What my customers say
Over the years I’ve worked for many private individuals, antique dealers and well known public institutions. Here is a selection of testimonials from a few of them.
We have used Neil for over 25 years. His work is always of the highest standard and we have no hesitation in recommending him
For the past eight years Neil Wakeling has been one of my principal restorers of Georgian furniture and other artefacts. I have come to rely on his ingenuity and tenacity in coping with the often difficult and complicated problems that are thrown up by my diverse stock.
I am guilty of taking his skills for granted, but the end results are invariably satisfying to both of us.Michael Sim, Period Antique & Artifact dealer
Lancashire Coffer
When we bought this coffer it was plainly a nice piece of furniture but it looked battered and one of the original handles broke off when we moved it. Neil took it away and did the following magic:-
The coffer lid hinges up but it had warped 20mm and would not close flat, Neil opened up a joint between two of the planks, trimmed one of them and fastened them back together. The broken original handle was beyond repair, Neil sourced fitted and camouflaged a modern replacement, the replacement is identical, I know which one it was but doubt anyone can tell without me telling them. The drawers were worn and didn’t fit or run properly, they do now and I cant distinguish original wood from repair.
Bow Fronted Walnut Corner Unit.
We bought this from a dark corner of a junk shop, it was unloved with a thick film of dust under the door veneers were flakey and the doors didn’t close properly, having faith in Neil we bought it home and he went to work.
Today the doors meet, the walnut veneer glows and it is the focal point that people see when they enter our lounge. We are very pleased.Richard Oldfield, Valued Client.
Over the years we have inherited several items of valuable furniture, ranging from Longcase clocks to desks to very detailed occasional tables, and which have not been in particularly good condition. On each occasion we have turned to Neil to restore them, and the workmanship has been of the highest quality.
He has a very in-depth knowledge of all types of furniture and how to restore it. On one of the Longcase clocks, the top section of which had been removed and lost, he managed to restore it to its original design through research.
We would very highly recommend him to anyone with furniture which needs some exceptional TLC and attention.