Thomas Craven Wood Finishers
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Thomas Craven Furniture Restoration is a premier destination for antique and vintage furniture restoration and refinishing in Van Nuys, California. Led by master wood finisher Thomas Craven, this family-owned business specializes in expertly reviving and transforming a wide range of furniture and architectural pieces.
Located just a short drive from downtown Los Angeles, the shop offers full-service restoration and refinishing capabilities. The skilled team can hand-strip, repair, and refinish everything from damaged antique dressers to worn kitchen cabinets. Using high-quality, durable finishes like automotive-grade paint and clear coats, as well as low-VOC water-based options, they breathe new life into each piece. Customers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the team's work, with many stating their refinished furniture looks even better than when it was new.
Beyond standard refinishing, Thomas Craven Furniture Restoration specializes in creating custom decorative finishes. Their craftspeople excel at applying antique and faux paint techniques, hand-rubbed stains, intricate glazes, and subtle toners to make even brand-new pieces appear centuries old. The store's design consultation and sample creation services ensure customers can achieve their exact desired aesthetic, whether that's a rustic farmhouse look or a refined, traditional style.
At the heart of this exceptional business is Thomas Craven himself, widely regarded as a master of his craft by loyal customers. Craven leads a staff of apprentices, passing on his deep knowledge of finishing techniques and commitment to meticulous attention to detail. Visitors consistently praise the expertise, helpfulness, and friendly service provided by Craven and his team.
In addition to the shop's exceptional restoration services, the Van Nuys location offers easy access to a variety of local attractions and activities. Just a short walk away, visitors can explore the vibrant Van Nuys Farmers Market, which features an array of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and live music. The nearby Van Nuys Recreation Center provides opportunities for outdoor recreation, with sports fields, playgrounds, and walking trails. For those seeking cultural experiences, the iconic Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, home to the Japanese Garden and Wildlife Reserve, is just a 10-minute drive from the shop.
Whether you have a cherished antique in need of restoration or are looking to give new life to a modern piece, Thomas Craven Furniture Restoration in Van Nuys is the premier destination for exceptional wood finishing services in the greater Los Angeles area. With their unparalleled expertise, dedication to quality, and commitment to customer satisfaction, the team at Thomas Craven is sure to transform your furniture into a stunning, one-of-a-kind heirloom.
14 reviews
Janet Geller
Thomas did a wonderful job refinishing, preserving and updating our radio case that family used to listen to news of World War II in Europe in the 1940s. Covid and Thomas’ popularity made for some “back and forth” between us to arrange the work, but the result was really so much better than I was expecting.
Thank You Janet !
Mitch Schneider
It's rare in a world of instant gratification to find a craftsman of this quality and professionalism. Perhaps, even more rare for someone to charge a fair price and do what they said they were going to do! Thomas refinished a table top for us after it lost its battle with acetone. It was no easy task. He finished the table top better than new and delivered the leaf to match. Did I mention he picked it up and delivered it? Thomas Craven Wood Refinishing is and will be my first and final call for anything refinishing related.
Thank you so much Mitch.
Mike Goebel
Just spoke with Thomas this morning. This isn’t the first times he has taken time out to discuss painting techniques and products with me. Three years ago he recommended the products I used to paint my kitchen cabinets. The kitchen turned out really nicely. The man knows his stuff is super friendly and helpful. If you are looking for true top quality craftsmanship, he’s the guy to contact. Mike G.
Kelly Harvey
Thomas Craven's work and talent are outstanding! He is personable and professional, a total pleasure to work with. He made my worn and damaged furniture look better than the day I purchased it. He took the time to listen to my needs, and used a finish that would protect my tables for the long term, even stand up to my kids! Thomas can meet all of your refinishing needs, and exceed them! He is the very best :-)
Kate Sinclair
Thomas & his team took such care with the restoration of my daughter's canopy bed, paying special attention to making sure each step was done properly and with the highest level of quality. I am thrilled to see a beloved family heirloom looking better than ever. So appreciative of their expertise and dedication to craft!
Thanks so much Kate !
Phil Mizrahie
Ours was a difficult job, taking a very large mahogany table and staining it gray while still maintaining the wood character. Most refinishers we contacted declined the job lacing the expertise. When we met Thomas we knew we were in good hands, and he masterfully transformed the table to a unique one of a kind work of art. He is the best.
Thanks Phil for the great review ! You and Elaine are the "Medicis" of this wood finishing shop ! You gave us the freedom to do the best we could do with a challenging refinish project, while knowing full well that we might not be able to achieve the desired finish due to pre-existing damage. I advised against attempting this restoration and suggested you buy a new dining table. But you gave us the confidence and inspiration to make the attempt. We are all so glad it turned out so well. Thank You !
Scott Holm
Amazing. Thomas does great work. He is a true master of his craft. He restored my kitchen cabinets and saved me a complete kitchen remodel. Looks amazing.
Luke Bradley
Mr. Craven refinished a 4-piece set of furniture for me. He was responsive to emails and phone calls. He gave me a quote for time and cost and stuck to it. What more can I ask for? He did what he said he was going to do. Oh yeah, and the furniture came out looking fantastic. Thanks Thomas! -Luke
Laurel Stutsman
Thomas finished my mid century Dunbar chairs and they are just beautiful. I couldn't be happier!
Boo Staley
OMG! Thomas Craven and Roger did an amazing restoration of two lovely antique Italian side tables. They had been much loved, but very damaged by many years of use by my late mother-in-law’s large family. It took a labor of love and impeccable craftsmanship to restore these sentimental keepsakes to the beauty and elegance that made them so special to our family. Thomas Craven is such a professional and he truly appreciates fine woods and antiques. I had hired him before to refinish a kitchen cupboard and his standards of workmanship were outstanding. I felt very comfortable entrusting him with these antiques and I am so delighted that I did. I feel fortunate that someone referred me to Thomas Craven’s. What a gem! I am enjoying creating a fun juxtaposition of old with the new in a guest bedroom frequented by visiting family. Visit @iofjayne