Category: Before and After Refinishing

  • Before and After: Front Doors in Newport Beach

    Ahh, Newport Beach. A beautiful haven where beach-front properties bask in the sun and the ocean awaits locals and tourists alike.

    Newport Beach

    Although the sun is welcomed by nearly everyone in Southern California, it has managed to fare on the burdensome side for my clients in Newport Beach (and their HOA.)

    restore door beforeAfter several warnings from the Homeowner’s Association in Pelican Hill Newport Beach, my clients were eager to restore their badly weathered and faded entry doors. Living near the beach with extreme sun exposure and salt air had really taken it’s toll.

    After some research, they decided to call Doors by Invision. I was able to give them an estimate and we set up an appointment right away. I was thrilled to help them achieve the look of brand new entry doors.
    restore door after    With some hard work, some TLC, and quality craftsmanship, I was able to restore their doors with a two part polyurethane. (This process is very detailed, so I definitely recommend calling a professional to make sure the job is done right!) This durable coverage ensures that the front doors will hold up to the sun and all weather for years to come.

    What do you think of these newly refinished doors in Newport Beach?

    If you live in Orange County and want to restore the life and warmth back to your wood doors, please call Doors by Invision today at (949) 939-2340. Check out my Yelp page to see what other people are saying about the quality of work I provide.

  • White Wash Doors Get New Look in Anaheim Hills

    White Wash Doors in Anaheim Hills are Transformed

    Location – Anaheim Hills
    How did they find me? Online at Pro Restorers
    This was a special project – one that I typically do not do, but made an exception for.
    My clients in Anaheim Hills needed some help with their front doors. The doors were originally white washed and someone tried to refinish them a few years ago. The doors were basically sanded a layer off but didn’t get them completely clean. So they just glazed the whole door and virtually tried to cover up imperfections. In doing that, they sacrificed the beauty of the wood. It offered very little protection to the sun and rain. The following photos are the result:
    IMG_0004
    old doors
    Chemical stripper applied. You don’t want to get this on your skin!
    stripped chemical applied
    Left side is completely stripped and the right side is still in its old state.
    refinish door
    Both stripped clean…
    IMG_0010IMG_0011
    After sanding, I applied a custom stain color:
    IMG_0013 IMG_0014
    The great thing about my services is that I offer custom staining. My clients chose a shade that would match their interior perfectly. There’s also the option to chose a custom color for something new – anything from dark to natural (even purple if you’re feeling spicy!)
    custom stain
    First coat to seal the door and reveal the color. This is a long process that requires special technique. It must dry over night because it is a two part catalyzed oil-base finish. (Oil base is arguably better quality than water base.) After this, the doors will get sanded smooth and color adjusted as necessary.
    IMG_0016
    Glamour shot!
    IMG_0064 IMG_0069
    final doors

  • Medieval Inspired Custom Table

    I was looking through some old photos over the weekend that brought me renewed inspiration. I thought I’d share with you today to hopefully inspire your own design ideas for your home.

    Back in 2008, I had a customer in Laguna Beach I was doing a lot of work for. He wanted a table for his living room but didn’t have a style in mind. He gave me all creative control and with his approval, I designed a unique piece for him. My friend Reid Endly did the construction along with my input. Here’s what we came up with:

    custom table drawings
    Blue print custom table design

    I wanted to design a table for my customer that had one-of-a-kind features. I like pieces that have a story behind them, so I created this table to look like a hatch from an old ship. To add even more character, I crafted an X pattern that intersected the four table legs. I also wanted to incorporate different materials like metal in the design.

    Medieval custom table
    Initial construction of custom table

    Here you see the top of the walnut table. I designed it with hammered metal strips to create a “medieval” style.

    custom wood table
    Refinishing Process

    After my buddy Reid completed the construction of the table, it was up to me to bring it to life. To create a custom, aged, walnut color, I bleached the wood, dyed, stained and distressed it. A complex process yielding a great result!

    Industrial wood table
    Table Legs
    top of table
    Metal Accents
    finished Medieval table
    Finished wood table

    The finished table looks stunning paired with my customer’s white couches. I once heard an interior designer say that the key to creating impactful ambiance in the home is to make sure a unique conversation piece is in every room. Drawing the eye inward, this table is a beautiful focal point of the room and sure to be a fun conversation piece for years to come.

    (more…)