Oldchairs

Welcome to Oldchairs, a renowned institution located at Clooneenagh House, Clooneenagh, Cree, Co. Clare, V15 ER26, Ireland. As an establishment and point of interest, we have specialized in antique chair restoration for many years. Although we have recently retired from our restoration and re-upholstery services, we are still passionate about sharing our knowledge and expertise in this field.

At Oldchairs, we are proud to have been led by Pepie O’Sullivan and Nigel Barnes, who have a deep understanding of all aspects of chair restoration. Our previous work involved replacing missing or damaged parts, veneers, French polish and finishes, as well as woven cane, súgan, and rush seats. We have always emphasized the use of quality materials and workmanship in our restoration projects.

In addition to our restoration services, we have also provided tuition and courses on antique furniture restoration, upholstery, clock repair, gilding, and chair-making. Although we are mostly retired now, we still offer weekend courses on chair-making upon request. These courses are a unique opportunity to learn how country chairs are crafted in a two-day individual tuition class.

As part of our commitment to preserving and promoting antique chairs, we offer a selection of quality chairs and furniture for sale. These pieces are all restored by us and come from our private collection. However, please note that we no longer provide upholstery services.

Furthermore, we are currently selling our private collection of antique chairs to support the rebuilding of a school for disadvantaged children in Bhataghadi, Nepal. By purchasing these chairs, you are not only acquiring a piece of history but also contributing to a meaningful cause.

At Oldchairs, we pride ourselves on being specialists in antique chair restoration rather than antique dealers. We believe that restoration should always be appropriate to the particular piece, and we take a conservation approach, especially for rare and valuable items. Our extensive knowledge and experience in restoring furniture and seating using traditional methods ensure that each restoration is done with utmost care and respect for the original construction methods.

If you have any questions or queries about antique furniture and chair restoration, we are always happy to assist you. We can provide advice on furniture styles, dating, market values, and trends. Nigel Barnes, a member of the Institute of Conservator Restorers in Ireland, is particularly skilled in working on clocks and watches, including longcase (grandfather) clocks and antique pocket watches.

For those who have arranged to visit us for a workshop weekend, you can find directions on our website. However, please note that we do not repair modern furniture or re-upholster modern couches and chairs. Our expertise lies in understanding and restoring antique chairs, as well as appreciating their place in the evolution of domestic furniture.

If you have an antique chair that is a bit wobbly, it may just need dismantling and re-gluing. Over time, the joints gradually loosen, and reinforcing blocks or braces may need replacement. For more serious cases, Nigel can provide advice on making up new frame components. Please keep in mind that while we are more than happy to offer advice on antique chair restoration, we no longer undertake the work ourselves.

Thank you for visiting Oldchairs, and we hope you enjoy exploring our website and learning more about the fascinating world of antique chair restoration.