Restoration

Restoration is without question an art borne out of years of experience and genuine love for and empathy with antiquity. Each piece that comes into our workshops has its own character which is revealed not only in original craftsmanship but also in the ways that it has aged over time.

A skill craftsman can tell the age and origin of a piece of furniture from its design, the wood used to build it, nails, hinges, glues and furnishings. Patina, the word so often used as an overall description in defining fine furniture is of considerable importance. It is the immediate impression and therefore the first indication of antiquity that we get because it describes the change in the appearance of a wooden surface, such change being produced by age, polishing and general usage.

A good restorer is a craftsman who returns a piece of furniture to its original condition in such a way that any repair is invisible. In order to achieve such a standard of restoration the preservation of integrity of the piece is the foremost consideration. This requires a thorough knowledge of all types of wood, the correct tools, glues, colours and waxes but also a great deal of time. Everything in our workshops is hand finished and corners are never cut. Where necessary we make our own waxes, stains, and often specialist tool if a job requires. True restoration is with out question a labour of love.