Conservation and restoration

Age retained.
Purpose renewed.

Fine furniture cared for with the minimum useful intervention and a long understanding of how it was made.

An antique pedestal table restored by Corinthian
Assessment · structure · surface

Care, conservation, continuity

Respect for what
is already there.

Every piece begins with close assessment: its construction, condition, surface and the life it still has ahead of it.

The treatment

As much as needed.
No more than necessary.

  1. 01

    Assessment

    Construction, condition and earlier repairs are read before the treatment is decided.

  2. 02

    Structure

    Cabinet repairs, joints and veneer work restore function while retaining original material wherever possible.

  3. 03

    Surface

    Colour matching and traditional finishing recover coherence without erasing evidence of age.

Neil O'Brien restoring an antique table
French polishing an antique timber surface

Restoration projects

Care recorded
in the surface.

Two examples from the current archive: one read through finish, one through the whole piece.

View all projects
A polished timber edge showing restored grain and finish

Restoration

French Polishing

A restored antique pedestal table with six dining chairs

Restoration

The Antique Pedestal Table

A piece in need of care

Start with photographs.

Clear images, approximate dimensions and what you know of the piece will help the first assessment.