No.8 Workshop Wellington

12/10/2026

Next up: the interior doors of Turnbull House!
Restoration starts today, and these doors are seriously heavy! Every single one has its own unique details, so each requires a different approach and plenty of care.
No shortcuts, just craftsmanship, patience and hard work to bring these beautiful heritage doors back to life.
We’re keeping the history alive, one door at a time.

10/10/2026

Newcombe Street, Karori a 1920s home with plenty of history in its windows.

When the owners first contacted us to ask whether their old timber windows could be retrofitted with double glazing, we knew it would be a challenge.

Years of accumulated paint, delicate leadlights, and traditional double-hung windows meant there was a lot to consider. But replacing them was never the only option.

The owners also wanted all the upper windows to match the original colonial-style windows. We carefully removed the leadlight sections and crafted new colonial bars to achieve the look they wanted, while retaining the original timber window frames.

The result? Windows that have been around for more than 100 years, refreshed and upgraded to keep serving the home for years to come.

By retrofitting double glazing, we helped improve the home’s comfort while preserving the character and craftsmanship that make these old Wellington homes so special.

Because sometimes, the best way forward is to restore what is already there. ❤️
Preserve the character. Improve the comfort. Keep the history alive.

No.8 Workshop heritage craft with a modern edge.

27/09/2026

A very determined visitor stopped by No.8 Workshop yesterday! 🦭

16/09/2026

Today I looked at Turnbull House and felt something that is difficult to put into words.
Those windows are finally back where they belong.
For many people, they may simply look like old windows in a beautiful historic building. But when I look at them, I see the journey behind every single one.
They arrived at our workshop one by one. We received them, dismantled them, repaired years of damage, restored the timber, rebuilt them and carefully prepared them to return to Turnbull House.
We had them in our hands.
And today, seeing them back in place makes me incredibly emotional and proud.
Seven years ago, as a woman, a mother of three, a migrant and the manager of No.8 Workshop, I could never have imagined that one day our little workshop would have the opportunity to contribute to the restoration of such an important part of Wellington’s heritage.
This city welcomed us when we arrived in New Zealand looking for a new life for our family.
We started again. We worked, learned, struggled, kept going and built something of our own.
And now, a little piece of our family’s story will remain here too.
Years from now, my children might walk past Turnbull House with their own children, point to those windows and say:
“Your Grandma Monica restored those windows.”
Maybe my grandchildren will never know how many hours of work were behind them, how many challenges we faced along the way, or what it meant to us to be trusted with them.
But they will know that we were here.
That their family came from far away, made Wellington their home, worked with their hands and their hearts, and helped preserve a small piece of the history of the city that welcomed us.
And for me, that is more than a finished project.
It is a legacy. ❤️
Proud of our family.
Proud of our team.
Proud of No.8 Workshop.
And very proud to have left a little piece of us in Wellington.

23/07/2026

What a transformation!
This bay window in Lower Hutt, Wellington had reached the point where significant repairs were needed to restore its structural integrity and weather resistance. Rather than replacing it, we carefully repaired the existing timber joinery and upgraded the window to double glazing, preserving the character of the home while improving comfort and energy efficiency.
✔ Rotten timber removed and repaired
✔ Original window structure retained where possible
✔ Double glazing installed
✔ Improved thermal performance and reduced condensation
This project was completed today, and we’re proud to see another timber window given a new lease on life instead of ending up in landfill.
Restore, don’t replace.
📍 Lower Hutt, Wellington
🪟 Bay Window Restoration

15/07/2026

12/06/2026

We’re proud to do restoration work.
Some people say, “If it’s rotten, just replace it.”
We see it differently.

There’s real value in preserving original timber, maintaining character, and repairing what can be saved. Restoration takes skill, patience, and craftsmanship.

A quality repair like this isn’t the easy option, it’s the right option.

Good restoration work deserves to be valued.

05/06/2026

15/05/2026

Goodbye louvre window, meow
Goodbye drafts and cold air
Hello to a new window that completely refreshed the look of this kitchen

12/05/2026

In Santiago, Chile, many traditional timber windows were made this way.
In New Zealand, the putty faces outside. 🇳🇿
How is it done in your country?