Meet Kipper | Antique Restorer and Custom Furniture Designer

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

Hi Kipper, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I first came to America, I worked in an antique shop. What annoyed me was that there was such an emphasis on making a sale, and not a lot about the knowledge in what they were selling…so I made it my business to open up that part of the business. I wanted to show, and explain, every nuance and facet of each moving part. Providing the customer a hands on vision about what we are doing in repairs; through photos, and having them come to the shop to see it with their own eyes. There is only transparency when you see the work from it’s inception to it’s finish. I don’t want to just sell antique pieces, I want it to be about the art and history of each item that comes into my shop.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
We are custodians of the past. Which means using all materials of that time to complete repairs, such as using old animal hide glue, for re-gluing old mortise and tenon joints, and shellack for the preserving of the age old finishes of the old system of French polishing. Age is always trapped in the varnish, which of course is always lighter with age. While gilding, with 23.75K Gold, we use an agate stone for burnishing which has been used for centuries. We’ve hand carved gargoyles back to its century old cabinets. We even make our own materials for for these age old pieces–such as leather dressing for leather goods of varying colors and fine tuned furniture wax. What makes us, me, different is that we don’t use modern products, but we stick to the old ways and that is what keeps us needed. I got here today by being an immigrant in America, that forced me to go out into the world and carve my own path. Finding my own web of clients, and in my earlier days, I would wax entire estates across the city. Eventually, that led me to getting my own shop and my citizenship. Like many immigrants before me, in search of the American dream, I put in several hours of manual labor in order to get where I wanted to be. Living my dream. Knowing you do get a chance to go after what you want. I had learned my trade earlier on in life at a trade school in Ireland; then I spent 10 years in London crafting my skills to prepare me for the new world that laid ahead of me. I have overcame many challenges with this–over coming challenges is the only way to live, the challenges are where it’s at! That is what keeps us ticking or alive, as Shakespeare would say, stick it to it’s sticking place. What else can I say! Figuring out and overcoming challenges that come our way gets us out of our comfort zone, and helps us grow. Waking up each morning knowing that something different will arrive from the auction house or from a designer, and being up for the challenge, is what I am most proud about. To touch something that was made hundreds of years ago, and really feel the history and love put into it, is what keeps me going.

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?
When my friends come to town I love bringing them to the little unknown parts of Los Angeles. The industrial part of the city on the east side, where they make the street lamps for the highways. They melt the aluminium car rims and shape them into the lamps. Places where they make old wax castings for bronze pouring that is used in art institutes and industries. I even take them to plating businesses where the entire plate process is shown before our eyes. The port of Los Angeles where all of the world comes into our part and distributes throughout America. Outside of the craft, there are other places I enjoy to indulge. When feeling peckish, I have a couple favorite restaurants I go to. Taqueria Los Anaya on West Adams owned by three brothers making incredible food; they love what they are doing and you can see it in the food presentation, and overall just has a great vibe in the place. Grand Casino in Culver City is an Argentinian bakery and cafe, its an old school place with great prices and delicious pastries. You feel as if you are in the country with how authentic the Grand Casino is. Of course there are other secondary places I would go if I have the time, such as the Getty and Arm&Hammer in LA County.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m only the sum of all the great talents that enter my life. All the individuals I have worked with over the years have shown me their god given talents, and I add my little touch to bring it all together. I would not have made it as far as I have without this community. I am thankful for the creatives I have met along this journey. Los Angeles is such a great treasure of highly talented beings. I suppose that’s why we are all here.

Website: KipperDesigns.com

Instagram: KipperDesigns

Facebook: Kipper Designs LLC

Other: We are on Etsy, Chairish, and 1stdibs under KipperDesigns.

Image Credits
Leah Wurtzel