FINE FURNITURE RESTORATION & REPAIR

We specialize in repair of fine antique and museum quality furniture. We are also known for the repairs and restoration of veneered, inlaid or marquetry furniture. This is always done in a manner that honors the value and integrity of the piece and intended use. When a cherished antique or contemporary piece of furniture or art gets damaged from poor handling during transport, exposure to the elements, accidents, water damage, fire or general overuse, there may be a few possible solutions that can be used to correct or fix the damage properly. In order to keep the value and integrity of fine furniture intact, it is essential that proper trusted methods be employed to do a successful long lasting repair. We also can recommend ways to properly maintain high value furniture and artwork, to protect and preserve it into the future.

The process of repairing a damaged piece of furniture starts by inspecting the damage to determine the age, style, value, extent of damage to the furniture, and selecting the proper repair method. Not every piece is the same and depending on the age and quality of the piece, any prior repairs, some options will present themselves to correctly restore it to its original condition. Occasionally we find that the antique has been repaired before in the damaged area which can complicate matters, especially if the repair was poorly done. Often, non-traditional adhesives or techniques have been used to effect a repair, that can devalue a piece of furniture and make future repairs difficult to do correctly. In this case, the previous repair may have to be corrected first, before a good lasting traditional repair can be done. Most fine antiques were assembled with hide glue, have a shellac finish and have been built with traditional joining techniques, and should be repaired using the same materials and techniques whenever possible, in order to preserve the value of the piece. We believe the old world craftsman repair techniques I learned in Europe and currently use, are of the highest standard and finest quality repair possible.

Damage Assessment Reports

Documenting damage on a piece of furniture is something that is done for insurance, shippers or owners of furniture, and are used to settle claims, document historical repairs , and suggest possible repairs solutions. These are accompanied by photo documentation and a written report. They can be used in conjunction with a professional appraisal or estate evaluation where needed. These reports are usually prepared and billed separately of the repair cost or would be included in the final cost of repairs.

Sample damage assessment report: