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 Restoration work for me is challenging and very satisfying. My
approach to restoring furniture is in the delicate work of my hands. My hand
tool skill came from my European schooling, were machinery was not allowed to
be used. Knowledge and the understanding of wood, construction and finishes are
of huge importance. It is often said that a restorer needs to be more gifted or
a better craftsman than the original maker. This is because the restorer needs
to be able to fully understand the piece, from its original date of manufacture
to the wood, its finish and also to the repair work that needs to be completed.
The other quandary that
many restorers face is whether or not the restoration should be to the pieces
original state or restored to a practical state with all the blemishes and wear
and tear of the years. I tend to follow the latter because I feel the piece as
it stands is what makes it. If you take away the colour, patina and blemishes
the piece will lose itself. This of course is especially true in dealing with
antiques that are of great value. If you are not careful one can easily ruin
the integrity of the piece and ergo the value.
Any stripping of
furniture in the shop is done by hand and not by the dip and strip method. This
ensures the joints; veneer and wood itself will not fall apart or be damaged.
No metal screws or pins are used, they eventually loosen up due to the
expansion and contraction of wood, and the joint or repair once again is
broken.
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