J H Conklin & Co. Furniture Workshop

What Is The Price to Refinish End Tables?

Tue, 08 May 2012 23:55:00 +0000

This lovely pair of inlaid end tables needed some care. The finish on both was cloudy and scratched. The gilding had oxidized to a dull green. One table had a dark stain from a pair of scissors left to rust in a puddle of tea.

The finish was realized with an amber dye stain, antique gold gilding paint, Van Dyke brown glaze and a satin topcoat. The cost was $760 for the pair, including custom sized glass for the tops.

Furniture refinishers and upholsterers serving The Delaware Valley area and the south Jersey shore.

Hanging Glaze Procedure - Furniture Finishing

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 01:40:00 +0000

This picture series illustrates one of the more common glaze techniques in furniture finishing - known as a 'hanging' glaze. The contrast between the stain color and the glaze color for this project displays the effect of glazing. The most dramatic feature is the artificial shadow line created by the color hanging in the recessed areas and molding. Two other features are the enhanced 'depth' of the finish and the use of color to 'distress' the wood surface.

1. Base Color 2. A full coat of glaze material sprayed over the prepared surface. In this instance, the color is Van Dyke Brown.	1. This is the starting color prior to glaze. The wood has been stained and a few light coats of sealer applied. The sealer has been smoothed by sanding with 320 grit pads. This forms the base for the glaze which is always applied on a sealed surface. 2. Glaze Applied
3. Brush Smeared 4. A coarse rag (like a crew knit) wadded into a smooth ball is used to rub much of the glaze away. Holding the wad more tightly keeps the rag from dropping into the recesses and wiping all the glaze away. Lighter pressure on the corners leaves more glaze hanging. On the flat areas, note that the wetter areas of glaze wiped away more cleanly.	3. The glaze has been brushed with a coarse, soft brush. This distributes any overly wet recessed areas and sets the stage for the 'hang-up.' The places where the brush removed more of the glaze will dry faster and become sticky. The wetter areas will dry slower and remain more liquid. 4. Coarse Rag Wipe
5. Clean Rag Wipe 6. The coarse rag ball was used to 'pad' a few random color blotches where the glaze wiped too cleanly for the desired look. After the solvent flashed out of the heavier areas of glaze, a satin lacquer topcoat finished the piece.	5. A clean rag, also wadded into a smooth ball is used to burnish selected areas and to clean up any lap marks left by the coarse rag. At this point the glaze is very sticky and requires a fair amount of pressure to move around. 6. Satin Topcoat

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, New Castle County, Kent County, Philadelphia County, Delaware County, Bucks County, Chester County, Montgomery County, Salem County

How Much Does It Cost to Renew A Mission Chair

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 17:05:00 +0000

This mission style chair needed some help. The leather upholstery had cracked and torn and the padding was compressed into a hard mat. The finish was flaking and had allowed water (or something liquid) to blotch the wood.

The remaining finish was removed and the chair was refinished in a fumed oak color in keeping with its original tones. New under work and padding provided a base for the upholstery. Cost was an issue, so we suggested a leather-like vinyl that retained the look of leather without the price tag.

The cost to complete: $628 including fabric. Click on the chair picture to read an article about the renewed interest in upholstery.

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, Reupholster, Re-upholster, Refinisher, Upholsterer, Painted Furniture

Service Area South New Jersey, Delaware, Philadelphia:

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

How Much Does It Cost Entertainment Center

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 14:45:00 +0000

A pine entertainment unit that was perfectly suitable, but the light minimal finish gave it a casual appearance that didn't work with the other furniture.

A thin maroon toner over the pine started things off. Then several thin coats of walnut brown deepened the color and set it toward the desired final color. A black/brown glaze set off the molding and details lending a subtle accent. A satin clear coat set the final sheen.

What did it cost? $1020.

Furniture Repair, Refinishing, Upholstery Servicesin the South Jersey Area:

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, Cape May County

Hazy Pearl Dresser - Jersey Shore Theme

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:25:00 +0000

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

Paint Style Finishes in Furniture Refinishing

Sun, 14 Aug 2011 17:30:00 +0000

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:

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

Jersey Shore: Furniture Refinishing and Upholstery

Tue, 17 May 2011 23:57:00 +0000

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

Upholstery Price Guide and Yardage Estimator

Sun, 15 May 2011 01:26:00 +0000

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

Cost to Refinish A Dining Set

Sat, 07 May 2011 22:40:00 +0000

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:

Around the Furniture Refinishing Workshop

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 03:53:00 +0000

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.