Category Archives: Interim Report

Susan’s Antique Crazy Quilt Repair

End of this year I had the pleasure of repairing on our client’s Grandmother’s antique quilt. Pleasure because as I worked on it the imagined original beauty came alive;  pleasure because our client is interested and excited! Our antique quilt … Continue reading →

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Dutch Spindleback Ca 1600

Edit, update from Mitchell: “The chair featured in this article is very old. It was probably well into it’s use at the time Henry Hudson first made his way up the river which became his namesake.  It was originally a … Continue reading →

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Yves Telemak Beaded Voudo Textile: Ezilí Dantor

This beaded sequined textile by Yves Telemak was one of the most delightful projects I have worked on! Intricate folk art, with thousands of sequins and pearls each with a tiny seed bead! And the colors!  Modern art and folk … Continue reading →

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JBC: White Patriotic Jumper Treatment, Oil Paint

Our White Patriotic Jumper had treatment of his parts: Treatment, Tail, Part I; Treatment, Tail, Part II, Treatment, Tail, Part III, Treatment, Knees and Thighs, and Treatment, Belly Split. Patriotic was thoroughly Prepared for Finish Work, and a base coat … Continue reading →

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Louis XIV Chest, 3, Veneer and Finish

We move now to Veneers and Finish! Previous posts on the Louis XIV chest can be found: 1, Woodworking; and 2, Pest Infestations. Veneer for amendments was created by MPFC ahead of time for the project, as it was thicker … Continue reading →

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JBC: White Patriotic Jumper Treatment, Gesso

Our White Patriotic Jumper had treatment of his parts: Treatment, Tail, Part I; Treatment, Tail, Part II, Treatment, Tail, Part III, Treatment, Knees and Thighs, Treatment, Belly Split and Preparation for Finish Work. The White Patriotic Jumper is a sample … Continue reading →

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Louis XIV Chest, 2, Pest Infestations

The chest of drawers is a seventeenth century French Louis XIV, shown above after treatment in its full glory. We continue from the previous post on the Louis XIV Chest, 1, Woodworking. This post covers samples of treatment for pest infestation. … Continue reading →

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Textile Conservation: Victorian Tea Cosy, 5, Beading

Continuing from our earlier post on searching for beads… This post, harder repairs. Side “A” had many more difficult repairs. Below is an example of what I shared with our client regarding the worst of her issues on the tea … Continue reading →

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Textile Conservation: Victorian Tea Cosy, 4, Beading

I started on the easier side, “B” from the previous post, but now I move to the side that is far more damaged, side “A”. Note: These images are not in chronological order in this post. We will cover some … Continue reading →

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Louis XIV Chest, 1, Woodworking

The chest of drawers is a seventeenth century French Louis XIV, shown above after treatment in its full glory. The drawers are wide and deep, and one can imagine a wealthy woman having a lovely chest to place long full … Continue reading →

Posted in antiques, art, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted objects, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Flax Wheel

This is a family heirloom, a spinning wheel made for spinning flax. Our client inherited the wheel and wanted the small piece broken repaired. It is unlikely that it will be used again, but it has to be strong enough … Continue reading →

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted furniture, painted objects, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, traditional varnishes, waxes, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

JBC: White Patriotic Jumper Treatment, Finish Preparation

Our White Patriotic Jumper had treatment of: Treatment, Tail, Part I; Treatment, Tail, Part II, Treatment, Tail, Part III, Treatment, Knees and Thighs, Treatment, Belly Split. When these repairs were completed, we could prep surface repairs and finish. The White … Continue reading →

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JBC: White Patriotic Jumper Treatment, Belly Split

Our White Patriotic Jumper has repairs to be made on the tail, the tail-to-leg connection, all four legs, and his belly. When these repairs are completed, we will treat surface repairs and finish. The White Patriotic Jumper is a sample … Continue reading →

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Textile Conservation: Victorian Tea Cosy, 3, Beading

Continuing from our earlier post on searching for beads… The cosy has two sides, arbitrarily labeled “A” and “B” for reporting and discussion sake in the report. Some of the areas of the tea cosy have disintegrating linen warp and … Continue reading →

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JBC: White Patriotic Jumper Treatment, Knees and Thighs

Our White Patriotic Jumper had repairs to be made on the tail, the tail-to-leg connection, all four legs, and his belly. When these repairs were completed, we could treat surface repairs and finish. The White Patriotic Jumper is a sample … Continue reading →

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Washington State Flag: Painting

We left off with eyes following me around the room, above, and a day of oiling out. The background is a blend from left to right of phthalo, sap, olive, and chromium greens, as we illuminate George from behind on … Continue reading →

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JBC: White Patriotic Jumper Treatment, Tail, Part III

Our White Patriotic Jumper had repairs to be made on the tail, the tail-to-leg connection, all four legs, and his belly. When these repairs were completed, we could treat surface repairs and finish. The White Patriotic Jumper is a sample … Continue reading →

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted objects, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Textile Conservation: Victorian Tea Cosy, 2, Beads

Continuing from our earlier post… The difficulty in finding beads to match vintage beads is astounding! Clients and those creating new works are unaware that every day our commerce is trying to save cash by only stocking what is popular. … Continue reading →

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Washington State Flag, Oiling Out

Note: The images are at an angle so the powdery textures and oil can be better seen. Taking a break from painting George to discuss a procedure that will be performed on the finished product, and the testing day. We … Continue reading →

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Washington State Flag: Prepping Flag Blanks

We left off with my final finished draft on silk, above. I wished I’d take a photo of the room with the green silk along one wall — Beautiful color to work in for the next two months of painting! … Continue reading →

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JBC: White Patriotic Jumper Treatment, Tail, Part II

Our White Patriotic Jumper had repairs to be made on the tail, the tail-to-leg connection, all four legs, and his belly. When these repairs were completed, we could treat surface repairs and finish. The White Patriotic Jumper is a sample … Continue reading →

Posted in antiques, art, conservation techniques, Interim Report, painted objects, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

JBC: White Patriotic Jumper Treatment, Tail, Part I

Our White Patriotic Jumper had repairs to be made on the tail, the tail-to-leg connection, all four legs, and his belly. When these repairs were completed, we could treat surface repairs and finish. The White Patriotic Jumper is a sample … Continue reading →

Posted in antiques, art, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted objects, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

A Visit with the Doc, or Carousel Horse Assessment

As promised, an explanation of our assessment process, and of course, a horse is so much more interesting than a building part! Terri is a beloved horse from the Jantzen Beach Carousel; locals have fond memories of her! Terri is … Continue reading →

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Jantzen Beach Carousel Assessment Process

As we’ve probably said we were hired to assess the current status of the decorative parts of the Jantzen Beach Carousel. (Another firm is estimating the status of the mechanical and housing parts.) The carousel has been in storage since … Continue reading →

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The Mystery of the Metal Patches

We’ve inherited a box of old badly damaged pony legs with butted joinery which have been clad in copper and tin sheeting. The tacking lines along the leading edges of the butt joinery are so badly damaged by the tacking … Continue reading →

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Textile Conservation: Victorian Tea Cosy

We have several interesting textile projects in the studio this year, and one of the most challenging is this Victorian Tea Cosy for a private client who has generously allowed the process to be shared. There are five posts to … Continue reading →

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Happy Valentine’s Day

  Happy Day! Love is in the air in the stable! He’s grinning cuz he’s in need of lots of TLC and this is the place to get it! Poor Stargazer is chipped and broken and oh my, he is … Continue reading →

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Parker Ponies

People don’t realize how tiny the Parker ponies are; I can just about carry one under my arm! I found a good way to show you… Letting the studio cats in for a visit with Pinto Pony (he’s got the … Continue reading →

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Good Monday Morning!

“Good Morning!” Yup, we talk to them, saying good morning when we come in… I’ll worry when they start talking back! Water Spirit Dappled Grey Horse from the Jantzen Beach Carousel… Did you have a favorite?     Written by … Continue reading →

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The Jantzen Beach Stable is Full!

After what was the best difficult moving days we’ve ever had (go here read about that), the horses and many shields and cresting boards are in our studio, which now has a large room called the “Jantzen Beach Stable”. When … Continue reading →

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Jantzen Beach Carousel Moving Day!

Note: The images all have notations if you scroll through. “You want us to do whaaaat?” “Yes, that’s right, first, this mess has to be cleaned up!” We first arrived to assess the horses, because it starts with the horses, … Continue reading →

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Hunzinger “Lollipop” Chair, 1 Excavation

Our armchair, affectionately known as the “lollipop” chair, was made circa 1880.  George Jakob Hunzinger (born 1835 in Tuttingen, Germany), was a progressive designer out of New York who was often influenced in his designs by machinery; their geometry and … Continue reading →

Posted in antiques, art, chair, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, upholstery, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Frances Normandin’s Bell Hanger

Frances Normandin, great-grandmother to our clients, designed and created the needlework bell hanger (ca 1930-1940) as a gift for her 15-year-old son,  Fred Louis Normandin, Jr., or “Bub.”  Fred was named after his father, the first grocer in the Mount … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Planter’s Chair: 3, Excavation, Back (Partial)

We are properly conserving a French-made Planter’s Chair, circa 1860. (You can begin here, if you like.) We’ll follow the chair through excavation to the new show-cover. We left off in the last posting with the Excavation of the seat. … Continue reading →

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Planter’s Chair: 2, Excavation, Seat, Continued

We are properly conserving a French-made Planter’s Chair, circa 1860. (You can begin here, if you like.) We’ll follow the chair through excavation to the new show-cover. We left off in the last posting with the seat partially excavated. Removing … Continue reading →

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Texaco Fire Chief Gasoline Banner

Growing up in Southern California, the home of the automobile, I remember fondly this emblem as a kid! The Texaco Fire Chief Banner was in excellent condition, but dirty and creased. The back appeared to have been dropped into dirt, … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Washington State Flag

My rendering of the Historic Flag, above. Below, the Historic Flag in the State Reception Room. We begin the process of replicating the Washington State Flag originally made by the Washington State chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution … Continue reading →

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