A professional who restores and preserves historical furniture in collection of museum or similar institution, using variety of handtools and power tools and applying knowledge of antique fabrics and wood furniture. Responsibilities include:

• Examines furnishings to determine type of material, extent of deterioration or damage, or date of construction to verify authenticity and plan restoration.
• Sets up and operates variety of woodworking machines to fabricate, repair, reinforce, and replace parts of furniture.
• Cuts, shapes, and attaches parts according to blueprints or drawings, using handtools.
• Matches materials for color, grain, and texture.
• Strips old finish from furnishings, using solvents and abrasives.
• Fills cracks, depressions, and other blemishes, using plastic wood or lacquer stick.
• Treats warped or stained surfaces to restore original contour and color.
• Glues or replaces veneer sections.
• Smooths surfaces, using power sander or abrasive material.
• Washes or bleaches furniture surfaces to prepare surface for application of finish.
• Selects coatings, such as stain, lacquer, or varnish according to type wood, and brushes or sprays material onto surface to protect surface and produce desired appearance.
• Polishes, sprays, or waxes finished pieces.
• Removes damaged or deteriorated coverings from upholstered furniture.
• Repairs, reinforces, or replaces components, such as springs, webbing, and padding.
• Selects fabric for new covering, using knowledge of period and style of furniture or following instructions of curator.
• Tacks, sews, glues, or staples covering to furniture frame to attach upholstery.
• Refurbishes leather coverings of furnishings, using softeners, solvents, adhesives, stains, or polishes.
• Replaces damaged coverings with leather pieces of appropriate color, grain, and weight.
• Stencils, gilds, embosses, or paints designs or borders on restored pieces to reproduce original appearance.
• May advise curatorial staff on environmental conditions necessary for preservation of furnishings in exhibit and storage areas.
• May fabricate replicas of period furniture for use in exhibits.
• May be designated according to specialty as finish specialist; upholstery restorer.