds from the neighbours creeps in.

[@user-th7sd2mp1l]

This is what I call "labour of love" . Can't imagine the amount of time and patience you spent to bring this gem to life. More of this content, please ✅️ 🙌🏻 Subscribed...

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you. I found I stress less when I have something to focus on like these jobs. More are incoming! Been awhile between videos, but I am catching up finally.

[@angelitem.2071]

The green reminds me of two 70's spinning chairs my mom had. She would yell at my brother and I to stop spinning on them! Great memories! The green also reminded me of my Dad's Green Nova! With the wool fabric that scratched the skin!

[@RissaFirecat]

With you only using hand tools you are my new favorite restorer. I love how you take care of the joins. THANK you for doing this properly!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks again, and I will try to keep it up!

[@pablobarros610]

The work you do goes beyond restoration, and how to bring to life something that has been forgotten in time. Congratulations on the beautiful work and keep it up. A hug straight from Brazil

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you kindly and thanks for watching!

[@rufusbayne2230]

The chair looked like it was beyond saving. You did a fantastic job. Now it's a beautiful, useful piece of furniture with a story.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@anjakisirija1534]

This is probably the best restoration I've ever seen

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Wow, that you so much for saying!

[@Crafter1993]

Damn,I'm doing this since high school days I never thought a lot of people would be amaze this kind of work.

[@Sparkysings2]

Wow what a meticulous job! Well done! Side note: The birdsong is beautiful.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mytimebox1]

The imperfections are what make it perfect. Congratulations! What a treasure.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you so much!

[@catherine5166]

The previous owner won’t believe it’s his old chair. I bet he buys it back. All his lovely memories of being at his grandparents.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I sent them some pictures, and they asked if I decide to sell, to please let them have first dibs, which I will!

[@lulunula]

I won’t lie, I’ve been trying to watch this video for 3 days now but it keeps making me sleepy and I fall asleep every time. Just all the ambience and sounds put me to sleep. Finally finished the video though, chair looks good!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I was going to say, after the first sentence I was thought I must have been too boring! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@lulunula]

@@RestorationEndeavours absolutely not boring, just bad timing on my part to watch when I finally get to lay down for the day!

[@nannykat1057]

YOU are absolutely amazing!!! With no fancy tools... you lovingly and meticulously restore severely abused furniture! WOW. Just wow. And...you don't sound very old either...even more amazing!! Sending BIG thanks and a great BIG howdy from Texas! 🤠🤠

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Wow, thank you so much!

[@167curly]

A great restoration again.

[@war7334]

Impressive,better than it was originally made.Also the chair has its original character.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! I always try and keep some character and so use less filler etc. Much like on my rocking chair restoration.

[@andyrozario7]

That was the most pleasant Narration...Amazing Sofa work too...

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rykbrooks6803]

I don’t need to tell you how what great, informative, videos you are making. Using hand tools is great and most interesting to watch. Your ingenuity is great. Keep the excellent work. I’ll definitely be watching. You quickly made me a fan.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you kindly. I try my best to keep them interesting, but a lot of the time, I just film myself working and hope it comes together when I edit it all.

[@rykbrooks6803]

@@RestorationEndeavours by using your skill with hand tools makes your work much more interesting to follow which I will be doing. The more challenging the piece the better.

[@ghost6500]

Thank you! You restored it to new condition!

[@ianmurrell209]

Great job, I think the green colour suits the chair. I think I heard magpies, lorikeets, butcherbirds, and ravens. The machining marks on the underneath of the back rail were from a surfacer. Bandsaw marks are usually more irregular and cut the grain.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you. I think there were a few cockatoos and minor birds as well. Surfacer makes sense. Just seems weird it wouldn't have left a cleaner surface. I see your point on not band saw though.

[@irenelehlongoane4027]

I am so excited like a little baby u made my day I wish u where near me I like old furniture real thing real deal🙌💯

[@quinnabun1173]

Stellar job!!!!.Looked absolutely beautiful once all finished

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks so much!

[@williamjoyce4169]

In my younger days I worked for a specialty moving company in NYC that only handled antique dealers and high end interior decorators . That piece would be right at home in the hallway of a Park Ave apartment or a Connecticut estate home and skills like yours would not go unnoticed or unrewarded .

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you for the kind words. I wish I could do this full time, but at the moment it is just a hobby of mine I thought I'd share with everyone.

[@alentrevor]

and Mrs T Great job it looks amazing

[@mattbannan637]

WELL DONE 👏 SIR...WELL DONE EVEN THE UPHOLSTERY!!!

[@lianakeller6676]

Fantastic job! I love it! Thank you.

[@janking3599]

That is a beautiful chair. Now. You did an excellent job on it. Love it.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks so much 😊

[@angelitem.2071]

Beautiful! Just Beautiful

[@NTRprojects]

Pretty good job. I'm impressed

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks, I try my best with what I've got!

[@nunya3352]

Oh bravo sir. Just fantastic craftsmanship.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you kindly.

[@lfuentes4098]

The color and fabric are great. You did a great job with the restoration. One suggestion on the upholstery. Add more polyester batting(Dacron) to the foam cushion. You can wrap it and make it look a little more rounded. The trick to get it in the cover is plastic film. You can use black garbage bags and a vacuum to suck the air out. While compressed put in the cover. Then pull away the plastic. Some extra padding on the seat would also be a good idea. He uses a layer of the hair and then more burlap and a layer of Dacron. Adds to the comfort and the crown a bit. My dads been an upholsterer for over 55 years. I love to watch him work his magic. He uses staples and a staple gun now but it was fun when I was a kid to watch him hammer in the nails.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Great tips! I have gotten some Dacron and am working on it at the moment. Will have to give the plastic bag trick a go too. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@smartnsassy7885]

Great tip! I could have used that when I put new foam in my couch cushions. It was rough!

[@user-hl7hl4ge5e]

Thanks for the tip. I’m upholstering pads for some lounge chairs and was struggling in putting the pads back in! The plastic bags is a fantastic idea!!! Save me some time and stress!!

[@megwolff58]

Nice job! I do remember these being upholstered in Sanderson floral prints when I was a kid (1950s). Some had two separate, deep upholstered cushions on them. Backs simply had throw pillows.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks for the info! I will investigate the style for the cushions. Much appreciated.

[@lenaepoppe6194]

Stunning appreciate your talent and most excellent work! 😮😊

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you very much!

[@irenelehlongoane4027]

Ooh that coconut people used to Bath with it 🙈🙈 I think that furniture is 100old real antic it's so beautiful amazing u are great I was doubting that it will be so great wow❤️👌👌🙌

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Oh thank you!

[@jillallison5243]

Thank you. This was everything.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@suesmith9202]

Absolutely gorgeous

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@killy1958able]

You did brilliant, lovely 😊

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! 😊

[@toddmc1012]

That tuned out gorgeous. I would love to have that couch.

[@jannamarie3990]

Absolutely beautiful ❤️

[@mkjackson55]

Perfectly lovely.

[@QueenBnSD]

A back cushion and a couple pillows would be great too

[@bonnieyuse5876]

What a labor of love...its Beautiful! ❤

[@NikolaHoward]

beautiful work, beautiful sofa. Colour goes really well.

[@veronikademjennedr.kovats3826]

True, the Buckminster Upholstery is the best.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

He makes amazing videos, it's becoming a lost art!

[@pamelasteburg6006]

Yes, the color is very nice, and yes I would like it in my home!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I'm glad! Thank you so much for watching!

[@markduncan6690]

This “Little Baby” is “A Gem in the Rough”!

[@TheMsCrystalblue]

Green is one of my favorite colors and I love antique furniture. This turned out beautifully! So, yes, I would definitely love to have a chair like this.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Mine too! It's now in my study but takes up a bit of space. Thank you for the lovely comment.

[@TheMsCrystalblue]

@@RestorationEndeavours You are welcome!😃

[@meganverdugo9965]

Beautiful result! I love the color! Even though I agree with you on the beauty of the back wood panels, I think it would be more inviting to sit on if it had a back cushion

[@LuzTorres-qk8kg]

You did a great job and look very beautiful. God bless you.

[@petejohnson8590]

It is beautiful, well done to you 👍🙌🙌🙌🙌🫶 greetings from Grandpa Pete from France 🇫🇷

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Many thanks!

[@stephanielovatt2787]

Lovely job! Yes, I'd be happy to have a little sofa like this one. Keep up the good work!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! 😊

[@Antonella_Basile]

Is perfect and very beautiful

[@savvysilla8314]

Beautiful result! Well done on tackling something new and doing such an excellent job at it! I think the dark green suits it well. 👏

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@JamesPollMaine59]

Perfect job. The fabric is perfect.

[@richardbryant7972]

Wow really nice work, I’d buy it in a heartbeat.

[@tondakremble6660]

Beautiful! Awesome restoration job!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you very much!

[@lizashanti748]

A joy to watch you work

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@susannemcmahon6093]

Wow what a great job .beautiful

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@anndoig2459]

Nicely done and so interesting to watch an expert at work bringing something worth saving back to life.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I don't consider myself an expert, but a good researcher for sure. Thanks for the kind words though!

[@carronalee]

Yah beaut! You sir are an artist.❤

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you, I try my best!

[@cassandrasuzannelalonde4758]

It’s absolutely beautiful, thank you for your video

[@joesony5196]

very talented ; really you gave to this canapé a second new life . Thank you to sharing your passion .

[@RestorationEndeavours]

My pleasure!

[@ransomdaniels8395]

I noticed your hands look like they were getting tired with fighting the curved needlee and i thought i would offer a suggestion of mine that i use. As a nurse, i use instruments a lot, and for suturing there is a "needle driver" fot placing and stitching , as in the ER and surgery. I fought with those upholstery needles for years before it occurred to me that a pair of needle-nose pliers could work as a much larger version of a needle driver. It saved my hands from a lot of pain and struggles (though not all, sadly] and made a lot of things easier. I really enjoyed your video! ❤❤❤❤❤❤😊😊😊

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I will have to give that a try. I am eyeing off a few more chairs for projects already. Thanks for the tip!

[@SparrowStockwell]

This was really interesting and fun and enjoyable to watch. It turned out great!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@conniefortner8750]

Beautiful!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you!

[@jilldavies7094]

Nice to see something done traditionally, with hand tools. Well done. (I think it's intended to have a number of unattached large cushions on the back). Very nice colour.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you. And from comments, I think you are spot on with the cushions.

[@131dyana]

When I work around nails and staples I wear my work shoes not flip flops. Please be careful. Loved your wood rebuild.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

One of my bad habits. It will catch up to me one day. Thanks for watching though!

[@marydalton5752]

Absolutely fantastic!

[@irenelehlongoane4027]

U did great dnt doudt yrself u can see u enjoying what u doing, love passionate come back old furniture not this new furniture expensive but useless again u did a great job outstanding pat yrself at the back🙌👌❤️

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you so much 😊

[@patriciasiefert7140]

Beautiful work!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks! 🙂

[@briangoldberg4439]

I think you did a great job, it looks good. My guess is there would have been back cushions though as it looks way too deep as it is; you can't sit with your knees bent and feet on the floor

[@RestorationEndeavours]

I think so too! I'm staring to make some cushions, but large square ones that can be a backrest without hiding the timber. I found a nice beige material with birds which I think will go nicely.

[@briangoldberg4439]

@@RestorationEndeavours Awesome. I would love to see it when you finish!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

@@briangoldberg4439 It will pop up in my 'shorts' videos one day.

[@bec_r_r]

You did really good. Very impressive sewing, putting in a zipper well that is difficult. I love the couch / lounge but it’s a bit too low for me I’d never get up from it too old now.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! It was tricky, but slow and steady does it! It is a touch low, which I'm not sure is the style or if it was cut down. Might add some feet for a little extra lift.

[@jackyoshaughnessy2415]

Brilliant work. Thank you.

[@merrylmarsh9037]

A lovely result 😃

[@MrVince8]

Excellent work.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Many thanks!

[@oxfd611]

I think that oil stain came out really nice antique look to it. Good choice.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@karenbohling4449]

You are very patient! Great craftsmanship. I really like the result.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you, it took awhile but was worth the effort!

[@judithburke1539]

Yes, to all three of your questions!😊

[@shoogerplumb9107]

Piping on the cushion would finish it nicely, as well as strengthen the seams.

[@moanahughes3593]

Nice authentic piece 🎉

[@janettetait8408]

You need 2 back cushions as well. You have done a wonderful job mate. Well done. 😻

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Working on it! Thanks for watching.

[@delvinbegay1502]

You did a wonderful job on that old chair. If it was left to me I would have used it for firewood a long time ago. Now I want to see what you do next.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Hopefully will have some time to start a new piece soon!

[@chrisbgifford7387]

Looks fabulous!

[@terryiggulden5182]

Wonderful 🎉

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks 🤗

[@mollysheridan7134]

Lovely. Great job

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you! 😊

[@janheischkel2496]

Sehr schön geworden, ein Haufen Arbeit die da drin steckt.

[@michaeltreadwell777]

WOW ! That was fascinating, especially all the upholstery - how time consuming, but so worth it. The Sofa looks fabulous, and thee green suits my sitting room perfectly, so if you want to post it to England, I'll accept it ! I'm now a subscriber, as your work is brilliant to watch. Thanks for sharing your skills with us. Take care 🙂

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you for the kind words. A lot of time and effort, but it's nice seeing something that was otherwise headed for the trash being saved. And from all the comments I should probably start fixing and selling these things, but they look so good I just get attached!

[@theabsolutetruth2024]

I think two square rear cushions with the wood trim around it would look great. This was an amazing job. It looks fantastic. Well done, sir! Amazing!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you. I just made some and uploaded a short video. Let me know what you think!

[@janaljus12able]

Awesome job

[@dannraff]

fantastic job well done . Much thought and patience went into this you did good . Thanks

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you very much! It took awhile and I had to teach myself how to do the upholstery properly, but overall I am happy with the result.

[@yvonnebooker8864]

Brilliant 🌟♥️

[@dragicavujanovic]

Beautifully restored.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Many thanks!

[@jonnaborosky8836]

Beautiful! I would buy it!

[@Fruity_lexia]

That is some excellent work! Love the silky oak back ❤

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thank you. I am a big fan of the silky oak too. It has such a nice grain.

[@ericorozco7946]

Impressive.

[@WordsWorth137]

Absolutely brilliant job. Super vid too. Thank you. Inspirational.

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Such kind words. Thanks heaps!

[@EK-sz5no]

Wow amazing

[@RHMoore-bo6dt]

I love the finish! You can change out pillows for different looks so I appreciate that you let the wood shine through. Lovely piece!

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@jelsner5077]

I like the fabric you chose. I would make the back cushions in a complimentary tapestry fabric, and small enough to show off the wood panels. Cheers

[@RestorationEndeavours]

Yes, I think that will be my next task. I do love the green too though.