HOME HELP: 10 January
Q I have a lovely yet sad Art Deco Bakelite clock in need of a good clean and shine. Do you have any ideas?
J L-H, by email
A A tip I got from an antique dealer is to clean off all the grease and dirt with a typical household cleaner such as Mr Muscle. After the surface has dried, polish with Autosol (£4.16 for a 75ml tube). As for the glass clock face, apply a tiny bit of vinegar and rub briskly with newspaper.
Q A few years ago my husband brought back from Holland a covered triangular cheese dish suitable for holding a wedge of Brie. Sadly it is now broken. I would love to find another and have searched on the internet but to no avail. It was much shallower than the traditional tall triangular cheese dish intended to hold a wedge of Cheddar of which I can find plenty.
AW, by email
A These triangular dishes seem to be out of fashion at the moment, but a quick search on eBay revealed a few 19th-century ones for around £20. The wellknown Burleigh Pottery makes a blue and white cheese plate with a wedge lid, sold exclusively at Fortnum & Mason (£44). Vintage white ones can often be found on www.yayretro.co.uk
Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, London W1, 0845-300 1707, www.fortnumandmason.com
Q My sister and I are very arthritic and can no longer move our armchairs about. We have tried attaching plastic casters, but they are useless. Can you tell me if there is anywhere we can purchase the oldfashioned metal ones? PB, Kent
A JA Milton Upholsterers has a wide selection of casters in black metal and brass.
JA Milton Upholstery Supplies, Ellesmere Business Park, Ellesmere, Shropshire SY1, 01691-624023, www.jamiltonupholstery.co.uk
Send your queries to the usual Bedford Street address or email Hugh St Clair at hughstclair@googlemail.com
J L-H, by email
A A tip I got from an antique dealer is to clean off all the grease and dirt with a typical household cleaner such as Mr Muscle. After the surface has dried, polish with Autosol (£4.16 for a 75ml tube). As for the glass clock face, apply a tiny bit of vinegar and rub briskly with newspaper.
Q A few years ago my husband brought back from Holland a covered triangular cheese dish suitable for holding a wedge of Brie. Sadly it is now broken. I would love to find another and have searched on the internet but to no avail. It was much shallower than the traditional tall triangular cheese dish intended to hold a wedge of Cheddar of which I can find plenty.
AW, by email
A These triangular dishes seem to be out of fashion at the moment, but a quick search on eBay revealed a few 19th-century ones for around £20. The wellknown Burleigh Pottery makes a blue and white cheese plate with a wedge lid, sold exclusively at Fortnum & Mason (£44). Vintage white ones can often be found on www.yayretro.co.uk
Fortnum & Mason, 181 Piccadilly, London W1, 0845-300 1707, www.fortnumandmason.com
Q My sister and I are very arthritic and can no longer move our armchairs about. We have tried attaching plastic casters, but they are useless. Can you tell me if there is anywhere we can purchase the oldfashioned metal ones? PB, Kent
A JA Milton Upholsterers has a wide selection of casters in black metal and brass.
JA Milton Upholstery Supplies, Ellesmere Business Park, Ellesmere, Shropshire SY1, 01691-624023, www.jamiltonupholstery.co.uk
Send your queries to the usual Bedford Street address or email Hugh St Clair at hughstclair@googlemail.com