Jean-Michel Gomez

Working on an antique piece is a bit like traveling back in time. Recently, I had the pleasure of restoring a pedestal dating from around 1890, likely crafted in the style of the Faubourg Saint-Honoré workshops. Every detail tells a story, but time had left its mark: missing marquetry, worn shellac, and a fragile structure. […]

This Thonet chair bore the marks of time and many lives. Covered in worn matte black paint, it had also undergone some improvised repairs: wire, questionable glue, and misplaced nails. I carefully stripped it down and reinforced its joints with a few precise gluing repairs. The bentwood regained its purity, and a warm finish now

My work required far more time than expected, but the result seems well worth the effort. I naturally focused on the visible appearance of this beautiful piece, but not only that… To ensure the drawers slid smoothly back into place, it was necessary to restore the runners, raise the sides, and reinforce certain structural elements.

Looking Back at a Step in the Restoration of This Chest of Drawers, bringing new life to a discreet yet essential detail. A discreet and refined opening mechanism. Among the key stages in the restoration of this walnut Louis-Philippe–style chest of drawers, the work on the under-marble drawer held a special place for me. True