Older & Better Furniture repairs — Local services in North Reading

I brought two pieces of vintage furniture to Older and Better Furniture for restoration, and the results that Naji obtained are nothing short of spectacular. One item is a barrister bookcase that required a base from a different piece of furniture to be retrofitted for use with my bookcase. The bookcase also needed gluing and repairs, and the finish on the additional base did not match my bookcase. When Naji was done, the base now fits my bookcase, provides the right support for the sections above it, and matches the finish. No one would guess that the new base originates from another piece.

I also brought in a vintage windup phonograph made by the Edison company circa 1920. This machine had multiple problems: the original wooden wheels were missing; the grill cloth was missing; the cabinet door was out of alignment and would not latch shut; there was damage to the molding around part of the exterior cabinet; and the original shellac finish over the mahogany had weathered to the point that the phonograph's color had deteriorated to a dull brown.

Naji fixed all of the structural problems so well that they are now undetectable. Most amazingly though, is the new stunning finish of the mahogany. Naji sanded off the old shellac from the exterior of the machine, then stained and shellacked the wood. The interior of the machine that has not been exposed to the air was still in very clean condition, so I asked Naji to not remove the finish from the interior.

The finish that Naji achieved is stunningly beautiful in every light and from every angle. Furthermore, the new finish on the exterior perfectly matches the original finish of the interior. The mahogany now shows a deep red maroon with a vibrant sheen that catches the light in the way only shellac can. Opening the cabinet of the machine to reveal the original interior finish reveals no discrepancy at all. The effect of Naji's work is like having an antique piece from 1920 that looks like it just came off the factory floor when it was made.

Beyond the artistic craftsmanship that Naji provided to my projects, his sunny demeanor and unfailing courtesy were a delight throughout this restoration process. Any furniture work I need going forward will be given to Older and...

I recently brought a porch rocker to Naji at Bella Furniture and Restoration that needed just about everything to continue to be functional: new caning, its cracked support dowels replaced, every part of it re-glued and repainted. The moment I arrived I knew I brought it to the right place. The studio was neat and spacious, and like a good doctor, it didn't take Naji long to diagnose the chair and to determine all he had to do to bring it back to health. And healthy it is! The chair is absolutely stunning in appearance and completely solid in structure. The caning material is natural, not synthetic (I made sure of that) and I've no doubt the chair will last another 100 years. I'd received other estimates on the caning and knew his price was fair for the caning and additional labor and though he estimated that he'd need a month to finish the job, he did it in just over two weeks. Next, I brought him a marble-topped French-made pedestal side-table that my mother bought as an antique in 1946. It had wobbled then, and had never been repaired. In the intervening years the base had cracked further and the table was no longer functional. For a very fair price Naji returned it in mint condition, but without erasing its authentic qualities by attempting to make it look brand new. Now it is an antique worthy of inclusion in a museum's 19th Century French furniture exhibition. But I'm lucky enough to see it every day in my living room. I recommend that anyone who cares for the charm and history of older furniture bring it to be restored by Naji at Bella Furniture Restoration or Older and Better Furniture Restoration. They are...

I can't thank Naji enough for the incredible care and skill he put into repairing a chair that means the world to me. This wasn’t just any chair—it was lovingly reupholstered by my late father, and it holds deep sentimental value. When it broke, I was heartbroken, unsure if anyone could restore it without compromising its character. But Naji exceeded every expectation. His craftsmanship is truly unmatched. Not only did he restore the chair beautifully, but he also preserved its integrity and spirit. It now looks and feels as sturdy as ever, while still carrying the warmth of my father’s touch. It’s rare to find someone who approaches their work with such precision, respect, and passion. I’m incredibly grateful for what he’s done—not just for the repair, but for giving this cherished piece of my family back to me. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone looking for expert craftsmanship and...