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Refinishing can produce the most dramatic impact from restoration. Refinishing can be
unobtrusive, touching-up scratches or damages on-site, or might require the complete
removal of an existing dark and murky existing finish, followed by dyeing and staining and application of a new finish. If an
original finish can be maintained, that is often preferred. However, the nitrocellulose lacquer finishes used from the very beginning of the 20th century until its end are often not salvageable........... Continue
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Many materials have been used over the centuries for upholstery padding and top covers. All materials degrade and lose
strength over time, whether cord, fabric, or even steel used in springs. As this strength ebbs, and top fabrics wear out or
become tiresome, reupholstery is called for. We do all types of reupholstery, in the techniques originally used:
•Grass, Spanish moss, kapok or other materials used as padding without springs
•Coil spring upholstery
•Natural Latex padding, from the 1950's - early 1960's
•Foam Rubber padding
•Various platform materials, including Jute & Linen webbing, Pirelli webbing, Fagas straps, burlap
Leather -the most important thing is to use full grain leather, from the top surface of the hide, to
obtain a long-lived upholstery. Reputable reupholsterers will make sure this is what you are buying. Lesser quality means having to replace the leather in several years, instead of 30-40 years...................... Continue
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Restoration of antique or modern furniture restores the condition of the item back to what it was at an earlier time. Restoring may include repair, refinishing, re-upholstery, or other crafts. During an initial meeting or contact, we look at the condition of your furniture needing repair, and discuss your goals. Then the appropriate treatment is recommended.................. Continue
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Conservation of furniture stabilizes the furniture and its various elements, to survive its intended use. The approach is to minimally repair and restore finishes, as little as necessary. There is considerable overlap with restoration. Additionally, conservation work should be reversible, and materials added distinguishable from the original- at least in theory. In practice, no one wants repairs to be distinguishable, a skillful repair or touch-up should be invisible...................... Continue
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Chair repairs are critically important to a chair's survival. Chairs are built of various components, often weak on their own,
but joined together and tight, capable of supporting great weight. The history of chair joinery mirrors industrialization, and shows the effects of progress (in the US, different in Europe):
•Mortise and tenon chair joinery, pre-1830 : 150-200 years before 1st maintenance
•Doweled joinery, 2" long- ca. 1880-1970 : 50-75 years before 1st maintenance
•Doweled joinery, 1" long, loose after 2000: 5-10 years before disposal, or complete rebuilding of joinery
Rebuilding a chair requires complete disassembly into all component parts, and scraping out all old glue, fabrication of new dowels or shimming of tenons, and adjusting all joints to be tight when assembled- prior to a 2nd disassembly and re-gluing................Continue
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