About Elm Market House
Practical knowledge for antique furniture restoration
Elm Market House publishes detailed, technique-focused guides on antique furniture identification, surface preparation, finishing, and material sourcing. The focus is on Canadian context — provincial wood traditions, regional suppliers, domestic regulations on chemical handling — alongside broader restoration practice.
The site addresses craftspeople, collectors, and heritage property owners who are working with specific pieces and need accurate, actionable information rather than general overviews.
Content draws on publicly documented restoration practice, museum collection records, and published technical literature. No advice on this site should substitute for hands-on assessment of a specific piece by a qualified conservator when significant monetary or heritage value is at stake.
Coverage Areas
What This Site Covers
Furniture Identification
Reading period styles, construction methods, secondary woods, hardware, and surface characteristics to determine origin and date of antique pieces.
Stripping & Finishing
Chemical, heat, and mechanical stripping methods; surface preparation; and the selection and application of period-appropriate finishes including shellac, oil, and varnish.
Material Sourcing
Where to find reclaimed lumber, period hardware, specialty finishes, and adhesives through Canadian suppliers, salvage operations, and trade networks.
Contact
Inquiries about specific techniques or pieces can be directed to the address below. Responses are sent within two business days.
Email: info@elmmarkethouse.org
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada