Nicole Smith was trained in the fine art of finishing and antique restoration by her father, Richard Gatti, a renown San Francisco furniture maker and finisher with almost 60 years of experience. She began her career with Furniture by Gatti in 1990 and worked with many mediums that include lacquer, French polishing, oil finishes, and gold leaf.
Nicole started her own business in 2013, and her shop is located in San Rafael, California. She excels in antique restoration and repair, finishing architectural woodwork, cabinetry and furniture.
Nicole’s clients sing her praises as she transforms their damaged furniture into a beautifully restored treasures.
A major restoration of a Brunswick Brilliant Novelty pool table, circa 1885. This piece was very badly water damaged, with many loose and missing veneers and inlays, and three inches had been cut from the legs. Richard Gatty patched the veneer and missing inlay, and Nicole Smith filled all the remaining damage, glued or ironed down any loose veneers, and touch up all the repairs so they disappeared. The finish is shellac, finished with wool and wax.
A Deco Macassar Ebony, and Ebony table made by Richard Gatty, and finished by Nicole Smith
Sleigh bed and side tables with nickel accents, designed and built by Furniture by Gatti, with metal work by Peter Morenstein of Cirecast Inc. Finished in a high gloss white lacquer by Nicole Smith.
The piano case was very badly sun damaged, and poorly repaired. Nicole Smith stripped and refinished everything, except the legs and lyre box, which were not original to the piece and elaborately faux finished. Many wooden patches and fills were then touched up and the entire finish restored and lacquered, then hand rubbed with wax to the perfect sheen.
A reproduction of an early 18th century English secretary in Walnut burl, built by Richard Gatty, finished with a French polished shellac and gold leaf accents by Nicole Smith.
Hoffmann-inspired chair made by Richard Gatty, finished in a high gloss black conversion varnish by Nicole Smith.
Before and after: Oak Buffet restored by Nicole Smith Finishing
Mahogany Pedestal Dining Table and and Chippendale style chairs made by Richard Gatty, and finished by Nicole Smith
Nicole Smith remade quite a few broken or missing parts and repaired the old cracked gesso of this antique gilt mirror frame. Approximately 70% of it was re-gilded.
The solid oak doors in the Bohemian Club in San Francisco were built by Richard Gatty and finished by Nicole Smith.
A 18ft x 4ft Fiddleback Redwood stand-up conference table custom made by Furniture by Gatti. Nicole Smith finished it with penetrating epoxy and a conversion varnish topcoat. It was then rubbed up by hand to achieve the perfect sheen, then waxed.
This maple kitchen with trapezoidal glass panels and aluminum inlay was built by William Eichenberger and designed by architect Elida Schujman. Finished by Nicole Smith.
