Picture frame repair and restoration

What we repair

Corners and joints. A corner that opened, a joint that worked loose or a frame that came apart completely is rejoined and reinforced, so the frame is straight and stable on the wall again.

Missing ornaments. On antique and gilded frames with carved decoration along the molding or at the corners, we complete pieces that broke or fell off, so the ornament looks whole again.

Regilding and repainting. Gold that has faded, flaked or worn away where hands touch it, and paint that has cracked or darkened over the years, get a renewed finish.

Glass, mat and backing. Broken or scratched glass is replaced, a mat that has yellowed is swapped for a new one, and the backing is renewed, all while protecting the original work inside the frame.

Antique and gilded frames

An antique frame is usually something nobody makes anymore. A wide molding with deep carving, corner ornaments or a gold finish that has aged beautifully are all very hard to reproduce in a new frame, and a "similar" frame almost always looks like what it is: a substitute.

That is why frames like these are worth repairing. We complete what is missing, strengthen what has come loose, and renew the finish where it was damaged.

How much to renew is a decision we make together, in front of the frame. Some people want the frame to look whole but still show its age; others want full shine. Both approaches are legitimate, and the difference between them is bigger than it seems.

Repair or replace?

Not every frame is worth repairing, and we say so at the studio.

Repair pays off when the frame is antique or ornate, when it has family value, when its molding is no longer on the market, or when it is part of a set of frames that need to stay matched.

A new frame makes more sense when it is a simple ready-made frame whose molding has cracked along its length, or when the cost of the repair gets close to the price of a new custom-size frame. In that case we'll show you a few moldings, build a custom frame, and the picture moves into it.

What's inside the frame, too

When an old frame is opened, it often turns out the problem isn't only the frame: an old mat that has yellowed, a cardboard backing that passes acidity into the picture, or paper that has stuck to the glass over the years.

Repairing the frame is a chance to sort that out too: a new mat, new backing and reversible mounting, without gluing the work to the backing. We use acid-free framing, so the picture gets better protection, not just a frame that looks good. See our picture mats page and our art framing page.

How it works

Bring the frame to the studio at 3 Naftali Palatin St., Booth 147, Rishon LeZion, just as it is. If the picture is inside, leave it there: opening the frame is part of the job. No appointment is needed, and there is free parking nearby.

At the studio we look at the damage, decide together what to repair and what to renew, and you get a quote on the spot. The turnaround depends on how much repair is needed, and we tell you in advance, together with the quote.

Want to check first whether a repair is possible? You can send a photo of the frame on WhatsApp and ask.