Our Finishing Shop

For over 60 years, Leonards has restored the finest antiques.

Altering or repairing antique beds is a staple of the business. As a result, on any given day, a visitor will observe a steady stream of bedposts, rails and headboards flowing through the workshop where craftsmen adapt them to accept modern queen and king bedding.

First, our craftsmen painstakingly select the finest materials to use. They then match woods and use the same hand-cut mortise and tenon joinery as the original construction. The finishing process starts with hand stripping the wood, when necessary. The piece is then sanded or scraped and stained with a non-toxic, water-based product, used to bring out the depth of the grain. Finally, a coat of shellac is applied by hand followed by paste varnish and wax to provide durability.

Our craftsmen are happy to restore customers’ own beds, as well, following the same thoughtful process, which is part of the Leonards’ tradition.

Customers frequently ask if altering a bed reduces its antique value. On the contrary, our experience has been that a bed’s value is actually enhanced by restoration. Most antique appraisers agree that an antique bed is viewed differently than other antique pieces. In general, a bed can withstand far more restoration including replacement parts than other antique pieces and, if not restored, would remain unused.