Tag Archives: restoration techniques

How to Talk to an Artisan or Contractor

Posted on August 7, 2017 by dkatiepowellart

*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 | 2 Comments

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

Posted on June 23, 2017 by dkatiepowellart

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 →

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, French Furniture, Interim Report, preservation, process, restoration techniques, upholstery | Tagged 19th century, barrel-back chair, chair, conservation, conservation techniques, excavation, French, Furniture Conservation, Furniture Restoration, Interim Report, MPF Conservation, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, planter's chair, Portland, Portland Oregon, preservation, process, restoration, restoration techniques, tufted back, tufted chair, tufted upholstery, turkish revival, upholstery, upholstery conservation, Upholstery Portland Oregon, upholstery restoration, Victorian | 3 Comments

Planter’s Chair: 1, Excavation, Seat

Posted on June 19, 2017 by dkatiepowellart

We are properly conserving a French-made Planter’s Chair, circa 1860. We’ll follow the chair through excavation to the new show-cover. An overview of the process, from one vantage point, below. We begin with excavation. Excavation is the discovery process, and … Continue reading →

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, French Furniture, process, restoration techniques, upholstery | Tagged 19th century, barrel-back chair, chair, conservation techniques, excavation, French, Furniture Conservation, Furniture Restoration, Interim Report, MPF Conservation, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, planter's chair, Portland, Portland Oregon, process, restoration, restoration techniques, tufted back, tufted chair, tufted upholstery, turkish revival, upholstery, upholstery conservation, Upholstery Portland Oregon, upholstery restoration, Victorian | 5 Comments

French Planter’s Chair

Posted on June 16, 2017 by dkatiepowellart

We are properly conserving a French-made Planter’s Chair, circa 1860, belonging to a Portland preservationist. Hand carved persimmon wood, European Beechwood frame, original innards, unmolested finish. We’ll follow the chair in detail through excavation to the new show-cover. We will … Continue reading →

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, French Furniture, process, restoration techniques, upholstery | Tagged 19th century, barrel-back chair, chair, conservation techniques, French, Furniture Conservation, Furniture Restoration, MPF Conservation, Pacific Northwest, planter's chair, Portland, Portland Oregon, restoration, restoration techniques, tufted back, tufted chair, tufted upholstery, turkish revival, upholstery, upholstery conservation, Upholstery Portland Oregon, upholstery restoration, Victorian | 2 Comments

Texaco Fire Chief Gasoline Banner

Posted on June 2, 2017 by dkatiepowellart

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 | 2 Comments

Process: Gustav Stickley Ladderback Chair Upholstery, 2 Show Cover

Posted on August 21, 2015 by dkatiepowellart

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 | 1 Comment

Process: Gustav Stickley Ladderback Chair Upholstery, 1 Buildup

Posted on August 21, 2015 by dkatiepowellart

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 | 2 Comments

Process: Gustav Stickley Ladderback Chair Finish

Posted on July 31, 2015 by dkatiepowellart

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 | 2 Comments

Process: Gustav Stickley Ladderback Chair Frame Repair

Posted on July 31, 2015 by dkatiepowellart

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 →