Antique Furniture Restoration
Antique furniture restoration requires many specialist skills. John Lloyd is able to offer a full range of restoration services so that any project may be completed without the inconvenience of having to transport pieces to several specialists. The client is given a thorough appraisal of both structural and cosmetic damage to their furniture. Estimates are given free of charge. Should additional work be considered necessary once work is underway the client is immediately consulted.
The following services are offered:
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Traditional Hand Finishing
Using traditional methods and recipes to make our own wax and shellac polishes we are able to repair and revive original surfaces or sensitively refinish. Unsightly watermarks and scratches and other surface damage can be removed.
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Lock Repairs & Keys
We overhaul and repair old locking mechanisms to working order and hand cut replacement iron keys. Keys are made to traditional patterns including the kidney bow and a variety of decorative brass bows.
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Veneering
Traditional hand skills are employed to cut and re-lay veneers, using hide glue and traditional veneer hammers, cauls and hot sandbags. Modern technology such as the vacuum press is also used where appropriate.
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Rush & Cane Work
This specialist work is still carried out by hand as it has been for many centuries.
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Carving & Turning
We are able copy and repair original carvings and turnings to replace missing parts.
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Upholstery
All aspects of upholstery can be carried out using traditional materials where required including horsehair. All work is undertaken by our specialist upholsterer, from a simple drop-in seat for a dining chair to a deep-buttoned chaise longue.
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Leather Lining & Tooling
The finest hand coloured hide and skivers are used enhanced by delicate gold leaf tooling using traditional tools and patterns.
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Marquetry & Inlay Work
The painstaking and delicate work of restoring marquetry and inlay demands that each piece is individually cut by hand. Colouring of individual pieces to blend with the original using traditional techniques such as sandshading. Ivory, bone, brass, mother of pearl and tortoise shell inlays can all be restored and missing sections replaced if necessary.
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Gilding
Repairs to gesso groundwork are carried out using the finest rabbit skin glue and whiting. Gold leaf is applied using specialist water and oil gilding techniques, sensitively toned to give seamless repairs.
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