Furniture Repair

If you have an investment in Quality furniture pieces either Antique or modern, and want to keep them in excellent condition, Read on...

Furniture Repair, Is It Art, Or Is It Science?

Furniture repair is partly art, and part science and history blended with a passion for conservation. Our skilled furniture Restorers evaluate furniture using their senses and historic understanding, to produce a plan of repair which will give both a sturdy result for your furniture, and follow the original intent of the designer. It Requires a high level of commitment, study and sharpening of the skills of the furniture restorer's craft. Times change and so do manufacturing systems and processes. The one thing that remains constant despite advancements in technology is Craftsmanship.

Take A Tip From The Antiques Road Show.

Remember the episode of the antiques road show where the Keno Brothers feature a wonderful furniture item? I love those guys, they always provide an entertaining and educational explanation of the history, maker,age and potential value of a piece, then all too often... the bad news. Were it not for the unprofessional repair job, the Chair or desk or whatever furniture item currently being discussed, would be much, much more valuable than it is now.

Well Conceived And Well Executed Is The Key!
If you notice, they never say that proper Furniture repair, restoration or even refinishing is a problem when well conceived and well executed, but when it’s bad… it is always a detraction.

The Rules Of Good Furniture Repair.
Most of us don’t have original Thomas Chippendale furniture or other museum quality items, we might, but even if we don’t, the basic rules are the same,"do no harm" Good Furniture repairing, takes time and knowledge, and should always be done in such a way as to not compromise the item, and should be reversible.
A skilled Furniture repairman must be a sort of furniture historian as well as a great Woodworker
Improper Repairs Damage Furniture!
Think only very old and valuable Antiques are the only furniture items at risk? Think again! Recently, a guest at our shop had a really great Eames Chair which was a family heirloom which he now owns and is proud of. After some explanation about the provenance of the chair and his desire regarding it’s future he decided to share that he had been to other furniture restoration shops before Discovering Gramco.

What He Told Me Next Was Beyond Belief.

While talking about the repair project at an other shop he visited, the shop keeper confidently affirmed that he had repaired several Eames chairs before, But admitted the only way He had found to repair the chair so it would hold up, was to drill holes in them and install bolts through the formed rosewood arms where the come together with the seat, Bad Bad Idea!

The Salvation Of A Valuable Chair!

Needless to say, He Took his chair and left to continue his research. We’re Glad He found The Gramco Furniture Restoration Co. because the chair will continue to be as lovely as it ever was , and quite usable too. We Guarantee it.

Victims Of Bad Repairs?

What about those other people who didn’t know better, who now have bolts through their Vintage chairs where there should be none? Well, the important chair that was once worth Thousands of dollars no longer is. Ill conceived repairs have diminished value by as much as 70%.
If you are one of the unlucky souls with bolts in the arms of your Eames Chair?...We can fix that for around $700.00.

Get Help With Furniture Repairs .

At Gramco, we help people with furniture repairs, even when they have previously been done poorly at home or elsewhere, because Bad repairs, are simply Bad, They do not hold up well and when they fail, they are much more difficult to repair the second time around than if done right in the first place, and of course bad furniture repairs diminish value of fine furniture, art objects and antiques.

Share Your Furniture Repair Concerns With Us.

When your important furniture is in need of repair, a little time spent with Gramco now will save a lot of Grief later, We would be pleased to chat with you about it.

After almost a half century as a southeast Michigan furniture restorer
, it still warms my heart when folks bring an old piece of furniture to our studio for evaluation. They wonder if we might do something with it. There once was a time when if the item presented was not worth the time, I would recommend against the restoration on a strict "cost, Benefit" basis, but as the years have passed I have begun to see, there is a kind of value that defies appraisal.

The furniture and other stuff we pass on to our kids and grandkids is more about a family tradition and carrying on pride in a way of life imparted by our family and loved ones than just a place to sit, or a cabinet for some dishes.
When I listen to what my clients say, it becomes clear, It's not really about the chair or table or whatever it seems to be on the surface. The little thing they brought along for me to see, what they are trying to grab onto is really more a legacy than any thing else. It's a way to preserve what is good about the past, to bring that forth in their home today.

Maybe they believe that there is a thing that lives in the chair, where as a kid they remember Grandpa sitting on the front porch, smoking his pipe and telling stories of how it was when his daddy raised him. It's a reminder of stories from a time before people had plumbing in the house, and shivering visits to the privy on a crisp fall night.

Not long ago, a client of ours named Barbara stopped by to drop off a family heirloom. One of my associates commented about the rocking chair, it was just laying there on the floor in pieces inside the door of our shop where barb left it just moments before. I think he said something like "why in the world, would anybody spend money on that?" On the face of it, it's a valid question. The chair wasn't very good. The cost of repair and refinishing probably was every bit or more what it would cost to buy another rocker, but there was more to it than that, he had completely missed the point as many in this hurry up world do. The chair belonged to Barb’s mom who used it to rock barb and her little brother when she herself, was a young mother, it was a gift to her from granny and eventually Barbs Mom had passed it to her, just before she passed away. I'm sure that Barb had a lot of chairs, and I'm sure she could have gone out and bought one even better for the money she was spending for the restoration, but knowing what we now know, that isn’t the point is it?

As time goes on, my hair thins, and I see more clearly the importance of leaving a legacy, as individuals, families and even just as a citizen . The " stuff " we have in and around our homes, while it is true that we can't take it with us, what we leave behind tells a story. The story of what we hold dear, the values we hold to to and the example we want to set for future generations.

Christmas turkey on granny’s refinished dining room set will always be better, and a book enjoyed in front of a fireplace while rocking in moms old rocker is somehow better .
So think about it, when taking personal inventory and planning what to do with heirlooms when they come your way, it's not only about cost benefit analysis and replacement cost.
When you decide to Restore the old rocking chair , or end table or dining set, hold this in your mind. These things we have are heavy laden vehicles that transport fond memories, important values and sometimes lifetimes worth of identity. I know if you plan your interior design projects with this in mind, you will reap the real benefit of a more beautiful and warm home with a back drop of all the things you hold dear, an opportunity to teach the next generation what is good and true and praiseworthy in life.

Gramco brings furniture repair refinishing and restoration to Brighton Mi 48114 48116

Yes indeed Gramco furniture Restoration does service the Brighton Mi Area. and has continually since 1964.

We offer fine furniture restoration, repair and refinishing to homeowners businesses as well as insurance companies.
During August all Patrons residing in Brighton and it's environs will receive a Free bonus with every order.


call 734-728-3719 click Furniture Help stop by 32220 Mi. Ave. Wayne Mi 48184