Heritage Specialists

Antique Furniture RestorationMetro Vancouver

Preserve your family heirlooms and heritage furniture with traditional restoration techniques. From Victorian settees to mid-century treasures, we honor the craftsmanship of the past while ensuring another century of use. Since 1996.

Our Approach to Antique Furniture

Restoration

Return your antique to functional beauty for daily use:

  • Period-appropriate fabric selection
  • Traditional upholstery techniques
  • Frame repairs and reinforcement
  • Functional comfort with historical accuracy

Conservation

Preserve original materials and historical authenticity:

  • Stabilize and maintain original fabric
  • Document all original materials
  • Museum-quality preservation techniques
  • Maintain historical and auction value

Most Vancouver families choose restoration with conservation principles: We reupholster for use while documenting, preserving, and honoring the original craftsmanship.

Furniture Periods We Restore

Victorian Era

1837-1901

Ornate carvings, button tufting, rich fabrics

Edwardian Era

1901-1910

Lighter designs, elegant proportions

Arts & Crafts

1880-1920

Mission style, honest construction

Art Deco

1920-1939

Geometric patterns, luxurious materials

Mid-Century Modern

1945-1969

Clean lines, organic forms

Heritage Canadian

Various

Locally-crafted pieces with regional history

Traditional Restoration Techniques

Hand-Tied Springs

Eight-way hand-tied coil springs using traditional twine methods

Horsehair Padding

Authentic horsehair or modern alternatives maintaining period feel

Frame Restoration

Traditional joinery, hide glue, and period-appropriate repairs

Period Fabrics

Historically accurate textiles or faithful modern reproductions

Why Choose VI Reupholstery for Antique Restoration?

28+ Years Experience

Nearly three decades restoring antiques from Queens Park Victorians to Kitsilano heritage homes. We understand Vancouver's antique furniture landscape.

Traditional Craftsmanship

Techniques passed down through generations. We use the same methods as the original makers— hand-tied springs, traditional padding, period-appropriate construction.

Honest Assessments

If your piece isn't worth restoring, we'll tell you upfront. But if it has good bones— which most quality antiques do—we'll show you the transformation possibilities.

Our Antique Restoration Process

1

Assessment

Detailed examination of your antique's condition, history, and restoration needs

2

Documentation

Photograph and preserve original materials, identifying period and construction methods

3

Expert Restoration

Traditional techniques applied by craftspeople who honor your piece's heritage

4

Preservation Guidance

Care instructions to protect your restored heirloom in Vancouver's climate

Antique Restoration FAQ

How do I know if my antique is worth restoring?

If your piece has sentimental value, a solid wood frame, or is over 80 years old with quality construction, it's likely worth restoring. We provide free assessments and honest advice—if restoration doesn't make sense, we'll tell you upfront.

Will restoration affect my antique's value?

Proper restoration using period-appropriate techniques and materials typically maintains or increases value. For museum-quality pieces, we use conservation methods that preserve authenticity. We document all work for future reference.

How long does antique furniture restoration take?

Antique restoration requires care and attention to detail. Most projects take 4-8 weeks depending on complexity, structural repairs needed, and fabric selection. Rush service isn't appropriate for quality antique work.

Can you match original fabrics and trims?

We work with suppliers specializing in period-appropriate fabrics, reproduction trims, and historical patterns. While exact matches may not exist for very old pieces, we source faithful reproductions that honor the original aesthetic.

Preserve Your Family Heirlooms

Expert antique furniture restoration throughout Metro Vancouver. Free consultations with honest assessments—your treasures deserve the best.