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Who we are
Susan (née Handy) and Malcolm Routh - a husband and wife team from
Littlewick Green, Maidenhead, Berkshire.
What we do
We specialize in replacing and repairing seating to chairs, stools etc
using Cane, Rush, Seagrass, Danish cord and now Riempie. We are also
able to make repairs to Lloyd loom and 'wicker'.
We use traditional techniques and materials to preserve the integrity of
the item whilst enabling it to carry on serving its original purpose for
the next generation to use and enjoy.
See Information
for prices |
"Although
I am not the cheapest or the quickest I have been told that my
workmanship is second to none." |
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What we sell
Furniture
Interesting antique and vintage pieces, mainly chairs. Especially
child/doll-size and folding chairs i.e. steamer chairs - the smaller and
more interesting the better, although we do have several larger chairs,
with character.
We always have a stock of small Victorian bedroom chairs which make
ideal occasional chairs for entertaining, especially at Christmas. But
be sure to put your most delicate guest on the most delicate chair!
Visit the For Sale page for the
latest items for sale |
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Materials
We recognize that there are many people out there who can
Do-It-Themselves but only need enough materials for one or two chairs.
We are happy to supply small quantities of cane and Danish cord in
particular for this purpose.
Why buy enough for 4 or 5 chairs when you only have one that needs
re-seating? Of course larger quantities are also available.
Riempie - fresh in from South Africa.
We also stock those useful little Dryad booklets and the 'Bible' of seat
weaving by Johnson, Barrett and Butcher.
See the News & Events
page for details
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A variation of the
snowflake pattern |
Joining new rush with a
half hitch |
Weaving the
standard 6-way pattern |
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Environment
Education and Aims
We have always promoted the green side of furniture restoration in
general and, seat weaving in particular. Antique caned and rushed
chairs were made when labour and materials were cheap; they always
intended to be reseated thus keeping them clean and fresh for the next
generation.
There is now an environmental impact caused by the use of rattan cane
and seagrass in mass produced modern furniture.
For instance, the over use of rattan has caused problems of depletion in
the forests of Indonesia. Likewise, the over use of seagrass is causing
problems in the areas where it is harvested. As with turtle shell and
ivory, it would be a shame if these materials were no longer available
for antique furniture because of modern fashions.
But what could be more sustainable that reseating a chair with rushes
cut from the Thames near Wantage?
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There is now an international movement, known as 'Antiques are Green'
and we hope to become more involved and promote this aspect of the green
agenda at every opportunity.
Hopefully, encouraging the revival of interest in and, sales of antiques
in the process!
www.antiquesaregreen.org
Invest in the future, recycle the past
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