5 Stunning Furniture Painting Ideas to Transform Your Space

Antique furniture possesses a unique allure, carrying with it a sense of history and elegance. If you’re a lover of timeless pieces, you understand the joy of preserving and reviving these treasures. Enter Lanciano Furniture, your trusted partner in furniture restoration, based in Ontario, Canada, serving the GTA and beyond for over three decades. With a commitment to perfect craftsmanship and a dedication to quality, Lanciano Furniture presents five stunning furniture painting ideas to breathe new life into your cherished pieces and transform your home.

1. Elegant Distressed Charm

Give your beloveddistressed finish.a touch of aged sophistication with an elegant distressed finish. This technique involves artfully layering paints of different hues and then gently sanding specific areas to reveal the underlying layers. The result? A beautifully weathered appearance that adds depth and character to your piece. Choose soft, muted colors that harmonize with your existing decor, seamlessly merging old-world charm with modern aesthetics. Lanciano Furniture’s expertise in furniture restoration ensures that the distressed effect is executed with precision, preserving the essence of the piece while infusing it with a sense of history.

2. Timeless Two-Tone Contrasts

For a classic and enduring look, consider the timeless allure of a two-tone contrast. This method involves applying contrasting colors to different parts of your antique furniture, accentuating its intricate details and unique design elements. Lanciano Furniture’s artisans excel in this technique, ensuring clean lines and seamless color transitions. Whether you’re working with pieces featuring ornate carvings or architectural intricacies, this approach allows each element to shine individually, while harmoniously contributing to the piece’s overall elegance.

3. Graceful Ombre Transformation

Embrace the art of ombre, not just for hairstyles, but also for your cherished antiques. The gradual transition from one color to another adds a sense of movement and depth to your furniture. Lanciano Furniture’s prowess in furniture restoration guarantees a flawlessly executed ombre effect. Choose colors that evoke the mood you desire for your space, from soothing blues to warm neutrals, creating an ambiance that resonates with your personal style.

4. Artistic Stenciled Flourish

Elevate your antique furniture’s charm with a touch of artistic flair through stenciled accents. This technique involves incorporating intricate patterns or motifs onto the piece’s surface, adding a unique touch that pays homage to its era. Lanciano Furniture’s dedication to perfect craftsmanship ensures that stenciled accents are applied with precision and care, enhancing the overall aesthetic while preserving the piece’s historical significance.

5. Glamorous Metallic Embellishments

Infuse a hint of opulence and contemporary style into your antique furniture with glamorous metallic accents. Whether you opt for full sections of metallic paint or delicate gilded details, these tones add a luxurious touch to your space. Lanciano Furniture’s artisans strike the perfect balance, achieving a glamorous effect that complements the piece’s inherent charm. Consider pairing metallic accents with deep, rich colors to achieve a regal yet modern ambiance.

At Lanciano Furniture we bring our unparalleled expertise to furniture repairs, restoration, and wood finishing. Our commitment to quality ensures that your antiques not only retain their historical significance but also become stunning centerpieces in your home. Whether you reside in Toronto, the GTA, or across Ontario, Lanciano Furniture’s on-site services guarantee your treasured pieces receive the attention they deserve.

The world of antique furniture holds endless potential for creative expression. With Lanciano Furniture’s guidance, we embark on a journey to restore and transform your home through the art of furniture painting. From the understated elegance of distressed finishes to the captivating charm of two-tone contrasts, each technique honors the legacy of your antiques while breathing new life into your living spaces. Celebrate the marriage of old and new, and let your antique pieces tell stories that transcend time.

Antique Furniture Restoration: DIY vs. Hiring a Professional

Antique furniture holds an enchanting allure that captivates collectors and enthusiasts alike. These timeless pieces not only add character to our homes but also carry a rich history with them. Over time, however, the wear and tear of daily life can take a toll on their appearance. When it comes to restoring antique furniture, the decision to go the DIY route or hire a professional can be a daunting one! In this blog, we’ll weigh the pros and cons of each approach, helping antique owners and lovers in Toronto and the GTA make an informed choice for their cherished pieces.

DIY Antique Furniture Restoration

Taking on a DIY antique furniture restoration project can be an enticing prospect. It allows you to connect with your furniture on a deeper level and take pride in your craftsmanship. Here are some advantages and considerations to keep in mind if you decide to work on your pieces yourself:

Advantages

Cost-Effective

One of the main appeals of the DIY route is cost savings. By handling the restoration yourself, you can avoid labour charges associated with hiring a professional and invest those savings in high-quality materials and tools for an impressive result.

Personal Touch

Restoring your antique furniture allows you to add a personal touch and connect intimately with your pieces. By investing your time and effort, you breathe new life into the pieces you hold dear You have the creative freedom to choose the finish, colours, and techniques that resonate with your taste and style.

Learning Experience

Engaging in a DIY project is an excellent opportunity to learn new skills and gain hands-on experience in antique furniture restoration. Taking charge of the restoration process means you can infuse your personal style and creativity into the project and you have the liberty to experiment with different finishes and colours, tailoring the outcome to your preferences..

Considerations

Time and Effort

Antique furniture restoration is a meticulous and time-consuming process. Be prepared to invest significant time and effort into sanding, stripping, staining, and refinishing the piece properly, which may take several weeks or even months.

Skill and Expertise

While DIY is empowering, it requires a certain level of skill and expertise. Without the right knowledge, you risk damaging the antique irreversibly and serious unintended damage.

Tools and Materials

Restoring antique furniture demands specific tools and high-quality materials. Investing in these supplies can add to the overall cost. Ensure you have access to or are willing to invest in these essentials before you get sanding or cutting.

Hiring a Professional Antique Furniture Restoration Service

For those who prefer a hands-off approach or lack the expertise, hiring a professional antique furniture restoration service can be the best decision. Let’s explore the benefits and considerations:

Advantages

Expertise and Experience

Reputable professionals like Lanciano Furniture boast decades of experience and have honed their skills in the art of restoring antique furniture. Their knowledge ensures that your treasured pieces are handled with professionalism, precision, and the best possible care

Quality Craftsmanship

Professionals understand the importance of preserving the authenticity and historical value of antique furniture. They possess the knowledge and techniques to handle delicate pieces with the utmost care, guaranteeing top-notch craftsmanship and flawless results. They have access to advanced techniques and tools that can revive your antique’s former glory.

Time-Saving

Entrusting the restoration to professionals saves you valuable time, allowing you to focus on other important tasks and ensuring your antique pieces get home safe and as good as new..

Considerations

Cost

Hiring a professional service comes with a cost, but it’s important to weigh it against the value and sentimental significance of your antique furniture. Consider the value of your antique furniture. Professional restoration may be the best choice if the piece holds significant monetary or sentimental value.

Finding the Right Professional

Research reputable antique furniture restoration services in Toronto and the GTA, such as Lanciano Furniture, and read reviews to ensure you’re working with experts who understand the nuances of antique restoration.

Communication

It’s essential to communicate your expectations and preferences clearly to the restoration team to ensure they align with your vision for the finished product. Hiring experts save you valuable time and effort, especially if you have limited availability or multiple antiques requiring restoration.

Conclusion

Antique furniture restoration can be a rewarding experience, regardless of whether you decide to take the DIY route or hire a professional. DIY enthusiasts will enjoy the creative process and personal touch, while those seeking impeccable results and preserving the true essence of their antiques may find solace in entrusting the task to skilled professionals. Whatever path you choose, remember that antique furniture is an investment that deserves the utmost care and attention.

If you’re in the GTA or Ontario and seeking reliable and professional antique furniture restoration services, Lanciano Furniture is your go-to destination. With over 35 years of experience, their family-owned business takes pride in offering the finest craftsmanship and top-notch wood finishing expertise, ensuring your treasured antiques are in the best hands.

How to Restore Your Antique Furniture

Any piece of antique furniture has an old-world charm about it, whether it is a family heirloom that you have inherited or a unique piece that you have stumbled upon at a garage sale. Antique furniture has been made with great attention to detail and with unlimited creativity. When you want to restore an older piece of furniture back to its original lustre, you can either decide to do it yourself or use the services of a furniture restoration Toronto company.

Antique Furniture Restoration: Understanding the Process

Restoring antique furniture is a mix of art and science. A systematic approach must be used in order to achieve the best results while some ingenuity may be required to restore the piece to its original form. Start by gathering up wood glue, a paintbrush, clamps, sandpaper along with any finishes you’ll want to use so that you have the tools by your side. Assess the furniture and look for any damage that must be repaired. This may include loose joints or missing parts.

Be sure to take photographs along the way to keep track of the condition of the furniture when you first start the project. Take measurements of the dimensions of the object since you may need them for future reference. To the best of your ability, determine the type of wood it is and find out more about the proper restoration techniques you should be using.

Furniture Restoration in Toronto: Bringing New Life to Old Treasures

Here are the steps you would take when it’s time to restore your antique furniture:

1. Cleaning – Before doing any actual restoration or repairs, the entire furniture piece will need to be thoroughly cleaned. All grime, dust and dirt must be removed using a damp cloth or a soft brush. Be gentle when doing the cleaning so that you don’t end up scratching the surface.

2. Start the repairs – If there are any parts that are missing or broken, use wood glue or small nails to make the repairs. If there is extensive damage or intricate repairs to be made, it’s best to call a company for furniture restoration in Toronto for guidance.

3. Removing the finish – If the furniture has old varnish or paint on it that needs to be stripped, you can use either sandpaper or a chemical stripper to remove it. Be sure to follow all of the manufacturer’s recommendations so that you don’t damage the wood when removing the old finish.

4. Smoothing and sanding – Once you have removed the old finish it’s time to sand the surface of the furniture. Use a fine grit sandpaper to help smooth out any dents, scratches or other imperfections on the wood.

5. Refinishing and staining – Now it’s time to apply the wood stain or the clear finish of your choice. You can spray on the finish or you can use a paintbrush to apply it. There should be instructions on the packaging of the finish you purchase providing helpful recommendations. Follow these guidelines since different types of finishes respond better when applied in specific ways.

Furniture Refinishing Toronto

A lot of people don’t feel confident about refinishing their own furniture and feel that it would be best left up to the professionals. If this applies to you, use a furniture refinishing company that you can trust with your valuable items. We specialize in not only furniture restoration but in furniture repair as well. Let us know what you need done and feel free to send us a picture of the furniture piece. We’ll let you know what we can do for you.

Sanding 101: Why It’s Important for Your Furniture

Furniture defines a room by adding functionality, charm and character to it. Over time, however, it can become faded, dented and scratched. As well, you may have antique furniture in your home that needs to be restored or you may have purchased a beautiful antique piece that needs to be refurbished. Sanding the furniture the correct way is key so it’s important to learn how to sand furniture by hand to get the best results.

Sanding before Painting Furniture

Before attempting to paint any furniture it’s vital to sand it first. Sanding creates an even and smooth surface that ensures that the paint or varnish will adhere to it. Without sanding, you can expect the finish to be rough and uneven and will tend to chip and peel as time goes by.

Sanding is used to remove old finishes that need to be replaced with new ones. In order to do furniture refinishing that looks professional, the old finish must be sanded off before a new finish is put on.

The Best Sander for Furniture

There are many different types of electric sanders that are currently available on the market. These include palm sanders, random orbital sanders, detail sanders, belt sanders and orbital sanders. Before using any of the sanders you should practice using them before getting down to business with your special piece of furniture.

The best sander for furniture is your hands. Unless you are restoring a massive piece of furniture, take time and care to sand the special piece by hand. You’ll be able to feel your way along as you do the sanding, which will help prevent any gauging. When using an electric sander, it’s easy to lose control and to sand too deep into the wood and create a huge gouge in it.

How to Sand Furniture by Hand

Here are the steps you can follow when it’s time to sand your furniture:

Gather up Your Supplies – For this project you’ll need a sanding block or a sanding sponge, a tack cloth and sandpaper. Buy sandpaper with a rough grit like 80 grit to remove the finish and a 220-grit piece of sandpaper for fine sanding to make the area smooth once the old finish has been removed.

Clean the furniture – Take off any knobs or handles and clean the surface with a degreaser or soap and water. Make sure that it is completely dry before moving forward with the next step.

Begin sanding – Carefully wrap a piece of sandpaper around the sponge or sanding block and start sanding. Always work along the grain of the wood. When you need to work in corners or smaller areas, use your hands instead of the sanding block or sponge. Using an even pressure, continue sanding until the old finish is removed and the surface feels very even and smooth.

Re-clean the furniture – Use the tack cloth to wipe the furniture surface to remove any debris or dust left behind by the sanding.

Sand the surface with the finer sandpaper – Use the finer grit sandpaper and continue until the surface is as smooth as you would like it to be.

Final cleanup – Clean the furniture as you did in the previous cleaning step and ensure that it is completely dry before starting to add the new finish. This is how to sand furniture by hand to get the best results.

Sanding Antique Furniture

If you have a treasured piece of antique furniture and don’t want to attempt the sanding on your own, give us a call . We are professional antique furniture restorers that can ensure that your special furniture gets all the care and attention it deserves to preserve its integrity.

The Advantages of Furniture Restoration

Furniture restoration involves refurbishing and repairing different pieces of furniture in order to bring them back to their original condition. This may include repairing any damaged wood, reupholstering the furniture and refinishing the item. Antique furniture is often restored as a sentimental heirloom in a family that has been passing it down from one generation to the next or as a piece that can be resold at a higher price.

Furniture Restoration to Extend Its Life Span

When you have a piece of furniture that you love and you want to extend its life for as long as possible, furniture restoration can step up to the plate. It can give a breath of new life to the pieces that you cherish and it’s a much more sustainable option compared to purchasing brand-new items. Furniture restoration greatly reduces the amount of waste that goes to the landfill and has a positive impact on the environment in many other ways.

Restoring your furniture also provides more value to your pieces. This is especially true if you have an antique piece of furniture or perhaps some high-end furniture that you want to restore. There are a lot of people that deeply appreciate both the craftsmanship and the beauty that can be found in older furniture and when it is restored the correct way, the value of the piece can be significantly increased.

Antique Furniture Restoration

This is a specialized form of restoration. Antique furniture is usually more delicate and intricate than modern furniture and requires special care. It can be extremely rewarding to restore your antiques and allow them to continue telling their stories from the past. You’ll be able to enjoy the history that belongs to the furniture and its beauty for many years to come.

Antique furniture restoration also gives you the opportunity to pass the antique piece to future generations. A lot of antiques are irreplaceable and when you restore them you’ll be preserving this history for your family. When you’re working with antique restoration, however, it’s always best to connect with a wood furniture restoration company that understands the delicate nature of antiques and has specialized craftspeople that will treat the furniture as if it was their own.

Look for a Reputable Wood Furniture Restoration Company

When you need to work with professionals, look for the best restoration company available. Your wood furniture deserves only the best! If you have a piece of furniture that you want restored professionally, it’s an obvious conclusion that you love the furniture and would never want to see it damaged or mistreated in any way.

At Lanciano Furniture we have built up an impeccable reputation in the field of refinishing, restoring and repairing wood furniture. We are extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished during our years of service and we invite you to look through our website to see what we stand for and how we can help you make your special piece of furniture come to life once again.

How to Refinish Your Wood Furniture like a Pro

If you have wood furniture that needs new life breathed into it, it’s time to refinish the wood. While this can be a do-it-yourself project, you’ll need to be committed to giving the furniture the time and effort it deserves to look its best. Once you’ve completed the project, however, you’ll be proud of the work you did and will be able to enjoy it for many years to come. 

Furniture Restoration Starts with a Good Cleaning

Thoroughly clean the furniture to remove all the grime and dirt that have built up on it. You can use a mild dish soap that is mixed with water to clean the wood. Simply use as much dish soap as you would usually use to wash the dishes and then use a sponge to scrub the wood surface. If you have to get into any moldings or carvings, dip a paintbrush into the dish mixture to use for the cleaning job. Once you’ve finished cleaning the surface it’s time to rinse it off using clear water and a clean sponge. Allow the wood to dry completely before going on to the next stage of the furniture restoration.

Remove the Old Finish

There are different ways to remove the finish on the wood. Paint can be scraped off carefully using a paint scraper but you need to be careful not to scratch or dent the wood while doing the scraping. It’s a lot easier to do your furniture refinishing by using products on the market that will dissolve the old finish so that it can simply be wiped off. 

This must be done in an area where there is a lot of ventilation and certain products will recommend that you wear a mask to avoid inhaling the fumes. If you are able to take the item outside to do the furniture repairs you may want to consider doing that. Just make sure that it isn’t windy so that dust and debris don’t blow on the furniture and check the weather report to ensure that there is no precipitation expected.

It’s Time for Any Furniture Repairs

Assess the current state of the furniture you are working on to locate any necessary repairs. It’s best to get these done before you add the new finish to the wood. If you happen to notice any damaged molding or chipped wood, this can be easily fixed using a proxy putty. The epoxy turns into a light colour once it has hardened and it can then be stained to match the rest of the wood and sanded. You’ll want to be sure to do this step before adding the finish. 

Paint or Stain the Wood

If you don’t want to highlight the natural look of the wood but would prefer to paint or stain it, this would be your next step in your wood furniture restoration project. It’s always a good idea to test the stain or paint in an inconspicuous area of the furniture to make sure that the colour and the tone look right. Stain or paint a small area, allow it to dry and then apply another coat. Then, if everything looks good, continue with the rest of the furniture refinishing by fully covering the piece with a final protective coating.

Apply the Final Finish

The last step in your furniture restoration project is to apply the final coat of finish. Wipe the newly stained or painted piece of furniture with a dry cloth to remove any dust that may have fallen on it. Apply a liquid wipe-on finish or choose a gel finish that can be applied with a rag. Make sure that you cover the entire piece of furniture with the finish using a swirling motion like you would use if you are waxing your car. Any excess finish should be wiped off by following the direction of the grain. Allow the final finish to dry overnight and you can apply a second coat if you feel like you may have missed some spots.

Wood Furniture Repair Toronto

There are a lot of wood restoration projects that you may want to tackle on your own but there may be others that should be left to a professional. If you have an old antique that has sentimental value or is worth a considerable amount of money, you may not want to do it by yourself. You can ask for an online quote by sending in a picture of the item that requires furniture restoration or refinishing and we will get back to you quickly. You can also get in touch if you have any questions at all regarding furniture repairs for your valued pieces.

How to Choose the Right Wood Finish for Your Project

When you decide to refinish a piece of wood furniture it’s important to find out which finish you should be using on it. The best finish will depend on the type of wood you are using and along with your preferences. Each finish comes with its own benefits and it’s important to know exactly what they are before you get started.

How to Refinish Wood Furniture with the Right Product

The first thing to consider is the kind of wood that you’ll be refinishing. While one piece of wood can be extremely porous, others are not. If the wood is porous, such as pine, the finish can soak into the wood easily. This makes it difficult to achieve an even finish. Make sure that you choose a finish that has been designed for the sort of wood that you will be refinishing.

You may also have to choose the product based on your budget to refinish wood furniture. Shellac and Danish oil, for example, are much less costly than varnish or lacquer. Choose the highest quality finishing product based on what you can afford and how valuable the wood furniture is.

You’ll also need to take into account the durability of the product. If you are going to be refinishing a wooden table that will be used often, for example, you’ll want to choose a durable finish that will be resistant to daily use, heat damage and scratches.

Another thing that will help you decide on the best wood finish for your project is how easy it is to apply. You’ll have your choice of spraying on some types of finishes, brushing them on or using a roller. Read the directions on the wood finishing product to learn about the suggested application method. If you have never worked with a spray finish before, you may find it difficult to get an even finish. If you’re a beginner, a cloth or a brush is often the best way to apply the finish to make the job look professional.

Varnish

Choose varnish when you want your furniture to have a glossy appearance. This finish will also protect the wood from water damage, stains and scratches. The varnish can be brushed or sprayed on according to your level of skill.

Shellac

Shellac isn’t as durable as varnish but it can provide a temporary shine to your wood. This finish cannot withstand solvents and water and is usually sprayed on. If you love the look of shellac, you’ll need to be dedicated to reapplying another coat as necessary.

Oils

There are various oils available for furniture refinishing such as tung, Danish, cedar and linseed oil. Linseed oil penetrates deep into the wood pores and provides a long-lasting durable finish. Tung oil is often the finish of choice for boat hulls since it is extremely water resistant. Both cedar and Danish oil will highlight the natural features of your wood and give it a deep, lustrous appearance.

Wax

Wax is one of the easiest furniture finishes to apply and provides good protection from scuffs and scratching. Waxing isn’t durable, however, so it must be reapplied quite often. The wax can also become dull and need to be buffed up to look shiny again. Wax can be applied with a brush, a cloth or it can even be sprayed on.

How to Restore Old Wood Furniture Safely

Safety must also be taken into account when you’re planning on refinishing a piece of wood furniture at home. Make sure that you work in a well ventilated area, even if you are working with a finish that doesn’t come with a lot of safety precautions. You’ll be in the same area for an extended period of time and it’s always a good idea to have a good flow of air circulating through the room while you are doing the job.

Some finish instructions will advise you to wear a mask when applying the product. Make sure that you choose an appropriate mask that will keep you protected from the chemicals that are emitted from the finish.

When you have a piece of wood furniture that needs refinishing and you don’t have the time or expertise to do it yourself, turn to the experts at Lanciano Furniture to get professional results.

Antique Furniture Refinishing – Should You Restore Your Antique Furniture?

This is a question that is on a lot of people’s minds these days. Is it okay to refinish antique furniture or should the furniture just be left as is? Fortunately, there is no black and white answer to this question since it boils down to a person’s own preferences and it also depends on the type of antique furniture and the condition it is in.

Antique Furniture Restoration According to the Experts

Many people have been watching reality TV shows that showcase people looking for antiques and then cashing them in for big money. You’ll notice that many individuals on the shows have rare finds that are worth thousands of dollars. The experts on these TV shows recommend not refinishing or restoring antique furniture but they are looking at things from a biased point of view.

Most people have antiques that aren’t worth thousands upon thousands of dollars. If you do have something that dates back for years and is worth a lot of money, it would be worth getting a second opinion as to whether antique furniture restoration would be right for that piece. In most cases, however, refinishing antique furniture is a great idea – especially if restoring the piece would make it look better.

Antique Furniture Defined

Most antique sellers define antique furniture as an item that is more than 100 years old. Another definition that is used most often by auctioneers and appraisers of pieces that are highly valued is the furniture that was made before the start of the industrial age. This means that the piece of furniture would date back to the 1840s.

Another important part of the definition, however, that is not strictly anchored in time is the rarity of the furniture piece in question. Something that dates back to the early 1920s, for example, that is rare and hard to find may be considered to be an antique by some professionals. This is especially true if the wooden furniture piece still has its original finish and there have been no major losses or modifications made to it.

Furniture that was mass-produced in the 20th century will become increasingly rare as the years go by. Because it was mass-produced and distributed widely, however, these pieces shouldn’t be expected to appreciate a lot in the near future. When furniture isn’t original, this can be considered to be a liability. In many cases this mass-produced furniture could have its value raised with antique furniture restoration.

Furniture Restoration Toronto – To Restore or Not to Restore?

The first thing you’ll need to do to answer this question is to properly assess the piece of furniture in terms of its rarity, condition and age. Also take a look at how useful it would be in your current environment. If in doubt, you’ll probably need to have an expert take a look at your furniture to give it a proper assessment in order to determine the right approach to take to save your furniture. In some cases a good cleaning is all that would be required while in other cases the furniture piece would need to be recoated or completely stripped and refurbished.

A professional will inspect the furniture and look for any identifying marks or labels to help determine its origin. The piece may also have a special carving that would help identify its age and origin. If you find out that it’s a very valuable item you should not attempt any do-it-yourself restorations on it but should leave the work up to a professional that is qualified to work with high-end antique pieces.

If you discover that the furniture piece isn’t rare it will be up to you as to whether or not furniture restoration Toronto should go ahead. When working with antiques, however, professional restorers are always the best option since you’ll know that you’ll be leaving your furniture in good hands. There are also times when the integrity of the structural design of the furniture has been compromised and needs to be addressed. In these types of scenarios you should turn to the experts to get an opinion as to whether the piece is salvageable or not.

Important Points to Note before Refinishing Antique Furniture

Here are some of the main points that you should be considering before refinishing any furniture that you think may be an antique:

• Was the piece of furniture constructed by a manufacturer or a craftsman that was or is still notable? Regardless of the age of the furniture, search for special marks or labeling appearing either at the back or on the bottom of the piece that would show its origin.
• Would you consider the piece of furniture to be out of the ordinary? Do you think it’s a masterpiece? Take another look at it to ensure that antique furniture refinishing won’t lower its value.
• Do you think that the furniture only requires light repairs or a good cleaning to make it look better? If so, start by cleaning it up and then do only minor repairs on the furniture. Antique furniture refinishing should always start with the least invasive techniques and then move forward with more complicated techniques as required.
• If you believe that your furniture piece may hold some value, concentrate on antique furniture restoration rather than completely revamping it whenever it’s feasibly possible.

Antique furniture refinishing and restoration often requires a combination of doing some research and using good old common sense and your best judgment. When you need help, get professional advice from expert antique woodworkers to ensure that the antique furniture maintains its value.

It’s also important to note that some people don’t worry about the value of the antique furniture and just want to make the piece suitable for their own home. If this applies to you, go ahead with your antique furniture restoration plans as you see fit. 

When you need help with antique furniture refinishing, call the furniture restoration Toronto specialists for guidance. Browse through our website at lancianofurniture.ca to see why our clientele consider us to be the best Toronto antique furniture restoration company.

Furniture Restoration Toronto – Best Ways to Repair a Dent in Wood Furniture

When you notice a dent in your wood furniture your first thought might be that it’s beyond repair. Fortunately, smaller-sized dents can be removed from furniture that has a soft wood surface. By using the combination of moisture and heat, you may be able to get that dent out quickly and efficiently and save your wood furniture. Use this furniture restoration Toronto tip to smooth out the dent to make your furniture look as good as new.

The one thing that you won’t want to do, however, is work on the dent if you notice that there has been any chipping or breakage around it. If you see this, it’s time to call up a professional to get it fixed to avoid any further damage.

Step 1
Start by filling the dent with a small amount of water. Pour approximately 1 ounce of water or less on top of the area that has been affected. You’ll want to make sure that the dent is covered along with a small section of the wood that is surrounding it. You should notice that there is a pool of water that has accumulated in the dent and this is a good sign that enough has been applied.

The best way to apply the water is using a kitchen baster or an eyedropper. This gives you more control over where the water is dispersed and how much is added.

Step 2
Once the dent has been dampened, place a thin piece of dampened cloth or dampened paper towel over it. Make sure that the paper towel or the cloth aren’t too wet and wring out any excess water if necessary. These items will create a buffer between the iron and the wood and more moisture to the area that is being worked on. If you choose to use a cloth, make sure that you choose one that you don’t mind ruining. An old rag would work perfectly for this.

Step 3
Give the water some extra time to ensure that it has soaked well into the wood. Wait another couple of minutes before continuing on with the process. You’ll want the water to penetrate deep into the wood to ensure that the steaming process is as effective as possible. The water makes the wood softer and more pliable. This allows the wood to expand when heat is applied to the spot, allowing the dent to lift up on its own.

Step 4
Heat up the iron and place it at its highest setting. Give the iron time to warm up completely since it must be as hot as possible for this to work. Once you feel that the iron has reached its maximum temperature, run the iron along the dented area. If the dent appears in a corner of the wood furniture or on the side of it, you may need to use your free hand to keep the cloth or the paper towel in place while you are ironing.

Use circular, slow motions as you run over the dent a few times. Then, start to widen the area and continue ironing until you see that the cloth or the paper towel is dry. Lift up the corner of the towel or cloth in order to see what progress has been made.

Be sure to keep the iron moving and not let it sit in place too long. This could cause the wood or the cloth to become scorched. The heat of the iron along with the moisture will make the wood that was previously compressed swell up, allowing the wood to return to its original shape.

Step 5
Repeat the process if necessary. Once the cloth or fabric has dried up completely, it’s time to wet the wood and another cloth if there is still any sign of the dent. In some cases the dent cannot be entirely removed and you will need to call in a professional furniture restoration Toronto company to get help. In some cases, however, you may notice that the dent has been leveled out enough to make it much less noticeable and you may be completely happy with this result.

Wood Swell Products for Furniture Repair Toronto

There are products on the market you can use to help raise the dents if you want to save yourself the time and energy of using a hot iron and moisture to get the dent out. Wood swell products for furniture repair Toronto can be found in home improvement stores. It is available as a liquid and is applied directly to the area. In most cases you’ll have to wait 24 hours to find out if the application was successful or not. Be sure to read the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the wood swell product that appears on the packaging.

Furniture Restoration for Deep Gouges or Dents

Deeper gouges and dents may need additional work. If you decide to do this yourself you can fill in the dents or gouges with wood putty that has been specially designed for furniture restoration, allow it to dry and then sand it down so that it is level with the rest of the surface. You’ll need to make sure that you find a putty that matches the rest of the furniture as best as possible. It can be difficult, however, to get the exact tone that you want so you may or may not be happy with the final results.

If you find that you aren’t satisfied with the work you did on your wood furniture, feel free to get in touch with us at lancianofurniture.ca. We can let you know what we can do for you in order to get the piece of furniture looking its best again.

We are a leading furniture restoration and furniture repair Toronto company with a solid reputation in the field. Whether you need modern or antique furniture restoration Toronto, we are the ones to call first.

How to Weather Wood for Furniture Restoration Toronto

These days, using barn wood for furniture restoration Toronto has become a popular trend. It has become so popular, in fact, that it has become increasingly difficult to get your hands on this type of wood. As well, when you find barn wood to reclaim, it comes at a hefty price. This leaves us with the option of buying new wood and weathering it ourselves to make it look just as spectacular as the unique patina that you would find with barn wood that has been aging gracefully while outside.

Homemade Wood Stains

If you’re up to the task of weathering your own wood you can use homemade stains. These homemade stains are great for furniture restoration Toronto when you want to create the effect of weathered wood. It’s all about creating an oxidizing solution. Grab a piece of fine or medium steel wool and put it in a mason jar with white vinegar. Put on some gloves and rip apart the steel wool so that it will dissolve as quickly as possible. Close up the jar and let it sit for 3 – 7 days.

When the steel wool has dissolved you’ll be left with a concentrated stain that needs to be diluted by 50% with water. This will give you 2L of this stain for your furniture restoration Toronto projects. It’s best to start by diluting the mixture with 50% water but this can be fine-tuned according to your own personal preference.

As a stand-alone stain, the vinegar, water and steel wool mixture will provide a wonderful weathered effect to spruce, cedar, oak and other wood that contains a lot of tannins. It will darken them up and provide a nice look that may be enough for you.

Using Black Tea for Wood Finishing Toronto

If you choose another type of wood that doesn’t have a lot of tannins naturally occurring in it, you’ll need to be sure to use some black tea as a base. You can also use black tea for wood finishing Toronto if you want to achieve a weathered look that is darker than the effect created by the oxidized vinegar solution.

Brew a pot of tea and make sure that you leave it to infuse for a minimum of 1 hour. This will provide the highest concentration of tannins, which is what works best for this type of project. 

When you apply strong, black tea on woods with low tannins it will activate the vinegar solution and provide great results. You won’t notice a difference when you simply coat the wood with the black tea but just wait until you put the vinegar solution over the tea. You’ll see amazing things occur as the 2 solutions react with one another.

Run a Test First

When you don’t know whether your wood has a lot of tannins it’s always a good idea to do a test run first to see what the results would be. If the wood is already loaded with tannins and you apply the black tea and the oxidized steel wool and vinegar solution, the wood can turn almost black. If you are going to be doing wood finishing Toronto on a piece of furniture, do some tests on an inconspicuous area before staining the rest of the furniture.

How to Apply the Oxidizing Solution and the Black Tea

It’s best to use a paintbrush with synthetic bristles to apply either mixture. Although you are using all-natural ingredients and the solutions themselves are not dangerous to work with, they may smell bad so make sure that you are working on a well-ventilated area. If you are applying tea and then the vinegar solution you can apply the vinegar and water mix right away before the black tea has had a chance to dry. There is no waiting time involved with this wood finishing Toronto technique.

Using Over-The-Counter Weathering Products

There are weathering products that you can purchase over-the-counter at your local home improvement centre that can be used for furniture restoration Toronto. Some of them perform better than others so it’s best to look for reviews on the Internet before making a purchase. You’ll need to make sure, however, that the products you are using contain no dangerous chemicals. Look for warnings on the packaging and if you do decide to use one make sure that you are working in a well-ventilated area.

Antique Furniture Refinishing

The vinegar and black tea process is preferred by many individuals that work on antique furniture refinishing since the results can be adapted to your own taste. If you are working on a special antique piece of furniture that is close to your heart, however, it would be best to work with an experienced wood furniture restoration company. You’ll be able to let the restorer know exactly what you want and you can rest assured that your special piece will be handled properly. 

An antique furniture refinishing company can also provide repairs when required to all different types of wood furniture. When you have restoration and repairs to do on your furniture, you can get it all done in one shot when you use the right restoration company. 

When Things Go Wrong and You Need Some Help

If you have tried to do furniture restoration Toronto and things went wrong and you didn’t end up with the results you wanted, give us a call at Lanciano Furniture. We are often called when an individual has tried to do something on his own but either didn’t get the desired results or had to abandon the project for one reason or another.

We are experts in antique furniture refinishing and wood finishing Toronto. We can work on wooden furniture and other wood items you may have around the home. Get in touch with us today with any questions you may have regarding furniture restoration Toronto by visiting our website at lancianofurniture.ca. We will let you know exactly what we can do for you.