Meet Henri laborde | Art restorer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Henri laborde and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Henri, how does your business help the community?
since the financial crisis in 2008 i have realized how much people care about their valuables. When all businesses were suffering, mine thrived and got multiplied by 3. Small jobs that concerned small items that my clients cared about deeply. Things that they were connected to. The emotional attachment is very strong. Lots of people want to fix the ld instead of buying new. That’s were i have an impact on this world of mass consumption. So often people tell me that they could get a new one on ebay but they really need or want to fix that one. I’ve always loved fixing things, renovating, reviving. I’m very tuned to nature, to eco system. I recycle, reuse and reduce even in my art studio. I recoup lots of items that i use for the restoration process: mixing sticks, cups, paper napkins and anything that could be useful in my practice.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The reason why i’m voted, by my customers, the best ever is because i care deeply about quality. I need to be able to look at a finished piece and tell my self that it is great. Not acceptable. it has to be outstanding or i’m not calling the client. I need to be proud of what i produce. I’m very specific and detailed in my work. Something i sadly don’t see in other restorers and in most of my subcontractors. I get lots of pieces in my shop that have been repaired by others and i’m stunned at the poor quality i witness time after time. When a client calls 10, 15 years after a repair, and tells me that the restoration is still spotless and brings them joy every-time they look at the piece, it makes it all worth it. I love have to reconstruct missing parts or make a mold of a section of a piece, like a hand, a foot, a wing, and make it look like it was never missing. Tremendous feeling. I’m very critical with my work. It allows me to not let myself get away with just ok work. When i look at a restoration and i can tell myself “wow, that is amazing” then i’ve accomplish greatness. Then i’m honoring the trust people have placed in me by surrendering their precious treasures for a few weeks.
It was easy for me to get started. It was all there, dormant, ready to come out and thrive. Starting a business took one morning. Finding clients was a bit of a salesman work. I walked in areas where antique dealers are located and would go door to door with my meager portofolio, dressed well. My french accent was much more prominent then. it helped… But i never used it and i’ve been trying to sounds as American as possible. I wanted people to trust me for my work not for an idea of what a restorer should be like or come from. Then word to mouth, online adds helped tremendously. today i get people in my shop that were referred to me by the conservator of the Getty museum, the LACMA or some other museums or big time antique dealer or designer. Although i have never met them. Somehow they have heard of me, possibly checked my work online and have decided to trust me based on that.
The main challenge really is finding time to do it all. The work never fails to poor in. From all kinds of people. I never turn anyone down. It’s my policy. I’m here to help and that’s what i’m willing to do.
I’ve learned tons ver the 20 years i’ve been in this line of work. I was medical school for a few years before that. It taught me lots and i’m still using that knowledge in my work today. I’ve leaned to be more patient. It’s really needed in my line of work. I’ve developed a sense of curiosity that is even more profond than when i started. I was always curious. I have learned to always be open to new techniques, new products, new vendors. They is so much out there to discover. I’ve learned humility from my customers. I have such a tremendous responsibility in fixing their beloved personal items. I become part of their home in a way. So i want the repair to last for decades. I think long term when it comes to my work. My goal is to never see that piece again in my shop.
That’s what i’d like people to take away from this. The only thing i’m doing is passing on the love that i’ve been fed as a child, as a husband, a partner, a dad, a friend. it all comes together and manifests itself into my work of salvation. People often say that i saved their marriage, their friendship or their job. That’s how much it means to them. i’m a ART/HEART restorer really.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
done that a bunch of times. Griffith observatory, Getty museum, DTLA, Hikes in palisades, Monterey/carmel, Venice beach (that’s actually first on my list), Venice canals, Universal studios, Temecula wine country, russian vier in Sonoma county, SF, SD, Del Mar, my shop of course, Hollywood bowl (favorite venue), roof top garden at work, sequoia national park. Eats: Real food daly, native foods, Kreation, Akasha.
I love to take people to Echo Ceramics for clay throwing session. Never met a person who didn’t absolutely love it.
Love the people outside LA. More relaxed, move at a slower pace, more patient and helpful. In general. I’d tour my friends and hang out/introduce them to my visitors. Backyard hangouts/potluck. I love to take people to the Laemmle theatres across town. best independent films selection.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Not a person in particular. I am grateful to life for putting on my path the person who introduced me, very briefly, to restoration. It was clear that i had a gift for it. For that i’m grateful to the creator. I’ve had tons of support from an antique dealer/friend who pushed me to start my own restoration practice. He gave me a couple of pieces that paid for my modest initial investment and really got me started. started in a tiny studio apartment and i’m now in a large studio in DTLA. I have lots of colleagues i get inspired by and whom i learn from all the time. Metal patina, metal fabricator, stone fabricator, carpenter, wood refinisher, glass fabricator, stained glass restorer, Glass polisher, metal engraver… I subcontract the work i can’t handle, so it’s easier for my customers. I become an art contractor at times. Knowing all these different crafts is crucial to wearing that hat.
I get loads of love from my customers. I do appreciate the money they give me, and it’s vital that i should charge them. But when i get strong, emotional, heart felt reactions and thanks form them, it goes beyond money. It’s just a human exchange of love. I get tears, hugs, warm hand shakes, screams, stunted reactions in my shop on a daly basis… I’m so very grateful.
I dedicate this shoutout to people who express their love. And getting a sentimental piece restored is a deep expression of love.
My daughter Catherine, is why i want to always be better. It helps me in my work of course. The better a dad i am, the better a person i am, the better i interact with people, the more i care. My desist parents, Marie-Catherine et Pierre, who have put me on the path i’m on now.

Website: fixfineart.com

Facebook: fine art restoration

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fine-art-restoration-los-angeles-7?osq=fine+art+estration

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaZHGY-yvfE