Featured In New York Times New York Magazine 5.0 Google (100 reviews)
United Nations Conference Room Furniture Restoration

Commercial • Public Works • Historic Preservation

Commercial Furniture Restoration & Architectural Wood Repair

Olek Inc. provides commercial furniture restoration, architectural wood repair and historic millwork preservation for courthouses, churches, universities, museums, transportation facilities and landmark properties. Since 1950, Olek has combined traditional joinery, material matching and careful documentation with the project controls required for active public and institutional spaces.

First Church of Christ, Scientist — Door Restoration — after restoration by Olek Inc.
Paneling, wainscot, doors & moldings

01

Architectural Wood Restoration & Millwork Repair

Olek restores wall paneling, wainscot, doors, mantels, moldings, columns and other architectural woodwork using traditional joinery, finish matching, hand carving and profile replication. Repairs are intended to read as part of the original installation—not as obvious patches.

Essex County Courthouse Bench & Courtroom Restoration
Tables, desks, seating & fixtures

02

Commercial Furniture, Conference Tables & Executive Fixtures

Structural repair, refinishing and conservation are available for executive desks, boardroom and conference tables, library reading tables, chairs, sofas, reception furnishings and other high-use commercial pieces. Work can be scheduled around active facilities and coordinated for phased interiors.

Essex County Courthouse Bench & Courtroom Restoration
Pews, benches & fixed seating

03

Church Pew, Bench & Fixed Seating Restoration

Pews, benches and fixed seating can be repaired, rebuilt and refinished while preserving the original design and joinery. Olek’s approach favors proper wood joinery and structural rebuilding rather than quick visible fixes with added nails or screws.

Essex County Courthouse Bench & Courtroom Restoration
Judge’s benches, railings & civic millwork

04

Courtroom Furniture & Civic Millwork Restoration

Judge’s benches, railings, courtroom paneling, built-up moldings, dentils and carved details can be repaired or recreated to match existing historic work. Hand carving allows missing sculptural and ornamental details to be recreated in the visual language of the original work.

Historic carved wood double doors shown before and after refinishing, split diagonally
Dutchman inlays & preservation repair

05

Historic Wood Repair & Dutchman Inlays

For preservation-sensitive wood repair, Olek favors sound wood-to-wood Dutchman inlays rather than cosmetic epoxy filler patches. Salvaged or carefully matched wood can be fitted into deteriorated areas so the repair becomes structurally integrated, finish-compatible, durable and maintainable as part of the historic assembly.

From Condition Assessment To Closeout

A Restoration Process Built for Review & Approval

Removable pieces are restored in our New Jersey shop; built-in millwork and fixed seating are coordinated on site.

01

Condition Assessment & Project Review

Drawings, specs and field conditions reviewed with the project team.

02

Repair Mapping, Samples & Approvals

Repair maps, mockups and samples approved before intervention.

03

In-House Restoration & Material Matching

Joinery, veneer, carving and finish work matched to the original.

04

Site Coordination, Installation & Closeout

Freight, phased site work and closeout managed around your facility.

  • Shop-Based Restoration
  • On-Site Coordination
  • Nationwide Freight

Selected Furniture & Architectural Wood Restoration Work

United Nations Conference Room Furniture Restoration
Before
United Nations Conference Room Furniture Restoration
After

Institutional interiors · New York, NY

United Nations Conference Room Furniture Restoration

For United Nations facilities, Olek has completed high-visibility work involving conference and lobby furnishings and architectural elements—projects where fit, finish, coordination and discreet execution are essential.

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Glenmont Mansion — Historic Wood Components
Before
Glenmont Mansion — Historic Wood Components
After

National Park Service · West Orange, NJ

Glenmont Mansion — Historic Wood Components

Olek has supported National Park Service historic-property work involving restoration of historic wood components at Glenmont Mansion, a project type that demands documentation, material compatibility and preservation-sensitive repair methods.

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1950

Established

20,000

Sq. Ft. Facility

25+

Full-Time Craftsmen

U.S.

Project Support

What Our Clients Say

★★★★★
Fantastic work!
Susan Gross Google review · 3 months ago
★★★★★
I didn't realize how terrible my antique chest on chest looked until Peter and his team worked their magic on it. Their craftsmanship is flawless. May the piece live for at least another 200 years!
Provenance Productions Google review · 4 months ago
★★★★★
I reached out to Peter for some information regarding a damaged chair, not only did he help me but went above and beyond to make sure I could repair the chair with ease. Would highly recommend using Olek!
Hanna Gonzalez Google review · 1 year ago
★★★★★
This summer, Olek restored various pieces of antique Italian furniture for The Italian Academy at Columbia University. I could not have found another company capable of such care and talent at bringing these pieces back to life! Their team was extremely professional, and the company is great at coordinating delivery. I would highly recommend Olek to anyone looking to restore furniture!
Barron Keith Preston Google review · 9 years ago
★★★★★
Recently had a valuable storage piece refinished by Olek for an important client. They did an absolutely stunning job and returned the piece to its original glory. In conversation with them now to do another restoration job for the same client. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Jessica Gething Google review · 9 years ago

★★★★★ 5.0 average on Google · 100 reviews Read all reviews →

Commercial Furniture Restoration FAQs for Architects, Conservators & Owners

Can Olek work from preservation specifications, bid documents and architect drawings?

Yes. Olek works with preservation architects, conservators, general contractors, construction managers and owner’s representatives from project drawings, specifications and field conditions. For preservation scopes, repair mapping, shop drawings, mockups and finish samples can be developed for review before work proceeds.

What preservation principles guide Olek’s commercial restoration work?

Three principles shape every scope. Preserve original fabric: repairs are planned to retain sound historic material, original joinery and the surface character that gives an object or interior its age and authenticity. Document repairs before intervention: for preservation projects, Olek can map repair locations and develop shop drawings or repair details for review by architects, conservators and owner’s representatives before work proceeds. Match material, finish and patina: new wood, veneers, carvings and finishes are selected and worked to integrate with adjacent historic material rather than read as a visibly new patch.

How does Olek repair deteriorated historic wood without relying on epoxy filler patches?

For preservation-sensitive wood repair, Olek favors properly fitted wood-to-wood Dutchman inlays and other traditional repairs that replace unsound material with compatible wood. This allows the repair to be shaped, joined, finished and maintained as part of the historic assembly rather than treated as a cosmetic surface patch.

Can Olek match old veneers, finishes and historic patina?

Yes. Olek combines finish matching, veneer selection, carving and material sourcing to integrate repairs with surrounding historic work. The company also maintains a long-held inventory of legacy veneers that can help with difficult matches where comparable material is no longer readily available through normal suppliers. Olek reports an inventory of approximately 10,000 sq. ft. of legacy veneer accumulated over decades, useful for wide flitches, uncommon figure and species that are hard to source today, with material selection coordinated to comply with current sourcing restrictions. Period-appropriate joinery such as mortise-and-tenon, hand carving, molding replication and controlled patina work let repairs sit beside historic surroundings without looking artificially new.

Can furniture and architectural woodwork be restored on site or in Olek’s shop?

Both approaches are possible depending on size, condition, facility constraints and project requirements. Pieces and components can be transported to Olek’s New Jersey facility, while larger built-in millwork, fixed seating and phased institutional work may require on-site coordination, removal, reinstallation or a combination of shop and field work.

Does Olek support public, institutional and government restoration projects?

Yes. Olek has experience with government entities, courthouses, transportation facilities, universities, religious institutions, museums and landmark properties. Olek is a HUBZone Certified Small Business and its published capabilities state compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation. Bonding availability for a specific project should be confirmed during bid review.

Why do architects, conservators and facility teams choose Olek?

Historic restoration is not simply refinishing — it takes judgment about what to retain, what to repair and how to document each intervention so new material sits comfortably beside old. Olek pairs preservation craft with the staffing, shop capacity, logistics and project management that active commercial and public environments require, drawing on its commercial fabrication and reupholstery teams when a scope calls for it.

What should I send for an initial restoration review or bid?

Send photographs, architectural drawings, specifications, finish schedules, dimensions, project location, your role, project stage, bid or proposal due date and any preservation requirements. Upload smaller files below; for larger drawing sets, include a Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive or similar project-file link.

NY Athletic Club ballroom ceiling after ornamental plaster conservation by Olek Inc.

Start A Commercial Restoration Inquiry

Get a Commercial Restoration Review

Tell us what needs to be preserved, repaired or restored, where the project is located, and where you are in the design or bidding process. Upload photographs, specifications and drawings—or include a project-file link to a larger bid set—so Olek can review the condition, documentation requirements and likely restoration approach.

Drop photos here or click to browse

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