Mention the word restoration to any antique dealer and they will more than likely visibly wince. A valuable antique could lose all its value if the restoration process was not successful, therefore one should carefully consider before making a decision about whether to restore the piece. To be truthful, antique restoration is such a specialised skill that there aren’t many individuals who are qualified to do this. That doesn’t mean restoration is beyond your reach, as there are online suppliers of antiques that also restore certain pieces, and with the best quality workmanship, the antique will be more valuable after the restoration is complete.
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Restoration is Not Improvement
It must be understood that restoring an antique to its original condition is just that, and has nothing to do with modernising a piece of furniture in any way, shape of form. The original condition of the piece must be carefully recreated, using similar materials, and of course, techniques to make it look that the item has not been worked on.
A Highly Skilled Profession
If you are considering antique restoration, there are online solutions, with suppliers of antique furniture in Brisbane, or any other city, who can transform a piece and bring it back to its original state. Before making any decisions about restoration, it makes sense to let an expert give you their opinion, and often, the piece will be more valuable if you carry out the least non-invasive repairs. If they advise restoration, then you can be sure that the value of the antique will not be compromised by the restoration.
Seek Out Professional Advice
One of the reasons why people purchase antique furniture is to make a sound financial investment, and while you also get the pleasure of using the piece at home, the value is obviously very important. The Internet is a great source of information, and whether you are looking for antique furniture in Brisbane, or Sydney, you will find an established dealer who can undertake restorations through an online search.
Severe Damage
If an antique piece of furniture has been damaged, it might be possible to restore it, although that would very much depend on the severity of the damage. In rare cases, the damage is so severe that restoration is not practical, and even an experienced restorer would advise against it.
Antique Evaluation
You might have been left some items of furniture in a will, and although some of the pieces are indeed very old, you have no idea of their true value. This requires an assessment by a skilled antique dealer, who can quickly estimate the value of a piece and also advise whether it needs to be worked on. This is very important, as something you might consider throwing out, could be worth a fortune with a little restoration.
Unless you are very experienced with antiques, it is always best to get an expert opinion, especially prior to commissioning any restoration, and providing you get the go ahead, the item should be restored carefully, with the minimum of changes.
