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For sale fully renovated 1960's original Ercol Windsor Drop Leaf Coffee Table with the magazine rack below and a drop leaf at each end. A useful addition to your home.
This iconic piece was designed by Lucian Ercolani and manufactured in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and is now back in fashion (keenly collected and highly regarded). Ercol furniture is synonymous with good design, quality materials and craftsmanship and is built for longevity. This is a real eye catching piece of vintage retro furniture which is no longer in production.
The rectangular top (light finish) is made from planks of nicely figured solid English elm with the grain across the width. The sides and ends of the table are gently curved, the corners are radiused and the edges rounded over. The table is supported on taper turned beech legs set at a splayed angle. The table has a magazine / books rack under the main table top which consists of 7 runs.
Size of the coffee table (approximately):
Length: 42.5" (108cm), when extended with one leaf 53" (134cm), with two leaves 63" (160cm)
Depth: 18" (46cm)
Height: 14" (36.5cm)
This coffee table has been professionally restored to its original condition and is being sold in as new condition. It has been striped of all old polish, any dents or scratches removed, re-stained (the top) and re-polished (three coats of extra durable, water and heat resistant varnish) to a pristine condition. It is free of any damage, repairs or wear to joints. Original ‘Ercol made in England’ label is still attached.
Please see pictures for a better idea of the condition. I have tried to show colours as accurately as possible but please remember colours do appear differently on some monitors.
Item is located in E7 9JX. I can deliver it in person to any London address for an extra £45. Delivery to London vicinity area is also possible at a small cost. London deliveries are only available on late evenings during the week. I am more flexible with the delivery time on weekends. Please feel free to collect the item in person.
Why vintage furniture?
Selection of these very special pieces.
I am very selective in choosing and finding the pieces for restoration. I am passionate about what I do and give all my hart to do it right. What I get in reward is very positive response from my clients and absolute pleasure of working with one of the most beautiful timber - English Elm. Sadly English Elm was outnumbered in early 70's by Dutch Elm Disease and as a result 25-30 millions of elm trees were exterminated and burned down to prevent the disease spread. This disaster changed the furniture - makers industry and substantially limited supply of elm mainly imported from other countries. There is a great distinction between wild English Elm and its imported farmed cousin. The English Elm has got a unique grain which has been shaped by nature in its wild environment. Most of my pieces are made of English Elm what makes them very special not only to me but the most important to my clients.
About restoration process.
The aim of each restoration process is to bring the piece to the condition as close to the original factory finish as it is possible. I am very devoted to ensure texture, colour and finish consistency with the original condition of the item. It is very difficult and time consuming process where the old finish is carefully hand sanded to the bare wood. I choose not to use a mechanical sander as it does not allow to control the thickness of removed surface. After using few different grains of a sanding paper, when the surface is smooth the piece can be stained back to its original colour and finally varnished. I use high specification, extra durable (water and heat resistant), solvent free varnish which is safe in contact with skin, food and can be safely used by your family or even pets. The varnish is applied using high quality pure bristle brush and I pay special attention to re-sanding any lifted woodgrain in between coats. Each piece gets three coats of varnish to achieve durability and quality of the surface.
What makes my restored pieces different than the others?
I often get question regarding the difference between my items and other similar vintage items available on the market. My answer is very simple. It is the selection, restoration process and the time I invest in each piece what makes the difference. Many sellers do not follow the restoration process and often use shortcuts to save the time and cost. I strongly advise all my clients to avoid disappointment and buying items which were not properly restored to the original condition. When you consider buying the vintage piece from another seller, please pay full attention to avoid:
• items cleaned only (without sanding down an old finish) and one coat of varnished applied - extra coat of varnish may peel off or flake shortly after the purchase;
• items only partially restored, for example where the table top is re-varnished and the back side of the table and the legs are left un-restored or dirty;
• items sanded down and oiled - oiling is a very quick process which does not offer the same durability as varnish and will require repetitive conservation; it will also darken in time and be sensitive to staining and watermarks. Ercol pieces were originally varnished / lacquered therefore they should not be oiled as it is against restoration principles. Items reconditioned inconsistently with manufacturer specification will most likely not hold its value should you wish to re-sell it later on;
• items reconditioned with poor quality finish (raised wood grain resulting in porous surface, discoloured wood where originally stained wood was not re-stained or stained to non original colour).