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.
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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.
Recently Trefler’s restoration was chosen to restore 7 eight foot tall wooden bookcases belonging to a Metro West resident. As the project unfolded, Trefler’s was able to bring the bookcases back to their original state and in addition, learned more about the history of the bookcases, as well as about the family themselves. A fascinating story and restoration process emerged.
The eight foot tall classically influenced bookcases and card catalogue restored by Trefler’s originally belonged to George Frisbie Hoar, an American attorney and politician. He was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives (1852-1853), a Massachusetts State Senator (1857-1858), a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1869-1877) and represented Massachusetts for 27 years in the U.S. Senate from 1877 until his death in 1904. From his 1904 eulogy in the Congressional Record an excerpt read “To see Senator Hoar among his books in his own library was to see him at his best.”
The bookcases traveled from Hoar’s residence in Worcester, MA to Washington D.C. and most recently to the residence of his great-great grandson in Metrowest Boston. In recent years, these unique classical pieces sustained both water and transit-related damages. Trefler’s was commissioned to reverse these damages in order to restore the bookcases to their former glory. Founded in 1921, Trefler’s specializes in fine art and antique restoration with a focus on maintaining the integrity of fine and applied artworks through the preservation of original materials and finishes. All of our work is completed by hand by trained artists and conservators.
For this set of 7 bookcases built with classical architectural influences, Trefler’s focused on fabricating missing sections of the dentils which decorate the crown molding and fabricating capitals which sit atop the columns separating each bookcase. Further restoration included finish conservation which blended areas of color and finish loss. We also secured the joints of the bases, back panels, and all existing architectural elements. After repairing and leveling the plinths of each section, we refit each door to operate smoothly. Fabrication included duplication of separating columns, crown molding, architectural scrolls, trim moldings, and finally frame and panel side sections.
This extensive project highlights Trefler’s aptitude for design, traditional craftsmanship, and historically appropriate attention to detail. The bookcases have been delivered, installed and secured in the client’s home library and the shelves now display the family’s extensive collection of books, many of which were also inherited from Senator Hoar.
Trefler’s was featured in the Boston Design Guide!
THE VALUE OF RESTORATION
FEBRUARY 8, 2024 | MADDIE BRISBANE
There is something to be said for preserving the past for future generations. Many homeowners are discovering a renewed appreciation for timeless older furnishings and decor, encouraging a shift back to the value found in the exceptional craftsmanship of the past.
Since 1921, Trefler’s has been the go-to resource in the world of restoration, with a highly-skilled and passionate team that can really do it all. Embracing a hands-on approach, nearly everything at Trefler’s is done by hand, emphasizing the importance of individual attention, detail, and care. From sentimental heirlooms to intriguing antique finds, the variety of treasures that Trefler’s can expertly revive, refinish, and repurpose is vast.
Though it might be tempting to buy new, restoring older furniture and decor is an eco-friendly alternative. Opting for restoration over buying new can reduce waste and conserve resources. Repurposing existing items minimizes the demand for new materials and reduces the environmental impact associated with manufacturing, transportation, and disposal.
Trefler’s restoration repertoire covers furniture, decorative arts, books, metal, paintings, frames, works on paper, upholstery, chandeliers, and more. Their processes blend traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology to breathe new life into cherished possessions. “We recognize that each piece entrusted to us is an investment for the client, and we do not take that lightly,” says Laura Sheehan, Vice President and 23-year veteran of Trefler’s. “We are committed to delivering a high-end product that respects the history and integrity of the original.”
Choosing to restore also provides a unique opportunity for customization and personalization. Whether it be refinishing, repainting, or reupholstering, Trefler’s process includes working with clients to tailor the piece to their personal styles and preferences. “From our small team of 12 staff dedicated to their craft, our goal is to align with the client’s vision while offering insight on optimal treatments and custom projects,” Sheehan explains.
Beyond traditional furniture restoration, their expertise includes reassembling furniture, reattaching parts, fabricating missing elements, and tackling cosmetic issues such as stripping, refinishing, and addressing water damage. Customers have the option to bring their projects directly to Trefler’s for estimates, or a Trefler’s expert can go to them on site. Trefler’s also provides assistance for claims; for example, if a piece is exposed to fire, soot, water, or mold they can also help to restore it.
“We like the challenge of turning something that may have seen better days or is no longer functional, and transform it into something amazing,” Sheehan shares. “It’s rewarding.”
Through a blend of traditional craftsmanship, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for history, the services at Trefler’s serve as a promising alternative to the over-consumption of mass-produced furnishings and decor. By placing a premium on conserving and reviving the prized and precious items that define our past, homeowners can blaze a new trail in shaping a future full of character and quality.