Specialty Services
Antique Restoration
For over 45 years, our family has been preserving the furniture that families like yours have passed down through generations. We specialize in the traditional techniques that honor the original craftsmanship of your piece, from hand-applied wax finishes to delicate gold leaf and intricate inlay work.
Free Pickup & Delivery throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex
Preservation, Not Just Repair
A lot of shops will strip an antique down and put a modern finish on it. That gets the job done, but it also erases the character that makes the piece worth restoring in the first place. We take a different approach.
When you bring us an heirloom, our first priority is understanding its history and construction. What era is it from? What finishing methods were used originally? What does the wood want to do? These questions guide every decision we make, from the type of finish we apply to the adhesives and materials we choose.
The result is a piece that still feels like itself, just brought back to life. That is what we mean by preservation over replacement.
French Wax Polishing
French wax polishing is one of the oldest and most respected finishing methods in furniture making. Many antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries were originally finished with wax or shellac, so using this technique is not just a stylistic choice. It is the historically accurate one.
We apply beeswax or carnauba wax blends by hand, building up thin layers to create a soft, warm glow that synthetic coatings simply cannot replicate. The finish enhances the natural grain and tone of the wood rather than masking it beneath a hard, plastic-like shell.
What Makes It Special
- Period-correct finish that matches original craftsmanship
- Fully reversible and conservation-friendly, so it can be removed or reapplied without damaging the wood
- Easy to maintain: scratches and dull spots can be touched up without a full refinish
- Natural beeswax and carnauba blends are safer and have minimal odor compared to synthetic finishes
- Develops a richer patina over time, adding to the character of the piece
Gold & Silver Leafing
Gold and silver leaf adds a level of detail and richness that paint or metallic spray simply cannot match. Whether it is a gilded picture frame, an accent on a carved headboard, or decorative trim on a side table, leafing catches light in a way that feels alive and warm.
We apply leaf using traditional sizing and burnishing methods, working with both genuine gold leaf and composition leaf depending on the piece, its intended use, and your budget. For antique restoration, we carefully match the tone and aging of the original gilding so the repair blends seamlessly.
Our Leafing Services Include
- Gold leaf application for frames, furniture accents, and decorative elements
- Silver leaf application for mirrors, ornamental pieces, and custom furniture
- Touch-up and repair of existing gilding on antique pieces
- Tone matching and aging techniques to blend new leaf with original finishes
Marquetry & Inlay Repair
Marquetry and inlay are some of the most intricate forms of woodworking. These decorative techniques involve fitting together thin pieces of different wood species, metals, or other materials to create patterns, images, and borders on the surface of furniture. Over time, pieces can lift, crack, or go missing entirely.
Repairing this kind of work takes patience and a steady hand. We source matching wood species and veneers, carefully cut new pieces to fit the existing pattern, and blend everything together so the repair looks like it has always been there. Whether it is a small patch or a full panel replacement, we treat every detail with the precision it deserves.
What We Can Do
- Inlay repair for missing, cracked, or lifted decorative elements
- Veneer patching and replacement with species-matched wood
- Full marquetry panel restoration for heavily damaged surfaces
- Color and grain matching to blend repairs into the original pattern
Our Conservation Philosophy
"Every antique tells a story through its materials, its construction, and yes, even its imperfections. Our job is not to erase that story. It is to make sure the next generation gets to read it too. We use the gentlest methods that will achieve the result, and we always err on the side of preserving what is already there."
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of antiques do you restore?
Will my antique look brand new after restoration?
How is French wax polishing different from polyurethane or lacquer?
How much does gold or silver leafing cost?
Can you repair missing sections of marquetry or inlay?
Have an Antique That Needs Careful Attention?
Tell us about your piece and we will let you know the best approach. Free estimates, free pickup and delivery anywhere in the DFW metroplex.