Beginners Vintage Furniture Restoration Course

Our beginners vintage furniture restoration course is a warm, practical 4-week course for anyone who loves vintage furniture and wants the confidence to care for it, improve it, and bring a piece back to life—without the overwhelm.

You’ll work on your own small piece with guidance each week, learn what actually makes a difference, and leave with new skills, new friends, and a home that feels more “you.”

Over four relaxed weekly sessions, we’ll teach the fundamentals of simple restoration and long-term care—things like stabilising wobbles, improving drawers and doors, refreshing tired finishes, and making smart choices about what’s worth doing (and what to leave alone). This is not a hardcore tool workshop. It’s a supportive studio-style course designed to be beginner-friendly, low-mess, and genuinely useful.

To keep it enjoyable (and safe), we focus on techniques you can repeat at home, with a clear structure, a small group, and plenty of time for questions.

What you’ll learn:

• How to assess a piece: solid timber vs veneer, structure, and what’s realistic
• Simple fixes that transform usability: wobble/stability, drawers, doors, hardware
• Cleaning and care that protects character: patina-safe revival (without ruining finishes)
• How to refresh and protect surfaces so your piece is easy to live with
• The “your eye” framework: what makes a piece worth saving, and how to style it with confidence

What you’ll work on:

Bring one small-to-medium piece to improve over the 4 weeks. You’ll get guided help, a plan for your piece, and progress each session. If you finish you are welcome to bring another piece.

What’s included:

• 4 weekly sessions (small group support) Limited to 10 per intake.
• A practical course guide + checklists
• $50 store credit to use at Plots & Pickles (perfect for pairing pieces, hardware, or finishing touches)
• Time to browse the space and ask questions each week

Who it’s for

• You love furniture with character and want practical skills
• You’ve got a piece at home that’s “nearly great”
• You want a calm, social course to do solo or with a friend/mum/daughter

Who it’s not for:)

• Full stripping, sanding clouds, spray painting, or heavy power-tool projects
• Large furniture drop-offs or major structural rebuilds
  
  We do have a full workshop so we can explore more options as required.

Types of projects:

• tightening and stabilising (chairs, tables)
• minor glue repairs (simple joins)
• drawer/door alignment + glide improvements
• hardware swaps (handles/hinges)
• gentle clean + revive + wax/oil protection
• touch-ups and small surface refreshes

Not allowed:

• chemical stripping
• heavy sanding (especially painted surfaces)
• spray painting
• major rebuilds
• anything too large/heavy to manage safely

What you can bring:

Must be carried by one person and fit comfortably in the space.
Great examples: chair, stool, bedside, small side table, small drawers, mirror, small shelving.

Email/DM a photo + dimensions after booking.

Location:
Plots & Pickles Vintage Store, 37 Manly Park Avenue, Manly, Whangaparaoa

4-week structure

Week 1: Assess + plan + first fixes (stability + “what matters most”)
Week 2: Drawers/doors/hardware week (big usability wins)
Week 3: Clean + revive + protect finishes (patina-safe)
Week 4: Final polish + styling/pairing tips + next steps

Policies

Transfers: You can transfer to another intake if there’s space (up to 72 hours before start).
Missed sessions: We can’t offer make-up classes, but you’ll get the guide/notes and we’ll help you catch up next week.
Refunds: Refundable up to 7 days before course start (or credit within 24 hours).

FAQs

Do I need experience?
No. This is designed for beginners.

Do I need to bring tools?
No. We’ll have basics available. If you want, you can bring your own favourite screwdriver.

Will we use power tools?
No—this course is intentionally low-mess and low-risk. (But we are flexible if needed).

Can I come with a friend?
Yes—many people do. Each person needs their own ticket (and ideally their own piece).

How does the $50 store credit work?
You’ll receive it at the first session and it can be used in-store or online within 30 days.