Does horsehair stuffing need replacing?

Traditional horsehair lasts decades if it stays dry. Damp environments cause the natural fibres to break down and lose their bounce. Upholsterers only remove it when the underlying springs fail. They often wash and tease the original hair to reuse it in the same seat.

Can you change the castors?

Most original brass castors are pegged into the timber legs. Removing them risks splitting the wood. A restorer can fit protective cups beneath the wheels. This saves the floor and keeps the frame intact.

We have this very heavy old piece with curved ends and I just wonder if it is meant to sit right up against the wall or out in the middle of the room?

Sofas with flat unpolished backs were built to stand against the wall. The rear framework consists of plain pine or beech rather than expensive show-wood. Pieces intended for the centre of a room have show-wood running all the way around. The back panel will be fully upholstered or feature polished mahogany. Check the rear legs. If they rake backwards sharply, the seat needs the wall space to prevent it tipping.

My husband thinks we should strip the dark finish off the frame to make it match our light oak floor but I am worried that will damage the wood underneath?

Stripping antique mahogany ruins the patina built up over generations. The rich colour comes from years of wax and light exposure rather than modern stains. Stripped frames often reveal uneven timber colours. Makers frequently joined different cuts of wood beneath the dark polished finish. Clean the surface with a mild wax reviver instead. This lifts surface grime without destroying the character of the piece.

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Victorian Mahogany Sofas

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Antique mahogany sofas are long upholstered seats set upon carved wooden frames, designed to anchor a drawing room while offering guests a place to sit together.