At Littlefield & Sons we don't just reglue a chair - we guarantee it for as long as you own it (provided the chair is not wrecked and the wood is not too ancient or deteriorated). We don't perform miracles but once we've worked on your chair we are confident that it won't be back for regluing again.
It only makes sense to make sure that your furniture is structurally sound before you invest money in its appearance. At Littlefield & Sons we apply skills gathered from many years of practice, experience from many experts and the right materials to exceed your expectations. For us what counts is RESULTS that we can guarantee with confidence ! Repair is step number one in reclaiming the pleasure and utility of ownership of your furniture.
Stripping
Before applying a new finish it is best to remove the old one. At Littlefield this service is offered separately for people who want to do the refinishing themselves. Paints and varnishes come in various kinds and strengths. Our process works very well on most finishes and coatings. Lead based paints are a concern to health. many of our customers live in fine old homes and the presence of lead in paint is a possibility. Numerous home owners want to have these toxic paints removed. Through the years we have worked with home owners and remodeling companies to successfully strip lead based paint from countless pieces of furniture, trim, doors and moldings. Environmental concerns: We remove the paint sludge and have it disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner by a government approved waste contractor. This costs us a little extra but we feel that it is part of doing the job right . Our community benefits from our choice because we do not send this hazardous waste to our city landfill. What types of finishes do we strip ? - Lacquers - Enamels - Latex - Polyurethanes - Conversion varnishes - Pre- and Post-catalysed finishes
- Milk paints - Caseins - Shellacs - Varnishes
In addition to furniture, we strip indoor and outdoor architectural elements such as baseboard, moldings, window frames and trim, doors, columns, woodgrates and registers etc. We also remove surface graying and fungi from weathered wood.
Call to tell us about your project; you are likely to gain some wisdom on pitfalls common to stripping and most importantly, price quotes and help.
Refinishing A great way to revive a tired look
Getting an estimate. Our role is to determine your needs, your vision and your budget and on that information we can develop a plan that can address all these factors. Your role is to give us input in terms of the desired look, to understand the value of investing in this piece versus replacing it, to listen to concerns about problems that we identified - problems that you might not have seen or known beforehand.
Why refinish ? There are many reasons for which refinishing makes sense. For a start you already own a piece of furniture which would serve and please you well if only it was beautiful again. Refinishing costs far less than buying new but if you do decide to buy new furniture, you still must figure what to do with your existing pieces! If showroom retail prices do not scare you, modern manufacturing quality standards should. In contrast, the greater the age of wooden furniture (generally speaking) the better the materials and workmanship are. Underneath all the grime, scratches and flaky finish, there are still many lives left in old pieces with plenty of charm. So don't act rashly. Call us, get an estimate, get the facts about your piece and together we can bring it back to life !
We offer a variety of choices.Here are a few: - original look vs freshness - new look vs patina - original color vs new color scheme - structural improvements - modifications to the use of the piece (for example raising the height of a table, widening a headboard, transforming an armoire into an entertainment center etc.) - add architechtural elements such as new feet, new hardware, contrasting or decorative veneers.
Restoring an old piece of furniture to its glorious potential is a significant achievement. A proper restoration is a reflection of the owner's commitment to preserve the item for future generations. Because we want to achieve lasting results, the task of restoration must be approached with fastidious concern in regard to period correctness of materials and tecniques. And yes, we do French Polishing and reviving of original finishes. The objective is to bring back the piece to fitness while respecting the venerable grace of its age. Very valuable antiques should be cared for in a museum but not all antiques are that valuable. Beautiful furniture old enough to be called antiques, however, deserve periodic competent restorative care in order to be handed down to future generations while retaining beauty and utility and inspiring awe in the craftsmanship of the past.
Sometimes damage on a finish is not extensive enough to warrant a complete Strip & Refinish procedure. May we suggest TOUCH UP and RECOAT ? Touching up (also called retouching) may involve filling dents and scratches with material and coloring, replacing missing chips of veneer or covering up blemishes. Artistry and technology come into play blending new work into surrounding areas. Recoating is recommended after extensive touch up. On its own, it restores uniformity of color depth and sheen over the whole surface, giving it that freshness to rekindle a fondness for the piece. A word of caution: If too much touch up is needed, refinishing is a much more economical alternative. Ask for a free estimate and we will give you all the numbers you need to know.
I have been estimating repairs and refinishing etc. for over 16 years. The vast majority of my estimates are FREE (within a limited area). Sometimes, however, I do charge an ESTIMATION FEE. Here are the general guidelines: - I charge a small fee for driving beyond the Ann Arbor area. (Call for details). - I charge for any documentation of damage for the purpose of a claim, including Insurance (fire, flood, pet damage etc.) Moving damage. Landlord vs. tenant cases. Please note that while we do not offer appraisals, we can recommend people who can do accurate appraisals of your possessions.
We've partnered with the best crafts people in South East Michigan to provide complementary services in : Recaning Upholstery Welding Sandblasting Glass and mirror replacement Mirror resilvering Stained glass and leaded glass restoration Curved glass "Seeded" (wavy) glass Antique clock repair Antique electronic repair Antique sewing machine repair Leather repair, touch up and reconditioning