fine furniture repair and restoration - historic preservation
Andrew R. Knapp
I provide wood finishing in my shop. This includes refinishing and new finish on older and more recent furniture and cabinetry including new pieces. I use both hand finish and spray finish techniques.
I work with both traditional and modern materials. They include waxes, shellac, nitrocellulose laquer, varnishes and catalyzed coatings. I mostly work with clear coatings but also different varieties of paints as well as glazes, dyes and stains.
When it comes to antiques I prefer to preserve and protect original finish as much as is possible while also considering a client's desired outcome.
Restoration and repair of both antique and new woodwork has been a speciality of mine for nearly two decades. Whether it's worn or damaged woodwork or finish or both, I will do work on site or in my shop to repair and /or restore it. I also have access to historically accurate hardware repair.
My work on architectural millwork includes doors, trim, built-in cabinetry, stair components and wall panel systems. Also, I do an occasional wood floor repair. This type of work is most often site work by nature and is therefore subject to many variables specific to a particular job. This usually requires a first hand site visit for pricing and schedule.
Furniture work and marine work are usually done in my shop although I do site work when necessary. I try to limit boat work to those 18 feet and under although I can fabricate and finish custom wood appointments for larger craft. I also offer consulting for restoration & repair.

Restoration & Repair
Finishing
Custom Woodworking
Historic Preservation
I am an ardent supporter of preservation. Some of the most interesting and educational work I have done has involved historic preservation. For example, I restored a very ornate drop font desk made for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philidelphia, PA. I recieved the desk with many loose pieces, small details missing, inoperable components and severely degraded finish. After re-assembly and repairs I was able to remove the finish without disturbing the actual wood surface and patina, reconstitute the original finish material and re-apply it. Additionally I have been involved with the 110 year old "La Duchesse", a 106 foot long two story houseboat, the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion in Baltimore, MD and numerous privately owned pieces of furniture. I have also done work for the National Park Service which is responsible for objects of significant national heritage.
Historic preservation work is often done on site and requires a first hand site visit for pricing and schedule. Many times, furniture work can be done in my shop. I am also available for consultation.
I am a member of the American Instutute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC).
Services
Please contact me with inquiries about any additional services that I may provide.
I enjoy the greatest creative latitude and flexibility in this department. I can produce a range of small to medium sized custom pieces such as tables, stands cabinets, etc. I use traditional joinery and modern methods, sometimes in combination. I am thoroughly enjoying reworking existing pieces in various conditions to be used in different ways. Some examples are modifying an early 1900's server to be an efficient and pleasing wine bar, using an old cast treadle sewing machine base as a stand for an adjustable drawing table made of found material, cleaning and surfacing a well used maple butcher block kitchen top to serve as a work surface for wood carving projects.
I also associate with other artisans working in different materials and disciplines to provide a broad range of creative possibilities. Through these associations I can produce complex architectural elements such as unique custom hardware and radiused woodwork as well as marine elements for large and small boats.