Jamie Halford BA(Hons)
Accredited member of the British Antique Furniture Restorers’ Association (BAFRA)

Restoration and Conservation of Furniture, Clocks, and Other Artisan Objects Requiring the Skill of a Master Craftsman

Qualified and widely experienced, I specialise in the restoration of fine furniture and antique objects. From pieces by distinguished makers and family heirlooms to simple functional items, I work across a broad range — including clocks, barometers, frames, architectural features, and mechanical objects. I can replicate missing elements and create bespoke items. My workshop combines many traditional skills including cabinetmaking, French polishing, upholstery and metalwork, allowing me to complete restorations entirely in-house with care and contextual sensitivity.

Restoration Services

Traditional techniques and materials ensuring authentic, sympathetic restoration

Structural Repairs

Using traditional cabinetmaking skills alongside restoration and conservation techniques, issues such as loose or broken joints, split components, woodworm damage, and missing parts can be resolved. Repairs are carried out using appropriate materials—including traditional animal glues and period-correct timbers—and undertaken with traditional hand tools.

Surface Restoration

Cleaning, revival and repair to existing surface finishes, retaining and enhancing desirable patina when appropriate. Traditional finishing materials and techniques including French polishing/shellac, oil, wax and painted finishes. Removal of water stains, enhancement of tired dull surfaces, or complete refinishing of e.g., table tops.

Detail Recreation

Missing parts, handles, mouldings, and decorative elements are hand-made using traditional techniques, including turning, carving, veneer work, and inlay repairs. I keep a stock of old timbers and veneers and can produce saw-cut veneers and oysters to ensure authentic, period-correct restoration.

Specialised Skills

  • Desk Leather Lining
  • Frame Repair and Gilding: Recreation of missing frame elements, gilding repairs
  • Metal Work: Repairs to and supply of period hardware, fittings, locks etc. Repairs to metal objects. Fabrication of artefact stands
  • Glazing: For example replacing broken cabinet glass with matching old glass

Clocks

Full restoration of many clocks types, longcase, mantel, bracket and wall clocks and regulators. Their cases, movements and dials. Restoration of painted dials. Re-silvering. Crafting of missing components. Provision of historical reports.

Upholstery

Largely traditional upholstery techniques, but happy to work on some vintage and modern pieces. Structural and cosmetic repairs to the frames undertaken before reupholstery, with the flexibility to use customer-supplied fabrics.