FURNITURE RESTORATION & FRENCH POLISHING

CLASSES/COURSES

Frank van Brunschot has been teaching part time for 10 years. He is a qualified cabinetmaker with a bachelor of Arts degree (Honours) from Australian National university. Frank has run classes from his own workshop and has also taught cabinetmaking apprentices at Tafe skills tech.

TEACHING PHILOSPHY

Frank teaches all aspects of Antique furniture restoration. Franks approach to teaching is very hand on, guiding students through practical demonstrations and discussion. Class sizes are kept small as each student works on there own project and receives tuition individually tailored to their experience and skills. Classes are generally a mix of people with very different life experiences and skills. This makes for an interactive learning environment where students learn from each other as well as the teacher.

FRENCH POLISHING

Frank is an expert French polisher and a committed advocate of its use. Unfortunately French polishing is a lost skill among contemporary furniture restorers who favor the speed and convenience of sprayed lacquer. Shellac based French Polish is the appropriate finish for antique and period furniture. Frank can guide students through the different stages and techniques of the polishing process and help students achieve an exquisite finish.

FURNITURE RESTORATION

Furniture restoration can be done without expensive equipment and machines. Frank is a qualified cabinetmaker with expert knowledge of traditional joinery and construction techniques. Frank can show students the correct use of hand tools and the numerous methods of assessing and repairing damaged furniture.