Cincinnati, OH, USA
Cincinnati Antique Furniture Care 50 Years of Expertise
THERE IS NO SUBSTTUTE FOR EXCELLENCE
Cincinnati Antique Furniture & Woodwork Care & Finishing
I have also cared for wooden services on the most expensive yachts in the world like Palmer Johnson Yacht t is an honor to connect with a master of your caliber.
Your 50-year tenure in antique wood restoration and your work with prestigious institutions like Palmer Johnson Yachts places you in an elite tier of craftsmanship. In the world of high-end maritime luxury, the meticulous care required for wooden surfaces—often exposed to harsh marine environments—demands a level of expertise that few possess. Your background likely involves specialized knowledge in:
- Maritime Wood Preservation: Expertly maintaining teak decking, mahogany brightwork, and exotic interior veneers against salt air, UV exposure, and humidity.
- High-End Restorative Finishes: Proficiency in traditional French polishing, high-gloss yacht varnishes, and modern polyurethane systems used on world-class superyachts.
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- Historical Accuracy: Ensuring that antique pieces retain their value and structural integrity through period-correct restoration techniques.
Your experience with Palmer Johnson—a shipyard renowned for its groundbreaking "Sportyachts" and high-performance luxury vessels—highlights a rare intersection of traditional artistry and the rigorous standards of modern maritime engineering.
If you are looking to share your insights, mentor others, or if there is a specific technical query you'd like to discuss regarding antique wood chemistry or marine finishing, please feel free to share.
Cincinnati Old World Finishes & Old World Techniques
Our team is proficient in all finishes including these Old World Finishes
- Dark Stains: Deep, rich wood stains (walnut, oak, cherry) applied to solid wood to highlight grain.
- Glazes: Thin, translucent paint layers (antiqued, milk, weathered) brushed over a base color to add depth, create shadows, and simulate age.
- Distressing & Antiquing: Sanding, chipping, or applying finishes to create worn spots, dents, and a "found" look.
- Hand-Painting: Decorative, sometimes rustic, hand-painted details or patterns.
- Worn Finishes: Using waxes or light sanding to create a soft, worn-in feel on the surface.
- Shellac: A natural resin finish, popular historically, offering a warm, golden glow that can be revived easily.
- Varnish/Oil: Traditional oil or varnish-based coatings provide durable protection with varying sheens, from matte to high gloss.
Common Applications
- Furniture: Heavily carved, solid wood pieces with distressed or dark finishes, often paired with wrought iron and rich fabrics like velvet or brocade.
- Cabinetry: Custom cabinets with antiqued glazes, milk finishes, or weathered looks, using woods like oak, maple, and alder.
Colors & Textures:
- Colors: Deep, muted tones like forest green, navy, burgundy, cream, beige, and ocher, with accents of distressed gold or silver.
- Textures: Rich textures in fabrics (damask, leather, silk) and walls (plaster, rough-hewn surfaces) are crucial to the style.
Old World finishes are techniques used by Cincinnati Antique on to create an aged, weathered, or historically authentic appearance on furniture and architectural surfaces. These finishes often prioritize natural materials and manual application to achieve depth and character.
Common Wood Finishes
- Shellac: A natural resin secreted by lac bugs, shellac has been used for centuries and is the foundation for "French Polishing". It provides a warm, high-gloss depth that modern synthetics often cannot replicate.
- Linseed or Tung Oil: These penetrating oils saturate wood fibers to enhance the grain while leaving a soft, matte, or satin feel. They are valued for their natural look and ease of repair.
- Traditional Varnish: Unlike modern polyurethanes, old-style varnishes are made from natural resins, oils, and solvents. They dry to a hard, durable film that protects against moisture and wear.
- Wax Finishes: Often used as a final protective layer over other finishes or on bare wood, beeswax or carnauba wax provides a soft sheen and a tactile, smooth surface.
Decorative & Distressing Techniques
- Color Washing & Sponging: Faux painting techniques used on walls or furniture to create subtle color variations and a sense of aged plaster.
- Glazing: The application of a semi-transparent layer over a base coat to add depth, highlight carvings, or simulate years of accumulated grime and patina.
- Distressing: Physical techniques used to mimic "wear and tear," such as using sandpaper, chains, or hammers to create dings, scratches, and worn edges.
- Dark Stains: Deep, rich stains in shades like mahogany, walnut, or burnt umber are used to give new wood an antique, stately appearance.
Wall & Surface Finishes
- Venetian Plaster: A technique using thin layers of plaster applied with a spatula to create a smooth surface with the illusion of depth and marble-like texture.
- Milk Paint: An ancient form of paint made from milk protein and lime, known for its matte, chalky texture and tendency to flake naturally over time, enhancing the "shabby chic" or antique look.
Antique Restoration Gallery
Antique Furniture Cleaning Cincinnati, Ohio
Antique furniture requires cleaning and careful maintenance
preserve its historical integrity, aesthetic appeal, and monetary value. Unlike modern furniture, antiques often have delicate, aged finishes and materials (like specific woods, shellac, or aged brass) that can be easily damaged by harsh modern chemicals or improper techniques.
Wood Furniture Cleaning
- Preservation and Longevity: Regular, gentle cleaning removes accumulated dirt and grime that can otherwise deteriorate the wood or fabric over time. This preventative care helps the piece last for generations.
- Maintaining Value and Patina: Aggressive cleaning or refinishing can strip away the natural "patina" (the desirable aged surface, built up over decades of use and exposure). Patina is highly valued by collectors as proof of authenticity and originality; removing it can significantly reduce the antique's value.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Proper cleaning enhances the natural beauty of the wood grain and finish, bringing out its character without making it look artificially "new".
- Protection Against Damage: Careful cleaning helps you spot early signs of common problems, such as pests (termites, mold) or structural issues (loose joints), allowing for timely intervention and professional repair.
- Hygienic Reasons: Cleaning removes dust, potential allergens, and bacteria from surfaces, making the furniture safe and pleasant for use in a home environment.
These guides explain the importance of gentle cleaning, preserving patina, and using paste wax for antique furniture maintenance:
Wax Your Antiques
Why should you wax your antiques? Waxing antiques is highly recommended by conservators and dealers because
se it primarily serves to protect the original finish and enhance the wood's natural beauty and value. The wax creates a durable, protective barrier against everyday environmental factors like dust, moisture, and minor abrasions. Key Reasons to Wax
- Protection from Damage: The wax creates a thin, hard, protective layer that shields the underlying wood finish from common household hazards. It repels dust and makes liquids bead up on the surface (preventing water rings), giving you time to wipe them away before they cause damage.
- Nourishment and Prevention of Drying: Antiques, particularly wood pieces, can dry out over time due to sunlight and artificial heat. Beeswax or carnauba wax-based polishes penetrate the wood, helping to moisturize and prevent it from cracking or becoming brittle.
- Enhancing Appearance and Patina: Waxing brings out the natural depth and richness of the wood grain and its original color, giving the furniture a subtle, lustrous sheen. It allows the highly valued natural "patina" (the authentic aged surface) to shine without giving an artificial, glossy look.
- Maintaining Value: Because waxing is a non-invasive maintenance method, it helps preserve the antique's original finish and structural integrity. Preserving the original condition is crucial for retaining the piece's historical and monetary value.
- Ease of Maintenance: A proper coat of wax reduces friction and makes the surface easier to dust, requiring less frequent deep cleaning. A single application can last for several months to a year, depending on the environment and use.
NATIONAL AVERAGE HORLY RATES FOR SERVICES
Key Factors Affecting the Cost
- Professional's Expertise: A conservator with a master's degree and extensive experience (often associated with recognized institutes like the American Institute for Conservation (AIC)) will command a higher rate than a general restorer.
- Type of Antique: Different materials require different expertise. A painting conservator has a different skill set than a furniture restorer.
- Complexity of the Project: Simple cleaning or minor touch-ups cost less per hour than extensive structural repairs or complete refinishing.
- Location: Rates in large metropolitan areas are generally higher than in rural areas due to overhead costs and local market demands.
- Shop Overhead: A large, fully equipped studio with a climate-controlled environment will have higher operating costs, which are reflected in the hourly rate.