What we do and how

We are specialists in material selection for wooden surfaces: from traditional oil and wax finishes to shellac polishing and 2K industrial paint - we choose what fits the object. We restore historic doors and entrance portals, interior doors, paneling and built-in furniture in private properties, public buildings and listed objects.

What we do particularly well: understanding existing surfaces, matching the right material to the existing substance, and restoring color through stains and glazes. Wherever possible, we work reversibly and preserve the original substance. In case of mechanical damage, we manufacture parts or wood reconstructions according to the original.

Our Services

  • Restoring Historic Doors

    Exterior doors, entrance portals, and interior doors of historic properties. We clean, repair, glaze, and rebuild surfaces appropriately for the material — Bern Old Town doors, listed Federal Palace portals, and emergency exit doors.

  • Restoring wooden surfaces

    Furniture surfaces, tabletops, and historic wood surfaces. We remove damaged layers, balance color, complement veneer, and rebuild the surface — tailored to use and material.

  • Paneling & built-in furniture

    Wall paneling, ceilings, stairs, built-in cabinets and door frames in historic properties. On site or in the workshop - we work with architects, property owners and heritage conservationists.

  • Wood Reconstruction & Turning

    Missing or mechanically damaged parts are manufactured according to the original – turned columns, legs, profiles, friezes. The type of wood and workmanship are matched to the existing piece.

  • Material Selection & Surface Finish

    Shellac polish and oil build-up are our specialties. But we work with the full spectrum - from traditional oils and waxes to modern 2K varnishes. The choice is determined by the object: condition, use, and expectations play a role.

  • Partial repairs

    Where a complete overhaul isn't necessary, we work selectively: stains on tabletops, burn marks on parquet, scratches in door panels — treated precisely, without reducing the overall surface area.

This is how we work

Each surface is assessed individually.

The decisive factor is not a fixed sequence of work steps, but rather how the existing material, its use, and existing layers are handled.

Depending on the object, we move between preservation, revision, and reconstruction.

Restaurator entfernt alte Lack- und Farbschichten von einer historischen Holzoberfläche zur Vorbereitung der fachgerechten Restaurierung

1. Evaluate existing layers

Many surfaces have been reworked multiple times over the years.

Old varnishes or paint layers are often brittle, yellowed, or obscure the wood.

Where they are no longer sound, they are selectively reduced or removed – as much as necessary, no more.

Restaurator glättet eine historische Holzoberfläche von Hand nach dem Entfernen alter Lackschichten und bereitet sie für den neuen Aufbau vor

2. Prepare wood and surface

After removal, the surface is rebuilt.

We sand carefully, level out unevenness and stabilize the surface.

Veneer chips, open edges or damaged areas are repaired and integrated into the overall appearance.

Restauratorin gleicht Farbunterschiede in einer historischen Holzoberfläche durch Beizen, Lasuren und Retusche aus

3. Create colorization

Use, light, and previous interventions often lead to significant differences in the surface.

We unify the coloring again with stains, glazes, and retouching.

This is not about perfection, but about a harmonious overall impression.

Restauratorin trägt von Hand Öl oder Wachs auf und baut die Oberfläche eines historischen Möbelstücks fachgerecht neu auf in der Werkstatt von Carmine Home in Bern

4. Build Surface

The actual protection and effect are created during the build-up.

Depending on the object, we work with oil, wax or shellac – always matched to the material and use.

Existing surfaces are preserved where possible and only supplemented where necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does door restoration cost approximately?

Small interior door (refreshment) from CHF 800. Historic front door with complete structure CHF 4,500–9,000. Entrance portals of listed properties CHF 9,000–30,000, depending on size, substance and depth of processing. Prices depend heavily on the material and construction. Written offers are free of charge.

How do you decide which material for which surface?

We don't decide based on categories but on the object itself. Condition, use, and expectation play together — a historical front door with a developed patina needs something different than a modern dining table in daily use. Our main focus is French polish and hard wax oil finishes, but we work with the entire spectrum: traditional oils and waxes, stains, glazes, all the way to 2K lacquers. We inspect the existing condition, diagnose existing layers, and suggest what truly fits — no ready-made solutions.

What does "working reversibly" mean to you?

Wherever possible, we choose materials and techniques that can be altered later. A shellac polish can be rebuilt—a two-component varnish can only be removed with significant intervention. With historical objects, this question is crucial: what is built up now must be restorable in 30 years. Where reversibility is not possible (e.g., heavily used entrance doors), we communicate this openly.

Do you also do parquet restoration?

We do not carry out complete parquet restorations - that is the business of specialized flooring installers. What we do, however, are partial repairs to historical floor coverings, treatment of individual stains, refreshing of surface areas, or local shellac repairs to fine wood parquet.

Can you reconstruct missing wooden parts?

Yes. We manufacture turned parts (pegs, columns, profiles), carved additions, and reconstructions based on the original. We precisely match the type of wood and the processing method to the existing piece. For more complex carving work, we involve specialized partners.

Do you work with architects and monument preservation authorities?

Yes, regularly. On request, we provide BKP-/eBKP-H-compliant offers, document interventions, and coordinate procedures with the responsible body before execution. We are familiar with the processes of the Bern City Monument Preservation and the Cantonal Monument Preservation.

How long does door restoration take?

Small repairs 1–2 weeks. Complete reconstruction of an interior door 2–3 weeks. Historic entrance portals 4–10 weeks, depending on complexity and drying phases. For fixed installations, we work on-site and according to building plans.

Are you picking up the doors?

Yes. For fixed installations (panelling, stairs, entrance portals) we work on-site. We calculate transport & travel costs individually.

Do you have a historic door or wooden surface for restoration?

Write to us or call us directly. We will get back to you within two business days with an initial assessment.

Send inquiry

Or call us: 031 312 61 61