Back in the day, circa 2015, there was nothing more relaxing to me than turning on an episode of The Great British Baking Show and letting the pastel colors, English bakes and fantastic accents wash over me. Compared to American food TV, it was downright tranquil. Contestants became friends, the only competition was with one another.
Now, while I still love Bake-Off (and especially love the addition of Noel Fielding), I do think it is a bit more stressful than it used to be. The intense violin music seeps in more often, the bakers in more of a rush, the recipes more off-the-wall.
To put it simply: Bake-Off is no longer the most relaxing show on television. That show would be The Repair Shop.
This BBC program, which is available to stream on Discovery+, is the peak of soothing British TV.
What’s the Gist of The Repair Shop?
Every episode of The Repair Shop opens on a thatch roof barn somewhere in the English countryside. How idyllic!
As we close in on the workshop, you learn about all the different artisans working inside: woodworkers, clockmakers, art restorers, ceramicists, blacksmiths and more. At the start of each episode, three families bring in cherished, though tattered, heirlooms.
These keepsakes range from busted cuckoo clocks to out-of-tune accordions to unraveled wicker bassinets. At first blush, you think that’s destined for the trash. Then, over the course of the show, each item is expertly restored.
But Why is It So Soothing?
I find the show soothing because it’s incredibly low stakes. Yes, of course, people want to see their treasures transformed and these craftspeople are dealing with people’s prized possessions. At the same time, people are dragging in items that are in absolute disrepair. Like that painting with a giant hole in it? It can’t get much worse. Or the garden gnome that’s been shattered? It’s already in pieces.
The Repair Shop is also a relaxing watch because it’s got a very easy pace. People bring in their heirlooms, the pros inspect them and then start work. There is no time clock, we don’t see steps that go wrong. It’s just slow and sort of fascinating. Occasionally, the artisans unearth some incredible features of the piece, like it’s 100% silver, it’s way older than they thought or it’s super rare. Other times you just learn a bit about history or craft.
And you never hear about pricetags or what an heirloom is worth. It’s about the process and the memories. Seeing old things that mean a lot lovingly restored is just nice.
How British is It?
This is a question Michael and I ask one another when we watch British shows of all kinds: but how British is it? And that usually means it has its particular subdued charms and various accents. In this regard, The Repair Shop is so very British.
First off, there are the items themselves. One family brought in an old baby crib gifted to some ancestor by Queen Victoria, another a monkey-shaped cane procured on a trip to India and another still a lamp that was shattered during a WWII blitz. These are not stories you’re going to get stateside.
Then there are the people themselves. The craftspeople will unveil a perfectly restored family memento that hasn’t been in good condition in decades, one that means the world to these families and the dad will just lean and say, “Ah, well, that’s very lovely.” AND THAT’S IT. Americans would be screaming, sobbing, making a fuss, but these charming Brits, just say, “I’m proper chuffed” and then take their 100-year-old violin to the car. And that’s it. I love it.
The Best Artisans on The Repair Shop
I’ve watched a lot of this show and over the course of a few seasons, I’ve developed a few favorites.
- Sonnaz Nooranvary: Sonnaz is my favorite artisan in the shop. She does beautiful work restoring antique upholstery and I feel like I learn a lot just from watching her fix springs and add padding to Victorian armchairs. She’s a doll and I want to fly to England to be her apprentice.
- Will Kirk: Let’s get this out of the way: Will is a grade-A cutie! He also has a warm demeanor when working with clients. Also, every time he refurbishes an old desk or chest of drawers it makes me want to get into restoring furniture myself—or at the very least polish something until it gleams.
- Rachael South: There is no one on the show who is more joyful in her work than Rachael. She’s a third-generation caner who spends hours patching up a Victorian-era cradle with a smile. I am jealous that I am not a third-generation something.
- Suzie Fletcher: Suzie is a saddlemaker and leather specialist. Do I care a whit about either? I didn’t think so, but I am changed. Watching her thread a big ol’ needle through leather to fix an old chair or an old piece of luggage is entrancing.
- Steve Fletcher: My biggest gripe with The Repair Shop is that every episode features a damned clock. But at the same time, that makes Steve the MVP of the show. Also he’s constantly being wrangled into other projects to make small metal findings or fix locks. He’s just a master of his craft (and Suzie’s brother).
So Where Can You Watch It?
The Repair Shop is streaming on Discovery+. I’d say this show alone is worth the subscription but there’s a lot of other really great stuff on there, too.
