J. H. Conklin & Co.
Refinishing and Upholstery

Upcycled mid-century dresser with a mellow comfortable finish that is relaxed yet elegant.  It had been brush painted black to hide veneer damage.  The updated look was copied from a piece of fabric used elsewhere in the home.  It was attained by using a light mustard undercoat with a subtle white shading to provide highlights and then a satin clear coat with a golden pearl additive.  The layers of color and the gold pearlesence creates a soft shimmer that changes with the lighting.  It is a one of a kind treatment well suited for a shore home or a contemporized mid-century theme.

Service descriptions include: Furniture Refinishing, Furniture Upholstery, Customized Vintage Furniture, Furniture Repair, Furniture Restoration, Upholstery Fabric, Custom Wood Finishing, Upcycled Furniture, Re-tasked Furniture, Custom Upholstery, Antique Furniture, Interior Design Resource, Affordable Unique Furniture, Furniture Workroom, Reupholster, Re-upholster, Refinisher

The New Jersey Shore service area includes:  Atlantic County, Ocean County, Cape May County

More of our clients and interior designers have been requesting paint style finishes when refinishing their furniture.  They enjoy the ability to coordinate the furniture with wall, window, and fabric selections they have made for their living spaces.  The resulting furniture pieces are often distinctive, fresh, and unexpected when compared to the usual finishes seen on those types of furniture. 

We are exited by this trend and have incorporated the materials and methods into our repertoire. 

This oak credenza was originally a deep walnut brown and was too heavy and dark for the lighter, colorful theme in a retirement home near the Jersey shore.  The objective was to create a finish that would echo the wall paint, yet provide a subtle accent.  A light cream lacquer was used as a base with a chocolate brown glaze used to pick up the grain and highlight the carvings.  It was topcoated in a clear satin.   We were all delighted with the result.

 The chair on the left shows a more bold color - yellow ochre - with deep brown contrasting glaze to accent the details.  A more delicate treatment was used on the vanity.  A slightly lighter shade of the blue in the walls and seat cover was used and a white glaze was feathered into the details to further soften the piece.

A technical note:  while generically called 'paint', the material we employ is a pigmented cabinet grade conversion lacquer.  It is typically thinner than typical paints and enamels, providing full coverage color without excessive thickness that may 'clog' or 'round over' the finer details usually found on furniture. 

Click on the link to access the online color selector:  Color Resource

Furniture Repair, Refinishing, Upholstery Services:

 Furniture Refinishing, Furniture Upholstery, Customized Vintage Furniture, Furniture Repair, Furniture Restoration, Custom Wood Finishing, Refinisher, Furniture, Antique Furniture, Interior Design Resource, Affordable Unique Furniture, Furniture Workroom, Custom Stain, Paint, Distressed, Wood Furniture Refinishing, Refinished, Restored, Paint, Painted

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, NJ, PA, DE areas:

Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Cumberland County, Atlantic County, Ocean County, New Castle County, Kent County, Philadelphia County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Chester County, Montgomery County, Salem County

Keep an eye out!  The furniture refinishing and upholstery workshop at J H Conklin & Co has expanded its service area for routine pick-up and delivery to include the South Jersey shore areas.  Cape May County, Atlantic County, and Ocean County are now included.  This would include neighborhoods in: Cape May, Sea Isle City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, Pleasantville, Ocean City, Atlantic City, Brigantine, Margate, Egg Harbor, Absecon, Somers Point, and Wildwood.

Service descriptions include: Furniture Refinishing, Furniture Upholstery, Customized Vintage Furniture, Furniture Repair, Furniture Restoration, Upholstery Fabric, Custom Wood Finishing, Upcycled Furniture, Re-tasked Furniture, Custom Upholstery, Antique Furniture, Interior Design Resource, Affordable Unique Furniture, Furniture Workroom, Reupholster, Re-upholster, Refinisher

 

The full service area includes: Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Cumberland County, Atlantic County, Ocean County, New Castle County, Kent County, Philadelphia County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Chester County, Montgomery County, Salem County, Cape May County

 

Click here to see some completed work

Plan your upholstery and reupholstery projects with a little more information on hand.  We have published a cost guide for reupholstering typical furniture.  Also included is a yardage estimator so you can get a thumbnail of how much fabric your furniture may need.  Of course, the specific details of your project may vary these guides, so it is best to contact us for a firm estimate.

The Guide is in two forms.  Click on the small page icon to view a condensed version in your web browser.  Click on the PDF badge to download a more comprehensive version that includes pages for pillows and cushions and some style sheets of decorative nails.

Some actual upholstery project pictures and prices can be seen here.

Upholstery and Reupholstery Pick up and delivery Delaware Valley Area

Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Cumberland County, Atlantic County, Ocean County, New Castle County, Kent County, Philadelphia County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Chester County, Montgomery County, Salem County, Cape May County

How much does it cost to refinish and upholster a dining set?  This French provincial inspired setting dating around the 1940's needed some attention.  The original finish had faded to a sallow orange color which was not at all in keeping with the owner's other decor.  The upholstery was stained and some of the panels had fallen out.  And then there was the faded rose vine pattern.  The breakfront had loose veneers on the upper and lower doors, which had also warped into not closing.

The owner desired a more nutmeg color to coordinate with the furniture he had in the adjoining living room.  He also wanted the fabric to bring the set into a more contemporary feel while remaining tasteful.  After repairs and removing the old finish, the set was dye stained a golden brown.  After the sealer it was glazed with van dyke brown and topped with satin lacquer.  The fabric was a faux ostrich hide.

• Refinishing six chairs:     $1080                        Inclusive of pick up and delivery and
• Refinishing table:               620                        moving of temporary furnishings.
• Refinishing breakfront:      980
• Upholster 18 panels:         1080
• Six yards fabric:                  480
• Total project:                  $4240

To see more actual project pricing examples click here.

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, NJ, PA, DE delivery areas:

Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Cumberland County, Atlantic County, Ocean County, New Castle County, Kent County, Philadelphia County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Chester County, Montgomery County, Salem County

A short video shot while testing some new finishing equipment.  This small, light rig will be good for chairs and other small furniture with hard to reach spaces.  The letterboxes (cubby holes) of secretary desks come to mind.

 This type of china or curio cabinet is a suprisingly common visitor to the shop.  Many are old enough to have float (or 'wavy') glass panels.   This one had nice turned columns framing the door with carved capitals echoing the corinthian style.  The feet were also more fully realized than some we have seen.

Some minor repairs were required and the back panels needed some extra care.  It was colored with an amber-brown dye with a thin brown glaze over the sealer to mellow the tone and accent the details.  A satin topcoat gave it a nice gleam without glare.  Total cost door-to-door: $780.  (The dog reflection was free)

More pricing examples

Cedar chests, hope chests, and blanket chests are very common pieces of furniture that people send to the workshop for refinishing.  Furniture like this tends to be from the family and folks treat them as heirlooms - passing them from generation to generation.  It is always pleasant to see the grandmother's chest installed at the foot of her granddaughter's bed, ready for another lifetime of use.

This cedar chest is in various cuts of walnut veneer and is of the "waterfall" style on the lid.  It needed some minor veneer repairs prior to refinishing in an amber toned lacquer.  The compete cost was $420.

More pricing examples

Furniture Repair, Refinish, Upholstery services:

Furniture Refinishing, Furniture Upholstery, Customized Vintage Furniture, Furniture Repair, Furniture Restoration, Upholstery Fabric, Custom Wood Finishing, Upcycled Furniture, Re-tasked Furniture, Custom Upholstery, Antique Furniture, Interior Design Resource, Affordable Unique Furniture, Furniture Workroom, Reupholster, Re-upholster, Refinisher

               Fan Back Wing Chair                                                                                 Petite Wing Chair

                           $575                                                                                                             $525

In the examples you will see that we have not included the cost of the fabric used.  Fabrics vary widely in price and fabric selection is specific to each person’s taste and budget.  The prices displayed are of the upholstery labor and sundry items.

Upholstery prices are affected by a few details such as:

• The degree of upholstery (completely upholstered or framed)  
  
• Treatments such as tufts, channels, and pleats
• The quality of the existing padding and springing
• Finishes such as nails or fringes
• Replacement cushions and optional pillows

This was a very long extension table with two wide leaves.  It could easily seat ten.  The original finish had been damaged by water, magic markers, and various utensils.  It had also developed a milky haze that obscured the wood.  The legs and apron had loosened, so the table had a rather alarming sway.  The complete project included tightening the legs and frame, filling dents and gouges, a two-tone stain, and refinishing in a robust hybrid lacquer.  The cost: $1,020 - inclusive of pick-up and delivery.