Category Archives: upholstery

Restoration of a Floral Needlepoint Seat ca 1900

The needlepoint seat we restored was part of a larger restoration/conservation project of a historic Mason and Hamlin Melodeon, ca 1866, shown above during assessment, and the small brass and glass claw foot spool turned Piano Stool which accompanied it, … Continue reading

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Oregon State Capitol Textiles

MPF Conservation conserved several textiles for the State of Oregon, intended to be displayed in the Capitol building; Megan Atiyeh was our contact. For more information on art shown in the Oregon State Capitol Collection, see the short booklet by … Continue reading

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SPANISH RED MASON MONTEREY A-FRAME

Note: We are adding older projects and updating (recreating) some which were previously posted because they were written at a time when tags and other web-based items were not offered on WordPress. This is one of them, and the older … Continue reading

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Stickley Chairs

Above and right, the chairs before treatment. Our client had six original Stickley chairs, some of which had their original upholstery.  They have been in her family for 6 generations, bought in Chicago in 1907. We will offer thorough documentation … Continue reading

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Louis XV Settees Slipcovers

The two Louis XV Ca. 1750 Settees needed slipcovers for the summer months in the south; we created lovely tailored slips for both! (To see the treatment of the two settees, go to Two Louis XV Ca. 1750 Settees.) Tailored … Continue reading

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Two Louis XV Ca. 1750 Settees

We are going to show you how we repaired the settee from the image on the left, to the conserved, reupholstered image on the right.  Many clients do not know all that goes into the conservation of an old frame … Continue reading

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American White Oak Seventeenth Century Dowry Chest

Above, the American Dowry Chest before treatment, Image #1, and after, Images #2-3. Below left, the interior with the dowry chest guardian inside. HISTORY We begin this post with Mitchell’s historical musings. “Our client’s American white oak dowry chest is … Continue reading

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Two Third Republic / Louis XVI Bergères ca 1900

Two hand carved, French walnut, French or Belgian Third Republic/Louis XVI Bergères are our topic for this blog.  Our client contacted us about the bottom literally dropping out of their two bergères, shown above, Bergère #1, left, and Bergère #2, … Continue reading

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MINIATURE SEDAN CHAIR “VITRINE”

Our restoration of the Miniature Sedan Chair Vitrine ca 18th century was seriously limited for many reasons. The piece was a beloved sentimental family object. Shown right, the vitrine in an image taken by our client years before. We are … Continue reading

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Suzi Piegols’ Textile

Above, the piece after conservation. I had the privilege to repair and conserve a portion of this unusual textile artwork created by Suzi Piegols, a well-known Oregon textile artist, shown left with a quilted piece of her own. I wish … Continue reading

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Louis XV Polychrome Commode Ca. 1730

Above, the commode before treatment; note the faux “drawers” on the front which are really hiding the door. Below, the underside of the commode. This well loved Venetian poly-chrome commode was created in the classical Louis XV Style.  It has … Continue reading

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Embellished Pillows

Several pillows were made to accompany our client’s family furniture after the design presentation:  below, images from the production process.  Pillows can make the look!   These pillows and bolsters are all hand-stitched other than the basic forms. CYLINDER BOLSTER The … Continue reading

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CW Parker Carousel, Chariot Benches

(Swipe to see the cats discovering the pony!) “Whoa… who put this here?” Savitri. “Hey, there’s a critter in the studio!”  Gibbs… “He’s not a cat….But he’s a cheery fella!  Just my size!” It is a shame the C.W.Parker Carousel … Continue reading

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“Jerry Lamb” Wingback Ca. 2010

Our client purchased the wingback chair designed by Jerry Lamb, a Portland Oregon antique dealer and interior designer. We were to do a full restoration, down to the frame, with a goal of improving upon its comfort level.  We also … Continue reading

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Hunzinger “Lollipop” Chair, 3 Finish

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

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Biltmore Bellows

Our client purchased one of the bellows from the Biltmore historic collection.  While in good condition, it had issues which he wanted repaired.  The bellows was not to be used everyday, but he did want it to be usable. In … Continue reading

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Design Presentations

We don’t discuss design presentations often but they are a normal part of our business.  With every project we present options to our client.  They range from simple presentations of fabric and trims placed over the object to be conserved, … Continue reading

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Mognat of Paris Steamer Trunk, 4, Completion

This Mognat of Paris family steamer trunk ca 1900, has been round the world many times.  The heirs brought it to us to clean, stabilize the inner lining, create new handles, and to preserve the character of the outer trunk … Continue reading

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Mognat of Paris Steamer Trunk, 3, Inside and Outside

This Mognat of Paris family steamer trunk ca 1900, has been round the world many times.  The heirs brought it to us to clean, stabilize the inner lining, create new handles, and to preserve the character of the outer trunk … Continue reading

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Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil, Final Details

Our client’s Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil, above. We started, as we always do, with an assessment. Then patterns were made and the textile and buildup was excavated. The  frame finish was conserved. The tapestry was cleaned and small reparations performed. … Continue reading

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Mason Monterey Club Chair, 5 Cushion Buildup

This continues several posts on the preservation of a lovely Old Wood Mason Monterey Club chair from our client’s family. To see the excavation, go here. To view the finish notes, go here. For the seat buildup, go here. For … Continue reading

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Mason Monterey Club Chair, 4 Upholstery

This continues several posts on the preservation of a lovely Old Wood Mason Monterey Club chair from our client’s family. To see the excavation, go here. To view the finish notes, go here. For the seat buildup, go here. Progress … Continue reading

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Mason Monterey Club Chair, 3 Buildup

This continues several posts on the preservation of a lovely Old Wood Mason Monterey Club chair from our client’s family. To see the excavation, go here. To view the finish notes, go here. We begin the buildup by installing new … Continue reading

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Mason Monterey Club Chair, 2 Finish

This continues several posts on the preservation of a lovely Old Wood Mason Monterey Club chair from our client’s family. To see the excavation, go here. The original Old Wood finish is deteriorated. If the finish were in good condition … Continue reading

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Mason Monterey Club Chair, 1 Excavation

This begins several pages on the preservation of a lovely Old Wood Mason Monterey Club chair that has been in our client’s family. It has been reupholstered once with elk hides, but the original cushions are intact. As we uncover … Continue reading

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Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil, Upholstery Buildup, Back and Arms

Our client’s Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil, above. We started, as we always do, with an assessment. Then patterns were made and the textile and buildup was excavated. The  frame finish was conserved. The textile was cleaned and small reparations performed. … Continue reading

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Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil, Upholstery Buildup, Seat

Our client’s Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil, above. We started, as we always do, with an assessment. Then patterns were made and the textile and buildup was excavated. The  frame finish was conserved. The tapestry was cleaned and small reparations performed. … Continue reading

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Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil, Frame Reparation

Our client’s Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil, above. We started, as we always do, with an assessment. Then patterns were made and the textile and buildup was excavated. The  frame finish was conserved. The tapestry was cleaned and small reparations performed. … Continue reading

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Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil, Cleaning Textiles

Our client’s Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil, above. We started, as we always do, with an assessment. Then patterns were made and the textile and buildup was excavated. The  frame finish was conserved. Be sure to run your cursor over images … Continue reading

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Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil, Finish

Our client’s Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil from the nineteenth century came in for treatment of the textile (gentle cleaning, and stabilizing from the back), conservation of original finish, and conservation of the upholstery buildup (innards). Before treatment images above.  We … Continue reading

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Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil, Excavation and Patterns

Our client’s Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil from the nineteenth century came in for treatment of the textile (gentle cleaning, and stabilizing from the back), conservation of original finish, and conservation of the upholstery buildup (innards). Before treatment images above, though … Continue reading

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Mognat of Paris Steamer Trunk, 2, Prep Work

This Mognat of Paris family steamer trunk ca 1900, has been round the world many times.  The heirs brought it to us to clean, stabilize the inner lining, create new handles, and to preserve the character of the outer trunk … Continue reading

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, Interim Report, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, textiles, upholstery, waxes, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Mognat of Paris Steamer Trunk, 1, Assessment

This Mognat of Paris family steamer trunk ca 1900, has been round the world many times.  The heirs brought it to us to clean, stabilize the inner lining, create new handles, and to preserve the character of the outer trunk … Continue reading

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, Interim Report, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, textiles, upholstery, waxes, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil, Assessment

Our client’s Louis XIV Revival Fauteuil from the nineteenth century came in for treatment of the textile (gentle cleaning, and stabilizing from the back), conservation of original finish, and conservation of the upholstery buildup (innards). Before treatment images above, though … Continue reading

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

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

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Crown Chair, Ca 1955, Los Angeles

The chair was made in Los Angeles, California, by the father of our client. He was an  upholsterer at the Crown Company in downtown lalaland. All the innards were cleaned and restored exactly as they were originally. The new showcover … Continue reading

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A Folding Journal of an MPFC Project

Guest post from Kate’s Art Blog, dkatiepowellart. I don’t enter many competitions, but the Sketching Work competition for the Centre for Transformative Work Design out of Perth AU was easy for me as I sketch our lives and work quite … Continue reading

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Planter’s Chair: 8 Showcover

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 upholstery buildup of the inside … Continue reading

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Planter’s Chair: 7, Buildup, Tufted Back and Seat

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 inside back excavation. The inside … Continue reading

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Planter’s Chair: 6, Excavation, Back

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 Buildup of the Seat. … Continue reading

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