Candle was turned over by pet and burned fairly deep into the surface. We removed all burned material, filled the area and created the graining and color. Sheen was restored. Customer was very happy.
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Candle was turned over by pet and burned fairly deep into the surface. We removed all burned material, filled the area and created the graining and color. Sheen was restored. Customer was very happy.
MEMPHIS, TN–(Marketwired – November 23, 2015) – As the holidays draw near, many party hosts will scramble to inspect their fine china and iron tablecloths in preparation for holiday get-togethers. This year, Furniture Medic, a leading provider of furniture repair and restoration, reminds us to follow these expert tips to protect our household furniture this holiday season.
“During the holidays most people are busy getting ready for parties and buying gifts, unaware that they may be setting the stage for their favorite pieces of furniture to suffer costly damage,” said Gina Moss, manager of technical training at Furniture Medic. “Some of the most common damages we see to finished surfaces during the holidays are actually avoidable, either by taking precautions beforehand, or knowing what to do as soon as you notice that an item has been damaged.”
Here are some of the most common culprits of damage, and Moss’s expert advice on how to protect your finished surfaces and enjoy them for holidays to come.
For more expert repair and restoration tips, follow the company on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter. To contact the nearest Furniture Medic, visit www.furnituremedicbyswenson.com.
Over the years Furniture Medic has been asked to repair damage due to candles being inadvertently tipped over and damaging a piece of furniture, primarily tables. With the holidays upon us it is appropriate to remind you about Candle Safety.
This article is used by permission from National Property Inspections,
www.
Please be safe, but if you experience damage, we know how to fix.
Autumn is in full swing, the holidays are approaching, and for many people, it’s candle season. Candles can create an attractive display, whether solo or placed precisely inside or around additional décor. The ambience and aroma of candles burning in a home is pleasurable and relaxing for many people. But lets’ remember that fire is involved. Whether you are burning candles on a birthday cake, at dinner, while Christmas caroling, or while relaxing in the bath, we’d like to remind you of some simple candle safety tips:
Wobbly legs and torn upholstery don’t necessarily mean it’s time to put a piece of furniture out by the curb. While repairing a table from I**a or a chest of drawers from Ta*get usually isn’t worth it (the cost of fixing the items would be more than just replacing them), well-made furniture is often worth saving, especially if it has sentimental value or you still like the look of the piece.
FURNITURE MEDIC can help you decide. Please call us toll free at 877-835-3697 or on line at www.furnituremedicbyswenson.com
These antique chairs belonged to a relative of our client, had several coats of paint and were stored in an attic for years. The client wanted them to look nice again so she could display them.
We removed the paint and smoothed the surfaces. Next we applied a General Finishes milk paint (one chair in Dark Chocolate and the other in Coastal Blue). The chairs were clear top coated to protect the finish.
The seats were restored using sheet caning.
The customer was so pleased with our work that she took the chairs on a trip to visit her Mother and showed them to her.
This is the ‘before’ picture.
The is a picture of the restored chairs in Dark chocolate and Coastal Blue
We are refinish and repair professionals. We enjoy and appreciate fine furniture.
We are frequently asked if the value of furniture will be diminished if I elect to refinish? This question often comes from segments seen in Antiques Roadshow’s programming.
You should keep in mind that the Antiques Roadshow is entertainment. The appraisers and moderators are extremely knowledgeable. Their focus is primarily on those unique museum quality collector pieces which have survived the decades free of sun bleaching, humidity variation and damage caused by normal use. These pieces are extremely rare. We recommend that our customers get an appraisal from a certified appraiser if they have any inkling they may own one of these rarities.
Most of the furniture brought to us has broken joints or pieces and a marginal finish. A worn finish that acquires a contaminant or even the oil from your hand can devalue the piece significantly more than refinishing.
Please understand the primary reason for a finish is to protect and beautify the wood. Once this finish has deteriorated, the primary objective cannot be met. We find that many of the old pieces have finishes harmed by today’s cleaners and polishes.
A NOTE ABOUT PATINA-
Patina? How is it possible that we see modern furniture advertised as having that rich patina finish?
To most connoisseurs patina means that aging look, created by the environment and years of applications of waxes, oils, TLC and non-TLC.
Do the years worth of wax buildup and soiling count as patina? Do the yellow sunbleached top and cracks caused by the sun grace a piece with patina? The consensus among antique officiandos is that there is no consensus. The jury is still out.
A finish can be applied which resembles the darkened, mellow shade of brown which replicates that ‘patina’ look. When applied professionally it is virtually impossible to distinguish from that truly aged piece.
If you have furniture that needs professional attention, it’s a good idea to know some of the terms of the trade before you hire someone. Here’s some information to help you:
Restoration
In most cases, restoration refers to light cleaning and cosmetic repairs. The goal is to maintain an antique or vintage piece’s structural integrity and outer appearance so it retains its value.
Refinishing
Refinishing usually involves stripping the piece of furniture of its current finish. For a wooden piece, a chemical stripper is generally used, after which the item is sanded, stained and refinished. With refinishing, there is a chance a refinished piece may lose some of its value. So be sure to do your research and make sure the furniture contractor you hire is an expert like Furniture Medic.
Exceptions
Refinishing is often a more in-depth process than restoration, although some people use the terms interchangeably or consider refinishing to be a specific type of restoration. Therefore, be sure to be clear when communicating with a furniture contractor to avoid any confusion or disappointment.
Furniture Medic by Swenson can help with your questions. Contact us at www.furnituremedicbyswenson.com
It’s that time of the year – time to get the house ready for family and guests who will be visiting for the holidays! You already know to make time to polish the silver and iron the tablecloths, but how about those dining rooms chairs?
This holiday season, make sure everyone can take a seat at the table by calling Furniture Medic! Dining chairs with loose backs can be uncomfortable and unsafe. Call Furniture Medic and we will tighten or reglue those chairs for the cost of just $50 each (minimum of four chairs, please). The work is done right in your home, and we can usually have you fixed up in less than an hour.
Contact Furniture Medic by Swenson at 877-835-3697 and schedule an appointment for this pre-holiday special. Don’t wait; get those dining room chairs fixed up in time for Thanksgiving dinner!
If you have any furniture that needs fixing, call on Furniture Medic. From minor repairs to major refinishing jobs, Furniture Medic has the skill and experience to do the job right.
Serving the area since 2011, Furniture Medic offers professional service for repairing, refinishing, restoring and refurbishing all types of wood furniture. Whether the damage is minor or the piece requires a complete renovation, Furniture Medic is the right choice.
If your wood furniture suffers damage as a result of a flood, storm or other emergency, Furniture Medic can do touch-up refinishing. This service is especially useful for pieces that suffer water damage. The area of damage can be repaired and stained to match the original finish. Furniture Medic is pleased to offer insurance estimates; please contact them for more information.
In addition to regluing, FurnitureMedic offers a full slate of repair services for dining chairs. Caned seats and backs can be replaced, either with hand caning or sheet cane. Fiber splint seats look great on ladder-back chairs; this technique weaves rush fibers or fiber splints for an artistic effect.
When furniture needs a complete top-to-bottom refinishing, the process entails the complete stripping of the piece, down to the bare wood. Your choice of stain is applied and the piece is completed with a durable finish.
Another option is refurbishing. Refurbishing can bring new life to furniture for half the cost of refinishing. Refurbishing includes cleaning and application of new stain and seal. This is a great option for those on a budget.
Furniture Medic is happy to make house calls. Call Furniture Medic by Swenson at (877) 835-3697, send an email to furnituremedicbyswenson@gmail.com, or use the Contact form at www.furnituremedicbyswenson.com.
Unless your furniture is very old (early 1800’s), there is no product that penetrates into the wood. Modern finishes use shellac, lacquers (post-catalyzed and pre-catalyzed), urethanes and varnishes. These finishes were applied primarily to protect the wood. To penetrate this finish would harm the finish and the wood.
Manufacturers of furniture care products imply that your furniture will like their lemon, orange and citrus products. These products that come out of an aerosol spray and can contain silicones.
Silicones are not good for furniture. They are polymer that can penetrate many finishes, soften them and make them sticky. If you find that your furniture is sticky or has a cloudy haze and doesn’t feel hard, it may be the result of using a spray that contains silicones. Always avoid using any cleaner containing ammonia or other solvents.
Our philosophy on the care of your furniture is simply to clean and protect. To clean, I suggest a damp cloth with a mild solution of Dawn dish detergent if there is minor soiling. Dusting on a regular basis is important. Dust is a pumice, like sandpaper. Rubbing dust into a finish, can and will damage the finish. Use a microfiber cloth to ‘lift dust’ and not move it around.
When a piece of furniture is waxed or polished there is always a fine layer of dust that is mixed in with the wax or polish and over a period of years the layer will darken and obscure the grain pattern of the wood. Just clean it! The best way to clean this aging growth is to lightly scrub with 0000 (4 zeros) steel wool and a cleaner. Be careful, because too much scrubbing may damage the topcoat which will have to be replaced.
Call us if you have questions or need advice.