Restoring antiques is perhaps one of the most high risk, high reward aspects of the business. Special in hundreds of ways, an antique carries a beautiful piece of the past with them, a beauty unique to that piece and only that piece. Antique furniture has a story. With it comes a lifetime of memories and sentimental value that simply cannot be replaced. So, when someone asks me to refinish their antique furniture, an oftentimes singular remaining tie to their past, a vital part of their legacy’s collection, the thing that reminds them of their grandmother… I don’t take the request lightly.

Restoration of any kind comes with unknowns and unexpected challenges. A deep understanding of different wood species (how grain patterns affect the refinishing process, which types are more porous, and which ones have pores that will tighten and resist stain if you sand with a grit too high), color theory (noting a stain’s undertones, the layering of pigments, how warm and cool colors interact on a surface), and which materials are best for the job (while a penetrable oil based product will yield gorgeous glow to one piece, a water based product may be what salvages another).

Since no two pieces are the same, I’m constantly evolving, taking what I’ve learned from one project and applying it to the next. I love reading books on the subject, talking to the good folks at my local woodcraft store, and calling upon my education- both in and out of the classroom- to bring these antiques back to life.

Your grandmother’s hutch/father’s writing desk/childhood table is incredibly special. It tells a story that begs to be shared and has a lifetime of sentimental markings to boast its life. That dent on the bottom elicits a memory. My job is to bring the glow back to these invaluable pieces. Sometimes that means refinishing the piece to look like new, other times that means we leave those precious furniture scars as a window back into the past. Whatever vision you hold for your antiques, I’m honored to be a part of their journey.

For a free consultation, please email contactpinkpinecone@gmail.com and include pictures of the piece (particularly any areas of damage), any budget or timeline constraints, and a description of what you might like it to look like upon completion. You may either email me directly or submit a form via my website here.

Before and after pictures of a writing desk: