Restoration Gallery

Eclectic Restorations

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"Eclectic Restoration "

Restoration leads down many paths, and it's not always furniture! An eclectic array of restoration projects have found their way into our shop, offering us a challenge and a variety of new examples for our website. If you have something collectable or antique in need of care, please contact us! We're happy to provide direction even when our services are not appropriate.

Elephants Carving - This is a very well done and unique hand carved caravan of elephants in solid teak. The loss of trunks, tusks, and ears was the result of poor shipping and packaging, and extremely dry wood. We reattached the pieces that were available, and reproduced those that were missing. A few coats of tung oil gave some much needed moister, and sealed the piece slowing further deterioration.

Chinese Junk - an asian scale model boat. Damaged in shipping, several sails supports were cracked, moldings broken, the anchor was snapped, and railings crushed.

Picture Frames - Gesso frames are seeing an amazing resurgence in popularity and value! We'll be building a section of examples showing restoration before/after photos soon. Restoration requires a careful application of plaster or modern fillers, then the application of brass or gold flake paints to touch-up the damaged sections. Gesso frames loose about 75% of their value by showing chips, and regain back to 90-95% after artful restoration!

Tricks of the trade in this area trace back in the family heritage to Kalen's Fine Arts, formally owned by Sol & Estelle Saperstein in Princeton, NJ.

Paper Mache Table - We weren't really sure where to put this so we decided it goes eclectic. We're planning an article on this project shortly, as it was a unique effort and new to our portfolio.

In short; paper mache is exactly what you think it is, layered paper with various adhesive layers, plasters, organic or synthetic solutions which layer after layer of paper is soaked, applied, pressed, and formed and the result is a solid surface. This material is generally artwork, pieces are not designed for actual constant use and abuse.

This small tilt-top table arrived with a large missing chunk in the edge, and a surface that showed various signs of stains and deterioration.

Our task was to determine the type of material originally used and find a method of replacing the missing section. After some research and experimentation the table regained its appearance with newly blended material.

Trunk Restoration

This is a classic example of a turn of the century travel trunk. These are quite collectable and often family heirlooms.

Our task - remove the loose paint and repaint the chest, clean and moisten the leather, and replace the broken leather handles.

Swan Restoration

This swan is one of four used to support a tabletop. It was apparently involved in an unfortunate incident, which rendered the body separated from the head and neck.

A simple restoration, gluing the pieces at the joint, and touch up of the surrounding paint and gesso work.