Shellac polishing using the example of a Biedermeier secretaire

Walnut is a wood that tends to fade over the years. The varnish on the piece of furniture presented here had also become milky and brittle.

By stripping and then polishing a fresh shellac, the walnut veneer regained a strong colour and beautiful contrasts in the grain. [more...]

Restoration of an antique cylinder escritoire

The splendour of bygone days had unfortunately long since faded from this piece of furniture. The flap was stuck, the marquetry was lost in the "uniformity of colours".

Restoration has made the surface clear and clean, and all the moving elements run smoothly again. With the cleaned fittings, the piece of furniture now shows itself in all its beauty. [more...]

Restoration of an Italian table with inlays

The veneers of this intricately designed side table had become detached from the support wood due to changes in humidity and temperature.

Some veneers were lost, some were loose in a bag. There were missing areas on the entire table top as well as on the three-legged table leg. [more...]

Restoring an antique English grandfather clock

This antique grandfather clock had not run for a long time, the movement was dirty and did not start well. The bearings were full of dust and dirt, so that the gears no longer ran smoothly in each other.

The mahogany wood of the clock case was "patinated" with dark wax, the surface was worn and the structure of the wood was no longer easily recognisable. [more...]

Reconditioning of a classicist desk

The work table presented here was made around 1790 in southern Germany.
Apart from a few unprofessional repairs, the piece of furniture was almost untouched when it came to our workshop.

Most noticeable were the many loosened veneers and the heavily thrown (crooked) table top. [more...]

Upholstering and reupholstering an antique armchair

Antique armchairs should not only be cosy and comfortable, but usually also play a design role in the living room.

We restored this beautiful and rare Bergere on behalf of a customer and covered it with a new upholstery fabric.
Click on the picture for a detailed description of the restoration. [more...]

Complete restoration of a Biedermeier bookcase

The overall impression of the found Biedermeier furniture would probably be described as "bad" at first.
But anyone who knows anything about antique furniture will quickly recognise that the basic substance behind the dirty façade is absolutely worth preserving.

And so it came about that we were able to achieve a great end result by cleaning, repairing, supplementing and polishing. [more...]

Woodworm treatment and reconstruction of an antique secretaire

The more battered the piece of furniture, the greater the wow effect in the before-and-after comparison.

This restoration example shows that a Biedermeier armoire can be absolutely worth preserving even in desolate condition.

Wood pests, as well as environmental and weather influences had left clear traces here, a refurbishment was urgently necessary. [more...]

Restoration of a baroque chest of drawers

We found this antique chest of drawers in a really badly dilapidated condition. "The previous owner said: "Probably not salvageable any more!

The drawers were very sluggish, keys were no longer available. Parts of the top edge made of solid plum wood had broken off, some veneers were missing. [more...]

Refurbishing a ladies' secretary

Like most antique furniture, this French lady's secretary came to our workshop in an absolutely unrestored original condition. The wax polish was very worn and the walnut wood was faded. The leather on the writing surface had come loose in several places, but was still in good condition. [more...]

Restoring and brightening a top cabinet

Again and again the question comes up: "Can dark wood be made lighter?".
The answer is: "It is always possible if the wood has been darkened by stain, glaze or varnish."

In this case, a black lacquered top cabinet should regain its warm oak tone. [more...]

Stripping, sanding and oiling a softwood table

When we speak of "softwood", we usually mean spruce, fir or pine. The wood of these trees has a beautiful light colour that can darken pleasantly over the years.

In the case of this table, however, thick layers of varnish first had to be removed to reveal the wood. [more...]

Restoration of a linen cupboard from the Wilhelminian period

The linen cupboard presented here had a very badly battered lacquer surface when it came to our workshop.

In addition to shellac, oils or waxes can also be used to seal the surface of antique furniture. With the right oil, you can give the wood a wonderful natural character. [more...]

Restoration and upholstery of antique Biedermeier chairs

Choosing the right upholstery fabric is an important part of restoring antique chairs.

Are classic mahogany chairs suitable as cosy seating furniture in a modern living room? The right fabric and good refurbishment make it possible. [more...]

Repairing and refurbishing a baroque grandfather clock

So often I hear the sentence: "The clock hasn't been running properly for years...
" Yet an antique grandfather clock has a very special myth. Often firmly attached to the place where it stands for years, it makes the house 'homely' and tells you at every hour: "Here you are at home!".

And every now and then it needs a little care to keep it running... and runs... and runs - even for the next generations. [more photos]

Stripping oak - restoration of an antique cabinet

Especially furniture made of oak or softwood was often painted with a glaze towards the end of the 19th century. In this way, the colour and structure of the wood was adapted to the individual wishes of the buyer at the time.

Nowadays, people prefer to see the "real" wood. Moreover, there is furniture, as in this case, where the glaze is in such bad condition that it is better to remove it. [more photos]

Restoring a Gründerzeit table and covering it with leather

This beautiful table from the Wilhelminian period not only had a completely battered felt covering, but the drawer was no longer there and the wood was dry and brittle.

Instead of felt, the customer opted for a fresh leather. A drawer of similar size was quickly found. The result is impressive! [more photos]

Restoration of a double extendable dining table

With its practical pull-out patent, this dining table from around 1890 can be almost tripled in size. But what use is that if the system is jammed, the wood cracked and the surface unsightly?

Thanks to the restoration, the table is now an absolute eye-catcher again. The oiled surface is perfectly suitable for everyday use and the height of the table has also been extended somewhat. [more photos]

Wood and upholstery work on a rocking chair

A rocking chair is probably the the epitome of cosiness. Finding a beautiful antique model is certainly not easy.

But once you've found it, you want it to look good again and, above all, function well. This example shows a great rocking chair in a before and after comparison. [more photos]

Restoration of a small Louis XVI chest of drawers

Oak can be so noble. This small Louis XVI chest of drawers illustrates this at first glance.

However, most of the veneers of the cube marquetry were loose and the drawers were stuck. In short: a restoration was appropriate and necessary! [more photos]