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SPECIALIST FINISHES AND RESTORATION

where we began and continue to thrive

GILDING

Our studio’s experience in the field of restoration and gilding enable us to undertake all manner of assignments from individual items to large architectural projects.

As well as undertaking gilded and painted schemes, we provide a research and project management service, with full condition and scientific analysis reports.

For hundreds of years art, furniture and architecture have all been enriched with gilded and painted schemes, from the basic picture frame to the more grandiose architectural elements.

Oil gilding is generally used for architecture due to its versatility with the regards to the surfaces on which it can be applied. Unlike water gilding it can also be used outside and is a cheaper solution for interior gilding. 

RESTORATION

The best restoration is finding the perfect balance between repair and authenticity. We are members of LAPADA and our studio always strive to ensure that the restored piece has the patina of age yet is consolidated and structurally sound. Our clients range from some of the most well-known antique dealers to private clients and we treat each project on its own merits.

ARCHITECTURAL GILDING

Dominic Schuster Ltd’s experience in the field of restoration and gilding enable us to work with the same attention to detail on large projects as on smaller pieces of furniture.

As well as undertaking gilded and painted schemes, we can provide a research and project management service, with full condition and scientific analysis reports.

GILDED GLASS & VERRE EGLOMISE

DECORATIVE SURFACES

FAUX LACQUER

Faux lacquer is a beautiful undulated finish created by building up layers of paint and varnish. The process is time consuming as each layer of paint has to dry before being ‘knocked back’. We apply a minimum of 6 layers before repeating the process with 4 layers of varnish. The finish can be used on furniture and also over existing painted woodwork, walls or panelling.

PAINTED FURNITURE

We specialise in the conservation, restoration and commission of antique and modern painted furniture.

With antique painted furniture, no item is ever considered to be beyond repair and we put particular emphasis on retaining as much of the original surface as possible. The item should never look restored, but well-maintained keeping age and patina. We also work on papier mâché, tôle, arte povera and painted leather.

ARTE POVERA, TÔLE & PAPIER MÂCHÉ

The surfaces we work on extend to the lesser known tôle (tin), papier mâché and arte povera (découpage). We have huge experience in the restoration of all these surfaces and we welcome enquiries although please note that we are unable to price from images alone.

LACQUER & JAPANNING