Alain Mai

Furniture

I repair and restore many types of furniture, from chairs to beds to desks and tables, including modern and antique pieces. Veneer restoration is one of my specialties, along with structural repair and wood replacement.

Casting and molding

Frequently I am called upon to replace missing pieces of molding. In the 18th and 19th Centuries, molding was often made from a mold using wood flour and glue. Materials and methods of molding and casting differ according to the job, but they always involve duplication of remaining patterns. For this walnut mantel, the original moldings were nearly destroyed by a previous stripping process. I restored one each of four designs and cast duplicates to bring the mantel back to its original beauty.

Musical instruments

I undertake cosmetic (and occasionally structural) repair of musical instruments ranging from pianos to stringed instruments and Javanese gamelan instruments. Projects have included restoring bone coverings for keyboards and full repair of an 18th Century cello. For old instruments, I strive to keep all repair techniques authentic to the instrument's period.

I collaborate with instrument specialists on these projects.

Gilded frames

There are many different kinds of gilded frames, each of which poses its own challenge for restoration. I undertake goldleafing, painting, and molding restoration. 

Antique metalwork

An unusual assignment, these cast iron sash lifts from an old mansion in Northern Michigan had to be completely restored. The process involved welding, cleaning, painting, and replacing parts in order to bring them back to full functionality.

Antique scientific instruments

I have restored several 19th Century astronomical instruments. The first photo shows a 19th Century celestial globe, which was falling out of its enclosure and needed new brass bushings and pivots, as well as realignment.

The second instrument was used in early air circumnavigation to determine longitude by detecting the Earth's magnetic fields. It needed a complete rebuild to restore functionality.