From antique restoration to modern furniture finishing, we bring out the natural beauty of wood with traditional French polishing techniques.
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Expert French Polishing & Wood Restoration
A full range of traditional and modern wood finishing services, tailored to your piece.
French Polishing
Water rings or dull finishes on furniture restored to a high-gloss shellac surface with rubbing-pad application.
Antique Restoration
Sympathetic restoration of period furniture — we preserve character and patina while repairing damage.
Staircase Finishing
A hard-wearing, hand-polished finish that transforms your staircase and stands up to daily traffic.
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What You Get With Every Job
The parts of the work that make the difference, and what each one means for the finished piece.
By Hand
Every coat is worked into the grain with a rubbing pad rather than sprayed on, which is what builds the depth you can see across a room. It takes several sessions and cannot be rushed, but the finish lasts decades rather than months.
Repairs are matched to the original timber before any polish goes near the piece, so a mended veneer or a filled scratch disappears into the surface instead of announcing itself in daylight.
Staircases, fitted furniture and doors are finished in your home, worked in sections so the place stays usable. Smaller pieces come back to the workshop where the temperature and dust are controlled.
You get written care notes with every job — what to dust it with, what to keep off it, and how to have a dulled area re-polished later without stripping the whole piece back.
Every coat is worked into the grain with a rubbing pad rather than sprayed on, which is what builds the depth you can see across a room. It takes several sessions and cannot be rushed, but the finish lasts decades rather than months.
Antique tables, staircases and heirloom furniture, restored by hand across Essex.
Restored Victorian dining table
Hand-polished staircase
Refinished antique sideboard
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What French Polishing Really Involves
A hand-applied wood finishing technique trusted for centuries — and still the best way to bring out the natural beauty of timber.
French polishing is a traditional finishing method using shellac dissolved in denatured alcohol, applied in thin layers with a cotton pad known as a rubber. Unlike spray lacquers, each coat is worked into the grain by hand, building a depth and clarity that synthetic finishes cannot replicate on period hardwoods.
The process begins with surface preparation — stripping old finishes, repairing damage, grain-filling where needed, and colour-matching stains so repairs disappear into the original timber. The shellac is then built up over several sessions, each layer rubbed back and levelled before the next is laid on.
A completed French polish is warm, deep and naturally tactile, and lasts decades with proper care. We provide full aftercare guidance with every job, and a free assessment before any work starts — call us, or send a photo of the piece through the enquiry form and we will come back to you.
A guide to common jobs. Every piece is different, so we always confirm a written price after we've seen it.
Furniture Restoration
Job
From
Typical turnaround
Dining table re-polish
£280
3–5 days
Set of six dining chairs
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Caring for a French-Polished Finish
A little routine care keeps a shellac finish looking its best for decades.
Dust regularly with a soft, dry cloth and avoid silicone-based sprays, which build up and cloud the surface over time. For an occasional deeper clean, a barely-damp cloth followed immediately by buffing dry is all that is needed.
Keep pieces away from direct heat and strong sunlight, and always use coasters and felt pads under anything hot, wet or heavy. Should the finish ever dull or mark, a light re-polish restores it without the need to strip the whole piece — one of the quiet advantages of a traditional shellac finish.
Ready to Restore Your Wood?
Get a free, no-obligation quote today — send a photo and we'll do the rest.
A family-run French polishing workshop restoring period wood finishes across Essex. We assess each piece in person or from photos, agree a written price, and hand-finish every job using traditional shellac techniques.
We exist to preserve and restore period wood finishes for homeowners and businesses across Essex, with honest quotes and craftsmanship you can trust.
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Clear Quotes
Written estimates after inspection, with no hidden fees.
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Flexible Delivery
On-site or workshop collection with scheduled slots.
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Common Questions
Everything you need to know about French polishing and our services.
What is French polishing?
A traditional wood finishing technique using shellac applied by hand with a rubber pad. It produces a deep, warm lustre that modern spray finishes can't replicate.
How long does French polishing take?
Most single pieces take 2–5 days depending on size and condition. Larger projects like staircases may take a week. We'll give you a clear timeline upfront.
Do you work on-site or in your workshop?
Both. Smaller items are usually best done in our workshop for a controlled environment; staircases, fitted furniture and doors are done on-site.
Table & Desk Refinishing
Scratches, water rings and daily wear taken back to showroom quality.
Door Restoration
Interior and exterior doors stripped, repaired and beautifully finished.
Piano Polishing
Specialist shellac finishes restoring depth and clarity to pianos.
Colour Matching
Stains and finishes matched so repairs blend with the original piece.
On-Site Work
We come to you for staircases, fitted furniture and large pieces.
Insurance Repairs
Approved for fire, flood and accidental damage claims on all wood.
Every piece is finished by hand using traditional techniques for an unmatched result.
Honest, fixed pricing
Clear quotes with no hidden extras. The price we agree is the price you pay.
30+ years experience
Two generations of French polishers with the skills to handle any piece.
Fully insured
Every job is covered by comprehensive public liability insurance.
Workshop & on-site
We come to you for fitted pieces, or finish smaller items in our workshop.
A single coat slapped on without proper surface preparation.
Layered by hand
Multiple layers built up over days, each rubbed and levelled by hand.
Generic stain
Generic stain that hides the grain and character of the wood.
Colour-matched finish
A colour-matched finish that enhances the natural grain and patina.
Sympathetic restoration that preserves value and authenticity.
Heritage Properties
Listed buildings and period homes that require specialist care.
We examine the wood, agree the finish you want, and give a clear, honest written price.
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Expert Finishing
We carry out the work on-site or in our workshop, keeping you updated throughout.
£360
5–7 days
Antique sideboard or dresser
£320
4–6 days
Writing desk or bureau
£240
3–5 days
Repairs & Finishing
Job
From
Water-ring or heat-mark removal
£90
Colour matching, per item
£60
Veneer repair
£120
Staircase handrail, per flight
£450
Braintree
Don't See Your Area?
There's a good chance we cover it — drop us a message and we'll let you know.
