Furniture being restored by one of the few and talented restorers on the East Coast.
You have entered the world of restoration. There is no way that you will not encounter restoration in some way , whether you are an antique dealer, collector, or you own an old house.
Whether paintings, paper, textile, furniture, silver, or porcelain, quality restoration is an invaluable service to dealers and collectors alike. A master restorer is more valuable than the best accountant. It is always a good idea to learn as much as you can about quality restoration, so that you can make an educated judgment as to whether or not the person you are considering, is worthy of the work you have for them to do. Many years of experiencing both good and bad restorers, has taught me that the very best ones are confident, while the worse ones are arrogant. The best ones listen to what you want to have done, while the worse ones insist on telling you what should be done. Whether it is a painting or a piece of furniture, if you want to test your restoration skills, always pick an inconspicuous area. In the case of a painting, choose one of the outer edges that will be hidden by the frame, just in case you mess it up. On furniture choose the lower portion of a leg that is so close to the floor that it won't make a difference, even if you mess it up. When choosing cleaning solutions, it is best to err on the side of extremely mild solutions, and wait between applications to see if any progress is being made. Time and patience are your best allies. Restoration is like adding salt to food. It is very easy to get it in, but once it is in, it is next to impossible to reverse. So tread very lightly. Finally, just as you would in the case of your health, get as many opinions from as many experts as possible. Be very diligent in the restoration of your home's valuable assets.
