Repair & Care
Conservation-minded ways to observe damage, reduce risk and know when to stop.
When Repair Marks Become Object History
A field guide to deciding whether an old mend should be read, retained or referred for treatment.
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Visible Mending and Honest Stitches
A field guide to planning a contemporary textile repair that acknowledges damage rather than disguising it.
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Handle First, Repair Later
A field guide to making a safe preliminary record of a damaged ceramic before choosing any treatment.
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Reading a Furniture Finish Before Cleaning
A field guide to distinguishing surface dirt, wear, coating change and structural problems on wooden furniture.
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Rust Is a Condition Report
A field guide to documenting corrosion on iron tools and metal objects before cleaning.
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Paper Tear Triage Without Tape
A field guide to stabilizing the situation around a torn paper object while deferring treatment decisions.
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Keep the Album Context With the Photograph
A field guide to caring for family photographs without separating images from captions and sequence too quickly.
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Support Basketry Before Cleaning It
A field guide to prioritizing shape, handling and storage when a woven plant-fibre object looks dusty.
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Rolling a Large Textile With Its Weight Supported
A large textile can be stored on a roll only when its width, condition, tube, padding, and handling plan are considered together.
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A Basket Support Begins With Its Shape
A basket cradle should follow the basket's current form and carry its weight gently, without turning support into an attempt at reshaping.
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When Materials Disagree: Caring for a Composite Object
A composite object needs a care plan for its joins and relationships, not a one-size-fits-all treatment borrowed from one component.
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Furniture Finish: Observe Before You Polish
A furniture surface can hold original finish, repairs, grime, and later coatings. Close observation should come before polishing.
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