Neil C. Layne Studio specializes in gilding restoration of 17th - 19th Century objects, including picture frames, mirrors, furniture and sculpture. Since the Studio was established in 1992, we have worked with many leading art and antique dealers throughout the country as well as private collectors and museums. Our frame restoration can be seen surrounding paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

We believe that to carry out restoration work to the highest standards, we must know and understand the history of the furniture. We use only traditional techniques that go back centuries to the time of Renaissance master Cennino d'Andrea Cennini and work with traditional tools, recipes and formulas. Only imported materials, such as 23KT gold from Italy, gesso from England, rabbit skin glue and bole from Germany, and gesso brushes and re-cutting tools from France, are used. Click on "Gallery"

Recently, we have been creating frames using old recycled wood most of which has come from an historic Southport, CT barn that was headed to a landfill. We have recreated antique-style frames that incorporate gold and silver leaf and finish them with traditional as well as modern tarnished and oxidized patinas. The frames are designed for today, tomorrow and yesterday. Click on "Layne Frames."