Restoration Projects
Below are some pieces of fine antique
furniture that I have had the pleasure of seeing pass through my workshop in the last few
years. Happily they left in far better condition than they arrived.
Restoration is an aspect of my work
here that may be unknown to some, especially as I am so closely associated
with the Shaker style and the Arts and Crafts movement. This is because the logistics of
restoration demand that it is of a relatively local enterprise with most of my restoration
clients finding my workshop by word of mouth. However, as the website develops I thought
it a good idea to include any extra items of interest that may make your visit a more
varied and enjoyable experience. The restoration of furniture is an extremely diverse
undertaking, every piece different and presenting a different problem to solve. Oft times
it is necessary to make special jigs or moulds to make a small missing element. The large
extending pedestal table I'm working on at the moment has lost a number of parts including
extra legs normally concealed inside the split pedestal, for use once the table is
extended. Having nothing to work from, some educated guess work along with research is
needed to find the correct design, this is not always apparent. There is not room here to
discuss all the different trades one must master to put right the ravages of time and
frequent use or even the arsenal of weaponry one must accumulate. However, if you have a
restoration query or even simply need to know the correct way to care for a valued
heirloom, just email me here info@barry-horton.com
and I shall be happy to advise or make suggestions where I can.
Bombe commode in King Wood. Louis XV
Various stages of repair
Completed and back in the clients house
Secrétaire in Burr Yew
 relatively
local enterprise with most of my restoration clients finding my workshop by word of mouth.
However, as the website develops I thought it a good idea to include any extra items of
interest that may make your visit a more varied and enjoyable experience. The restoration
of furniture is an extremely diverse undertaking, every piece different and presenting a
different problem to solve. Oft times it is necessary to make special jigs or moulds to
make a small missing element. The large extending pedestal table I'm working on at the
moment has lost a number of parts including extra legs normally concealed inside the split
pedestal, for use once the table is extended. Having nothing to work from, some educated
guess work along with research is needed to find the correct design, this is not in this instance it was necessary to completely rebuild the
drop front door.
After repair and final polishing
Before
Showing the
many different replaced elements of repair in these two chairs,
before colouring and polishing, for clarity.
French cylinder desk in King Wood. Louis XV.
The marquetry and ormolu was in rather a sad state. It took more
than 100 hours
of painstaking work to complete all repairs.
Before
Voilà
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