September 2026
Restoring antique furniture: when, by whom, at what cost
What to restore, what to leave alone, and how to tell an honest restoration from a disguise.
Restoring an antique is a decision, not a reflex. Done well, a restoration returns a piece to use; done badly, it removes what made its value: its original surface.
The first rule is to separate structure from surface. Structure always gets repaired: a loose joint, active woodworm, a fragile foot must be dealt with, because they threaten the piece itself. Surface almost never gets redone. A two-hundred-year-old patina, even uneven, is better than fresh varnish.
Stripping is the most dangerous operation. It removes in an hour what two centuries took to form, leaving a bloodless wood that must then be re-stained — which is to say, disguised. A stripped piece routinely loses a large share of its value.
Choosing the craftsman next. A serious restorer works with animal glue, reversible, and documents every intervention. They are willing to say no — and that is precisely how you recognise them.
On budget, keep it simple: re-gluing a joint is counted in tens of euros, marquetry restoration in hundreds or thousands. A restoration is only worthwhile if it matches the piece's value — or the attachment you have to it.
The simplest reflex of all: buy already in the right condition. Pieces offered on Maison Boitel are described honestly by the dealers who hold them, restored when needed and left alone when preferable — and the sale happens directly with them, with 0% commission.
