CarriageHouse Heritage Conservation, Costume & Craft

28/05/2026

Being a conservator requires pretty constant upskilling, and with the archives I often work with, there are ALWAYS questions about fixing books and paper.

I’ve been learning different new book binding techniques for a few months now (might even have to put some up here for sale… stay tuned!) but this was my first lesson in conservation binding that goes beyond a basic saddle-bound book and tear repairs in paper.

Not ready to offer this advanced repair technique yet, by any means, but I thought you’d all like a look, and I also wanted to give a shout out to my AMAZING teacher, Isabelle McGowan at Bindery.

If you want some lessons in a great environment, she’s your lady!

28/05/2026

Another work in progress, this time a cast iron bed designed by the great 19th master Dr Christopher Dresser. Rusty, chipped, with no remaining springs, it is still a significant piece (in fact the specialists at the Dolman Museum have never seen one).

To highlight the significance of the design, and knowing that Dresser can carry a very modern colour really well, the client chose aquamarine (another common choice is canary yellow). But first all the rust needed removing with a careful sand-blast, and several coats of primer and colour. Next, we need to convert it carefully to wooden slats for a modern mattress, and you can see it in all its glory (when this rain stops!!).

28/05/2026

I’ve realised it’s been a while since I updated this page as we have been dealing with family concerns. There is still probably a fair bit to add if I go looking!

Today a local lady came to me asking me to fix her little-one’s favourite teddy as he was coming apart at the seams. Turns out though, that he’s from the 1960s, passed from Grandmother to mother to daughter to great granddaughter. Of course he deserves some TLC after 60-ish years!

Something to bear in mind though (no pun intended): this poor bear is stuffed with an old kind of foam filler. This is made with chlorides which after even 20-30 years will be breaking down. Chlorides are extremely toxic, even carcinogenic to humans. When liquefying, which they do, they can cause skin to burn and dizziness as an immediate effect.

No criticism of mum here at all. In fact I realise that my own favourite childhood toy has been overlooked and probably has the same issue!

PSA: But please consider changing the stuffing out for some nice inert non-toxic polyfilla ASAP. You can see in the second photo what I am talking about: the coloured upholstery foam scraps are all discolored and a bit shrunken, which is not a great sign. I’ll be pulling out my nitrile gloves.

Follow along as Mr Bear gets a good work over, seams checked, cleaned, repaired and re-stuffed before he goes back to his newest little girl!

14/04/2026

Conservation around your home:

A gentle reminder to take care of the timbers in your home. Wood is robust but can dry out, shrink and crack over longer periods inside, and quite quickly outdoors.

This beautiful carving of the Maori weather god Tawhiri Matea was made in 1971, and was hiding behind a larger picture on a shelf. He probably hasn’t seen oil since the day he was made, and he is very well travelled (12 moves and three countries…) A little orange oil after a good dusting, and he looks much better! Beeswax polish is often more appropriate for furniture (especially European) so have a few options to hand.

31/08/2025

Some of our metals conservator Karl Cook’s recent work. This rusted mess on the left is actually a Victorian door knocker/letter slot designed by Christopher Dresser. There are still some finishing touches to complete repairs and stabilisation on the right, but the difference is huge already!

Do you have some ironwork you love, but it’s looking a bit sad? Drop us a message!

16/05/2024

In the process of mounting and stretching two Berlin Work cushion covers for framing. Family heirlooms German heritage and of uncertain age (though probably at least approaching 100 years old, if not made c.1919), used as dining chair seats for decades before cleaning, trimming with new cord, and mounting on the striped backing cloth. Wish I had the before photos, because they are ten shades lighter!

01/02/2024

I bought the FiestaWare plate at an antique store for $9. The marbles and uranium ore came from United Nuclear, and the banana... well, I can't tell you whe...

01/02/2024

Think everything you have in your home is safe? Don't panic about uranium glass (a cabinet full gives off less radiation than your TV set). Some ceramic glazes, however?!

I bought the FiestaWare plate at an antique store for $9. The marbles and uranium ore came from United Nuclear, and the banana... well, I can't tell you whe...

03/06/2023

A stunning crocheted 1940s Christening jacket in cotton had silverfish damage to the bodice. Most of the repair is invisible, but ribbon added a nice touch and hid old damage.

23/05/2023

Well wow!