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March 3, 2008
I'm interested in finding a job that specializes in restoration
I currently live in Crown Heights, right off the Parkway, and with all the renovations going on in my area and around Park Slope, I feel compelled to find a job that specializes in restoration.
Part of this urge I feel comes from the fact that my parents were antique collectors; as a child, summers and weekends were spent refinishing estate sale finds or reupholstering furniture. When it came time for me to go to college, I chose the School for American Crafts, where I studied jewelry design and metalsmithing. I am passionate about the DIY mentality, and I certainly have an appreciation for craft.
I was wondering if anyone knew of some good places for me to look at when searching for a job. I am most interested in lighting and ironwork, but I would not be opposed to architectural salvage, upholstery or woodworking. Again, I am not too particular about the type of work, or even the pay; I really just want to get involved in the restoration community because it is something that is in my blood.
As always, thanks in advance.
Comments
roni, you sound like a young me. It is exciting to see change all around, and to see and appreciate the beauty of old houses, antiques and crafts of the past, and want to work that into a career.
I suggest a couple of things. Go to the Bklyn Museum (and the Met) and make inquiries at their restoration departments for decorative objects, lighting, furniture, textiles, etc. They make take volunteers, and could also perhaps connect you to outside restorers and related companies, especially those in Brooklyn. Go to the better antique stores on Atlantic, especially the Painted Room, and ask there for same. Talk to lighting companies in Bklyn that specialize in restoration and see if they hire apprentices or know anyone who does. Your jewelery experience will come in handy here, you are used to intricate hand work.
If lighting is your thing, buy cheap old fixtures on Ebay or at flea markets and teach yourself how to rewire and restore. It's not hard - again, the jewelry experience will help you.
Get subscriptions to old house magazines - Old House Journal, Old House Interiors, Style 1900, and OHI Arts and Crafts and the Revival. These are all chock full of interesting info, great companies and resources and ideas galore. If your goal is to start a company or work for someone in the restoration community, there may be leads here, and in their websites.
Lastly, if you want to work for someone who is doing this, talk to people who have had restorations (not renovations), check the web for specialists, look at the ads here, and ask around.
If you'd like to talk further, please email me at montrosemorris at yahoo dot com. Good luck.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at March 3, 2008 10:29 AM
check out moon river chattel and eddies on greene ave (he'll be at the flea too, i think) they each do rest. that they then sell...
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 3:15 PM
I might be able to throw some freelance work your way. infoATreclaimedhomeDOTcom
You should probably list your contact info here as well. You may be able to pick up freelance jobs from readers.
Posted by: rh at March 3, 2008 4:12 PM
Roni: What skills can you offer an employer?
Posted by: guest at March 3, 2008 5:39 PM
Re: Montrose Morris' post, for museum restoration one has to have a special masters degree and there are only about two universities in the whole country that specialize in that. One of them being the University of North Carolina in Raleigh. I think that field is way beyond what the OP is talking about getting into.
OP, why not assist an interior designer or contractor who specializes in brownstones? Those people know about restoration and using salvage materials and you can get to know all the sources in town and learn the ropes then decide on a special area of restoration once you get exposed to the overview of it all.
Posted by: guest at March 4, 2008 4:44 PM
Thanks everyone, Montrose, and rh, I sent you some emails.
Quest: As for what I can offer to an employer? As a human, I'm honest and flexible; I can learn new things quickly and I'm good with creative problem solving. I can work as a member of a large group or function independently. In the past, co workers and people I have shared a studio with have said that I am good at communicating my concerns or ideas.
As for my work experience, last summer I was a design assistant/intern for an architectural and interior design firm, where I dealt mainly with designs and ordering. I was instrumental with their vendor ,contractor and client relations, working both on site and in the office. I also have a firm foundation in hand drafting with some CAD experience.
My studio work encompasses everything from traditional silversmithing, (jewelry, flatware) to wearable items, and more recently, furniture and light fixtures made from found objects. I have worked with a range of materials; various types of metal, wood, glass, fabric and leather.
Much of my work reflects an appreciation for the intrinsic characteristics of a material or object, and careful attention is paid to preserve them. (Which was influenced by my Minor in Art History and Conservation)
Posted by: roni solomon at March 4, 2008 6:37 PM
Might be a good idea to be a representative for small companies that have products and services to offer the brownstoner community.
This will serve to broaden your knowledge of the field, and bring you into contact with the money side of the business of restoration.
Preservation and restoration are very important , but , they are on one side of the "teeter totter" that economists call the substitution effect. When you look across and see that big fat Home Depot looking back at you grinning... you realize that in order to promote the preservation/restoration agenda, you need to be versed in the logic of why is it important to hire a craftsperson over a discounter.
There is the marrow.
Posted by: guest at March 4, 2008 10:18 PM
How about a sales rep for a quality company providing fixtures for historic renovations. Repping the products at salesrooms and regionally.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 12:24 AM
How do you make money doing that, commission on the sale... or salary. Sounds like you need to rep a few companies.
There is a restoration show in Boston next week end sponsored by Traditional Building or Period Homes. Might be an opportunity to introduce yourself to a community of manufacturers to see what they do.
Posted by: guest at March 6, 2008 7:43 AM
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