Orkney Chair restoration and repair.

Having now located a UK supplier for Oat straw, we’re super excited to offer repair and restoration to Orkney chairs.

Orkney chairs have a rich history rooted in the Orkney Islands of Scotland, dating back to at least the 19th century, probably much earlier. Traditionally handmade by local craftsmen, these chairs were originally built from driftwood, which was scarce on the treeless islands. The distinctive high backs were crafted from oat straw or bent reeds, with seats being made from seagrass or cord were designed to shield sitters from cold drafts in stone cottages.

It is now an endangered furniture making practice with only a couple of people still making them - officially listed on the endangered heritage crafts list! If you’ve got one, think about consolidation, repair and preservation before it’s too late. Drop me a line with anything you might like to discuss about your chair.

The timeless Carimate by Magistretti

Vico Magistretti stands out as a master of elegance, innovation, and functional simplicity. Among his many contributions to the world of furniture design, Magistretti's chairs are some of the most enduring and beloved creations — celebrated for their minimalism, comfort, and thoughtful engineering.

Magistretti had a unique ability to blend traditional craftsmanship with modernist ideals. His designs, including the famed Carimate Chair, reflect a sensitivity to both form and function. The Carimate, with its rustic yet refined woven seat and solid wood frame, bridges rural aesthetics with urban sophistication. And is still so fashionable, functional and comfortable.

Today, Magistretti’s chairs are collectors’ items and continue to inspire contemporary designers. Whether you're a design enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates beautiful, functional furniture, a Carimate chair is more than just a place to sit — it’s a piece of design history.

Drop me a line if you’re looking to have one of these restored or the seat replaced, and we can discuss the options for your furniture.

What's been going on since the New Year ?

We now have a much wider reach across the South West of England with a base in Ilminster, Somerset. We will now be covering all the way from the depths of Cornwall, up through Devon, Somerset and Dorset.

Get in touch with us for more info on how we can help your furniture.

What's on my chair?

Rattan, cane, wicker, bamboo, fibre, cordon, rush, you name it we can all get confused with what’s what when it comes to seat weaving and what's been used on your chair.

With the idea of passing on furniture items to family and friends for its next life becoming more prevalent we’re here to provide you with a specialist restoration service for your seating. We even offer bespoke weaving services for fine furniture makers and designers looking for a higher end level of finish.

Covering the majority of the South West including Somerset, Devon and Cornwall and occasionally the rest of the South and London we’re always happy to arrange collections and deliveries or whatever suits.

For more information drop us an email to boughtwoodrestoration@gmail.com