What We Do
I believe that we, you and I, are caretakers of the furniture we have in our homes. Many of the pieces have outlived their previous owners and are now in our care. We ought to treat them with the respect they deserve. Everything we apply or do to a piece needs to be reversible so that the furniture can be restored to its original beauty. We do not own the antiques in our homes, they are on loan and we are merely the caretakers.
We involve our customers in the process: from deciding on repairs to selecting the color of stain, to choosing the final sheen of finish.
Stripping
The standard method to strip furniture is called a flow over tray stripping system. We use the chemical Methylene Chloride. It is the best solvent for stripping furniture. Following the stripping process all pieces are bleached to remove black iron rings, grey spots and discoloration. The furniture is set aside and air dried for 24 hours prior to sanding
Repair and Sanding
This is the stage that broken parts are repaired or duplicated. Looses joints are glued, dents are patched, scratches are sanded and veneer chips patched. Each item is sanded with 180 grit sandpaper. Repair work is an important step in restoration. This is the foundation that will reflect the new surface for finishing.
Staining and Finishing
The staining is the most enjoyable part of the job. This is where the color is selected. At this point the wood begins to come alive. For most pieces we recommend a clear stain, which contains a light amber tone. This works best on wood that has a natural and desirable color tone. For other woods we use a pigmented or dye stain to blend the various woods together.
The finish coats are Pre-catalyzed Nitrocellulose Lacquer. This is a durable coating that resists water, alcohol and heat. The clear coating comes in varying degrees of sheen. For most pieces we recommend satin or semi-gloss.
