Staining & Wood Restoration

French Polish

French Polish is a lengthy repetitive layering process that results in a high gloss, deep color and tough protective surface for all wood material. It consists of applying many thin coats of shellac and building up layers of polish. With the right manipulation your wood work can achieve a very crisp and highly refined look or you can use it to create a high country feel. We have developed many variations of this beautiful finish that can incorporate easily into your everyday environment, such as an elegant stair banister, an inviting front door, or a handsome fire place mantel.

Distressing

Distressing is a process of making wood appear aged or older with the appearance of wear. This refinishing technique is popular in the decorative arts for a one of a kind vintage appearance. The wood surface is intentionally destroyed or manipulated to look less than perfect. Distressing can be applied to a variety of surfaces and materials to achieve a rustic or attractive patina.

Antiquing

Antiquing is a more involved form of distressing where the artisan intends not only to age a piece, but to create an antique appearance. In addition to distressing the finish, the artisan may reapply historical paint colors, antique-like faux finish and crackle varnishes. Several methods involve glazes in which colors blend into crevices to give an antique appearance. The antiquing process is time-consuming and normally requires many steps to obtain the appearance of an aged and worn finish.

Simulating the age of time is the greatest challenge in the Antiquing process. The artisan may deliberately sand, dent, hammer, bleach, pickle or scrape the finish of the surface.

To simulate Mother Nature we have employed everything from blending horse manure with linseed oil to submerging furniture in a pond. These are extreme techniques where slight physical alterations are made to the surface, followed up by several subtle layers of color.