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The Restoration Process
(Note: Restoration and
Reinterpretation often do not include all the processes in
conservation; for information on conservation, see our other
website,
www.mpfconservation.com. We
use as an example an upholstered piece.
A client hiring us to perform restoration work will go through some or all of the following steps, as is applicable:
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An examination
of the piece with an eye to the work needed and an evaluation of the problems
inherent in the work are executed. In a non-intrusive manner, the original
design intention (function & fabric), structural integrity, build-up, fillers,
and the integrity of the finish are evaluated. (MPF has
never charged for this initial visit, but we now charge for
gas.)
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A non-certified discussion of the piece's age, period,
and style are done. Often during excavation this is confirmed or
changed. If needed or requested, we will recommend that a certified
appraiser be involved and coordinate this request.
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An estimate is
offered for all work proposed. Assuming MPF is hired to
do the project, we then:
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Pick up the project when we are ready to work
on it, unless other arrangements are made.
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A gentle and thoughtful excavation
(disassembly)
of the piece, layer-by-layer:
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On upholstered items, the following are excavated in addition
to the frame:
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Trim
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Upholstery
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Form (or Build-up
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Marquetry, parquetry, veneers, and other specialties are repaired
as necessary.
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We rework or create from scratch any broken parts,
whether they be in the frame, upholstery or form, either
ourselves or with the help of our co-conservators.
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Nails, pulls, and other case good parts are replicated as needed.
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We touch up, clean, and/or refinish
the existing finish, as is appropriate. Again, we rarely recommend refinishing except in cases where severe damage has been done to the whole
piece. More often, we clean, glue, burn-in, and polish damaged areas. :
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In terms of upholstery, and assuming the client wants to
restore the piece (as opposed to conserve the original upholstery) to its appropriate time period, we normally choose to
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Find
appropriate fabrics and trims in keeping with the period |
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Clean and restore the original upholstery, or |
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Coordinate custom milling of fabrics and trims.
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We retie, replace, and re-web springs or other internal
structures as they were originally intended, unless it is going to weaken the
overall structural integrity of the piece. (For more detailed examples of the
choices inherent in repairing structural problems, read some of our case
histories in our Conservation Portfolio or our
Restoration Portfolio.)
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We clean & re-card the existing hair, moss, cotton,
feathers or other fillers when appropriate.
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We add new compatible stuffings
if necessary.
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We replace or add under coverings.
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We reupholster
the piece with the conserved or new upholstery
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We trim the
piece with either the conserved trims or new trims, as is appropriate.
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We detail the piece as necessary and appropriate.
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The piece is delivered and installed.
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In
all areas, the processes used are the process that went into the original
building of the piece, unless there is a qualified reason to do something
different. One such reason may be that an older technique might forever
damage the frame, while a newer technique might save the piece. These
decisions are made with the owners. If the piece is very valuable, any parts not used are
set aside and handed back to the owner with a detailed explanation of where it
was found, and how and when it was installed, if this can be determined.
MPF
initially takes the attitude of the
conservator with any piece, and if a piece is valuable recommends actions that are appropriate
to the piece. Occasionally owners are unaware of the importance or value of
their piece! Sometimes "appropriate action" means touching up, cleaning,
and polishing the finish on
wood, for instance, rather than refinishing a piece. While a shiny
new finish may look wonderful (restoration), it often devalues its worth by
hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If the piece needs more work than the
owners can afford, sometimes temporary measures can be recommended. MPF informs
owners of the consequences of their decisions prior to taking steps, from a
conservator’s point of view.
Custom
Design
Custom design is a departure from the above items. The process is akin to
any design process, with front work done with the client to determine the
client's needs and the pieces parameters. If reproduction work is
requested, such as reproducing an antique chair to round out a set, the original
piece is procured as part of the design process.
Estimates
are offered after design work is completed; design time is
charged on an hourly basis unless otherwise discussed.
We are considerate of our customer's time
and schedule pieces to be delivered to us at the time we are ready to begin work. We do not store furniture. However, restoration work takes time, and complicated pieces may be in our workshop for
months!
Contact Information
©Mitchell Powell Furnishings
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