The Story Behind a Restoration: From Worn Out to Showroom

Every piece of furniture has a story. This mahogany wardrobe had served a family in Thika for over 30 years before the joints started giving way and the finish dulled to a grey-brown.

The Assessment

When the wardrobe arrived at our Juja workshop, the doors were hanging at an angle, two drawer runners had split, and the original shellac finish had crazed badly. But the mahogany itself was solid - 40mm thick panels with beautiful grain.

The Process

We stripped the old finish completely, repaired the split runners with new hardwood inserts, re-cut the door hinges for proper alignment, and re-glued every joint with waterproof wood glue clamped for 24 hours.

The Finish

Three coats of hand-rubbed tung oil brought the mahogany back to life - deep, warm, and with a natural sheen that no polyurethane can match.

The Result

The family couldn't believe it was the same piece. The wardrobe now sits in their daughter's new home in Nairobi, ready for another 30 years.

That's what restoration means to us - not just fixing furniture, but preserving the stories built into it.