Furniture Restoration & Maintenance
Caring for Beautiful Antiques and Furniture
From the moment it enters service, furniture takes a beating. Cup marks and surface scratches on tabletops, scuffs on sofa and chair legs from repeated bumps in the course of vacuuming, and general wear and tear can turn the most attractive antique into a shabby thrift store item. Even without suffering direct damage, finishes tend to fade with time as a result of moisture, dust, and repeated cleanings or waxings. This is especially true in the case of older, traditional furniture finishes.
In nine out of ten cases, these items don't need refinishing--they need restoration! In the restoration process, a skilled restorer will adopt the same approach as a medical doctor: First, do no harm. The restorer will assess the damage and effect a spot repair in such a way as to leave the original finish unspoiled, whenever possible using the same materials and processes used in the original finish. By comparison, refinishing is a sledgehammer approach where the entire finish is replaced, typically with modern industrial lacquers, often dramatically reducing the value of an antique and replacing a glowing, traditional finish with the uniform plastic glare of modern materials.
Similarly, there are instances in which all that is required is a simple cleaning, carried out by someone with the skills and knowledge required to restore a traditional finish to its original beauty.
Dario Ciriello is a British-born Craftsman highly skilled in furniture finish care and restoration. Although extensive projects are best carried out in our shop, cleanings, waxing, and minor repairs can generally be undertaken without moving the item from your home.