Return to splendour

The decorative wood panelling, mouldings and corbels in the Old High Court building are just as much a part of its historic character as the Palladian-inspired facade, and restoring these features was a key part of the Supreme Court project.

Exclusive Furniture Company, a Palmerston North-based company that specialises in furniture manufacture and antique furniture restoration, was contracted to completely restore all the timber panelling in Courtrooms 1 and 2, and the spiral staircase in the entryway.

Director Brian Hookham and estimator Bruce Syder say the project included stripping all the walls, patching nail and cable holes, repolishing and varnishing the panels, and restoring the dramatic baldacchino above the judge's bench in Courtroom 1.

"Much of the original panelling was considerably damaged to the extent that we had to dismantle and completely rebuild a third of it," says Syder. "A lot of the carving was also missing. The new woodwork features similar rimu and kauri, and exactly replicates the original panelling, so it is impossible to tell the difference between new and old."

Hookham says Exclusive Furniture had two teams working on the restoration in Wellington and another team of craftsmen working in the Palmerston North factory. "Precise site measurements ensured every panel and moulding fitted exactly as planned."

Exclusive Furniture Company

PO Box 5038, Palmerston North 4441Phone (06) 357 6429 Fax (06) 357 6696www.exclusivefurniture.co.nz interiors@exclusivefurniture.co.nz

Story by: Trendsideas