John is restorer of antique furniture and lives on Long Island in New York. He has been working with wood since he first started repairing small wooden sailboats, though it wasn’t until he began working in an upholstery shop that he had found his calling—to work in craft. After a brief desire to build guitars and bouncing around in several trades—tent-making and piano repair, to name a few—he found what would become his life-long pursuit, antique restoration. The process of repairing antique furniture not only provided him with the opportunity to learn 18th century cabinetmaking skills but has also put him in contact with countless examples of some of the finest wrought objects in the world.

While furniture restoration requires advanced skills in all manner of furniture making, John is especially skilled in the art of French Polishing. The beauty of the wood and the furniture is highlighted in this classis technique. John’s classes at CVSW are unique as he opens a whole new world of finishing and restoration to the students.

John’s background included conservation classes at the Smithsonian Institute and at Dakota County Technical College (MN) with senior conservator at the Smithsonian, Donald C. Williams among others. He assisted with the “Ten Thousand Springs Pavilion” exhibit for the Smithsonian Institute in both Washington, D.C. and when it was in Flushing, Queens, N.Y. John is a long-standing member of the Professional Refinisher’s Group (commonly called GROOP!) and past email moderator. He has been published in the SAPFM publication: 

Pins and Tails and has a video series on French Polishing on Finewoodworking.com. He continues to publish information which can be found on his website: www.locustvalleyrestoration.com.

John holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Hobart College (NY).