Welcome to "The Workshop"

Welcome to The Workshop – a new part of the Oakes Restoration website where I can share more of what goes on behind the bench and in my workshop.

For more than three decades, I have dedicated myself to learning, refining and mastering the craft of restoration. Much of that knowledge has been built through hands-on experience – understanding how furniture was originally made, how materials behave over time and how best to return strength and beauty without compromising authenticity.

There is a real sense of pride in carrying out work properly. Not simply making something look better, but understanding its structure, its history and the techniques required to treat it with respect.

Second only to the joy of seeing the delighted face of my clients as I return their artifact is getting to answer the questions that follow:

How did you match that design so precisely?

How did you recreate the arms/legs?

I can't see it! Can you remind me where the original blemish was?

Every piece is unique. Often, the real story of a piece only becomes clear once the work is underway. Layers are removed, hidden details emerge and careful decisions are made that shape the final result.

This new section of the website will allow me to share those customer journeys both old and new and share some general insights into the restoration process

With permission from the clients I look forward to sharing some before, during and after photos of the restoration process.

In addition, I also plan to use this space to give a better understanding of the craft and explain some of the various terminology, processes and tools used in my work.

Thank you for taking an interest in my work. I look forward to sharing more with you soon.

David Oakes

Oakes Restoration