Paul Winstanley
Director
Paul Wistanley
Paul is an experienced cabinet-maker and antique furniture restorer from the UK.
Englishman Paul Winstanley the founder of The English Craftsman Ltd is the son of a respected craftsman bookbinder, Alan Winstanley. Paul grew up having an eye for attention to detail and a passion for conservation.
Paul put these skills to good use when he trained as a cabinet maker and antique restorer in England. When he moved to the Wairarapa in 2001 he wanted to utilise these qualities again and embrace his heritage; so the English Craftsman Ltd was born.
Starting off restoring Antiques from his double garage, Paul’s innovation and determination for restoration products led to the development of his own brand of paint and varnish remover; Easy Strip. Realising a gap in the industry Paul entered the home renovation market with a paint stripping and timber floor restoration service.
However the biggest turning point for the company came after the installation of aluminium double-glazing into his 85 year old house.
Remarking that the new windows had “removed the soul” from the character of his home, Paul began another quest to bring a system of Retro-Fit Double-Glazing over from the UK. For the first time it allowed double glazing to be fitted into existing wooden joinery. Combined with the fitting of specialised draught seals and the restoration of timber windows, this service has proved very popular with home renovators who wish to maintain the character of their home.
Paul now employs a small team of skilled craftsmen, joiners, painters, and carpenters; each one personally chosen for their qualifications, attention to detail, and of course, passion for the industry.
Paul and wife Katie also own and operate Changes MediSpa in Masterton, the largest Day Spa in the lower North Island together with a 7 room accommodation wing. Paul is a Licenced Private Investigator with Stealth Investigations and operates a weekend business called the Mobile Vintage Lounge, where he indulges his interest in Whiskey and fine cigars.
Paul Wistanley
Paul is an experienced cabinet-maker and antique furniture restorer from the UK.
Englishman Paul Winstanley the founder of The English Craftsman Ltd is the son of a respected craftsman bookbinder, Alan Winstanley. Paul grew up having an eye for attention to detail and a passion for conservation.
Paul put these skills to good use when he trained as a cabinet maker and antique restorer in England. When he moved to the Wairarapa in 2001 he wanted to utilise these qualities again and embrace his heritage; so the English Craftsman Ltd was born.
Starting off restoring Antiques from his double garage, Paul’s innovation and determination for restoration products led to the development of his own brand of paint and varnish remover; Easy Strip. Realising a gap in the industry Paul entered the home renovation market with a paint stripping and timber floor restoration service.
However the biggest turning point for the company came after the installation of aluminium double-glazing into his 85 year old house.
Remarking that the new windows had “removed the soul” from the character of his home, Paul began another quest to bring a system of Retro-Fit Double-Glazing over from the UK. For the first time it allowed double glazing to be fitted into existing wooden joinery. Combined with the fitting of specialised draught seals and the restoration of timber windows, this service has proved very popular with home renovators who wish to maintain the character of their home.
Paul now employs a small team of skilled craftsmen, joiners, painters, and carpenters; each one personally chosen for their qualifications, attention to detail, and of course, passion for the industry.
Paul and wife Katie also own and operate Changes MediSpa in Masterton, the largest Day Spa in the lower North Island together with a 7 room accommodation wing. Paul is a Licenced Private Investigator with Stealth Investigations and operates a weekend business called the Mobile Vintage Lounge, where he indulges his interest in Whiskey and fine cigars.
