We try to take photographs of every anitque or damaged piece of furniture we work on, both before we start the repairs or restoration and after we are done.  We also take pictures as part of an inpection for a moving damage or insurance cliam.  This is me shooting a picture of a large scratch caused by a mover.

GET FREE ESTIMATES ON LINE!!!!  Send  photos of your antiques or fine furniture and a description of the damage with your contact information, to: FreeEstimate@FurnitureDrAl.com

     Part of our process of doing the restoration of an antique, includes creating a Restoration Report for the owner.  The Restoration Report includes photos of the condition of the piece as we first see it and then, if helpful, pictures of the work being done and then the completed work.  We include research information showing, where ever possible, the origin, age and potential value.  We give a detailed description of the item, its construction, previous repairs and its present condition.

    In many cases, repairs have been made over the years to restore the usefulness of the piece, but they actually detract from the value of it.  These include (but are not limited to) those done with rusty - bent nails, large screws, metal brackets and gloppy modern glues.  (Please don't get me started on 1960s style "antique finishes!!!)

     We endevor to use materials to match those originally used.  This includes the type of wood, glues (usually "hide glue"), screws, square nails and finishes.  This attention to detail helps maintain the integrety and value of your fine furniture.

     Your Restoration Report serves two purposes:

      1. If you decide to sell you item, it helps establish values and indicates the care you have invested in maintaining that value.

      2. It is useful for the next restorer (15 or 20 years from now) telling them what we did and how, so they have a solid starting point.

     This is a Civil Wal era Officer's writing chest.  It had been abused over the years, the brass cleaner was not the right type,  missing screws replaced with larger ones, finish worn.

     We cleaned and refinished the brass, filled the screw holes and installed the propere size ones and refinished the exterior.

     Grandma brought this beauty back from China before the Big War (WWI) but modern times were unpleasant to it.

     But with a little bit of luck (some glue and a lot of clamps) you can have a chair that looks like this!

This little 18th century French Writing chest came to us with multiple problems.

We rebuilt the broken door, found a new slate insert for a writing surface, rebuilt the drawer and more

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