Antique Repair & Restoration
Our master craftsmen are dedicated to meticulously restoring your cherished antique furniture to its former glory, seamlessly integrating centuries-old techniques with modern advancements. We possess a deep understanding of the unique challenges presented by antique furniture repair, and we conduct a thorough examination of each piece before embarking on the restoration process. Our unwavering commitment lies in utilizing only the finest, period-specific materials and parts, ensuring the meticulous preservation of each piece’s historical character while optimizing its functionality for future generations.
Welcome to Our Shop
The Antique Repair Process
Schools of Thought:
THE FIRST SCHOOL (Purists): Do nothing, accept the piece as it appears no matter how poor the condition. Buy only pieces in good condition, and avoid any antique that is not already in useable condition, as museums do. This is not feasible for most; the price of the few remaining pristine pieces is out of reach for all but museums and those with financial means . If you can afford to practice this ideology, by all means indulge, do your part to preserve the piece in an environment conducive to longevity of wood and finishes. Do not use the piece; maintain it for your enjoyment and the enjoyment of others outside the burden of daily abuse.
THE SECOND SCHOOL (Revivalists): Acquire well loved antiques that with skillful, minimally invasive restoration can be revived to a state of beauty and serve a functional practical use within your home while maintaining a good percentage of the antique value. Antiques in fair to poor condition are in most cases, salvageable. Unapparent to some, these pieces possess great beauty and can continue to offer functional use in your home once they receive proper care. Through conservation, these pieces maintain a good portion of their antique value.
THE THIRD SCHOOL (Sandblasters): Strip it bare, sand it down, and modify it any way you can to make it look new and functional again no matter how much of the “true” antique value is lost. The majority of the antique community generally shudder at the very mention of this philosophy, citing it as worst possible affront and a grave transgression against history, immediately negating all current and future antique value. Our stance is decidedly slightly left of rigidity, depending on the circumstance. Two of those being if an item is beyond repair for example, any modification to keep a piece from the clutches of a landfill pit is always worth considering and/or if your artistic interpretation, inclination, vision, hommage to a piece or design style says you need to blast it, then you should blast it. The latter for us is usually always the nuclear option.
THE FOUTH SCHOOL (Woodbenders): The item is an element or ingredient of the canvas and considered for it’s texture, color or form et al. in the absolute reincarnation of a given pieces function, form or use.
Restoration:
Your Investment in Legacy:
At Maison Robert, we understand that furniture transcends mere function. It becomes a vessel for memories, a silent witness to generations past. Our restoration services go well beyond simple repairs; they underscore the historical and cultural significance of your cherished piece, meticulously rejuvenating its physical and sentimental value.
A Symphony of Expertise:
Our skilled artisans, equipped with extensive knowledge of various furniture styles and periods, employ time-tested, historically accurate techniques and cutting-edge conservation methods. We meticulously address structural issues like loose joints and detached veneer, ensuring the piece regains its structural integrity. Employing non-invasive hand-stripping and meticulous hand-sanding, the original wood’s beauty is revealed, ready for a bespoke hand-staining and finishing process that respects the piece’s unique history.
More Than Just Restoration, It’s an Investment in Time:
The result? Your heirloom is not merely restored, but reborn. Its historical context is preserved, its sentimental value amplified, and its functional lifespan extended for generations to come. We empower you to not just possess a piece of furniture, but to connect with a tangible thread of your family’s story.
Maison Robert: More Than Restoration, It’s Resurrection.
Initial Assessment:
- Visual inspection: Assess overall condition, identifying damage, wear, and potential repairs.
- Disassembly: Carefully disassemble the piece to access all areas, including joints, hardware, and hidden compartments.
- Finish removal: Choose the appropriate method (hand-stripping, chemical stripping, heat) based on the finish type and wood species.
- Cleaning: Thoroughly clean all components, removing dirt, grime, and any remaining finish residue.
Structural Repairs:
- Glue and joint repair: Stabilize loose joints using appropriate glue and clamping techniques.
- Veneer repair or replacement: Repair cracks, chips, or missing veneer, matching the grain and color as closely as possible.
- Dowel or spline reinforcement: Reinforce weakened joints with dowels or splines for added strength.
- Addressing wood damage: Treat woodworm infestation, replace rotten sections, or stabilize cracks.
- Metalwork repair: Clean, polish, or restore damaged hardware like hinges, locks, and casters.
Surface Refinishing:
- Hand-sanding: Smooth the surface progressively, starting with coarse grit and finishing with fine grit.
- Denting and scratch repairs: Address deep dents with steam bending or filling techniques.
- Shaping and molding repair: Restore damaged or missing moldings to match the original design.
- Color matching and staining: Apply stain to match the original color or create a desired new look.
- Finishing: Apply multiple coats of high-quality lacquer or other finish for protection and sheen.
Final Touches:
- Waxing: Apply a light coat of wax for added luster and protection (optional).
- Reassembly: Carefully reassemble the piece, ensuring proper alignment and functionality.
- Hardware installation: Replace or restore missing or damaged hardware.
- Polishing and buffing: Polish hardware and metal components for a final shine.
- Quality control: Inspect the finished piece for any imperfections and make final adjustments.
Additional Services:
Upholstery repair or replacement: Restore or replace worn-out or damaged upholstery.
Caning and rush seating repair: Repair or replace damaged caning or rush seating materials.
Custom paintwork and decorative finishes: Add custom painted details or decorative finishes for a unique touch.
Refinish:
More Than Just a New Coat:
At Maison Robert, we don’t simply refinish furniture; we breathe new life into heirlooms. We understand the stories held within each piece, the whispers of laughter and tears echoing through generations. Our refinishing isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about preserving legacies.
A Symphony of Care: Our artisans, steeped in knowledge passed down through generations, treat each piece with reverence. We employ time-honored techniques, meticulously analyzing the original finish and choosing the gentlest methods for removal. Hand-stripping reveals the true essence of the wood, its history etched in grain and patina. Bespoke staining and finishing, tailored to each piece’s unique character, ensures a seamless blend of heritage and renewal.
More Than a Finished Product: The result is not simply a refurbished piece, but a testament to enduring craftsmanship. Its structural integrity restored, its beauty revitalized, your heirloom transcends mere function. It becomes a tangible thread connecting you to your past, a vibrant piece of your family’s story ready to grace generations to come.
Maison Robert: Where Timeless Stories Shine Again.
Beyond the Brushstrokes:
This list details the meticulous process behind our refinishing expertise:
Initial Assessment:
- A discerning eye examines the piece, uncovering hidden stories in every scratch and mark.
- Careful disassembly grants access to every corner, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
- The original finish is gently removed, respecting the wood’s inherent beauty.
- A thorough cleaning prepares the canvas for its transformation.
Structural Restoration:
- Loose joints are stabilized with time-tested techniques, ensuring generations of sturdy use.
- Missing or damaged veneer is meticulously repaired, seamlessly blending with the original.
- Weak areas are reinforced, adding strength and ensuring stability for years to come.
- Metalwork receives a loving touch, its luster restored to its former glory.
Surface Refinement:
- Skilled hands smooth the surface, revealing the wood’s hidden depths.
- Dents and scratches are addressed with artistry, their stories preserved.
- Lost moldings are recreated, meticulously replicating the original design.
- Color matching and staining breathe new life into the wood, respecting its inherent character.
- High-quality finishes protect and enhance, ensuring lasting beauty.
Final Touches:
- A light wax adds a touch of warmth and protection (optional).
- The piece is carefully reassembled, each joint aligned with precision.
- Missing hardware is replaced or restored, completing the transformation.
- A final polish brings out the shine, revealing the masterpiece anew.
Beyond the Basics:
Hand-Stripping Secrets: We understand the delicate nature of antique wood. Unlike harsh chemicals, our experts employ time-tested hand-stripping techniques, meticulously removing old finishes while preserving the wood’s inherent beauty and character.
Custom Stain Blending: Don’t settle for generic stains. Our artisans carefully blend and apply custom stains that match the piece’s original hue or create a new look that complements its style and era. It’s not just about color; it’s about restoring the wood’s unique depth and personality.
Natural Finish Expertise: Not all pieces need a heavy coat of paint. We specialize in natural finishes, enhancing the wood’s grain and texture with meticulous hand-rubbing and oiling techniques. It’s not just about a minimalist look; it’s about celebrating the raw beauty of the wood.
Preservation:
At Maison Robert, we believe furniture isn’t just wood and nails; it’s a tapestry woven with memories, laughter echoing through generations. Our preservation services go beyond mere repairs, safeguarding the timeless narratives embedded within each piece. We meticulously restore its physical integrity, ensuring its stories live on, whispered in every grain and curve.
Guardians of Heritage: Our skilled artisans are custodians of a legacy. Armed with knowledge passed down through the ages, they employ time-tested techniques with unwavering precision. Each piece is gently examined, its history respected with every touch. We stabilize weakened joints, breathe new life into cracked veneer, and meticulously replace missing elements, ensuring the piece remains a pillar of strength in your family’s narrative.
More Than Just Restoration, It’s Legacy Secured: The result isn’t just a refurbished object; it’s a testament to the enduring power of craftsmanship. Its original beauty is revitalized, its stories preserved for future generations to discover. Owning a preserved piece isn’t just about possession; it’s about connecting with your past, holding a tangible thread of your family’s journey.
Maison Robert: Where Stories Find Sanctuary.
Beyond the Surface:
This meticulous process ensures each piece tells its story for years to come:
- A discerning eye: Every detail is inspected, uncovering whispers of the past hidden in wear and tear.
- Careful disassembly: Each component is meticulously separated, allowing access to every corner of the story.
- Gentle restoration: Original finishes are carefully removed, respecting the wood’s inherent beauty.
- Thorough cleaning: The canvas is prepared for its transformation, ensuring a flawless finish.
Structural Safeguarding:
- Worn joints: Stabilized with time-tested techniques, ensuring the piece remains sturdy for generations.
- Missing veneer: Meticulously repaired or replaced, seamlessly blending with the original design.
- Weakened areas: Reinforced for added strength, ensuring stability for years to come.
- Metalwork: Cleaned, polished, or restored, its luster reflecting the piece’s history.
Surface Rejuvenation:
- Skilled hands: Smooth the surface, revealing the wood’s hidden depths and untold stories.
- Dents and scratches: Addressed with artistry, preserving their unique narrative.
- Lost moldings: Recreated with meticulous precision, replicating the original design.
- Bespoke color matching: Revives the wood, respecting its inherent character and history.
- High-quality finishes: Protect and enhance, ensuring the piece continues to shine for generations.
Final Touches:
- A light wax: Adds a touch of warmth and protection (optional).
- Careful reassembly: Each joint is aligned with precision, ensuring seamless functionality.
- Missing hardware: Replaced or restored, completing the transformation.
- Final polish: Brings out the shine, revealing the masterpiece anew.
Beyond the Basics:
Inpainting artistry: Our skilled artisans are more than painters; they’re storytellers with brushes. They meticulously match the original paintwork, seamlessly blending new strokes with the aged beauty of your piece. It’s not just about filling in the gaps; it’s about preserving the character and narrative embedded in every chip and crack.
Historic color research: We delve into the piece’s history and era, researching the original paint colors and techniques used. This ensures your repaired piece reflects its authentic character, not modern trends.
Custom paintwork: Adds a unique touch, reflecting your personal style and the piece’s evolving story.
Repair:
Furniture at Maison Robert isn’t just about four legs and a cushion; it’s a silent symphony of forgotten laughter and hushed whispers of generations past. Our repair services don’t simply fix, they unmute the melodies trapped within each piece, meticulously reorchestrating its physical harmony and sentimental value.
Artisans as Conductors: Our skilled craftsmen, batons in hand and knowledge passed down through decades, wield time-tested techniques with unmatched precision. Like maestros coaxing life from an orchestra, they breathe new life into even the most dissonance-stricken pieces. Loose joints become perfectly tuned, chipped veneer echoes past celebrations, and missing elements are meticulously replaced, ensuring the piece remains a cornerstone in your family’s concerto.
More Than a Fixed Note, It’s a Song Restored: The result isn’t just a functional instrument; it’s a testament to the enduring power of craftsmanship. Its original beauty is rekindled, while its melodies are meticulously preserved for future generations to discover. Owning a repaired piece isn’t just about possession; it’s about holding a tangible score of your family’s journey, played again with heart and care.
Maison Robert: Where Silent Symphonies Find Their Voice.
Beyond the Surface:
This meticulous process ensures each piece continues its unique melody:
- Discerning ears: Uncover stories hidden in every creak and crack, whispers of laughter and the rhythm of use.
- Careful disassembly: Each component is gently separated, giving access to every note in the composition.
- Respectful restoration: Original finishes are treated with reverence, preserving the inherent beauty of the wood.
- Thorough cleaning: The canvas is prepped for its transformation, ensuring a flawless performance.
Structural Harmony:
- Weakened joints: Tightened with precision, ensuring the piece remains sturdy for generations to come.
- Missing veneer: Meticulously repaired or replaced, seamlessly blending with the original composition.
- Cracks and splits: Treated with artistry, preserving the unique voice of the piece.
- Metalwork: Cleaned, polished, or restored, its shine reflecting the piece’s history.
Surface Revival:
- Skilled hands: Smooth the surface, revealing the wood’s hidden depths and untold stories.
- Scratches and dents: Addressed with artistry, preserving their unique narrative.
- Lost moldings: Recreated with meticulous precision, replicating the original design.
- Bespoke color matching: Revives the wood, respecting its inherent character and history.
- High-quality finishes: Protect and enhance, ensuring the piece continues to shine for generations.
Final Touches:
- A light wax: Adds a touch of warmth and protection (optional).
- Careful reassembly: Each joint is aligned with precision, ensuring seamless functionality.
- Missing hardware: Replaced or restored, completing the transformation.
- Final polish: Brings out the shine, revealing the masterpiece anew.
Beyond the Basics:
Mechanism Revival: Breathe new life into intricate mechanisms like musical movements, writing slopes, or hidden drawers, bringing back the interactive elements of your antique.
Custom Hardware & Embellishments: Design and incorporate unique hardware or embellishments that reflect your personal style and complement the piece’s era.
Decorative touches: For some pieces, a subtle decorative touch can enhance the repaired area, seamlessly blending with the original design and adding a personal flair. We work with you to create a unique embellishment that reflects your taste while respecting the piece’s history.
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rest·or·a·tion
“Not only preserving the past, but re-weaving its threads into the vibrant tapestry of the future..”
Restore
The goal of vintage restoration is to preserve the original character and integrity of the item. This means using materials and techniques that are as close to the original as possible. Vintage restorers also take care to preserve any unique features or patina that the item may have developed over time.
Refinish
At Maison Robert, we believe that vintage items are treasures that should be cherished. That’s why we take the utmost care in refinishing our vintage pieces, using only the highest quality materials and techniques.
We understand that every vintage item is unique, and we work to preserve its original character and integrity while also improving its appearance and functionality.
Repair
We believe that vintage items have unique value, have a history and character that cannot be replicated, and that should be preserved.
Vintage items are often made with high-quality materials and craftsmanship, and they can last for many many years if they are properly cared for. They made it this far. We also believe that preservation is a way we can show our respect for the past, pay homage, and contribute to creating a more sustainable future.
Antique Repair & Restoration
Tell us about what you have, what your requirements are, or vision is for that piece, and we’ll take it from there.
Ask one of our friendly experts
Get In Touch
01
How It Works
Contact Us For Quote
Reach out via the”get in touch” form, the “start here” link, or call directly if you prefer to. We’ll assess time & cost and send a quote to you.
02
Schedule A Pickup or Dropoff
03
Project Complete
We will notify you by email/text that you item is complete, along with an online payment link. If we are dropping off, we will work with you to choose a suitable time for you to receive your item.