Examples
Examples of successful restoration work can be seen below. However, in individual cases the restoration method and the result may be different.
Before
Upholstery broken, i.e. all upholstery and all nails must be removed. In preparation for the upholsterer, faulty blind wood must also be repositioned. Lack of veneer, which needs to be supplemented. Detaching veneer parts that are glued with warm bone glue. The surface mostly vanished, scratch marks, water stains, fading of the wood. The surface is sanded, putty, retouched, followed by a shellac hand polish.
After
Work in progress
Before
The bubbles on the veneer can be clearly seen in the picture.
After
Work in progress
Before
The head panel has been fitted with false veneer, this is removed and replaced with the correct wood.
After
Work in progress
Before
Blistering, detached veneer, heavily worn, stained surface, missing brass parts, non-functional lock, sticking drawers, and severely damaged leather inlay, in the “Before” picture.
After
Before
Faded, unattractive appearance with numerous water stains.
After
Before
The veneer on the tabletop was replaced with a dull veneer that did not suit the furniture during an old restoration. The new restoration reveals a beautiful inverted grain pattern.
After
Work in progress
Before
New veneer with strong grain and veneered in a cross joint.
After
Before
Complete re-veneering of the tabletop plus coloring and surface treatment.
After
Before
Aside from the renewal of the veneer and surface, the folding mechanism of this writing desk was broken and completely unusable.
After
Before
In the case of this piece, hardwood parts were upholstered, altering the furniture in its design. After removing the upholstery, it became clear why. The “hidden” parts were extremely faulty.
After
Before
The remaining individual parts were reassembled. Following treating the surface and the swiveling makup mirror, the full splendour of this small piece of furniture is revealed.
After
Before
The missing gallery has been restored/added. The newly turned parts must be pickled.
Desks or secretaries often require new felt or leather.
After
Before
Common damage patterns: detached pieces of veneer, cracks, scratches, stains and missing surfaces.
After
Before
Damage: part of the foot is missing, the veneer has broken off and the remaining veneer is loose.
Scratches, cracks, lack of a surface are clearly visible.
After
Before
Damage pattern: poor restoration: a random piece of wood was used, the rest was plastered over a large area.
Correct: A veneer that is as similar as possible to the original in grain and colour is used instead.
After
Before
Cleaning
Retouching
Waxing
After
Before
Since Thonet chairs were available in a wide variety of colors, they can be stained in different colours if the condition of the wood allows it (there are also discolorations of the wood that are irreparable). However, this requires a complete sanding.
After
Before
damage to the wood, there is often a broken or missing Viennese braid.
This is of course covered, no cheap “meter material” is used.
After
Before
Sawed-off chair legs are also a common form of damage. These are extended again to regain the correct seat height and also the elegance of the piece.
After
Before
Damage: missing a leg, missing veneer, detachment of the veneer, also clearly visible here: woodworm infestation. If the pest is still active, something must be done about it first. There are various options, including fumigation (certainly the most efficient)
After
Before
Complete reproduction of the missing veneer with appropriately tinted wood pieces.
After
Before
Adding numerous missing spots in the veneer.
After
