Johnson Tiles are specialists in geometric Victorian tiles, which are part of Britain’s heritage. They were used originally to adorn medieval churches and monasteries, but can also be found on front paths all over the country. You could also try Craven Dunnill Jackfield, who are expert at manufacturing hand made encaustic and geometric floor tiles and can match existing or create new patterns.

There are two types of gilding used on mirrors: oil gilding using a type of glue based on linseed oil with gold leaf laid on with a gilder’s knife, tip and cushion; or water gilding, a more intricate process which consists of applying a series of coats of gesso, layers of bole ( a refined clay in a variety of colours), on top of which gold leaf is applied, then a protective coat of ormolu. You might wish to see samples of each type before you decide how you would like your mirror to be refinished. Specialists in gilding include the following companies: E & A Wates, Bourlet, Titian Studios.

E & A Wates provides restoration services for all types of furniture: structural work to loose joints and drawer runners, replacing or treating woodwormed sections, veneering cutting in leather tooled tops to desks and conservation work. Also French polishing, cane and rush work, carving and gilding and everything from making new table leaves to creating replica chairs and designing marquetry to disguise damaged surfaces www.eawates.com.

We suggest you try The Association of Master Upholsterers’ website, www.upholsterers.co.uk  . If you link to their directory you will see a regional list of qualified upholsterers who could help you. Speak to a few on the list to see if they could recover your sofa in leather and find out what each would charge. It might also be useful to see examples of their work.

J.Milton Upholstery Supplies has a very comprehensive range of DIY upholstery materials for sale by mail order or online. They stock four sizes of weaving cane for chairs, as well as natural and artificial rush, and useful handbooks. Visit their website www.jamiltonupholstery.co.uk.

Craven Dunnill Jackfield are specialists in restoration projects, working closely with architects, conservators and companies such as the National Trust and English Heritage. Their heritage range includes a wide choice of Victorian, Art Nouveau and striking geometric Art Deco wall tiles, as well as encaustic and geometric floor tiles. They offer a colour matching service for customers wishing to restore an original feature, but will also reproduce other designs to match originals. Just contact them for a quotation – all they need is an image of the pattern. An actual sample would be needed for manufacture. www.cravendunnill-jackfield.co.uk. You might also have a look at the real platinum and gold Art Deco tiles from Original Style. Look under 6” traditional decorated tiles on www.originalstyle.com.

If you are looking for a small amount of braid it might be best to visit either John Lewis or Peter Jones; both have good curtain departments with a huge selection of trimmings. If you are after a specialist manufacturer, we suggest you try either Brian Turner Trimmings (manufacturers of furnishing trimmings to Her Majesty the Queen) www.trimmings.org.uk , Henry Newbery & Co www.henrynewbery.co.uk or Wendy Cushing Passementerie www.wendycushing.com.