Chinese antique furniture displays an attitude of beauty and perfection.  It is an ingenious engineering achievement harmonising natural timber with the creative abilities of man to create beautiful yet functional pieces of art.   These are living objects and restorable after decades or even centuries of use.  They showcase the quality and sophistication of ancient Chinese workmanship.

Humble House is dedicated to bringing this furniture to life.  Each piece, after a careful restoration is an object of inspiration to remind us of human spirit and creativity.

Humble House is based in Beijing and sources old and antique furniture from around the country.  In the workshop the furniture is treated according to principles of conservation and restoration.

We acknowledge and respect the skill of the cabinetmaker and the pieces they produced all those years ago.  We understand that furniture wears with age, every mark shows how the piece was used.  It is this patina acquired over many years that gives the furniture its individual characteristics and special appeal.

Chinese furniture is based on complex variations of mortise and tenon joinery supported with wedges and animal hide glues.  A distinct advantage of this construction over nails, screws and modern adhesives is that traditional Chinese furniture can, in the right hands, be completely disassembled.  All parts of the frame and each panel can be cleaned and repaired as necessary.  The furniture can then be reassembled to its original strength.  This approach follows the intention of the cabinetmaker who first made the piece knowing it would receive further work at some time in the future.

All our work is undertaken in a manner that is sympathetic to the original integrity of the piece.  To reach this standard we have engaged craftsmen who are knowledgeable about the design and construction of the furniture.  They are committed to achieving an outcome for each piece of furniture that preserves its patina while returning its former strength and integrity.

Each part of the process is complex as each piece must be treated on its merits, no two items of furniture go through exactly the same process.  Only people with skill, patience and devotion can do this work successfully so the workshop is small and the output modest.

Furniture from Humble House is subtly different.  Each piece exudes an inner strength that reflects the care taken and stands naturally as if it has always been there waiting to be used.  It is our wish that each piece will become a part of the family to be admired for many years to come.