Timber restoration is the broader process of returning wooden furniture, panelling and architectural woodwork to sound, presentable condition. It brings together structural repair, cleaning, colour matching, replacement of missing mouldings or carving, treatment of insect damage and the revival or renewal of the surface finish.
Restoration differs from conservation in that it accepts some new work in order to make an object usable and visually complete, whereas conservation concentrates on stabilising what survives. In the antiques trade the best restoration is sympathetic and minimal, preserving original surfaces, colour and patina and using traditional methods such as hide glue, hand tools, shellac and wax. Over-restoration, where a piece is stripped, heavily refinished or rebuilt with new parts, can greatly reduce both its character and its value. When considering a restored piece, collectors look for honest workmanship, well-matched timber and a surface that still shows the softness of age. A reputable dealer will describe significant restoration clearly, and a good restorer will keep records of what has been done so that future owners understand the history of the piece.
