Where should I go to get my things repaired? And why is it so important?

This article provides a comprehensive guide to professional repair and restoration services for various beloved belongings, emphasizing the value of craftsmanship over DIY solutions. It highlights local experts in the Twin Cities area who can breathe new life into items ranging from furniture and rugs to jewelry, clothing, and even specialized equipment. The guide begins by addressing "Fix-It Dilemmas" related to wood and woven items. The Wicker Shop in St. Paul offers refurbishing and seat-weaving services for wicker furniture, along with supplies for DIY enthusiasts. American Rug Laundry, a 129-year-old establishment in Minneapolis, specializes in repairing diverse rug issues such as unraveling edges, fraying, fading, holes, and stains. J Michaels Co., a Whittier-based shop with over 70 years of experience, provides furniture restoration for everything from kitchen cabinets to antique chests, serving interior designers and reupholsterers. The article then focuses on investment pieces and accessories. Don’s Leather Cleaning in Minneapolis is recommended for restoring suede and leather items, including salt-stained Ugg boots and faded designer handbags. Luggage World in St. Louis Park is presented as a resource for repairing luggage issues like wobbling wheels, broken zippers, and cracked shells. For seasonal storage of furs, All Seasons Garment Care and Tailoring, with its eight metro locations, is suggested as a reliable option, building on the legacy of the former Ribnick Furs. Niche repair services for collectibles and heirlooms are also covered. Gaytee-Palmer, a century-old company in Minneapolis, specializes in restoring stained glass for both monumental structures and residential windows, lamps, and cabinet doors. Museum Services Incorporated, also in Minneapolis, offers conservation and restoration for various art mediums—textiles, ceramics, paintings, and bronze—and can repair or create custom frames. Lazarus Crystal Restoration, run by Diann Clendening in St. Paul, provides repair services for cracked crystal, broken figurines, and chipped goblets by appointment. For dull blades, Vivront in Edina offers on-site sharpening, tip and chip repair, and mail services for knives. Repair Lair, a fix-it and consignment store founded by Nancy Ford in Minneapolis, focuses on extending the life of camping gear. Addressing clothing issues, the article highlights several tailors. Sew What Style in downtown Minneapolis is noted for quick and quality tailoring for various garments. Tom’s Tailor in St. Paul is recommended for complex alterations, including those for investment designer pieces. Amazing Alterations in Anoka specializes in tailoring vintage dresses, allowing for modern updates or preservation of originality. Satchel B. Moore at Science and Kindness focuses on mending and patching denim jeans, transforming them into wearable art. The article also features expert advice. Alex Hernandez from Danish Teak Classics’ restoration workshop shares insights on fixing furniture, advising readers to seek pieces with good pedigree and quality materials for restoration, and recommending a regular maintenance routine with oil, wax, or wood soap. Catherine Thies, owner of Filigree Jewelers, provides guidance on antique jewelry restoration and care, emphasizing the importance of professional cleaning, mindful wearing habits, and understanding that restoration is a time-consuming, multi-specialist process. Jacqueline Fortier, an interior designer and co-owner of J. Atelier, suggests inexpensive wooden chairs as versatile fixer-upper furniture pieces for adding charm to a space and advises against DIY repairs for complex items, recommending local experts like Bob’s Binding for rugs, J Michaels Co. for furniture, and Helen Miller Studio for traditional upholstery. Patric Richardson, known as the “Laundry Guy,” advocates for gentle and minimalist laundry practices, recommending oxygen bleach as a versatile stain remover and encouraging individuals to learn how to care for their vintage and sentimental garments themselves. #FurnitureRestoration #ClothingRepair #JewelryRestoration #HomeMaintenance #LocalExperts #VintageItems #Craftsmanship #TextileCare #SpecializedRepair

In a society that often encourages discarding broken items, embracing the practice of repairing household goods offers numerous benefits, including cost savings and environmental advantages. This guide, drawing on expertise from home improvement professionals, details how to mend common functional items and furniture pieces, thereby extending their lifespan and preventing unnecessary waste. The article begins by addressing damaged wood furniture, emphasizing the value of preserving quality craftsmanship. Instead of replacing solid wood pieces, which are often superior to modern alternatives made with cheaper materials, owners are advised to refinish them. The repair process involves sanding down old paint or varnish, applying a new coat of paint or varnish, and allowing adequate drying time. Essential tools for this task include sandpaper, wood paint (like Country Chic Chalk Paint, which includes a primer and top coat), and wood finishes such as Tried & True Original Wood Finish for protection and aesthetic enhancement. Next, the guide tackles leaky faucets, a common issue that wastes water and increases utility bills. The repair is typically straightforward, often taking about an hour. It involves turning off the water supply, removing the faucet handle, inspecting and replacing worn-out washers or O-rings (such as XBVV O-rings), cleaning away any corrosion or mineral buildup with white vinegar, and then reassembling the faucet. A comprehensive tool kit, including screwdrivers, and cleaning brushes are recommended for this repair. Uneven chair legs are another nuisance that can be easily fixed without replacing the entire chair. Two methods are suggested: attaching levelers (like CSFMC furniture levelers) to the shorter legs or sanding down the longer leg(s) until all are even. Felt furniture pads can also be used to adjust height and protect floors. Loose or squeaky hinges on doors are addressed next. This quick fix, taking under 10 minutes, prevents further damage to doors and frames. The process involves checking for rust (and replacing the hinge if rust is severe), lubricating the nuts and bolts with WD-40 or olive oil, and tightening screws. If screw holes are stripped, longer screws can be used to secure the hinge. For worn upholstered furniture, the article suggests reupholstering rather than discarding. This is particularly relevant for cherished pieces with structurally sound frames. The repair involves removing old fabric, assessing and replacing compressed or damaged foam (e.g., GoTo Foam cushioning), cleaning and repairing the frame, cutting and securing new fabric with a staple gun (like the Yeahome Upholstery Staple Gun), and adding decorative trim for a polished finish. Broken clay pots, common in gardening, are also candidates for repair. This repair, taking about half an hour including drying time, involves cleaning the pot without soap (to protect plants), applying an epoxy adhesive (such as Gorilla 2 Part Epoxy) or superglue, sanding down the surface, and applying a sealant (like Flex Seal) for protection. Finally, running toilets, which lead to increased water usage and higher utility bills, are discussed. The repair starts with inspecting the flapper valve for wear or misalignment. Subsequent steps include ensuring the float is not set too high, adjusting the fill tube to direct water into the overflow pipe, and checking for mineral buildup, which can be cleaned with white vinegar. This task may take a couple of hours due to its intricate nature. By following these practical repair guides, homeowners can save money, reduce waste, and gain valuable DIY skills, contributing to a more sustainable and functional home environment. #HomeRepair #DIYHomeImprovement #SustainableLiving #CostSaving #WoodFurnitureRepair #PlumbingFixes #FurnitureRestoration #GardenPotRepair

This comprehensive guide addresses the common dilemma of homeowners seeking reliable repair services for a diverse range of household items, from timepieces and general home repairs to specialized artwork restoration and electronic device mending. The article highlights the expertise of various local businesses and individuals, offering solutions for those lacking the "fix-it gene." For time-related repairs, Mark's Time in Bedford Hills, led by master craftsman Mark Reichbach, specializes in the repair and restoration of antique and modern clocks, watches, barometers, and music boxes. Reichbach, with nearly 30 years of experience and training from Bulova Watch Company, can handle items ranging from 16th-century pocket watches to contemporary Patek Philippe wristwatches, even duplicating parts and restoring fire-damaged pieces. Typical services include servicing mantel clocks, watch battery replacement, cleaning table clocks, and repairing grandfather clocks, with house calls available for larger items. General home repair needs are met by Robert Schwarz of Team Service and Maintenance, LLC in Ardsley, who handles a variety of tasks that contractors often deem too small or homeowners lack the time/skill to complete. His services encompass everything from hanging mirrors and changing light bulbs to replacing faucets and door knobs. Schwarz, an experienced electrical contractor, also specializes in wireless remote-control home automation, allowing homeowners to remotely activate systems like hot tub heaters or pipe heating during cold spells. The Home Service Shop in Pleasantville offers a team of gurus for electrical, plumbing, and general repair tasks, including gutter cleaning, indoor painting, outdoor maintenance, deck sealing, and custom cabinet work. Lighting repair is a niche covered by Powell Accessories, Ltd. in White Plains, a third-generation family-owned business established in 1950. They specialize in reconditioning and repairing new, period, and vintage lighting fixtures, including updating wiring and fixing chandelier crystals. Their expertise extends to antique lighting, with recent projects involving damaged Tiffany pieces and converting European-voltage lamps. They also offer custom lampshade services, including hand-sewn repairs and custom fabrication from customer fabrics. Grand Concourse Antiques in Mount Kisco and New Rochelle also provides lighting repair, particularly for vintage chandeliers, sconces, and lamps. Artwork and antique restoration services are detailed, featuring Roman Kujawa of Miro Art Inc. in Mount Vernon. Kujawa, trained in art conservation in Krakow, has worked on European museum treasures and even the White House Blue Room. His projects include restoring 18th-century English game tables and 19th-century Chinese silk screens. Oan Somboonlakana in New Rochelle, a former portrait painter, offers restoration for oil paintings, murals, and frames. For furniture restoration, Curry and Hovis in Pound Ridge, led by John Curry, specialize in 18th-century furniture, focusing on re-gluing, French polishing, waxing, and patching veneers. Tarrytown Woodworks, run by Eric Clingen, provides a "walk-in clinic for damaged furniture," specializing in antique and vintage pieces, while R.D. Carone & Co. in Bedford Hills restores antique furniture by addressing signs of abuse while preserving the piece's history. TSM Furniture Refinisher, operated by John Scavelli, handles various furniture repairs and refinishing, with past clients including the family of George Washington and Liza Minnelli. Damiano Finishers in New Rochelle is a two-man shop known for its meticulous furniture refinishing, even tackling items other professionals might deem beyond repair. Additional specialized repair services include computer repair by RSA Computer in Ardsley, which addresses issues like hard-drive failures, broken keyboards, and data recovery, and camera repair by Specialty Photographic Repair Services in Pelham, an authorized service center for numerous camera brands, handling everything from modern digital cameras to antique equipment. Rug restorations are performed by The Golden Horn Rugs in Mamaroneck, where owner Selcuk Aktas and his team reweave damaged rugs using period-appropriate yarns and natural dyes. Metalwork repair is the domain of Cliff Startup of Startup Steel in Pound Ridge, who restores architectural metalwork, garden ornaments, furniture, and gates, drawing on generations of blacksmithing expertise. Carlan Cleaners of Westchester, led by Carl McKenzie, offers carpet, rug, and upholstery cleaning, while Saddatronics in Yonkers provides locksmith services. Tile installation and repair are handled by Nicholas Maucieri of Maucieri Tile & Marble in Thornwood and Frank Taddeo in Mount Vernon, both skilled in working with tile, granite, and marble. Finally, Dave Steinberg offers home gym repair and preventative maintenance for exercise equipment, and Mr. Appliance, with locations in Carmel and Ridgefield, CT, repairs all types and brands of household appliances. #HomeRepair #ClockRestoration #FurnitureRestoration #ArtworkConservation #ApplianceRepair #LightingRepair #RugRestoration #MetalworkRepair #ComputerRepair