Restoration of heritage furniture is a meticulous process. It’s a lot more difficult than repairing common furniture. It requires more than just skill because it’s considered a work of art. That’s why only the experts should do this if you want to ensure quality results.
Beyond restoration to original condition
Aside from restoring heritage furniture to its original appearance and condition, it’s also about stopping the deterioration. This way, your valued furniture can still last for generations. Through time, it can become more and more valuable as a result.
The whole process is meticulous and time-consuming. Generally, the process involves:
- Cleaning
- Surface Preparation
- Filling in missing wood
- Filling small cracks
- Applying appropriate coating and finishing
Cleaning. Dirt and grime should first be removed before performing a restoration. Even this step alone requires a lot of time and effort.
Surface preparation. This might involve both physical and chemical processes. This step is important because this ensures no further damage or reactions will occur during finishing.
Filling in missing wood. Chipped wood is common in many antique and heritage furniture. It might be because of pests or natural causes. Whichever is the case, the wood should be replaced with the original materials.
Filling in small cracks. This is also a common problem in old wooden furniture. These cracks could be in the form of nail holes or just ordinary cracks. This is a detail-oriented process that requires extra care.
Coating and finishing. This should only be done if it’s absolutely necessary. That’s because applying a new finish often means removing the old one.
Conservation of your heritage furniture
All of these steps are lengthy and repetitive. They also require expert hands and high attention to detail. One mistake and it can ruin the furniture. In addition, this goes beyond functionality. It’s an art form that requires artistry.
Restoration of heritage furniture in Sydney
Here at Glen Sheldon French Polishing Pty Ltd, we’ve been doing antique conservation for over 15 years. We’ve been already commissioned by many of Sydney’s leading companies, architects, and designers. Call us today at (02) 9666 4417 for your furniture restoration needs.