Furniture Repair & Restoration

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Broken furniture, followed by damaged furniture, followed by scratched - discolored - out of date furniture. I often get work from husbands who said grandly, "Don't worry dear, I can fix that." Once a year I get a piece that someone back in the 60s covered with that green "antiquing stuff."

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I have over fifty years experience in woodworking. I don't take on every job offered to me, just ones that I feel I can do the most for. I research each piece before starting. I work carefully and do not rush. I try to use materials that are similar to those used originally. I make a photo record of each project from start to finish(no pun intended.) On antiques and some other pieces I furnish a written "Restoration Report" for the owner's future reference.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I enjoy my work because I like beautiful well made things. I get to work with things that were well made originally and once looked beautiful. I get to return them to their best.
I also love studying the handy-work and techniques of my predecessors.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. A few years ago, a lady called just before Christmas. Her little girl's favorite rocking chair was broken. She had take her daughter to the mall to see Santa Claus. Sitting on his lap, her only wish was, "could he have one of his Elves fix the chair?"
The mother had to have a super rush job done by Christmas Eve. I picked up the chair, that was in several pieces. I put it back together, gave it good cleaning and new coat of finish. I delivered it on the afternoon of the 24th.
Christmas morning the little girl was thrilled.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Start young. If you're too old to start young, then think about all the furniture you have owned. What did you like? What did you dislike? WHY???? Go to used furniture stores and prowl. See what looks old, but seems to be holding together. Figure out why.
Learn joinery, not only how to do, but why different joints are used.
Haunt paint and craft stores, Get in on every class they offer on stripping, sanding, finishing and polishing wood.
The skills needed for this work are not taught, they are aquirred over time. If you are serious, build some time into your work to teach young people to do this