Last week I talked with Alan Karzen of Alan Karzen Restoration (www.karzenrestoration.com) about reupholstering. This week we talked about refinishing your fine wood furniture.
Q. Alan, what about refinishing wood furniture? What can a client expect?
A. With refinishing, as with reupholstery, having a good quality piece to start with makes a great deal of difference. I can do anything from changing the color of the stain (within certain parameters) to adding character with glazes and paints. I recently took a couple of nightstands from a client and refinished them with a two color process which resulted in a completely updated look. One of the other ways that we can help clients is by giving their kitchens an entirely new look by refinishing their wood cabinets. I can change the look of their kitchen and freshen it up for a fraction (about 25%) of the cost of replacing cabinets. Considering that you’re not throwing away perfectly good cabinets and creating landfill, it’s also a very “green” alternative!
Q. That’s great, Alan! What should someone look for when they’re considering a refinishing and reupholstery professional?
A. One of the most important things is to find out how long they’ve been in business. I’ve been in this business all my life, as my father was in it and I learned from a master, at his knee. I have decades of experience and can handle the most complicated residential or commercial projects.
Alan, thanks for a most informative interview and I wish you many more years of success!