Painting & Decorative Faux Painting Finishes

Canning Studios is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of historic decorative finishes.  Where conservation is not feasible, we will replicate historic decorative schemes, leaving the original artwork in place and encapsulated where possible. Our tradespeople are highly skilled in decorative painting and finish techniques including substrate consolidation, cleaning of decorative finishes, in-painting, stenciling, glazing, wood graining, faux marble, trompe l’oeil, and gilding.  In situ mock-up samples help clients to visualize restored artwork and work out the details before full-scale projects are undertaken.  In addition to conservation and restoration, we provide design services for new decorative painting in traditional styles.

Murals

Our studio has been privileged to conserve and restore historic murals and fine art in landmark churches, libraries and other public buildings, and state capitols. Working with the best fine arts conservators in the country, our mural conservation services include conditions studies and treatment plans, cleaning and repair, removal of discolored varnishes, consolidation of loose paint, in-painting of areas with loss, and application of artwork protective coatings.

We have designed and executed new and reproduction murals for historic and more recent buildings alike. Our services include archival research for appropriate subject matter, conceptual design charrettes to develop appropriate themes, and development of preliminary design options in sketch form.  Upon approval of final design concepts, we provide small-scale watercolor or acrylic maquettes of the proposed artwork for further composition and color palette development. We can also provide large scale mock-ups that illustrate color, texture, style of execution, and level of detail of the finished mural.  Final execution of the murals is on canvas or directly on the plaster substrate.

Restoration of Paintings and Wood, Metal and Stone Restoration

Canning Studios has many years of research and hand-on experience with historic wood finishes.  Studying architects’ original specifications for wood finishes has helped us to restore the woodwork in historic buildings across the nation.  We perform in situ testing to determine the most effective yet least invasive treatments to restore the original appearance of historic wood. Our knowledge of traditional wood dyes, pigments, stains, oil finishes, varnishes, lacquer, shellac and French polish, and wax polishes enables us to restore the richness and luster of historic woodwork and furniture. Similarly, we frequently restore historic metal and stone with gentle yet effective cleaning and polishing techniques and treatments.