Service
Veneer, carving and inlay
Lifted or missing veneer, broken carving and loose inlay, re-laid and replaced in matching timber so the repair disappears into the piece.
What this covers
Veneer and carving are where an old piece shows its craftsmanship, and where it is most easily damaged. Veneer lifts and blisters as old glue fails, edges chip, and carved details snap off and go missing. Left alone, a small lifted corner catches on cloths and tears further, so these repairs are worth doing early.
- Lifted, blistered or bubbling veneer
- Chipped or missing veneer on edges and corners
- Broken or missing carved details
- Loose or missing inlay and stringing
- Damaged mouldings and beading
- Marquetry and decorative panels
How we do it
Lifted veneer is cleaned underneath and re-laid with heat and a compatible glue, so the original stays in place. Where a piece is missing we cut a patch from veneer chosen for grain and colour, fit it to the shape of the loss and tone it in.
Carving is repaired by gluing the original fragments wherever they survive. Missing sections are carved new in matching timber from what remains of the pattern, then coloured and finished to sit with the old work.
What to send us
A photograph of the whole piece, close-ups of each damaged area, and a photograph of any fragments that have come off. Please keep every loose piece, however small.
From the journal
What "reversible" means in restoration
What reversible restoration means for antique and heirloom furniture, why it matters for value, and how it shapes the materials a restorer uses.
Repair or replace: when restoration is worth it
A plain guide to deciding whether an old piece of furniture is worth restoring, with the questions a restorer asks before quoting.
Cleaning old furniture without damaging it
How to clean antique and heirloom furniture safely at home, what to avoid, and why spray furniture polish usually does more harm than good.
Have a piece that needs attention?
Send three or four photographs and we will come back within two working days.