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

                                                                    Completed and back in the clients house Various stages of repair                                                                    

                                          Secrétaire in Burr Yew

in this instance it was necessary to completely rebuild the drop front door.

                                      After repair and final polishing

                Before                                                                

                  Showing the many different elements of repair in these two chairs, before

                  colouring and polishing, for clarity.

                              Small Davenport desk with beautifully figured walnut.

                               At some point in its life, someone thought it would be

                               an inspired idea to paint it.

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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