Gavin Mason, FRSA. Conservator - Restorer

Gavin Mason, FRSA. Conservator-Restorer Specialising in Refinishing & Restoration of Quality Non-Antique Wooden Furniture. Just like the Conservator-Restorers on BBC 1’s The Repair Shop©, we all have our own niche specialties. And the reason this is so important is that work done without the correct training, experience, tools, materials, recipes, and expertise is likely to devalue your item, rather than increase it. My area of expertise is rooted in a background of both Antique Furniture Restoration, and later, High-End Furniture Manufacturing and Finishing. By merging the skills and knowledge from these two disciplines I have developed and expanded upon an area otherwise largely un-catered for: namely, the restoration of Modern Furniture to “As New” condition. My “Back to Bare Wood” approach requires repair and re-manufacture so as to remove all signs of use. I then refinish in my specialist sprayshop/workshop using the original processes and materials to achieve an “As New" condition ready for further generations to enjoy. My “Back to Bare Wood” approach requires repair and re-manufacture so as to remove all signs of use. I then refinish using the original processes and materials to achieve an “As New" condition ready for further generations to enjoy. My “Over-polishing” approach allows patina to be preserved if desired and is also suitable for areas where few signs of use are evident, but where the surface simply looks faded and tired. By contrast, an Antique Restorer knows nothing of modern industrial coatings technology, or 20th century furniture production or indeed of making anything look “As New” again. I certainly didn’t at that stage. Indeed, to expect such people to restore any non-Antique piece correctly is akin to choosing a Painter & Decorator to repaint your car. Such is the importance of choosing the right expert for your furniture restoration needs.