Historic Woodwork Restoration

Restoration of Historic Furniture and Woodwork – Restoration isn’t just refinishing, it’s the preservation of history using proper conservation methods and skills acquired through education and experience.

 

Conservation Techniques – Our craftsmen have years of experience using “old world” techniques and products which enable us to match colors and finishes original to the period.

Before

An old water damaged window at the historic American Swedish Institute was in desperate need of conservation and restoration.

After

The lower sash was removed, conserved, and restored. The finish on the window frame, sash and stool was restored as well.

The finish on the doors at the Union Depot in St. Paul were in very rough condition from years of neglect and poor maintenance.

When the Union Depot underwent complete restoration our experienced wood finishers were able to completely remove the old failing finish, custom match to a provided sample, and apply a high quality exterior grade varnish.

In 2012 the Union Depot in St. Paul underwent a complete restoration project. Inside the Depot stand these very unique Track Cabinets whose purpose was to display arrival and departure times of the trains as well as serving as a radiator cabinet. The original finish was intact yet in tough shape.

The wood finishers and touch-up artists at Fresh Air Finishers were able to restore the original finish on the cabinets. Repairing and replacing broken pieces, custom mixing and replacing color where needed, cleaning, and applying a protective finish.

These valances for the dining room windows at the historic Alexander Ramsey house were in storage in the basement. Several of the carved medallions on the front of the valances were missing, they were very dusty and the finish was damaged in several places.

Our touch-up artists were able to make molds of the original medallions and cast new ones which were expertly color matched to match the originals and applied. We also restored the original finish. Stop by the Ramsey house sometime and see if you can tell which medallions are the originals. It is a great museum house in St. Paul.

Window Restoration Project at the American Swedish Institute