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Category Archives: restoration techniques
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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Repairing Trigger
Whether you are a fan or not, a unique look at repairing Trigger. Part 1 Part 2
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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Victorian Firescreen Textile Treatment
This Victorian firescreen, circa 1890-1910, is a family heirloom, created from petitpoint, needlepoint, and cross-stitching, quite lovely when new. Originally it might have attached to a wooden or metal stand, standing in front of a fireplace to shield the family … Continue reading
Posted in conservation techniques, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, textiles
Tagged #artsandcrafts, #crossstitching, #silk, #textileconservation, #textilerestoration, #wool, arts and crafts, cleaning, cross-stitch, Firescreen, infill, linen, needlepoint, petitpoint, smoke, Textile conservation, tobacco, Victorian
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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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V&A: Moulding a Marcel Breuer Chair Seat
This is fun! I want to know how they made the mould! “Standard flat plywood boards cannot be moulded into curved shapes. To form curved plywood, glue is spread over layers of thin, cross-grained veneers which are placed in a … Continue reading
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
Posted in art, conservation techniques, Interim Report, preservation, process, restoration techniques, textiles
Tagged banner, conservation techniques, gas station, gasoline banner, Interim Report, MPF Conservation, process, restoration, restoration techniques, Texaco Fire Chief, Textile conservation, washing textiles
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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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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
Real Men Spit Tacks
Real men upholsterers spit tacks. After all these years, it still creeps me out a bit — I see his cheeks bulge a specific way while he is having a conversation with me and I’ll peer at him as if … Continue reading
Process: Circus Ball 3
We left the Circus Ball as it had been prepped for its paint layers. I am so sorry that all my images of the ball sanded smooth are very blurry! Happily, the detailed images are in sharp! The first coat … Continue reading
Restoration Award Celebration Dinner, The Event
Thanks to Drew Nasto for letting me use his images to place into sketch format to commemorate the night! When an artist draws, we remember. When we draw details, we get to know our subjects intimately. The simple act of … Continue reading
Process: Circus Ball 4
We left the Circus Ball with four layers of Gamblin Silver Oil Paint. Time to add the Cobalt Blue star! Who says one never uses High School math? Kate used Geometry to create the template for the proper sizes star. … Continue reading
Posted in conservation techniques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted objects, preservation, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects
Tagged balance ball, circus ball, damage from chemical strips, dip and strip, Gamblin Oil Paint, no chemical stripping, repair, restoration, star
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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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Process: Gustav Stickley Ladderback Chair Frame Repair
Continuing from the Excavation of the Gustav Stickley Ladderback Armchair (Or to begin at the beginning go here.) Reparation of the frame begins with more disassembly, on an as-needed basis for each chair. Corner blocks are removed, labeled, and screws … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, Interim Report, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, 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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Process: Gustav Stickley Ladderback Chair Assessment
We’ve not chronicled a project for a long time and these original Gustav Stickley circa 1900-1910 Ladderbacks are so lovely (and often poorly conserved and restored) that it is a good way to begin again! We will chronicle our process … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, Interim Report, process, reparation, restoration techniques, traditional varnishes, upholstery, waxes, wooden objects
Tagged 1900, 1910, arts and crafts, Furniture Conservation, Furniture Restoration, Gustav Stickley, Ladderback Arm Chair, MPF Conservation, Pacific Northwest, Portland, Upholstery Portland Oregon
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Taking Care of Your Antique Quilt
We are redirecting you to our new and improved article: Antique Quilts: Care and Repair And further reading on: Textiles + Quilts + Beaded Objects ©MPF Conservation. May be printed for your own use. May be reposted … Continue reading
Posted in CAUTIONS, conservation techniques, mold, reparation, restoration techniques, textiles
Tagged #antiquequiltrepair, #cigarquilt, #crazyquilt, #crewel, #crewelwork, #hand-sewn, #handsewn, #handstitched, #needlework, #nwportland, #pacificnorthwest, #portlandoregon, #quilt, #quiltcare, #quiltconservation, #quiltrepair, #quiltrestoration, #repairquilt, #textileconservation, #textilepreservation, #textilerestoration, #traditionalneedlework, #visiblemending, embroidery, foxing, humidity, mold, pests
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Repairing Veneer on a Bombe in the Style of Louis XV
Before Repair, Above, and After, Below. This is a lovely bombe which had cracked veneer across the curved door faces. Someone had previously repaired it long before our current owners took possession. MPFC treated several areas, but I am posting … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, Interim Report, pigments, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, shellac, wooden objects
Tagged Bombe, damaged veneer, finish, Louis XV, restoration, shellac
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Y is for Y?: A-to-Z Challenge
Y? We get asked a lot of questions that are subjective, and hard or even unethical to answer. Y do you cost more than Sally’s Upholstery shop or a national chain? First of all, it is unethical to badmouth other … Continue reading
Posted in conservation techniques, preservation, reparation, restoration techniques
Tagged DIY, questions
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U is for Real Upholsterers: A-to-Z-Challenge
Real upholsterer’s know things. Real upholsterers can upholster anything: walls, chairs, chests, sofas, hide-a-beds, padded beds. Real upholsters might upholster you if you hold still long enough. Real upholsterers know how to make an edge-roll from scratch. Real upholsterers know … Continue reading
S is for Shellac Varnish Damage: A-to-Z Challenge
Damage to traditional shellac varnishes — original varnishes made from shellac, and possibly with additional resins such as dammar, etc. — is often preventable. We see several common and preventable mistakes owners make over and over again. Before stripping, call … Continue reading
Q is for Q-tips: A-to-Z Challenge
Okay, I am giving it away. My super secret cleaning tool. Q-tips Brand Cotton swabs and elbow grease. Sometimes, a bit of distilled water. That’s it. I cleaned the entire Marguerite McLoughlin Chinese Lacquer Sewing Cabinet using 10,000 Q-tips. Why … Continue reading
N is for Nails, as in the History of: A-to-Z-Challenge
A client had this wonderful old nail display from the Tremont Nail Factory in Massachusetts. We took pictures of it. This is the writing underneath the nails: “From Pennyweight to Penny (a small “d” indicates a penny) — Originally the … Continue reading
Posted in conservation techniques, preservation, restoration techniques
Tagged nails, pennyweight, Tremont Nail Factory
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M is for McLoughlin’s Melodeon: A-to-Z Challenge
John McLoughlin was the Father of Oregon, and his history is celebrated at the McLoughlin House in Oregon City. We conserved the Prince & Co. Melodeon he gave to his granddaughter, part of a larger collection housed at his home, … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, house museums, preservation, restoration techniques, shellac, traditional varnishes, wooden objects
Tagged #columbiariver, #conservationtechniques, #drfrasertolmie, #fatheroforegon, #giltbutterflies, #johnmcloughlin, #lacquercabinet, #margueritemcloughlin, #mcloughlinhouse, #melodeon, #musicalinstrument, #nps, #oregonhistory, #pacificnorthwest, #portlandoregon, #prince&comelodeon, #prince&company, #sewingcabinet, #woodenobjectconservation, piano
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L is for Lead: A-to-Z-Challenge
Let’s talk about lead as in lead paint, shown right in a Mason Monterey Horseshoe-back Chair, especially in the cream, yellow, and greens. While we are at it, let’s talk about toxic pigments in antique or vintage paints. We love … Continue reading
K is for Ken Ellis’s Embroidered Textile Art: A-to-Z Challenge
We had the pleasure to conserve two pieces of Ken Ellis’ textile art for a private collector: the Shore Family, above, and Elizi Danto, bottom. It was a simple treatment, to clean as best we could some staining from a … Continue reading
J is for Jig: A-to-Z Challenge
Have you or your partner ever decided to fix a piece of furniture, thinking you could just glue it together? You glue it, maybe even clamp it, and it appears fine, but then you come back hours later to take … Continue reading
I is for Innards: A-to-Z Challenge
We had a call today from a prospective client who restored their récamier or fainting couch six years ago, with someone else. The news was sad. She had taken the piece to a local refinisher to have it refinished. The … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, preservation, restoration techniques, upholstery
Tagged fainting couch, Green Practices, historic, Horsehair, Organic, récamier
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H is for Hemp: A-to-Z Challenge
Today I will find out how many people look for articles on hemp! Of course, I’m not talking smoking it, medicinally or otherwise. We use it all the time in our business: hemp webbing, tapes, muslins, and the occasional stretchy … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, preservation, restoration techniques, textiles, upholstery
Tagged fiber, hemp, marijuana, maryjane, textiles, weed
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F is for Fabric Stores and Sexism: A-to-Z-Challenge
by DKP Women think sexism is only about the fairer sex, but I am married to an upholsterer. Let me tell you about sexism and fabric stores, since the whole purpose of this blog is to give you an insight … Continue reading
D is for Dragon’s Blood: A-to-Z Challenge
Dragon’s Blood is a pigment that was widely used in furniture finishes before and in the early 19th century. Synthetic dyes and a shift to different preferences in wood species moved makers away from this very popular finish, and of … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, pigments, restoration techniques, shellac, traditional varnishes
Tagged blood, dragon, dragonsblood, John McLoughlin, pigment, pigmentation, red, shellac, varnish
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C is for Carnauba: A-to-Z Challenge
Carnauba is loved by car aficionados because it is a great wax that makes their cars shiny in the hot sun! The special properties in carnauba allow it to buff to a high sheen and stay put even in hot … Continue reading
Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, preservation, restoration techniques, waxes, wooden objects
Tagged carnauba wax, furniture finishes, wax
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