I’ve been in the finishing industry since 1981 starting out as a painting firm which I named Lakeside Painting located in East Troy, Wisconsin. In 1983 I formed a partnership, which we then incorporated, and from that point on the business flourished. I and my partner were young men in our mid-twenties at the time and had thirteen painters working for us. I quickly realized big isn’t always better; at least for me anyway. My personal touch was disappearing and my talents were becoming more that of an administrator and not a craftsman. I left the partnership and downsized to a small crew of three men. Throughout the 80’s and what I call the “roaring 90’s” and into the decade of 2000 we performed a lot of finishing work for private owners and general contractors in the new home construction industry; it was boom time. Over the course of this time I can only think I’ve finished hundreds of homes applying all the various paints and finishes common to that era. From all this “hands on” experience I gained the skill and confidence to elevate myself to be that of a furniture restorer.

Antique furniture was always something I admired and had a passion for as evidenced by the seminars I attended in the late 1980’s, those being: Star’s spot-finishing repair workshop held in Hinsdale, Illinois and Minuteman’s stripping and refinishing workshop held in Waterloo, Wisconsin, and Amity’s workshop in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. These workshops helped advance my knowledge in the field of furniture restoration. I’ve always considered furniture restoration as a level change in expertise and knowledge, as if to be the progression from a tradesman to a craftsman. The craftsman has a keener eye for detail, knowing what to look for and how to remedy difficult situations. My many years as a tradesman in the residential house painting industry has rewarded me with the diligence and skill-set to take on the craft of furniture restoration. Being a perfectionist and a mechanic-of-mind combined with the wide circle of craftsmen I am in acquaintance allows me a knowledge source to tackle any potential job or situation.