Start with the frame
The frame decides whether a piece is worth restoring. If the wood is sound and the joints are firm, it usually is. Extensive woodworm or major breaks in the frame need careful assessment.
The value of the wood and carving
Many older pieces were made with good wood and hand carving that is hard to reproduce today at the same cost. These pieces deserve restoration, because what is under the fabric is worth more than the fabric.
Sentimental value
Some pieces cannot be replaced because their value is not their price: the family salon or a chair you inherited. In that case restoration is the natural choice.
What restoration includes
- Reupholstery with new fabric and foam chosen from samples.
- Repair of the frame, joints and carving.
- Refinishing of paint or gilding.
When new is better
If the frame is weak, the size does not suit the new room, or the design no longer fits the house, new may be the better choice. Ask for an assessment from photos before deciding.
How to ask for an assessment
Photograph the piece from the front, side and back, take close-ups of any damage, and send the dimensions. That is enough for a first assessment and a quote.
