Bernacki & Associates, Inc.

Bernacki & Associates, Inc. Conservation & Restoration of Historic Millwork, Architectural Elements, Fine Furniture, Art & Objects

Happy Irish tune!
03/17/2021

Happy Irish tune!

A close look at the decorative detail of an Egan harp that has been exhibited both at the Art Institute of Chicago, wher...
02/08/2021

A close look at the decorative detail of an Egan harp that has been exhibited both at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it was a prime element of the marketing campaign for the exhibit “Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690-1840,” and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Once upon a time, Bernacki & Associates had the privilege to perform complete conservation treatment of the harp and to enjoy its unique beauty.

More about historic harp conservation: https://www.bernackiconservation.com/the-conservation-of-historic-irish-harps

Detail of 19th Century Partner’s Desk. A plaque inside the drawer attributed ownership to John Ruskin, prolific writer a...
02/08/2021

Detail of 19th Century Partner’s Desk. A plaque inside the drawer attributed ownership to John Ruskin, prolific writer and perhaps the most prominent art critic of the late 1800’s. A piece of great historic arrived at Bernacki & Associates in need of restoration. Among numerous issues, the delicate ornamental edges of the desk’s signature flower garlands and volutes had multiple losses. Photo: work in progress; toning restored volute detail to match adjacent color.

We generally believe that we left our childhood behind, but we are surprised with the fact that the small-scale worlds o...
11/16/2020

We generally believe that we left our childhood behind, but we are surprised with the fact that the small-scale worlds of dollhouses awake our fascination. Every time a client brings a dollhouse to Bernacki & Associates studio, we enjoy the perspective of working within the rooms of the tiny domicile.

The dollhouses come in different styles, types, and materials. They can be built as simple or complex structures with sophisticated architectural and decorative solutions. Even lights range from plain mini bulbs to intricate designs allowing “embellished” chandeliers and sconces to add to the mood of interiors. Electrical wiring is another sphere of dollhouse reality. Cables threaded within wall and floor cavities supply voltage just to selected spaces or to entire homes, including outdoor stairways and porch areas. Though tiny, a dollhouse can present a substantial restoration challenge where historic preservation, restoration, conservation, and renovation concepts come into play.

Today we recount some rewarding dollhouse restoration tales. We hope that you enjoy.

Before and after photos of a turn-of-the-century gilded age frame that suffered impact damage resulting in loss of the d...
10/19/2020

Before and after photos of a turn-of-the-century gilded age frame that suffered impact damage resulting in loss of the decorative ribbon, berry and floral ornamentation. The frame was first surface cleaned. The joints stabilized, and the surface carefully assessed and consolidated. The ornamentation was referenced elsewhere on the profile, cast, and altered and reoriented to integrate with the pattern. The cast ornamentation was then finished with gesso, a matching clay bole and gilded. Areas of previous damage from improper cleaning was addressed through gilding. More on frame restoration: https://www.bernackiconservation.com/frame-conservation-restoration

P&F Corbin Company door hardware patented June, 1883. Preserving historic patina and making the lock work properly in th...
10/02/2020

P&F Corbin Company door hardware patented June, 1883.

Preserving historic patina and making the lock work properly in the restored historic lobby entry door set. A new key has been fabricated to function in the original lock.

Adapting the Old into the Modern World–Art Deco Elevators RestorationCirca 1929, Chicago, ILMaple and Sycamore VeneerAt ...
09/23/2020

Adapting the Old into the Modern World–Art Deco Elevators Restoration

Circa 1929, Chicago, IL
Maple and Sycamore Veneer
At historic landmark Art Deco Powhatan Apartments built on the south side of Chicago in 1929.

These elevators posed a unique restoration challenge. Not only had they withstood over eighty years of operation within Chicago’s landmark Powhatan Apartments, they’d remain in service post-treatment. Further, renovation of the gated, formerly operator-run elevators required updating to sliding doors, self-opening controls, and current safety code…while simultaneously retaining as much historical integrity as possible. Materials, applied finishes, fabrication, and installation were all subject to strict specifications for maintaining accuracy... More information:
https://www.bernackiconservation.com/art-deco-elevators

There are times when antiques require the attention of conservators. An interior designer or architect are often asked f...
09/14/2020

There are times when antiques require the attention of conservators. An interior designer or architect are often asked for a resource of whom they would feel best qualified for a particular piece.

The striking set of antique klismos chairs were part of a collection belonging to a client of Denise Antonucci, ASID, of ASI Interiors. She contacted Bernacki & Associates to care for the chairs. The chairs were not only beautiful to look at, but were also regularly used in her client’s home.

Mother-of-pearl is a beautiful naturally forming material that has been used as a decorative inlay for centuries. More properly known as nacre, it is a calcium and protein composite substance that is only produced by certain mollusks as an inner shell layer and is the outer layer of pearls. It is very strong and resilient due to its structure which consists of overlapping sheets of brittle aragonite separated by more elastic biopolymers. The thickness of the aragonite leads to the beautiful iridescence and structural colors that seem to change and flow as your viewing angle shifts. It has been used in the design of jewelry, decorative objects such as furniture and musical instruments, and architecture. In furniture, mother-of-pearl has mostly been applied in graceful, distinctive inlays to contrast with surrounding wood or other surrounding surfaces or as a complete overlay to add beauty to a less distinctive substrate.

The experienced artisans of Bernacki & Associates, Inc. combine the best in old-world methods with modern technology to ...
08/06/2020

The experienced artisans of Bernacki & Associates, Inc. combine the best in old-world methods with modern technology to restore 20th century and contemporary furniture of the most exceptional quality. From unique pieces to original iconic designers and fine reproductions, we are committed to attention to detail. We offer finishing methods from French polish, modern, custom, and resilient finishes available today. We select quality wood veneers, work with exotic materials, shagreen, and parchment. The upholstery packages that we offer range from traditional to contemporary foams and coverings, including fine fabric selection, leather, and vinyl.

Bernacki & Associates, Inc. had the opportunity of restoring authentic furniture pieces of the most iconic designers, styles, and manufacturers, just to mention Milo Baughman, Alexander Girard, Vittorio Nobili (Medea Chairs for Fratelli Tagliabue), André Sornay, William K. Sawaya (Patty Difusa chair), Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Terence Harold Robsjohn-Gibbings (Mesa coffee table), Hans J. Wegner (Papa Bear chair), Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Azucena, Eames, Knoll, Baker, Thorald Madsen Snedkeri Furniture (Rosewood and Leather Dining Chairs by Edward and Tove Kindt-Larsen for Thorald Madsen Snedkeri), “Joe” Baseball Glove Chair designed by De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi in 1971, Scandinavian Design, and countless reproductions.

More information:
https://www.bernackiconservation.com/20th-century-furniture-restoration

10/08/2019

Bernacki & Associates, Inc. collaborated to preserve Chicago’s Loop Post Office by providing condition assessments and contributing to the restoration of veneered wall panels, trims, doors, and associated woodwork.

This contract was awarded to CSOS, Inc. (Conservation of Sculpture and Object Studio), a firm that has been restoring the most prominent architectural and sculptural historic markers in the United States for over 20 years using the most innovative and proven conservation methods. With its experience, CSOS, Inc. provided the project supervision, majority of material selection, walnut paneling restoration work, and the repairs of surrounding stone components.

The preservation architects, Harboe Architects, PC were in charge of guiding the process; Bevel Granite Company, Inc. fabricated protective granite benches; Parma Conservation Ltd., conserved the north wall painting; Speed Machine Inc. fabricated and installed protective steel elements; and Terry Dowd Inc. were responsible for panel de-installation, transportation and re-installation.

All offsite restoration was completed entirely at B&A, Inc. facilities where custom racks were designed and built to accommodate the storage of all 160 panels, trims, doors and other architectural elements prior, during, and after treatment.

For more information visit https://www.bernackiconservation.com/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe-architectural-interior-preservation

Address

46 Sherwood Terrace
Chicago, IL
60612

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+13122435669

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