Planter’s Chair Conservation
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Category Archives: antiques
Thursday Throwback: A Family of Lawsons Graces the Farm
This is our continuing Throwback series where we post items that were in our studio before we had the blog. Grandpa’s Lawsons are born again for an orchard in Southern Oregon; Grandpa was on hand for delivery day, and even … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, preservation, restoration techniques, textiles, upholstery
Tagged #farmliving, #ivyvineupholsteryfabric, #lawsonstylechair, #lawsonstyleottoman, #lawsonstylesofa, #midcenturymodern, #portlandoregon, #traditionalupholstery, #upholsteryconservation, #upholsterypacificnorthwest, #UpholsteryPortlandOregon, #upholsteryrestoration, Lawson
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Ode to the Upholsterer, Reprise
He’s stuffed a chair on every street, or hassocks on which to put your feet. A fainting couch for Ms Récamier, looking Grecian but really fey. A modern Egg for Madmen there, Took ten thousand hand stitches to be fair; … Continue reading
Fu Dogs Treatment
Our client brought his small carved wooden guardian dogs to us for treatment. Pairs of Chinese guardian lion statues are decorative, symbolic elements at the entrances to structures in many Asian countries. Each is different, and should come in. pairs, … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, art, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, shellac, traditional varnishes, waxes, wooden objects
Tagged #artconservation, #chineselionstatues, #chinesestatues, #foodogs, #fudogs, #paintconservation, #statuerepair, carved, Chinese Lion Statues, Chinese statues, conservation, Fo Dogs, Foo Dogs, Fu dogs, Gamblin, gilded objects, painted finishes, painted objects, preservation, statue conservation, statue repair
3 Comments
Modern Textile Art is Often Not Created for Conservation
One of the biggest challenges in conservation is when the artists were not thinking about their pieces being loved and collected, and eventually, cleaned and conserved, and work in mediums that are experimental (as in the case of early acrylics). … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, art, CAUTIONS, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, painted objects, preservation, reparation, restoration techniques, textiles
Tagged #blackhistory, #pacificnorthwest, #portlandoregon, #tentstitch, #textileconservation, #textilerestoration, artist, Chicago, embroidery, Ken Ellis, textile art, the Shore Family
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Steelcase Redeaux
Throwback Thursday, my all time favorite showcover on a vintage Steelcase Executive Chair. Internals conserved properly. Showcover total fun! ©MPF Conservation. May be printed for your own use. May be reposted if our url +copyright is used as reference.
Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, preservation, restoration techniques, upholstery
Tagged #executivechair, #ilovepurple, #midcenturymodern, #portlandoregon, #shadesofgrey, #traditionalupholstery, #upholsteryconservation, #upholsterypacificnorthwest, #UpholsteryPortlandOregon, #upholsteryrestoration, purple, steelcase
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To the Dogs!
They raise Labrador Retrievers; they want nice furniture; slips are the answer! These slips are made of strong sanded cotton twill with gingham accents peeking out, and a touch of feminine hiding in the back! All easily removed and sent … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, preservation, restoration techniques, textiles, upholstery
Tagged #farmliving, #portlandoregon, #slipit, #tiemeup, #traditionalupholstery, #upholsterypacificnorthwest, #UpholsteryPortlandOregon, #upholsteryrestoration, #washandwear, bows, gingham, slipcovers
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Repairing Frank Crowe Mason Monterey Dresser
The repairs on the final piece of the lovely bedroom set is completed. MPF Conservation does not repair/conserve historic pieces unless necessary. In this case, the veneered top was shredded and lifting. Mitchell gently removed the historic veneered top. We … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, history, Interim Report, painted furniture, painted objects, preservation, reparation, wooden objects
Tagged #bedroomset, #forsale, #frankcrowe, #historicestate, #juantinoco, #lowboydresser, #masonmonterey, #montereyfurniture, #oldwood, #originalfinish, #twinbed, #wallmirror, Juan Duran Tinoco
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Purple Paulin Chairs
Two Pierre Paulin Chairs needed full conservation: Innards were failing, and the show cover was in poor condition. The painted finish was not original (previously repainted). The finish was badly gouged, and was missing altogether in places. We conserved the innards, … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, preservation, upholstery
Tagged #midcenturymodern, #paulinchairs, #PierrePaulin, #portlandoregon, #purpleismycolor, #throwbackthursday, #traditionalupholstery, #upholsteryconservation, #upholsterypacificnorthwest, #UpholsteryPortlandOregon, #upholsteryrestoration, Paulin, purple
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Windsor Rocker
A sweet mid-nineteenth century faux bamboo Windsor sported touches of gold paint in the crevices of the “bamboo”. We do not know if it was original or added later. The chair had no breaks, and he joints were quite stable. … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, preservation, restoration techniques, textiles, upholstery, waxes, wooden objects
Tagged #cleaningtextiles, #needlepointrepair, #portlandoregon, #textileconservation, #traditionalupholstery, #upholsteryconservation, #upholsterypacificnorthwest, #UpholsteryPortlandOregon, #upholsteryrestoration, #windsorrocker, Cleaning textiles, needlepoint, traditional upholstery, upholstery conservation, windsor
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Washington State Flag, Second Drafts, Silk
We left off with the finished drafts on paper, above. New tracings from our master tracing are created each time so the tracing paper doesn’t wear and the marks are fresh, not fat and sloppy. Silk was primed using Gamblin’s … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted objects, process, reproduction, textiles
Tagged #DARstateflag, #gamblinartistcolors, #gamblinoilpaint, #georgewashington, #replication #paintingonsilk, #textileconservation, #textilepreservation, #washingtonstateflag, DAR, flag, painting on silk, replication, State Flag, Washington history, Washington State DAR, Washington State Flag
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Historic Bedroom Set for Sale
Old Wood bedroom set (one half of the entire set) came from the historic estate of Frank Crowe; this is an excellent chance for collectors to own both good Mason Monterey, and also a piece of history. All items in … Continue reading
American Mahogany Seignouret Chair
The Seignouret chair appears to be an actual Empire striped mahogany “gondola” chair made by Francois Seignouret in Louisiana circa 1830-1850, though it could also be a later version of the signature chair (design attributed to Seignouret) created by Prudent … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, preservation, restoration techniques, textiles, upholstery, waxes, wooden objects
Tagged #americanantiques, #cleaningtextiles, #needlepointrepair, #portlandoregon, #SeignouretChair, #textileconservation, #traditionalupholstery, #upholsteryconservation, #upholsterypacificnorthwest, #UpholsteryPortlandOregon, #upholsteryrestoration, American Empire Seignouret Chair, Cleaning textiles, needlepoint, Seignouret Chair, traditional upholstery, upholstery conservation
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Throwback Thursday: Backgammon
A military couple had traveled all around the world with this backgammon set. When they retired they finally wanted the worn board restored. Simple in some ways, it had to be accurate and smooth. We excavated the old, conserved the … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, preservation, restoration techniques, upholstery, wooden objects
Tagged #backgammon, #furnitureconservation, #gamingtable, #heirloom, #pacificnorthwest, #portlandoregon, #upholsteryconservation, #UpholsteryPortlandOregon, #upholsteryrestoration, antiques, Furniture Conservation, Furniture Restoration, keepsake, leather, legacy, MPF Conservation, Portland, Portland Oregon, reparation, restoration techniques, upholstery
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Chinese Statue Conservation Treatment
Two polychrome statues, one whose hand was previously repaired incorrectly. Both were quite dirty. Our job was to remove the poor repair, repair it correctly, and clean and stabilize the finish on both statues. The treatment was a mixture of … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, art, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, gilding, painted objects, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects
Tagged #artconservation, #paintconservation, #statuerepair, carved, Chinese statues, conservation, Gamblin, gilded objects, gilding, painted finishes, painted objects, preservation, statue conservation, statue repair
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Sketching to Communicate with Clients
Does anyone create lovely sketches for their clients anymore? We often create amazing decorative pillows to accompany a conserved item. Kate created design sketches from images and samples, so that we could better talk with our client about ideas for … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, decorative motifs, French Furniture, textiles, upholstery
Tagged #clientsketches, #frenchfurniture, #pillows, #portlandoregon, #seamstress, #traditionalupholstery, #upholsterypacificnorthwest, #UpholsteryPortlandOregon, client sketches, conservation, passementerie, Portland Oregon, tailor, traditional upholstery, Upholstery Portland Oregon
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Throwback Thursday: Child’s Rocker
This week may be children’s week, as I am posting a throwback to a child’s rocker as well. The mother grew up with this rocker, but had made a new needlepoint for the seat. She wanted the old needlepoint cleaned. … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, preservation, restoration techniques, textiles, upholstery
Tagged #childschair, #furnitureconservation, #heirloom, #pacificnorthwest, #portlandoregon, #textileconservation, #upholsteryconservation, #UpholsteryPortlandOregon, #upholsteryrestoration, antiques, chair, Children's Furniture, conservation techniques, Furniture Conservation, Furniture Restoration, keepsake, legacy, MPF Conservation, needlepoint, Pacific Northwest, petitpoint, Portland, Portland Oregon, process, reparation, restoration techniques, upholstery, Upholstery Portland Oregon
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Heirloom Child’s Chair
The chair came to us through the heiress (hereafter called LB) to the Frank Crowe Mason Monterey Collection. The sweet chair was made by her grandfather… Someone had recovered it, but thankfully the original stuffings were intact! She wanted it … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, Interim Report, preservation, process, restoration techniques, textiles, traditional varnishes
Tagged #childschair, #furnitureconservation, #heirloom, #pacificnorthwest, #portlandoregon, #upholsteryconservation, #UpholsteryPortlandOregon, #upholsteryrestoration, antiques, chair, Children's Furniture, conservation techniques, Furniture Conservation, Furniture Restoration, Interim Report, keepsake, legacy, Mason Monterey, MPF Conservation, Pacific Northwest, Portland, Portland Oregon, process, reparation, restoration techniques, upholstery, Upholstery Portland Oregon
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Textile Conservation: Victorian Beaded Angel Needlepoint
One of the sweetest pieces we ever treated. A widow had several items conserved for the children in the family. This lovely beaded needlepoint had many condition issues: dozens of moth-eaten areas, ripped or broken canvas, a good deal of … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, art, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, preservation, reparation, restoration techniques, textiles
Tagged #angel, #beadedneedlepoint, #beadwork, #mpfconservation, #NativeAmericanBeadwork, #needlepointrepair, #pacificnorthwest, #portlandoregon, #tentstitch, #textileconservation, #textilerestoration, bead repair, bead work, conservation, needlepoint, needlepoint repair, preservation, tent stitch, Textile conservation, Victorian, woven beadwork, woven beadwork repair
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Washington State Flag, First Drafts, Paper
Beginning with the test sheets, I created test paintings of oil on paper. The paper was primed with shellac to prevent oil seepage. New tracings from our master tracing are created each time so the marks are fresh. My first … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted objects, process, reproduction, textiles
Tagged #DARstateflag, #daughtersoftheamericanrevolution, #drafts, #gamblinartistcolors, #gamblinoilpaint, #replication #paintingonsilk, #testpainting, #washingtonstateflag, DAR, flag, painting on silk, replication, State Flag, Washington history, Washington State DAR, Washington State Flag
6 Comments
Del Rey Dining Set: 1, Cleaning
Note: Some of the changes in color are due to using two cameras and different lighting! I bought a lovely Del Rey set owned by one family, and am getting it ready to sell it. (I forgot to photograph the … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, Interim Report, painted furniture, preservation, process, restoration techniques, wooden objects
Tagged #californiafurniture, #californiastyle, #cattle, #delreyfurniture, #forsale, #masonmonterey, #Mexican, #palms, #palmtree, #ranchstyle, #southwest, #westernfurniture, burro, cactus, clean furniture, conservation, Del Rey, Del Rey furniture, donkey, Mason Monterey, painted furniture, Palm tree, restoration
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Washington State Flag, Mixing Paint
I created test sheets for oil versions of George. Two coats of shellac seals the paper for the oil paint. It is nice to use up old shellac which can no longer be used on furniture! Phthalo Green and Chromium … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, art, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted objects, pigments, process, reproduction, textiles
Tagged #DARstateflag, #gamblinartistcolors, #gamblinoilpaint, #replication #paintingonsilk, #washingtonstateflag, DAR, flag, painting on silk, replication, State Flag, Washington history, Washington State DAR, Washington State Flag
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Washington State Flag, Tracings
The Flag Room is staged for the duration of the project. Black foam-core lines the walls waiting for the silk to be stretched upon. The silk will be attached to the foam-core for stability. The center table, currently used to … Continue reading
Washington State Flag: Gamblin Paints
I might’ve struggled through trail and error and testing on many phases, but thankfully, we are fortunate to share Portland as our home base with Gamblin Artist Colors, home to both the best oil paints and also, home to Gamblin … Continue reading
Labor Day in the Finish Studio
A post from dkatiepowellart… also Kate from MPF Conservation! Labor Day weekend and we are laborers so we are working… We have new A/C and I have a new lease on life in my newly cleaned and reorganized studio! I … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, art, painted furniture, wooden objects
Tagged #masonmonterey, #montereyfurniture, antiques, Del Rey, finish studio, Mason Monterey, MPF Conservation
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Mason Monterey Smokey Maple Floral Bedroom Set
We are breaking up the Mason Monterey Smokey Maple Floral Bedroom Set circa 1932 and selling it by the piece. Mason Monterey highly decorated and desirable floral pattern had one owner. The set is in good condition, with little damage … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, News, painted furniture, Spanish Furniture
Tagged #masonmonterey #montereyfurniture #antiques, 1930, 1931, 1932, bedroom set, desk, dresser, floral, for sale, highboy dresser, Mason Monterey, Mirror, monterey for sale, Monterey Furniture, painted furniture, Smokey Maple, twin bed, wall mirror
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How to Talk to an Artisan or Contractor
*this teaching moment applies to many types of situations… nothing here intended to be derogatory — just silly sweeping generalizations and fiction!* You have a lovely valuable antique (above) worth $5000 that needs work. Here are several scenarios and what … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, CAUTIONS, conservation techniques, preservation, reparation, restoration techniques
Tagged conservation techniques, Furniture Conservation, Furniture Restoration, MPF Conservation, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Portland Oregon, preservation, process, reparation, restoration, restoration techniques, Upholstery Portland Oregon
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Lianne’s Linen Sampler Ca 1806
Lianne’s Great-great-great-GREAT grandmother, Hannah Epes, completed this sampler on June 26th, 1806, when she was 10 years old. It came to us in the sweet old handkerchief box her grandmother kept it in, above, a keepsake. I like hearing the … Continue reading
Washington State Flag, Testing and Our Finalist!
Never underestimate the benefits of testing materials. I am by nature an impatient artist and tend to dive into art materials and experiment when it is my own art processes, however, with clients, I read, I test products, and it … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted objects, process, reproduction, textiles
Tagged #DARstateflag, #gamblinartistcolors, #gamblinoilpaint, #paintingonsilk, #washingtonstateflag, DAR, flag, Gamblin PVA, momme, mommes, painting on silk, replication, State Flag, Textile conservation, textile conservator, textiles, Washington history, Washington State DAR, Washington State Flag
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Washington State Flag, “So you say you have contenders…”
A caveat in posting a rant, however humorous. There are some excellent showrooms, and we are grateful and support them whenever we can. The rant below is a glimpse into what can happen and does happen when two seasoned professionals … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted objects, process, reproduction, restoration techniques, textiles
Tagged #DARstateflag, #paintingonsilk, #washingtonstateflag, DAR, flag, painting on silk, replication, State Flag, Washington history, Washington State DAR, Washington State Flag
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Washington State Flag, NEVER Say “No Problem”
A whopping four decades I’ve been in the business — even though I am ONLY going on fifty 🙂 — and gads if this hasn’t taught me a huge lesson. Never, ever, ever tell a client something is going to … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted objects, process, reproduction, textiles
Tagged #DARstateflag, #paintingonsilk, #washingtonstateflag, DAR, flag, green silk, matching colors, matching silk, painting on silk, replication, State Flag, Washington history, Washington State DAR, Washington State Flag
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Washington State Flag
The historic flag, above hanging on the wall of the Reception Room, a grand ballroom, is not the flag in its original form, but seen with modifications. How does that impact the replication process? The decision has to be made … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted objects, process, reproduction, textiles
Tagged #DARstateflag, #paintingonsilk, #washingtonstateflag, DAR, flag, painting on silk, replication, State Flag, Textile conservation, textile conservator, textiles, Washington history, Washington State DAR, Washington State Flag
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Conservation of Mason Monterey Tinoco Bedside Stand
We conserved and restored a Mason Monterey side table with the charming, humorous and valuable Juan Tinoco horses on the drawer front. Our client’s budget determined our scope of work. The table top was warped, lifting on both sides from … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, art, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, mold, painted furniture, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects
Tagged #bedsidetable, #conservationtechniques, #finishconservation, #finishrestoration, #frankmason, #juandurantinoco, #juantinoco, #leatherhandles, #masonmonterey, #montereyfurniture, #restorationteachniques, #smokeyivory, #smokeymaple, conservation, horses, restoration
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Creating Random Pattern in a Painted Finish
This is a European Pear wood, Louis XVI, French Empire Sofa from the mid-18th century. The image above is the way it appeared when it arrived in our studio. The frame was well-loved by generations though abuses by upholsterers and … Continue reading
Process: Circus Ball 2
Before I start showing you the restoration process, first let’s take a moment to marvel at this extraordinary ball. I rarely post full-size images, but the texture on this damaged ball is so beautiful, and the construction so extraordinary, that … Continue reading
The Sketchpack Project: MPF Conservation Tools
ABOUT SKETCHPACK: The project began in 2011. The original idea was to get folks to draw daily. The Sketchpack is a small zigzag journal with two usable sides, allowing one to sketch on both sides of 15 ‘pages’ to complete … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, funny funny, preservation, reparation, restoration techniques, tailor, tools, upholstery, wooden objects
Tagged anvil, art journal, aum, beeswax, Berry's, bostitch, chalk chuck, chalk line, furniture, Grex, hart twine, headknife, Houles gimp trim, Houles Tassel, kitchen, leather punch, leather strap cutter, leather strap fence, lie-nielsen saw, MPF Conservation, om, passementerie, pincer, pincushion, pyrex, Sketchpack Project, staple remover, Staplegun, stick picker, upholstery tacks
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Process: Circus Ball!
The thing I love most about our business is that you never know what is going to roll into our studio for treatment! Earlier this year, a new client sent the images below, along with the image of his aunt … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, CAUTIONS, conservation techniques, history, Interim Report, painted furniture, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects
Tagged balance ball, circus ball, damage from chemical strips, dip and strip, no chemical stripping, repair, restoration
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Process: Gustav Stickley Ladderback Chair Upholstery, 2 Show Cover
Continuing from the Gustav Stickley Ladderback Chair Upholstery, 1 Buildup post, (Or to begin at the beginning go here.) Buildup is complete, and we are ready to prepare the Show Cover of 4-5 oz. vegetable tanned strapping leather. Above, the … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, chair, Interim Report, preservation, reparation, restoration techniques, upholstery, wooden objects
Tagged 1910, antiques, arts and crafts, chair, conservation techniques, dye, Furniture Conservation, Furniture Restoration, Gustav Stickley, Interim Report, Ladderback Arm Chair, leather, MPF Conservation, Pacific Northwest, Portland, process, reparation, restoration techniques, show cover, strapping leather, traditional varnishes, upholstery, Upholstery Portland Oregon, waxes, wooden objects and tagged 1900
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Process: Gustav Stickley Ladderback Chair Upholstery, 1 Buildup
Continuing from the Gustav Stickley Ladderback Chair Finish post, (Or to begin at the beginning go here.) The frame is repaired and the finish conserved; Buildup begins! Stickley chairs do not have dustcovers, and so the underside of the canvas … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, Interim Report, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, upholstery
Tagged 1910, antiques, arts and crafts, chair, conservation techniques, Furniture Conservation, Furniture Restoration, Gustav Stickley, Interim Report, Ladderback Arm Chair, MPF Conservation, Pacific Northwest, Portland, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, traditional varnishes, upholstery, Upholstery Portland Oregon, wooden objects
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Process: Gustav Stickley Ladderback Chair Finish
Continuing from the Reparation of the Gustav Stickley Ladderback Armchair (Or to begin at the beginning go here.) We began our finish with a quick review of the chair with the repairs completed, above. The chairs were covered with radial … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, Interim Report, pigments, process, restoration techniques, traditional varnishes, waxes, wooden objects
Tagged 1910, antiques, arts and crafts, chair, conservation techniques, Furniture Conservation, Furniture Restoration, Gustav Stickley, Interim Report, Ladderback Arm Chair, MPF Conservation, Pacific Northwest, Portland, process, reparation, restoration techniques, traditional varnishes, upholstery, Upholstery Portland Oregon, waxes, wooden objects and tagged 1900
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