Antiquaire au Luxembourg

Wood is a living material that reacts to changes of temperature and humidity. Therefore it is not seldom that panels shrink, splits appear, warping and joins break.Furthermore wax or painting getting dirty often hide a nice patina, it means the natural colour acquired with age.

Causes:

	Variations in temperature
	Variations in humidity
	Worm holes
	Repeated dismantles and reassemblies
	Previous undiscriminate restorations
	Inappropriate maintenance

Case Nr 1 : Steps of restoration of a cabinet:

1. Scouring
According to the state of the art, the scouring must respect the grain and the tone of the wood. The dirt only has to disappear.L'Atelier applies very carefully selected products depending on the wood and the finishing.

2. Dismantling:
Dismantling is imperative in all cases when the joins worked loose or when the steadiness of the furniture is concerned.This dismantling is not a huge work but the cleaning of the old lime is always indispensable.

3. Grafts
It is important to preserve the old piece of wood as much as possible.On the other hand, the choice of the wood to be grafted is essential to make sure that these grafts fit in the aesthetics of the furniture.L'Atelier selects old woods of the same species with a similar grain but also with a harmonized vein. 4. Finishing: It aims to protect and to give a nice appearance bringing out the vein of the wood.A 100 % natural wax, smalted on the object is spread by a vigorous rubbing to fill in the wood's pores. A woollen rag brings then the final shine.

4. Finition: ...

Case Nr 2 : Steps of restoration of a seat
French walnut cabriolet - style and period Louis XV

You expect that after restoration, your furniture can normally be used and that it withstands against an everyday use (which is not the case as far as the objects shown in a museum are concerned. The restoration must be solid without harming the appearance and the integrity of the furniture.

1. Dismantling
In order to strengthen a seat, the joins must be stick back together and in many cases the joins must be reinforced with wooden cleats.If unfortunately the joins of the rails are in a so bad state that any restick would be inefficient, the restorer has to bring himself to adjust new tenons and to carve mortises in it.

2. Fracture or break:
It is important to preserve as much old wood as possible but the final decision depends not only on the shape but also the nature of the break. If unfortunately, he has to resign to replace a broken element, the artisan must then reproduce this broken element in order to guarantee an everyday use of the chair. The choice of the wood is essential to guarantee that the graft bet fits in accordance with the rules of the art.In any case, the genuine element has to be carefully kept.

3. Woodwork:
In most cases, the upholstering is fixed on the carcase (but not on a movable frame). The successive upholsterings damaged the wood. It is then indispensable to make graft

4. Finishing:
In order to re-nourish the wood in depth, a wax thermo polishing is absolutely requested.A 100 % natural wax, smalted on the object is spread by a vigorous rubbing to fill in the wood's pores. A woollen rag brings then the final shine

5. Upholstering:
The historical information indicate the material and the ornamentation which were used according to the period and the style of the chair.L'Atelir disposes of an extensive documentation on this subject. We are also in a position to advise as well in the choice of soft furnishing, best fitting to the characteristics of your seat and on the same wavelength as your way of life and your aspirations.In this aim, we may present to you a large range of samples from the most famous firms like Pierre Frey, Lelièvre, Fischbacher, Voghi, Jab, Brunschwig...