This book grew out of my many years of practical experience and a growing awareness of how easily originality can be lost through well-intentioned but unnecessary intervention. Its emphasis is on thoughtful decision-making, informed by history, materials, and context, guiding the restorer to approach each piece with care, respect, and understanding.
Much has been written about the practical repair of antique furniture, particularly the importance of structural integrity and sound joints, and this book also includes a dedicated chapter on these essential skills. But It main focus is on the broader understanding required of the restorer, by exploring less obvious considerations and elements of trade practice that are rarely discussed in print.
Building on this wider perspective, we first ask what an antique actually is, before considering how to recognise the genuine article among lesser examples, or copies. We examine where and how to acquire authentic pieces suitable for restoration, and how to estimate the amount, and feasibility of work required. It is only through careful appraisal that one can determine the kind of intervention that may be appropriate, and whether it falls within one’s current skill set, or those new skills which may be developed through the guidance in this book.
Once a piece has been assessed structurally and its authenticity confirmed, attention naturally turns to the surface. Finishes often hold clues to the piece’s history, and they are frequently the most vulnerable element. This book examines how to identify and evaluate existing finishes, deciding whether they can be preserved, and, if not, how best to proceed while maintaining respect for the furniture’s character and history.
Techniques are presented within a conservation-minded framework, so that the reader not only learns how a task is carried out, but also why a particular approach is preferred. The book includes a dedicated chapter on preparing in-house restoration products, allowing the restorer to maintain full control over materials and outcomes, so that every step can be undertaken with certainty, avoiding the unpredictability inherent in many commercially prepared products.
A basic level of woodworking or cabinetmaking experience is assumed. Although this is not intended to exclude those at an earlier stage in their career, simply to acknowledge that antiques are rarely the best environment in which to practice and develop fundamental skills. Developing these skills elsewhere, while undertaking the smaller interventions described, will ultimately allow the reader to approach historic furniture conservation with greater skill, confidence, and professionalism.
Restoring and Repairing Antique and Fine Furniture is written for those who wish to move beyond routine repairs and cosmetic treatments, and towards a more thoughtful and professional practice. Whether this is for oneself, or as a career.
Publishing date should be around the end of March, but check back here for info on pre-ordering.
