“I can refinish any piece of furniture.  The 'theory' is fairly simple…
You remove an old finish, then you put on a new finish.”

-Frank Kiska

I took this approach when I first started professionally in the “art” of Furniture Restoration in Langhorne, PA back in 1982.  I soon realized that I had a lot to learn before I could call myself a true “Professional.” 

The various finishes, stains, dyes, glazes and other finishing materials were mind numbing to say the least.  I couldn’t understand why different species of wood would take color in different ways.  The oak would be lighter than the walnut even when I was using the same stain.  Why was that & why can’t I get them to match?  The finishes that I was spraying were not drying or leveling right   The early days in my career were mind boggling to say the least.  I was getting the work done, but there was much more improvement needed with my techniques. It seemed like every day was another trial & error period in my life.  In 1988, I almost gave up until I discovered three men who changed my life.

The Two “Georges” and a “Bob”

In April of 1988, I had moved into a more spacious shop on a farm in Pineville, PA.  With more space came more supplies and equipment.  I thought that with all of this new equipment, it would make my job easier & less stressful.  I was wrong.  Yes, I had all this new equipment & materials…but I didn’t know how to use them properly.  One day in the summer of 1988, I was eating lunch outside my shop when a short oriental man approached.  He was a regular customer at the farm’s market.  He introduced himself as “George Nakashima”.  Back then, I hadn’t a clue who he was.  It turned out that George Nakashima was a world renowned Furniture Designer and Craftsman who lived & worked in nearby New Hope, PA.  Myself & George struck up a friendship right from the start.  Even though I never had any formal training from Mr. Nakashima, our conversations about my work & his work inspired me to learn everything I could about furniture…from the mid 18th. Century to the present.  Our friendship lasted until 1992 when he died.  His designs can be seen in museums and private collections all over the world.  His daughter now runs his design studio & preserves his legacy.

The other “George”, I had never met in person. His name was George Grotz.  I had purchased his two books…”The Furniture Doctor” and “The Fun of Refinishing Furniture”.  Both of these books gave me a wealth of knowledge about furniture restoration & George was always willing to talk to me on the phone to guide me through any obstacle that had me baffled.  He was always willing to share not only with me but with anyone else who knew him. 

The “Bob” was Bob Flexner who wrote the book “Understanding Wood Finishes”.  This book in my opinion is the best book ever written on the subject of Refinishing & Restoration.  I finally met Bob in Worcester, MA in 1998 at a workshop sponsored by Professional Refinishing Magazine.  I still reference Bob’s book whenever I get stuck on a piece. Both “George’s” & “Bob” were true inspirations to me.  The one thing that I learned from them is their gift of sharing.

“The Information Super Highway
Both Literally & Electronically”

Books & talking on the phone were all well & good...but I still had a lot to learn & I also had a lot to share with other people who craved for perfection in this craft.  Between 1994 & 1999, I probably spent about a month out of any given year attending workshops & seminars throughout the country.  Various organizations such as The National Association of Furniture Refinishers & Restorers (NAFRR), The Association of Restorers (AOR), Professional Refinishing Magazine (PRM), The Claims Prevention & Procedure Council (CPPC) would have workshops that were geared specifically to the “Professional” Furniture Restorer.  I had the honor of teaching classes in Furniture Finish Repair in Palm Beach, FL in May of 1998  General Furniture Restorations & Marble Repair" in Las Vegas in December of 1998.  I also entered the "National Furniture Repair” competition in Albany, NY in September of 1997.  I finished 3rd nationally in this competition…but I can tell you this now…I’ve gotten a lot better!!

I was asked by the AOR to continue teaching all around the country…but all that travel was taking a toll on my business…not to mention my wallet. 

I discovered another way to interact with my fellow Furniture Refinishers & Restorers…E-Mail.  In 2000, I discovered The “Professional Refinishers Groop”.  About 200 professionals from coast to coast share with each other tips on materials, techniques or anything else dealing with Furniture Restoration.  The “Professional Refinishers Guild” is another one that is good for picking up or giving information. 

“Referrals, Referrals & Referrals”

In 1990 I applied & was accepted into the National Furniture Repair Hot-Line.  This is an organization based in GA that refers Furniture Restorers from all around the country to Insurance Companies, Moving Companies, Furniture Dealers & other businesses that are in need of Furniture Repair & Restoration.  Being “An Authorized Restoration Center” for the past 17 years has given me the satisfaction that I am associated with only the best in the country.  There are only about 250 shops that have passed all of the criteria to be an “Authorized Restoration Center”.  My shop is the only one in the entire state of Idaho.

“On the Road Again Revisited”

In 1999, I married my wife Carmen in Gooding, ID and she moved with me back to PA.  In 2003, I sold my business “Furniture Restorations-Plus”. I had had enough of the crowds, the traffic & the overall unhappiness that I was experiencing with the East Coast.  We moved back here to my wife’s hometown of Gooding in 2003.  I set my shop up on my property & I continue to do what I love & what I know best…Refinishing & Restoring Furniture.  Northern Lights Restorations & Woodcraft was born.

“Experience Means Everything”

I have worked on literally over 50, 000 pieces of furniture since I decided to be a Furniture Refinisher back in 1982.  They have been from the 18th. Century all the way up to brand new.  There isn’t much trial & error anymore because 25 years equates to wisdom & experience & that experience makes my job easier.  The look on my customer’s faces when they see their restored furniture still gives me a thrill.  I hear it all of the time from people who say to me…”I had no idea that it would turn out so beautiful”…or “How did you do that…I thought it was a lost cause”.  Any piece of furniture can be restored…you just need the experience & knowledge to do it….and to do it right.            

Wow…has it been 25 years?  It seems like only yesterday when I started my “Journey”.   Like life in general…that’s what this business is all about…it’s a journey.  I can never “know it all”…but I can continue to learn from every piece that I work on.  When I stop learning…then it’s time to retire.  I don’t see this happening for the rest of my life. 

Frank Kiska

Frank Kiska, his wife Carmen, and his assistant Sammi

 An Authorized