Barleytwist chair is now sold but we have lots more interesting chairs here at Little Glebe

See Furniture For Sale page for further details.

About us

Susan (née Handy) and Malcolm Routh; a husband and wife team based in Buckerell, Nr Honiton, Devon

We moved from Maidenhead, Berkshire in May 2013  which has proved very popular with people en route from London and home counties to Devon and Cornwall.

Susan holds a BA (Hons) in Furniture Restoration from Buckinghamshire New University.

What we used to do - but not any more!!!

We replace woven seating to chairs, stools etc using Cane, Seagrass, Danish and other paper cords and Riempie.  We are also able to make some repairs to Lloyd loom and 'wicker' and undertake a limited amount of rushing.

And about to start on the seats from a Fiat 500 Jolly.

Sue specializes in the exacting finishing styles of French and continental caning and has a particular interest in Thonet and other bentwood furniture.

We are able to carry out some structural repairs and restoration using traditional techniques and materials.

to get an idea of the cost of reweaving a seat visit the Information & Pricing page.

If we can't fix it we can recommend someone who can.  See the Links page for other restorers and interesting websites.

I am gradually adding links to sites local to us here in the South West.

"Although not the cheapest or the quickest we have been told that our workmanship is second to none."

What do we sell?

Furniture

Interesting antique and vintage pieces, mainly chairs.  Especially child/doll-size and folding chairs i.e. steamer chairs - the smaller and more interesting the better, although we do have several larger chairs, with character.

We always have a stock of small Victorian bedroom chairs which make ideal occasional chairs for entertaining, especially at Christmas.  But be sure to put your most delicate guest on the most delicate chair!

All items for sale can be found on the

For Sale Page  - which needs updating!

We also have a very large selection of chairs that are "ripe for restoration" for those of you who would like to Do It Yourselves.

Fully restored sedan chair sold very successfully at auction in Exeter. 

See News, Events & Links page

for latest information and a growing local link section.

Where do we sell it?

Buckerell -  From our workshop/showroom at Little Glebe, Glebe Farmhouse, Buckerell, Nr Honiton.

Please ring before visiting.

Shows

We are no longer exhibiting regularly at shows.

News Page

Riempie

From South Africa.  What's that?  See Information & Prices page. 

South African Chair reseated with new white riempies

One from a set of 4 - Now Sold

Download instructions for DIY riempieing

What else do we sell?

Materials

Real South African white riempies and raw riempie which is the same as rawhide

Cane: - hand,beading, lapping and pegging 

Mostly 'Gold Label' which is far superior to other cane but still not as good as we used to get

Seagrass,

We recognize that there are many of you out there who can Do-It-Yourself but only need enough materials for one or two chairs. 

Therefore we are happy to supply small quantities of anything that we stock.

We also have raw riempie or more usually recognisable as rawhide.

Raw rimpie is the correct material for  antique South African chairs.  It is a little more difficult to use but still easy as a DIY project.

Rawhide is the traditional material used on North American canoes.  We have both 6mm and 8mm widths.

Mail Order Page

A magnificent late 18th Century chair with a new raw riempie seat. 

Old Raw Riempie on the chair above before it was re strung

Jacquard Woven Belgium Tapestry panels

Over the years many clients have expressed a wish to use unfinished tapestry panels to make their own cushions (or take to a soft furnishing specialist).

We believe that we have sourced the very best quality tapestries and tapestry fabric available.

Summer Beaches

Visit our Belgian Tapestry page.

Just a few panels left and will not be re-stocking

The panels will make into beautiful pictures with an added dimension.

The scope of use for these unfinished tapestry panels is limited only by your imagination.

Mail Order Prices

Now in Stock

Medieval to Monet

Flower Fairies to Fine Art

Cord seating and Rush Seating also available

See the Kits and Books page for details

A variation of the snowflake pattern

Joining new rush with a half hitch

Weaving the standard 6-way pattern

Environment, Education and Aims

We have always promoted the green side of furniture restoration in general and, seat weaving in particular.  Antique caned and rushed chairs were made when labour and materials were cheap; they were always intended to be reseated thus keeping them clean and fresh for the next generation. 

There is now an environmental impact caused by the use of rattan cane and seagrass in mass produced modern furniture.

For instance, the over use of rattan has caused problems of depletion in the forests of Indonesia.  Likewise, the over use of seagrass is causing problems in the areas where it is harvested.  As with turtle shell and ivory, it would be a shame if these materials were no longer available for antique furniture because of modern fashions.

But what could be more sustainable that reseating a chair with rushes cut from the Somerset levels.

Invest in the future, recycle the past

The Heritage Crafts Association's president

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales

At its Spring Conference on 19 March 2011, the HCA announced the Prince of Wales as its inaugural President.

The Heritage Crafts Association is the advocacy body for traditional heritage crafts. Working in partnership with Government and key agencies, it provides a focus for craftspeople, groups, societies and guilds, as well as individuals who care about the loss of traditional crafts skills, and works towards a healthy and sustainable framework for the future

Beautiful mahogany medallion back - before

 - and after

Request

Please, if you copy ANYTHING from my website, would you please have the courtesy to acknowledge from whence it has come.

Rushed Seat - before

- and after

Our waiting list is now closed

Glebe Farmhouse, Buckerell, Nr Honiton, Devon.  EX14 3EP

Mobile:  07790 984824

Email:  suzandycrafts@gmail.com