Breathing new life into tired timbers

We talk quite a bit these days about our re-upholstery work – there is something extremely satisfying about seeing rather scruffy, old, tired, sometimes pretty boring items brought back to life when they get the rhbr brand of TLC. New fabrics, new foams and a bit of fairy dust make the world of difference – it’s like putting your seating into a whole new dimension.

We had the enormous pleasure at the back end of last year of working with Pembroke College on the refurbishment of their Broadgate Hall fellows’ common room – the most glorious graceful space dominated by an enormous bay window looking out onto one of the quadrangles. In keeping with the setting, the sofas and armchairs were very traditional in style but had definitely seen better days – you could say they were well-loved.

The college had engaged an interior designer to work on all the finishes – wallcoverings, curtains and upholstery fabrics – and we worked closely with him to agree the final details for each of the pieces involved. Whether piping would be appropriate or (in some cases) too fussy, where scatter cushions would provide the right finishing touches, how contrasting fabrics might best be used, how to overcome some of the inevitable challenges along the way – working with pieces like this is always an unknown until work starts.

The end result is stunning. Old surroundings and furniture returned to understated but opulent elegance and, even given the grandeur of the surroundings, the room succeeds in feeling welcoming, comfortable and cosy.

Daisy Jowers was kind enough to say “It was a pleasure to work with the rhbr team, whose craftmanship and attention to detail was second to none. The quality of the reupholstered furniture is top tier, and the communication throughout the process was excellent. Our Fellows are very happy with the new room, and it’s breathed fresh life into one of our oldest buildings.”

The interior designer, Bernard Wallwork of Brownsville Design, added “Working with rhbr on the Pembroke College project has been an absolute delight. I visited their workshop and met with the team. Throughout the process they were communicative and gave helpful advice. They were very accommodating and worked speedily and efficiently. Most importantly, the finished products are beautifully crafted and have been greeted with universal approval. In one word: superb!”