A restored 18th century antique bureau with intricate inlay. This highly valuable furniture was restored by ARC services on the QLD Gold Coast.

A recently restored antique bureau by ARC Services

Antique Furniture Restoration

ARC Services specialise in the restoration of furniture. We restore and conserve furniture and decorative art of all periods. Traditional techniques are used throughout. Particular attention is paid to the period of the piece.

 

Should restoration be required it is done sympathetically and in a manner which can be reversed should that be required later in the life of the piece. This ensures that the value of the artifact is not destroyed or altered. This is in line with current conservation practices.

 

• We are happy to document all proposed repairs and conservation techniques to be used on a particular piece should it be required.

• A written quote can be provided if required

• Photographic documentation of a restoration or conservation project can be provided if required.

• All work is unconditionally guaranteed.

• We provide a consultancy service to advise on care or conservation measures for small or large collections

A brief description of our approach to Furniture restoration

by Calvert Regan

Historic artifacts are very valuable. They contain history of our past. The quality of design and the durability of the material of which they are made has ensured their survival. Some very old pieces are still in remarkable condition. They were made by highly skilled, and at the time respected people who spent long apprenticeships leaning their trade. They would apply traditional knowledge passed down by generations of craftsmen. These men would have learned the properties of the materials and design methods which stood the test of time. The design of furniture changed to reflect the contemporary fashions but the principals remained constant.

 

When we look at an antique artifact its history is often overlooked and its place in our past and present can be undervalued. Whether we like it or not we are just another generation owning or using a utilitarian item that has survived hundreds of years. It is very likely it will outlast us. This being the case we are the temporary custodians in a line of many to come. We therefore have a responsibility which should be taken seriously. To take this responsibility seriously needs education and an awareness of our place in history. Antique restoration and conservation is a specialist field. Allowing unskilled workers, however well intentioned they may be, to repair or restore a piece will be ultimately very costly.


Museums around the word take their responsibility very seriously and will only allow highly trained conservators to care for historic artifacts. Prudent owners of antiques have no less a responsibility.

 

Having been in this trade all my working life I was fortunate to serve a full apprenticeship before that system became a thing of the past. In the case of antique furniture restoration my teachers were all time served craftsmen. I was tutored in furniture design and construction by John Price an ex pupil of Edward Barnsley of the world famous Cotswold workshops. My training taught me to be visually sympathetic and to pay particular attention to detail. I was fortunate also to learn traditional techniques and their importance in restoring period furniture.

 

I am very careful to use materials and techniques that would have been used at the time the piece was made. It is very important that repair or conservation treatments can be reversed. This is particularly important in finishing the surface. Surface treatments, other than waxing should only be undertaken if absolutely necessary. They should only be the type of the period. This is vitally important in the case of colouring. All staining must be reversible.

alt="An antique restorer's tools of the trade. Vintage hand made screwdrivers with boxwood handles. Suitable for antique hand made screws."

How can we help you?

If you have some antique furniture you would like us to restore, don’t hesitate to be in touch. If the item is too large or heavy for you to take to our Burleigh Heads workshop, you can send us some pictures. We can normally give you a good idea about what is involved. We take an individual approach to each job we undertake, and can work with you to advise the best approach to suit your needs or budget. We will take great care of your item, and ensure that it’s value is enhanced and it’s integrity is maintained.