Antique & Heirloom Restoration
Museum-quality restoration that honors the history and craftsmanship of your treasured antique pieces.
Preserving History, One Piece at a Time
Antique furniture restoration requires a different approach than modern refinishing. These pieces were built with techniques and materials that simply aren't used anymore—hand-cut dovetails, solid wood construction, original hand-rubbed finishes. Our restoration philosophy is simple: preserve as much original material as possible, use period-appropriate methods, and document everything we do.
Whether you've inherited a family heirloom, found a treasure at an estate sale, or want to restore a piece you've collected over the years, we treat every antique with the respect and care it deserves. We don't rush—we take the time to understand the piece, its construction, and its history before making any decisions.
- ✓ Original finish preservation and cleaning
- ✓ Period-appropriate repair techniques
- ✓ Missing piece recreation using traditional methods
- ✓ Hardware restoration or appropriate replacement
- ✓ Structural stabilization for fragile pieces
- ✓ Complete documentation of restoration process
What Makes Antique Restoration Different
Restoring antiques isn't just about making something look nice—it's about understanding and respecting the original craftsmanship. Here's how our approach differs from standard refinishing.
Original Patina: The aged appearance of antique wood—called patina—is impossible to recreate. We clean and preserve original finishes rather than stripping them, unless damage or previous poor repairs require it. The character marks, wear patterns, and aged color are part of the piece's story.
Traditional Joinery: Antiques were built with hand-cut joints that reflect the individual maker. When repairs are needed, we use matching techniques—hand-cut dovetails, mortise and tenon joints, wooden pegs—rather than modern shortcuts that would be visible or compromise authenticity.
Appropriate Materials: We source period-appropriate woods, finishes, and hardware whenever possible. For touch-ups, we use reversible materials so future conservators can distinguish our work from original construction.
Antique Restoration Pricing
Antique restoration is billed hourly due to the unpredictable nature of historical work. We provide detailed estimates after initial assessment.
Many insurance companies require professional antique restoration documentation. We provide detailed before/after photos and written reports for insurance purposes.
Have an Antique to Restore?
Schedule a consultation to discuss your heirloom piece and restoration options.
Request Consultation