Craft is making a comeback on TV of late…. miniatures on Tiny Oz and artisans on Making It, are joined by local series The Repair Shop Australia.
Based on a UK format and adapted by Warner Bros Australia this series is hosted by builder Dean Ipaviz, who previously featured on ABC’s Escape from the City.
One hour episodes feature 3 stories in which Aussies front up to the resident barn with a cherished item that is desperately in need of some TLC.
Like a Bake-off shed, the barn is beautifully nestled in bushland (presumably somwhere just outside of Sydney) where 6 experts will apply their skills, bringing objects back to life. They are, Leather craftsman Aaron Douglas Wales, Furniture restorer Britta de Laat, Jeweller Erin Keys, Metal worker Majella Beck, Electrician Paul Lowe and Horologist (a clockmaking expert) Andrew Markerink.
Jeweller Erin will help Cathy restore a family heirloom which survived a housefire but needs restoring. The Victorian era necklace belonged to a great-great-grandmother and its damaged centrepiece includes strands of hair from women in the family (eww). For Cathy bringing it back will mean the chance to pass it onto her own daughter.
Horologist Andrew will help restore a family clock for Malcolm who wants to present it to his father, Peter, and remind him of his days in Northern Ireland. It hasn’t chimed for over 5 decades, but can Andrew work his magic?
Finally Electrician Paul is tasked with restoring a miniature train set for 8 year old Rafe and his mother. The set used to belong to Rafe’s grandfather.
Across the hour the experts meticulously apply their skills, explaining their steps as they go. It’s warm and fuzzy and geeky all at the same time, but it would be good if our narrator recapped a bit less. While I could have happily wrapped things up at 30 minutes, for those who love the attention to detail and history, this will hit the right spot.
By the end of the episode when the owners return to see their painstaking work you can bet there will be tears before bedtime, in a good way.
The Repair Shop Australia might not be for everybody, but is authentically reproduced for LifeStyle and its fine suite of local brands.
The Repair Shop Australia screens 8:30pm Tuesdays on LifeStyle.