Restoring a Stokke Duo Balans chair

I set about restoring a 25-year-old Stokke chair. The varnish had yellowed and chipped in places. The leather was not damaged but had faded badly. The original deep blue had taken on an unpleasant purplish tinge. The leather had also become shiny and worn-looking.

I started by stripping the woodwork. Rather than applying a varnish, I opted for a soaped wood finish. The result is extraordinary. The wood (ash) is silky and has regained its light colour.

For the leather, I did a lot of research on the internet and finally chose Sofolk for its range of products, the tutorials and the price. I opted for a restoration kit and chose a custom colour match using a small leather sample that had been protected from light and air. Delivery to Belgium took a little while because of Covid.

For the restoration, I followed the advice to the letter, concentrating on cleaning the greasy areas (very, very important!!). The colouring is easy to do. You just need to be meticulous and patient. Leave it to dry properly between applications. I finished with a matt varnish. The result is absolutely stunning. My leather has regained its original colour and the contrast between the dark blue leather and the light wood is magnificent.

I hesitated for a long time before starting this restoration, fearing I would do more harm than good, but I was wrong. There is no need to hesitate. Follow the advice and go for it. I got an enormous amount of pleasure from doing this work.

Thank you to the Sofolk team for their kindness and their advice.