Please provide us with the following information when submitting an inquiry, and someone from the Trefler’s team will help you determine the next steps.
Please describe your item(s) in as much detail as possible. Information such as dimensions, what materials the item is made of (i.e. wood, plaster, porcelain), and your item’s current condition are all very helpful for our experts to make an accurate estimate.
We suggest providing at least three .jpg images per item. These should include; one image of the entire object, and detailed views of the area(s) of damage and/or pieces.
If you are submitting an inquiry for painting restoration, please provide an additional photograph of the back of the canvas.
Our team will review all inquiries and assess the best course of action to suit your needs.
We look forward to hearing from you.
3340Did you know?
Trefler’s featuresProtective Enclosures for Books
Trefler’s book conservator can help you protect your favorite book with a book enclosure, which provides structural support and protection from the environment.
This could be appropriate for valuable books and/or books that hold special meaning for you. Book enclosures are made to precisely fit the dimensions of the book after exact measurements.
Our book conservator recommends a drop spine box, (sometimes called a clam shell box). This is an attractive presentation which can be customized with various covering materials (book cloth, paper, etc.). This can also be customized to hold other materials.
Call us at 617.965.3388 for more information.
3279Did you know?
Trefler’s offers in-home inspections of your items in need of restoration.
It can be daunting to think through the logistics of bringing your art and antiques into a studio for assessment. Luckily, Trefler’s is always available to come directly to you for a professional inspection of your items. We will take detailed notes about the condition of the piece(s), along with your goals and concerns. We follow up shortly after with a comprehensive report, describing our observations, the current condition of the piece(s), a restoration plan, and estimated cost and timeline. And, if your possessions should experience damage due to a fire, flood or move, Trefler’s is your go-to inspection company. We will work with you and your insurance company/public adjuster, to provide detailed reports on a timely basis, assessing your pieces to determine how we can best restore/repair them.
Call us at 617.965.3388 for more information.
3239Did you know?
Trefler’s Pick up and Delivery Services ~
Did you know that Trefler’s offers pick up and delivery services?
Did you know that Trefler’s has a fully staffed and ready to schedule fee-based pick up and delivery service? Our pick up and delivery crew arrives at your residence ready to pack and transport any items that need our restoration services – pieces that are too large or heavy to move yourself or multiple pieces of furniture and artwork. We carefully pack your pieces for transport and our van is fully equipped for every job. Items are carefully tagged and entered into our inventory system upon arrival at our studios. Once your restoration work is completed, our delivery team are on the scene again to return your pieces to you so you can enjoy them for many years to come.
Call us at 617.965.3388 for more information.
3231Did you know?
Trefler’s Custom Upholstery Services ~
Did you know that Trefler’s offers custom upholstery services?
We re-upholster your favorite pieces and provide related services including upholstery restoration, cushion replacement, pillow fabrication & rebuilding of seats (webbing, springs & padding). Our upholsterers are industry experts with many years of experience in the field. Clients may source their own fabrics and trims, or, we have a wide range of fabrics, trims, gimps, decorative accents and price points available. We can do structural and finish work on your pieces, making us a one stop shop for your re-upholstery and restoration needs.
Call us at 617.965.3388 for more information.
3180Did you know?
Trefler’s Custom Framing Services ~
Our custom framing studio is made up of knowledgeable artisans with over 40 years of experience in the industry. We design and handcraft our picture frames using the finest skills and expertise. With a variety of options to choose from, our skilled framers will work closely with you to carefully choose the appropriate frame for your work of art. Using only museum quality materials, we provide full service archival custom framing. We use the finest UV-filtering and Museum Low Reflection glass.
Regardless of the medium, we take pride in the preservation of your treasured artwork. We also offer antique frame restoration. We can fabricate missing pieces, reapply gold leaf where necessary, and stabilize the entire structure of your antique frames.
In conjunction with our furniture department, we design and fabricate art display cases, statue pedestals, and art object mounts from a selection of raw hardwoods and high quality acrylic.
Call us at 617.965.3388 for more information.
3170Did you know?
Trefler’s Offers Art Installation Services
Trefler’s staff regularly hangs artwork of all varieties (including paintings, prints, photographs, mirrors and 3-dimensional pieces) on many types of surfaces (drywall, horse hair plaster, wood) in almost any location. Our team has 15+ years of experience and can help you install a new piece or re-hang existing pieces to refresh the look of your space.
Call us at 617.965.3388 for more information.
3147Looking for a creative gift idea?
Purchase a Trefler’s Gift Certificate!
Our gift certificates (available starting at $50) are the perfect idea for your friends, family, or colleagues.
Gift certificates can be applied to our restoration services, (excluding glass grinding).
Call Allison Cook at (617) 965-3388, extension 230 or email acook@trefler.com.
Trefler’s custom framing studio is proud to offer a wide variety of framing solutions to suit almost any style, budget and environment. Moulding vendors such as Roma Moulding, Picture Woods and Larson Juhl provide finely crafted pre-finished moulding that can be used in framing projects to achieve any desired aesthetic from traditional to contemporary, rustic to minimal.
One of the wonderful advantages of working with Trefler’s, is that our framers have the studio’s furniture fabrication facilities behind them to execute entirely custom frames and mouldings from scratch. In industry terms, these are called closed corner or finished corner frames.
What are closed finished corner and closed corner frames?
Finished corner or closed corner frames are frames which are joined or assembled prior to being finished or painted. These types of frames do not utilize the prefabricated mouldings available from our selection of moulding vendors. Instead, these frames are entirely custom-made and offer a high quality result with several distinct benefits.
A seamless result
One of the more noticeable differences between closed corner frames and prefabricated mouldings is the visibility of where the frame corner is joined. Because a prefab moulding is assembled after its surface finish is applied, the joint or seam connecting a corner will be visible. A closed corner frame in comparison is painted or finished after its assembled so the joint is better concealed under layers of finish, creating a seamless transition at each corner of the frame. The frame featured below is perfect example of the seamless result achievable in a closed corner frame.
Unique details and thoughtful patterning
Because closed corner frames are entirely custom, they also allow for more unique patterning that is not possible to achieve when using a prefabricated moulding. A great example of this is the two frames displayed below. On the left, is a pre-fabricated moulding with uniform ornamentation, and on the right a bespoke finished corner frame that has hand-applied, cast decoration which has patterning that seamlessly aligns along its joined corners. Carving, detailing through cast comps, gesso and gilding are a few examples of completed with a surface application of gilding with gold, silver or platinum leaf or through painting, staining.
Custom Finishes: the nuances of color
Another compelling feature of closed corner frames are that their color and finish are also entirely custom crafted. Trefler’s color specialists bring decades of experience in custom finishes and faux decorative painting to develop the perfect accent to any artwork. Their expertly trained eyes pick up on nuances in color that will highlight desired tones and colors of a piece.
Other considerations
Closed corner frames offer a bespoke answer to any framing project. They provide the opportunity to create a one of a kind, tailored frame for your artworks. That being said, there are other considerations when deciding between a pre-fabricated moulding and an entirely custom frame: time and budget. Being entirely custom, closed corner frames do take more time and typically cost more than a standard, prefabricated frame, so for some projects and budgets they don’t always make sense, nor are they necessary to achieve a desired result. Our framing studio works with the best producers of pre-fabricated moldings to ensure that our client’s needs and expectations are always exceeded.
Interested in learning more about Trefler’s frame studio? Get started today!
298321 Easy Home Improvement Projects to Refresh Your Home
This Blog Post was originally published on May 10, 2021 by Emily Huddleston on RedFin. To view it there or to visit Redfin, click the link here.
Looking for DIY home improvement projects to spruce up your space? Well, you’re in luck. We tapped some of the top DIY home improvement experts across North America, from Toronto, ON to Atlanta, GA, and asked them to share some of their favorite projects and renovations. From quick fixes such as adding greenery or switching up the lighting, to slightly bigger tasks, such as painting a dresser or creating a statement wall, there are plenty of easy ways to refresh your home.
So whether you’re trying to sell your house or simply want to upgrade your space, these easy home improvement ideas can help you get started!
1. Paint wood cabinets with chalk paint. The most budget-friendly way to update a kitchen or bathroom and refresh your home is to paint the cabinets with chalk paint. It is super easy to do and makes a huge impact on a high traffic space for very little money. – Bricks ‘n Blooms
2. Change the light fixtures. Switching out the lights can make a big impact without breaking the bank and devoting a lot of time. There’s a multitude of beautiful, inexpensive lighting options out there to choose from. And swapping out a fixture takes only a couple of hours, max. – Two Twenty One
3. Refresh your pantry with shallow shelving. For an easy pantry makeover, use shallow shelving installed from the floor to the ceiling (so long as it’s not beyond reach) instead of the standard 12-18” deep shelves in a pantry. This will prevent pantry items from being hidden and forgotten behind other items. Make the shelves adjustable for even more customization and organization. – Reinvented Delaware
4. Add character to a room with built-in bookshelves. Our favorite home improvement project to refresh a space or room is a DIY built-in bookcase filled with colorful books & accessories. The double-sided built-in bookshelf with a hidden bookcase door we built transformed our space. – Hello Small World
5. Spice up a room with a luxurious stenciled wall design. Modern stencils are easier to use than ever and can produce a finish that rivals even the most expensive wallpapers. For a more subtle update, try the same paint in two different sheens to give a sophisticated layered look. – The Copper Elm
6. Beautify your laundry room. I use my laundry room every day, and while it may not be a show stopper like kitchen or bathroom changes can be, I am happy when I look in here and it makes it less frustrating to laundry all the time. Making the space cheerful and having it work for me at the same time was the real win. – Jessica Rayome
7. Work with what you have to refresh your home. Outdated cabinets? Give them a fresh coat of paint and add new hardware for an updated look. Ugly linoleum or tile floors? Use paint to create a stencil pattern and add more years of life. Stained Formica countertops? Purchase an epoxy countertop kit and give them a marble or granite look for a fraction of the cost of replacing. – This Full Life 5
8. Update a room with your favorite art pieces. For each room in your new home, pick one favorite framed piece of art and hang complimentary pieces according to how you want that room to feel. Experiment with asymmetrical hanging designs to create a more dynamic and interesting look and feel to your space. Also, consider restoring treasured works of art and updating framing for preservation. – Trefler’s
9. Transform a room with simple wall molding and paint. You can elevate your space by installing a unique wall treatment, like board and batten, shiplap, or wainscotting. Then, pull it all together with a fresh coat of paint to modernize it with a color that fits the color palette for your home. – Sarah Symonds, Grace In My Space
10. Paint a piece of furniture. Painting furniture is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to change up the look of your space and refresh your home. – Three Coats of Charm
11. Update your laminate cabinets to refresh your home. Creating a home you love doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With a can of spray paint and some shelf brackets, this homeowner turned a builder-grade laminate cabinet into a beautiful coastal farmhouse-style cabinet. – K’s Olympic Nest
12. Personalize your home office. With the shift to working from home, my tip is to personalize the home office in a fun, easy, and affordable way. For example, you can update an old filing cabinet to suit your style by painting it and adding a set of cool legs. – BB Frösch
13. Add a touch of greenery to transform any room. Tall, willowy trees fit empty corners perfectly, while potted plants in between pieces bring softness to the hard angles of a room. To warm up the cold feel of glass and metal, use a small topiary or bonsai plant to add organic lines to an often rigid, contemporary style. It’s time to bring your room to life, one sprig of rich greenery at a time. – Furniture of America
14. Create stylish organization through built-in storage. Building a closet organization system with drawers and shelving will make the closet look clutter-free and well organized. Adding window seats with storage, either drawers or cubbies with stylish storage bins can help remove clutter in bedrooms, dining rooms, or living rooms. In addition, there are many tutorials available online for how to create DIY built-in storage systems to fit your needs. – Pinspired to DIY
15. Refresh hallway doors on a budget. Many older homes have core hollow doors which can be expensive to replace. Instead of purchasing all new doors, you can use picture frame molding, a miter box (or miter saw), and liquid nails to create the look of a paneled door. Add a fresh coat of paint and you have “new” doors for under $20. – Grace and Maura
16. Think outside the box when it comes to painting. When you’re looking to refresh your home, don’t just paint a wall one color – instead color block or stencil it. Also, don’t just paint walls – instead paint fixtures, counters, or even your fireplace with spray paint or regular paint. There are so many wonderful paint products out there that will help you level up your room’s vibe and style in a cost-effective way. – My Homier Home
17. Rethink your outdoor space. Outdoor space is often an untapped resource in a home. With pea gravel as a base, we transformed a weedy, muddy spot next to our back patio into an awesome hangout. If your home is feeling tight, think beyond its walls and look to the great outdoors. – Modern Chemistry at Home
18. Create a statement wall. A statement wall can instantly update or change the entire vibe of a room, and a bonus is that It’s an easy, inexpensive DIY that you can complete in a weekend using paint, wallpaper, wood, or even leftover shims. – A Life Unfolding
19. Make affordable, but impactful updates in your kitchen. I recently redid our kitchen for under $1000 and it made the space feel brand new. The cabinets were brown, laminate countertops, white appliances, and an electric range with an old sink. We switched out the sink and the range to electric, painted the cabinets, and then did a DIY faux marble finish on the countertops. It completely changed the space to make it look brand new on a budget. – A Yellow Peach
20. Change out your wall decor to refresh your home. Fiber-based art is great for softening a space and metal pieces can lend to an industrial feel. Even if you are simply shifting your favorite pieces into different rooms, switching up your decor can make a space feel new. – Danielle Kaminski
21. Switch out builder-grade wire shelving in a linen closet. Nobody likes the look of the wire shelving that comes standard in most houses. So, we built wooden covers to fit over the existing shelves that look like real wood floating shelves. This doesn’t add much weight to the shelves, makes them look better and more functional with the flat surface, and was inexpensive because we used plywood. – Newbuild Newlyweds
2961Decorative screens: a different kind of screen time
The word screen has no doubt been usurped in the digital age. Its original meaning however, is the subject of this week’s blog.
Throughout history, folding screens have served both decorative and functional purposes. Multi-paneled partitions were once commonplace in domestic environments. They provided shelter from the elements, protection from chilly drafts and protection from sunlight or heat.
The earliest examples of folding screens are attributed to the Han dynasty in ancient China. Dating as early as the 4th century BC, folding screens were born out of the need to create separation in the one-room dwellings of the period. The earliest examples crafted from wood, were decorated with scenes depicting nature. Mythical allegories were later applied, creating free-standing artworks that served as backdrops for everyday life.
One of the most celebrated examples of decorative screens are Chinese Coromandel Screens which were made using various lacquer techniques. Some screens had up to 30 layers of lacquer to create stunning, richly ornate scenes. After being popularized in Asia, the decorative folding screen was adopted in Europe at the arrival of the 17th Century. The folding screen served both functional and decorative purposes and became a common element in home decor. The decorative folding screen garnered the attention of notable style icons like Coco Chanel, who, at one point, had over 32 in her possession.
Today, decorative folding screens might not be the answer to heating and cooling needs, but partitions still can serve ato divide space. The resurgence of one room living, whether it be in smaller, studio style apartments, or larger open-plan living and dining areas common to contemporary homes, the partition can create an enclave. Amidst a pandemic that has forced us to retreat into our homes, one room living is not always ideal, particularly when Zoom meetings necessitate privacy and a more professional backdrop than say the pile of laundry you need to attend to.
At Trefler’s studio, the rise in popularity of decorative screens over the last year has been undeniable. Client’s seeking out a practical way to carve out a “private space” within their home for taking FaceTime and Zoom calls, have found a solution in decorative screens. Restoration work has been underway treating antique and vintage canvas, lacquer and paper screens. Some of the more ornate iterations include beautiful inlay of mother of pearl, and some with stones in three dimensional relief. These freestanding works of art have brought a much welcomed change of scenery to the homes of many of our clients at a time when a bare wall just simply doesn’t work.
Interested in restoring a decorative folding screen in your possession? Our specialists can treat, refinish and stabilize decorative screens to make them fully functional and beautiful once again. Submit an inquiry today.
