Furniture

Livingetc's design guru Mark Garside answers your most frequently asked furniture questions.

Inexpensive plain floor-to-ceiling doors

I am trying to find the cheapest plain floor-to-ceiling doors on the market. I need eight and the ceiling height is 7ft 5in. Does anyone supply plain doors like this, or would I have to have them made bespoke?
Anything that measures beyond a standard size will need to be made bespoke. A door can be produced from a simple timber frame, with a cardboard honeycomb filler, and faced in MDF, 3mm ply, or any other materials – even metals and plastics (unless they need to be fire doors, which require a heavier construction with a solid-material core). Any local architectural joinery company would easily be able make these up and install them for you.

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How to support a floating desk

We'd like to recreate a green floating desk made from CaesarStone that we saw in Livingetc, but aren't sure how to support it. Can you help?
A desk like this is fairly easy to create from CaesarStone or Corian, which has a greater colour choice. A thin layer of the material is bonded onto a plywood backing that drops down a few inches at the front to create the illusion of thickness. The desk can then be fitted to battens along the walls, which will be hidden by the front edge. Thin or extra- long surfaces need a strengthening steel sub-frame, or it may be easier and cheaper to plant simple posts as legs.

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Adding interest to a dull mirror

In my living room, I've fitted a bank of Ikea wardrobes with mirrored doors, so they reflect light and add to the sense of space. This works well, but the mirrors are visually dull. I've thought about writing script on them, or antiquing them. Do you have any other suggestions?
If you can get to the back of the mirrors, use wire wool and fine sandpaper to erase patches of the silvering, then paint so the colour shows through the rubbed areas. For a surface application, buy frosted and translucent coloured vinyl and cut simple shapes with a craft knife, or get a graphic designer to generate artwork and have the vinyl cut by a graphics company.

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Replacement hinge for a Fifties sideboard

I have a fabulous Fifties sideboard, where the top lifts up with a rather unusual hinge to reveal a mirrored cocktail set inside. Unfortunately, this hinge has cracked, so we can no longer lift the top. I've searched for a replacement, but with no luck. Any ideas?
There are people around who can help – smaller, precision engineering firms are able to fix or replicate broken and missing manufactured parts. Try Peter Cockerill Engineering, whichc undertakes antiques restoration and will make one-off components.

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Can you dye a leather sofa?

I have a much-loved leather sofa that's looking the worse for wear, as it has faded in the sunlight. Is it possible to dye or stain it myself?
There are professionals (mostly from the high-end automotive industry) who are experts at repairing damage to leather. Gliptone manufactures many of the specialist treatments and re-colourings used by professionals and proficient DIYers. The Furniture Clinic sells simple DIY kits that provide all the necessary solutions to remove the protective finish, clean the leather, re-colour, and then re-seal. Both companies will match colours from the leather samples you send in, which you can usually clip from the excess edging fixed underneath.

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Where to find French-style beds

I have a rather stark-looking flat and the bedroom is especially bare. So I've decided it's time to ditch the futon and invest in an opulent, French-style bed instead. The room is decorated in white and yellow, and I've hung a large painting in there that has a modern, silver- _leaf frame. What do you suggest?
If you're feeling flush, it could be worth a trip to La Maison in Shoreditch, east London, for your ultimate romantic and extravagant bed. You'll find both originals and reproductions there. But if the bank balance isn't quite up to it, then a trip online to The French Bedroom Company might be worthwhile. It has a very groovy bed called Sylvia. It's ornately hand carved and finished in silver leaf, like your frame, and costs £1,095 for a king-size model. Truly a bed for a princess!

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Statement coffee table

We have a large lounge with two modern sofas in cream, and are looking for a designer coffee table that's big enough to fill the space and has wow factor. Most of what we've seen is either too small, glass or chrome, which we don't like. Could you help us find something amazing?
Some big-hitting designs can outstay their initial welcome and if you're spending serious money, you want to have enduring pieces. With this in mind, I'm regularly impressed by the work of Swedish company Offecct, particularly the Etage table, above. It's well considered and, I think, has the impact you're after.

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Restoring Singer sewing machine chairs

I have a set of Singer sewing machine chairs that have been rusting in the garden for years. We still use them, but I'm wondering whether it's possible to bring them up to date and weatherproof them?
You may want to consider galvanising them. Galvanising is a process of dipping steel/iron into molten zinc, giving an amazing crystalline patterned silver finish. You'll need to do some work to pare the chairs back to the metal, but the results should be worth the effort. Galvanising isn't that expensive, but it's probably worth asking a local metal fabrication firm whether they could get them dipped along with their own orders.

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On the hunt for Fifties Americana furniture

I love Fifties Americana and have been looking for authentic furniture for our dining room. I've seen some reproduction diner chairs and tables, but my heart's set on the real thing. Can you help?
There was a fad for diner style in the Eighties, then everyone got excited about Modernism and it was left in the design wilderness. As more people are embracing decorative interiors, it could be having another moment. It's getting harder to find, but companies such as Out Of Time cherry-pick the interesting stuff. Or check out Cola Red. It's been manufacturing its range since the Fifties, so is certainly authentic.

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Restoring Alvar Aalto 81A tables

We have two Alvar Aalto 81A tables but the linoleum tops have become sticky, which may be due to the heat of the sun or to using the wrong kind of polish. Is it possible to restore them, and what would you suggest?
It's unusual to have these problems with linoleum. Try cleaning it with water and a little vinegar, or washing-up liquid, then use furniture polish to protect it. If that doesn't work, try recovering it with Forbo's 'furniture linoleum'.

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Where can I find furniture with a Fifties theme?

We've just bought a small, Fifties apartment and want to get a new sofa that complements this era. Any suggestions?
There's a huge selection of second-hand Fifties furniture in retro shops right now. Once you've reupholstered, it can be on a par with buying a brand-new model. Designers are also using a Fifties theme to update furniture, which started a few years ago with the rediscovery of sideboards. My pick for you is Orla Kiely's Lusk sofa, around £1,953, from Heal's.

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Where can I find simple, modern beds for children?

We're going to be redecorating our children's bedrooms soon and the one thing I'm struggling to find is beds. They're either too babyish or themed. Where can I find simple, modern beds for children?
You're right – when it comes to children's beds, there isn't much choice out there. If a racing car in mdf is not your thing, then a more classic but simple bed is probably the only alternative. Take a look at the Vermont range of beds from Aspace (£342.55), which come with a neat pull-out drawer for storage – great for keeping clutter at bay or storing bedlinen. Also check out the Shaker beds at Warren Evans, or Wigwam's New England beds.

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Is it possible to have furniture re-veneered?

The veneer on my 10-year-old beech dining table has started to flake off. The table itself is solid, so I wondered whether there was a way of refinishing the top surface, either with a varnish or lacquer? I've also considered covering it with wallpaper under a glass top.
It is possible to have furniture re-veneered, but it's only worth doing so with something you really love. As this is a fairly modern piece, the idea of putting a print (that you can keep changing) under glass is a good one, as it will make it easier for you to refresh your interior. Get your local glass merchant to cut low-carbon glass (which has less of a green tint) to size, and have it hardened for safety.

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On the hunt for a stylish coffee table with hidden storage

I'm looking for a simple coffee table to hide clutter, but don't like lots of drawers. Any ideas?
I think Tema Home's Kyoto range may be just what you're after. Simple, sleek and with a magical top that slides open so you can dump everything into the base box below, it's available in sophisticated gloss black or white. Check the website for stockists.

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Where can I find contemporary bedroom wall cabinets?

My bedroom is so small, there's only room for one bedside table, so I'd like to install wall cabinets, too. Can you suggest a contemporary design that would work in a bedroom?
Built-in storage can be a good route to follow, but I'd consider taking a sideways step and look instead at some of the fold-out beds and storage combinations from Clei, which specialises in solutions for 'compact living'. Even if you choose not to go for the beds, the designs should give you some ideas if you're still thinking of getting built-in furniture made.

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Help! I can't find push-click catches for under-stairs cupboard

I've just had under-stairs cupboard doors fitted. I want to achieve a clean look, and was hoping to find push-click catches instead of door handles, so that when you push the door, it pops open. I've had no luck finding such a mechanism. Can you help?
You're looking for magnetic push catches, which a decent hardware shop, rather than the DIY superstores, should stock (or be able to order). In London, Franchi sells fittings like this. Online try doorhandles.co.uk.

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Slim seating for a kitchen-diner

I'm looking for a slim sofa (no more than 50cm deep) for my kitchen-diner. I've spent months searching for one with no luck. I'm now considering buying a garden bench and painting it so it doesn't clash with the oak floor. Do you think this will work, or is there a slim sofa that's eluded me?
I'm sure slim sofas don't exist (maybe there's an untapped niche there?). Your garden bench idea is probably the way to go, but why not have it upholstered or get padded loose covers made for extra comfort?

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Four-poster bed with beaded posts

There's a gorgeous four-poster bed, with the posts made from what looks like large round beads. Have you seen it?
It sounds like the Ball Poster Bed from The Conran Shop. Reminiscent of Brancusi's endless columns and Tommi Parzinger's Fifties beds, it's a real sculptural statement piece – with a £8,995 price tag to match.

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On the hunt for a modern dressing table

Does anyone make a modern-looking dressing table? I don't want anything 'shabby chic', just something very simple.
Dressing tables are difficult – the nice ones tend to command bespoke prices, so people often use console tables with a separate mirror. But my latest trawl for stand-alone dressing tables turned up this stained-oak veneer version from Dwell for £175. It also comes in natural oak veneer.

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What type of plywood do designers use for furniture?

I'd like to have some shelving made. What type of plywood do designers use for furniture?
High-grade birch ply has no knots or blemishes in the veneer of one side, and costs about £60 per 8ft x 4ft sheet. Next is standard grade, where knots have been repaired and filled (about £40 per sheet). Then come WBP boards (weather and boil proof), which are cheaper, but rougher (about £30 per sheet). Plywood should be cut on a decent table saw with an under cutter to avoid splinters and burn marks. And check the origin: new Chinese birch ply can have an inferior edge, while Finnish and Latvian is higher grade and environmentally certified. Try Lathams for good birch ply.

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On the hunt for metal bedside tables

About five years ago, we bought a gunmetal-grey bedframe from Feather & Black, but I am still searching for bedside tables to go with it. I've been looking for something quite boxy, as the metal of the frame is square, but most metal-framed bedside tables are rather ornate, and wooden styles don't look right. Any ideas?
There are a couple of black metal tables around that I really love, and that might work well for you. One option is Tom Dixon's pared-down cast-aluminium Link table, £190 from Nest, and another is the clean-lined, curved-edged cube Dadi table, £290 from Desalto.

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Free-standing screen for the bedroom

I'm looking for a free-standing screen that I can use in the bedroom to cover the corner where I keep my computer and work bits. Any ideas?
I've found two stylish metal designs. First, Andrew Tye's interpretation of my favourite screen by Eileen Gray, in a very slick range of coloured anodised aluminium finishes, from around £1,300 (tye3d.com). Second, from the Netherlands, are the beautifully woven Vider screens by Mark Jan Meerdink for Winoldi, produced in a mix of aluminium and rubberised materials, with prices from £2,600.

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Restoring an original Eames chair

I recently inherited an original Eames chair which is in need of repair. The leather seat cushion is worn and cracked and has split at the zip. I need to find someone who will restore it sensitively and who understands/appreciates its great design. Can you suggest who might be able to help me?
I wouldn't worry that you need to use a specialist. Any professional upholsterer will be able to replicate the design, pattern and stitch detailing, if you make it clear that's what you're after. Usually, the old cushion is taken apart to provide the pattern, so it's important that people keep these for the upholsterer to use. Find a local qualified upholsterer through the trade association website, upholsterers.co.uk.

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A modern take on a child's rocking chair

We've just had our first child, and it's got me thinking. I remember my mother having a rocking chair for the kids in our house when we were young. I'd love to find a more modern version for our home, and you might be able to help!
The rocking chair, along with the wingback chair, really is the fashionable furniture of the moment, but it's yet to hit the design stores fully. Ineke Hans has done a very solid and earthy version called Country Rock for Cappellini, which definitely gets my vote. It's made of solid lime wood and measures 63cm tall, so would be ideal for a child. More importantly, it should stand the test of time, so you can pass it on to future generations. It's available from Chaplins and costs from £1,665.

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On the hunt for a glam console table

I'm looking for a glamorous console table for my hall, in dark wood or black and not too expensive. I've seen some in photographs that are black or dark wood with stainless-steel edging, but I can't find them in the shops. I've also seen ones with a black snakeskin effect. Where's the best place to look?
Tracing specific furniture can be difficult as ranges change and sell out quickly, so having a loose brief like yours tends to yield better results. Here are a couple of options I've picked. Heal's has the now-classic Louis console table in black lacquer, £595, or cast an eye over Graham & Green's Mock Croc console in leather, with trendy chrome 'X' legs, £395.

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Sprucing up Arkana chairs

I've acquired six Arkana chairs, four with metal bases and two with white bases, but they're looking shabby. I was wondering whether to get the metal bases powder coated so they're white or will this ruin their value? Also what should I use to clean the plastic? Hope you can help.
Synthetic furniture doesn't age well, so anything you can do to make them fresher will be worth it. Powder coating is fairly inexpensive and gives a harder-wearing finish than spray paints. I'd suggest getting all the chairs done, so they're the same shade of white. As for cleaning, this will be a bit of an experiment. Try lighter fuel on difficult marks, but don't use solvent-based cleaners.

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Loose covers for a Modernist-style sofa

We have inherited a Modernist-style sofa which we want to have loose covers made for. We don't want to go for patterned fabric, but are rather looking for blocks of colour. Which do you think are the best fabric options for this type of sofa?
If you step into any decent store and sit on an expensive sofa, chances are it'll be covered in Bute fabric. It's the favourite fabric of architects and designers. Manufacturers on the idyllic Scottish isle of Bute produce a beautiful range of top-quality, colourful, natural wool weaves. New from Bute Fabrics is Barber Osgerby's Skye range, and that would be my first choice. It's available in 36 richly toned colours and costs around £70 per m.

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Bamboo units for the kitchen

We'd like to use bamboo units for our new kitchen, both for its sustainability and affordability, but the only ones I can find are from expensive companies who don't supply just the doors. Our kitchen is being built by a great local firm so we don't want to work with anyone else. Any ideas? Ideally we'd like them unfinished so we can stain them.

EcoImpact has a great range of panel products. Because of the block-board construction, I was concerned at first about warping, but I checked and they've had no reports of problems. Panels can be made in sizes up to 2.4m wide (minimum run, 10 panels), and 20mm thick seems to be the popular choice, which works out at around £80 per sq m.

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Deep-sided Japanese baths

We've been looking to buy a deep-sided bath, approximately 1m sq, but none of the bathroom shops we've been to seem to know of one. We recently stayed at a hotel in Cumbria, which had the very thing, but unfortunately the staff there didn't know who the supplier was. Can you help?

If only I had a pound for every time someone has written in about Japanese baths! Fortunately, the last time I had a question on this type of bath and drew a bit of a blank, I had a flood of emails all alerting me to the one company that does sell them in the UK – Omnitub. They come in two sizes similar to that which you're looking for, and are made in fibreglass, which means you can make a special order in the colour of your choice. Prices start from £455.

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Updating a 1960s sideboard

I have an old 1960s sideboard that I'd like to paint. I'd also like to remove all the ugly handles and keep it looking more modern with doors that push to open. What fittings do I need?

You need pressure catches, which are available at hardware shops. There are two types, magnetic and non-magnetic, and the magnetic is simpler looking, as it just needs a metal plate on the door not a protruding catch.

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Computer tables

I'm trying to find a desk to house my laptop and printer, but I want one that looks like a nice piece of furniture rather than office equipment. My laptop is also my music centre, so my speakers need to go somewhere, and I write a lot, so the desk needs to be comfortable with room for pens, paper etc. The only one I've seen is more than £1,000. Any cheaper suggestions?

Computers and monitors have moved on hugely in the last few years, but, sadly, affordable furniture to house them hasn't. It baffles me that 90 per cent of home office furniture is so crude and clunky. A couple of suppliers, however, stock a more refined selection: Laporta – try its compact Ivo desk – and Home Office Design – see its Swing and Space models.

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Modern upholstery

I have two wonderful Victorian grandmother and grandfather chairs that have been separated for the last 30 years. I have recently been given the grandmother chair and I'm now keen to update them both by re-covering them, maybe in some kind of suede or a Paul Smith-inspired striped fabric. Where can I find a supplier of material that doesn't cost the earth?

Furnishing fabrics can cost a lot but there is the odd manufacturer who does great fabrics for less, the best-known being Malabar. For a suede effect, take a look at its Shamois collection, available in about 40 colours, or for rich stripes there's a superb spectrum in its Teguzigalpa and Tarifa books. Your local upholsterer should have these ranges on file, and you can look online, too.

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How can I give my bedstead an antiqued look?

We want to give the wooden panelling and bedstead in our bedroom an antiqued look. Can you advise us on how to do this?
Rather than the shabby-chic method of waxing, painting and wire-wooling layers of paint, Mylands does something called Crackle Glaze, which the furniture trade uses to create the best effects. Paint the glaze over a base coat of emulsion and, while it's drying, add a top coat in another coloured paint. You can combine some fun shades if you experiment. Buy from theatrical suppliers Flints, from £29.10.

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