Geoffrey Warwick Antique Restoration

About the Business

Geoffrey graduated from Brunel Technical College in 1989, having achieved distinctions in City and Guilds Cabinet Making alongside apprentices from Gordon Russell and John Makepeace. Geoffrey was then employed by the family firm of Blanchards in Winchester where he worked as the head restorer, dealing in high end and museum quality antiques with clients ranging from David Frost to Joan Collins.

In 1994 Geoffrey was approached by Simon’s Antiques of Wiesbaden in Germany, where he took on the position as restorer and manager until 1999, specialising in Georgian & Regency antiques. He was then offered numerous employment opportunities within the UK and America and, having decided to return to the UK, Geoffrey chose employment with Bushwood Antiques of Redbourn Hertfordshire. During his 12 years with the company Geoffrey became the business manager, dealing with and advising clients from around the world, and travelling and working in Europe, America and China.

In 2010 Geoffrey decided to start his own business using the wealth of experience he had gained in the antiques trade, restoring and sourcing antiques for his own clients both at home and abroad. Geoffrey has written numerous articles for American Expatriate, Hertfordshire Life & Candis magazines as well as appearing in the Daily Telegraph, BBC Homes & Interiors, & Hertfordshire Countryside.

Business Services

French Polishing

In our workshop we finish all our restored furniture using traditional techniques. The main finishing process used is French Polishing. French Polishing is the method used in applying shellac, a secreted resin form the lac beetle, it originated in late 18th century France. Though French polished furniture does require more care in your home, as it is neither heat or water resistant, it is unsurpassed and prized for its brilliance, clarity and depth it gives to furniture.

When we view a piece of furniture for restoration we need to assess what condition the polished finish is in or what finish has been applied. Too often we visit a clients home where a piece of antique furniture has been lacquered or varnished rather than French polished, lacquered or varnished pieces often look dull, lack any depth and will devalue the piece and has no place in restoration work.

Once we have assessed each piece we inform our client of the restoration and polishing process required. The polishing process can vary depending on the condition of the finish and the finish previously applied. Our aim is always to try not to strip any antique that has been French polished, as unless severe damage has been done to the surface we can revive the French polish using methalayed spirits and oils, keeping the original finish and patina.

Furniture Conservation

At Geoffrey Warwick we take the conservation of antique furniture very seriously as we believe no body owns an antique but is rather the custodian for future generations.

Conservation can be broken down to three major sections. Preservation, Stabilisation and Restoration. So as to preserve antique furniture we must first investigate the cause of deterioration and ascertain how this can be minimized, we must then stabilise the piece so that it stays in its current condition and finally we must restore in a sympathetic manner so as not to alter the piece.

During Furniture conservation we use only traditional techniques and finishes and any restoration carried out is done so using period materials. Following our conservation work we supply written reports which record all work or treatment undertaken.

Furniture Restoration

At Geoffrey Warwick, our aim in furniture restoration is to preserve the elegance and usefulness of you antique or piece of furniture, this differs from when we carry out historical conservation.

Our belief is workbench skills alone do not make a good furniture restorer, a good knowledge of furniture history and making is essential. During furniture restoration we always aim to keep pieces as original as possible and avoid alterations which conflict with the original piece. Each piece we restore is assessed and we explain to our clients the restoration work that will be undertaken.

Our aim is to carry out furniture restoration using traditional techniques and tools with the occasional help from modern machinery. We hold a stock of old timber, handles, hinges etc and wherever possible we will endeavour to use these during furniture restoration. However when this is not possible we will age and colour new timber so it blends with old and if necessary replaces or cast missing handles or hardware.