Tearjerking family stories, intricate craftsmanship and charming heirlooms have made The Repair Shop essential viewing for millions.
And while fixing treasured possessions in the famous barn is something restoration expert Dom Chinea wouldn’t change for the world, he admits the moving back stories and pressure of difficult projects can take their toll.
In an exclusive interview with The Celeb Report, he says: “It is tough working there sometimes. It’s a beautiful place to work and I wouldn’t change it for the world, but we hear why these items mean so much to them. It’s hard having those conversations. Quite often someone’s passed away and it’s hard to hear.
“When you get given that item that means so much to that person and they trust me with it, it really does mean a lot to me and it’s hard not to get emotional.
“Hearing that day in day out and having that responsibility to look after these things and do our best to restore them is a lot of pressure and it does get emotional.”
Tragedy can also strike while the craftsman are hard at work on the treasured possessions.
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Dom reflected on recent projects where the intended recipient didn’t live to see the repaired items.
He said: “We’ve had a few instances recently where daughters of family members have brought things in and spent time talking about their dads, ‘I cant wait to get back and show him,’ and then he’s passed away before we’ve finished fixing it. It’s heartbreaking. It’s so sad, the situation, but we’re doing a nice thing and it’s lovely to bring a little bit of joy to that situation.”
Talking about the tough moments is actively encouraged by the BBC and production company, and counselling is available for anyone associated with the show.
“Everything we need is offered to us,” said Dom.
Each week viewers watch in awe as the team use their skills to solve problems that previously were deemed impossible – and usually in only a matter of days.
But behind the scenes there are times where Dom admits he’s been left totally stumped.
He said: “Everyone calls it the workshop of dreams but things go wrong, bolts snap, things happen.
“We’re restoring and repairing these old things that have quite often been turned down.
“I’m lucky I’m surrounded by a barn full of talented crafts people. If I can’t fix something, someone can help me. There’s always a solution, we have to work out a way to find it.”
The graphic design graduate earned his chops working as second assistant to celebrity fashion photographer Rankin.
His practical skills led to him running the snapper’s set designs for six years which shared many similarities with his work in the barn.
“The set design was a perfect blend a bit of design, a bit of making and most importantly problem solving, which I do a lot of in The Repair Shop.”
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Dom’s now imparting his wisdom on how to create the perfect home workshop for budding amateur craftsman who want to get their hands dirty.
He said: “The most important thing I’d say to anybody who’s interested in crafts is make that workshop as inspiring and as much of a nice place to be as possible because you’re going to want to spend time in there. Not all workshops have to be dark and cold.”
Having nearly severed a finger or two in his time, Dom also urged people to take safety seriously.
“Work with the space you’ve got,” he said. “Think properly and carefully about layouts and what things you need.
“Which are the areas that you are likely to need regular access to and between? Is there enough space around and between large tools?
“For example, if you are cutting long lengths of wood then store them near the saw, and make sure there is room to manoeuvre them, or make sure you are not passing past flammable stores with hot items.
“Taking time to really think about this beforehand and plan the layout carefully will help so much when you are using the
space.
“Nothing’s more important than safety and being careful, wearing the right PPE.”
Dom has been working with BiGDUG to encourage the public to transform their empty garage spaces into fully fledged workshops this Spring
