What do you do?
Our 10-person woodworking staff replaces cane, rush, Danish cord, and shaker tape panels. We do not repair or replace wicker.
What type of caning do you do? And how much?
There are two basic types of caning — ‘pressed cane’ and ‘hand cane,’ along with a subtype of hand cane called ‘blind cane’ or ‘French cane.’ Pricing is dependent on the caning type and the size of the panels.
Pressed caning involves precisely measuring and cutting pre-woven caned rolls to match the dimensions of the original panel, and then using a special hand tool to insert the edges into a groove or channel in the wood. Once fitted and securely affixed, a spline is attached over the edges of the panel for protection and cosmetic appearance.
Hand caning involves using individual strands of cane that are measured and cut, soaked for flexibility, and then interwoven to create a panel from scratch. The strands are threaded through pre-drilled holes in a chair’s framework and tied by hand.
‘French cane’ or ‘blind cane,’ a subset of hand cane, was occasionally used on antique furniture pieces. It is very labor intensive both to remove and reproduce because the ties are hidden inside of the chair framework. This type of caning is very difficult and expensive to reproduce.All caning uses a natural, uncolored fiber. It ages and darkens by itself over time. Some customers prefer that their new caning have an age-patinated coloration rather than the uncolored appearance of the new caning. If a client wishes to have their new cane colored to match the old cane, there’s an additional fee, per chair, to do so.
Do you provide a free estimate?
Our workshop needs to see each chair in person to provide a definitive estimate. We offer a free price estimate if a client makes an appointment to bring their chair(s) to our Brookline workshop for viewing. We offer on-site fee-associated home estimates to go to a client’s home for viewing. Please start by sending us a message using the form at the bottom of the “Contact” page.
Do you offer pickup and delivery?
Our staff can provide fee-associated pickup and redelivery services or you’re welcome to make your own transport arrangements.