Vision and craftsmanship can restore a past-its-prime piece of furniture to its former beauty. Mark Irwin, a specialist in the restoration of fine furniture, antiques and architectural detailing, is a master of both. Irwin learned to repair and refinish furniture as a young man working in antique stores. He developed a love for the process and the satisfaction of bringing furniture back to life. His meticulous craftsmanship drew attention. People started bringing things to him and asking if he could restore them. With so many customers requesting his services, he opened Nouveau Furniture Restoration Group in 1979, with a workshop in Island Park, New York. The company has enjoyed steady growth from customers who want to bring their quality furniture back to its original condition.
“I really enjoy the work; it’s my passion,” he said, “and I like to satisfy people. “When people bring things in that don’t look good, and I bring them back, the reactions are priceless.” He loves the appreciation his customers have when family heirlooms look beautiful again. “You can’t put a price on sentimental value,” Irwin said. “I have customers with hope chests that have been passed down from grandmothers and mothers. When they see them looking like new, they cry right in front of me.”
Irwin’s craftsmanship also turns discards into treasures. “I have a lot of customers who go to garage sales and send me photos right there of furniture they see,” Irwin said. “They ask me how much it would cost for the items to be restored. You can buy furniture for next to nothing and I can make it look beautiful.”
The restoration of dining room sets, bedroom sets and living room furniture is the mainstay of Nouveau Furniture Restoration Group. Years of use can take their toll on even the most well-built tables, chairs, beds, dressers and sofas.
But architectural restoration is a rapidly growing niche for Irwin—entrance doors, moldings, bannisters, mantels, breakfronts, kitchen cabinets and wall units. No one else is doing this, he said. New entrance doors cost thousands of dollars. He can restore existing doors so they look just as good, for much less. He does large architectural restoration projects on site, within a 100 mile radius of New York City.
Stop wincing at the scratches in your table, the lumps in your chairs, or the peeling wood on your front door. Call Mark Irwin, Nouveau Furniture Restoration Group, at 917-335-1927 for a free consultation and estimate.
By Bracha Schwartz
