18th century longcase clocks being restored.
Mackenzie & Smith is run by me, Tim Smith, a qualified furniture restorer for twenty five years. I trained at West Dean College and have a restoration workshop in a Georgian shop in Ludlow.
As a qualified restorer with plenty of experience I can tackle most of the problems associated with antique furniture, this not only includes damaged woodwork and finishes, but anything furniture related, such as broken brassware, replacing leather desktops and glazing.
As well as restoring furniture I usually have a few pieces for sale (click here), I try to find genuine examples made before 1830, with a good colour, that I would be happy to live with myself.
If you have any queries please use the contact page of this website, or telephone 01584 877133
Cabinet work
A traditional woodworking plane.
The basis of good restoration is a sound knowledge of cabinet making and all of my woodwork is done by hand using traditional hand tools. Some of the techniques I use died out with the introduction of machinery and I have revived them through my own research into 18th century methods. I have a good stock of antique furniture timber to hand and I use natural stains and polishes to blend in any repairs.
Finishing
Old surfaces and mellow patina give antique pieces their charm and historical value, consequently they should always be retained rather than over cleaned or stripped. I use revivers and waxes to bring seemingly tired old finishes back to life and can also do French Polishing and repair various forms of damage such as water marks, ring marks and fading from excessive sunlight.
Polishing a dining table with beeswax.
Making an escutcheon for a tea caddy out of Boxwood.
Other work
There are a lot of other trades and skills associated with furniture making and the work I do often reflects this. These include wood turning, carving, inlay, repairing metal fittings, glazing
and replacing leather desk tops. I also restore wooden clock cases and can set up longcase clock movements.
Please feel free to visit the shop at 4 the Bullring Ludlow where I will be happy to answer any enquiries.
Alternatively you can email me via the contact page of this website or telephone 01584 877133.
