Tag Archives: restoration

Depression Era Bedside Table

This is a short story about how a little TLC can bring a family piece back to life. Our client’s depression era nightstand went though a water event. While they were away, their ceiling leaked, which damaged the finish, detail … Continue reading

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

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

Posted in antiques, art, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted furniture, painted objects, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, upholstery, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Del Rey Dining Set: 2, Paint

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. Unlike most Monterey styles, this … Continue reading

Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, Interim Report, painted furniture, painted objects, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, Interim Report, painted objects, pigments, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, Interim Report, painted objects, pigments, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, 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

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted objects, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, Interim Report, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, Interim Report, painted furniture, painted objects, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Horseshoe Mystery!

The subtlety of the carving detail on the legs of the carousel horses is extraordinary! Parker has cleverly placed his identifying mark, “C.W.Parker, Leavenworth, Kan,” on the bottom of most horseshoes, such as these on the extra-large horse, Terri, above. … Continue reading

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, painted objects, preservation, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

JBC: Virtual Sketching!

Carousel horses have always delighted, even in the midst of virtual games and E-ticket rides; most of us don’t stop and look at them, but are seduced by the Wurlitzer calling to us, and the color and the action and … Continue reading

Posted in antiques, art, decorative motifs, musings, News, painted objects, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in antiques, art, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, Interim Report, painted objects, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, French Furniture, process, restoration techniques, upholstery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, French Furniture, process, restoration techniques, upholstery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, French Furniture, process, restoration techniques, upholstery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Planter’s Chair: 5, Buildup, 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 frame and finish conservation. Mitchell … Continue reading

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, French Furniture, process, restoration techniques, upholstery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Planter’s Chair: 4, Reparation and Finish Work

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

Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, French Furniture, process, restoration techniques, upholstery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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

Posted in antiques, chair, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, French Furniture, Interim Report, process, restoration techniques, upholstery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, decorative motifs, French Furniture, Interim Report, preservation, process, restoration techniques, upholstery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Planter’s Chair: 1, Excavation, Seat

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

French Planter’s Chair

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

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

Posted in conservation techniques, Interim Report, painted objects, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, Interim Report, painted furniture, preservation, process, reparation, restoration techniques, wooden objects | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

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 , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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 , , , , , | 2 Comments

B is for Blacksmithing: A-to-Z Challenge

In our business we work with many specialty trades, and one of my favorites is blacksmithing.  It is a macho cool thing to take steel and heat it and fashion it into usable parts, and a special talent to be … Continue reading

Posted in antiques, conservation techniques, preservation, process, restoration techniques, Spanish Furniture | Tagged , , | 2 Comments