ANTIQUE FURNITURE RESTORATION & FRENCH POLISHING
Restore the character, craftsmanship, and beauty of your furniture with specialist antique furniture restoration and French polishing from Kilmister Furniture Restoration.
From family heirlooms and antique tables to cabinets, desks, chairs, and fine timber furniture, we restore pieces with care, precision, and respect for their original craftsmanship.
The Kilmister family has been restoring furniture since 1954, when Brian Kilmister first trained as a French polisher at Copp and Williams Ltd. in Wellington. Those traditional finishing techniques and restoration principles continue to shape our work today.
WELLINGTON
KĀPITI COAST
WAIRARAPA
PALMERSTON
French Polishing
Using traditional shellac application methods, French polishing enhances the natural depth, warmth, and character of timber while creating a rich and elegant finish designed to stand the test of time.
Many antique and solid timber pieces were originally built to last generations, but years of wear, sunlight, moisture, and daily use can dull their appearance. Professional French polishing restores the beauty of the timber while protecting the surface for continued use.
French polishing is commonly used for:
- Antique dining tables
- Cabinets and sideboards
- Pianos and writing desks
- Boardroom tables
- Decorative timber furniture
Structural repairs and veneer restoration
Many antiques suffer from weakened joints, damaged veneer, lifting edges, water damage, or timber movement caused by age and use.
Rather than replacing quality furniture, restoration allows damaged pieces to be stabilised, repaired, and returned to everyday use while preserving their original construction and character.
This includes:
- Veneer repairs and replacement
- Joint repairs and strengthening
- Drawer runner restoration
- Timber crack and chip repairs
- Water and heat damage repair
Where replacement materials are required, we carefully match timber species, veneer grain, and finish tone for seamless restoration results.
Preserving Original Charm
Older furniture often contains details and construction methods rarely seen in modern manufacturing, including solid timber joinery, hand-cut veneers, carvings, mouldings, and natural timber grain that develop character over decades.
We take care to preserve these features wherever possible so the finished piece still feels authentic to its age and craftsmanship.
Focused craftsmanship delivers better results, especially when working with antiques, heirlooms, and high-quality timber furniture designed to last for generations.
Complete end-to-End Service
When reupholstery is required, we partner with experienced local upholsterers, coordinating all aspects to ensure a unified result. Where reupholstery or specialist work is required, we coordinate directly with trusted local specialists to ensure every part of the project is completed to the same standard.
From antique chairs and dining suites to cabinets and heirloom pieces, we manage the process from start to finish to make restoration straightforward and stress-free.
Our attention to detail ensures every piece is restored to its former glory.
The Kilmister Standard
FAQ'S
Your frequently asked questions about furniture repair and French polish in NZ.
Generally, wood furniture restoration is a wide-scoping word that encompasses general repair and work. Refinishing, on the other hand, usually refers to sanding or stripping existing lacquer, oil or paint to then reapply.
French polishing is a practice that originated from French makers of furniture back in the Victorian era. When it comes to French polish in NZ, we still carry on these techniques and use very similar products.
There are so many benefits to repairing your broken furniture instead of buying new. Not only will you often save money, but you’ll also be keeping furniture out of our landfills. As well as that, older furniture is often made better than what you find today.
The best way to make your furniture look as good as new is to leave restoration and repair work to the professionals. At Kilmister Furniture Restoration, we have many different techniques at our disposal to roll back the years for your beloved pieces.
Yes. We can restore multiple pieces to achieve a consistent colour, finish, and style across a set where required.