Step 01 · Stripping
Clearing Failing Finish
Removing stubborn old poly, peeling varnish, and accumulated dirt down to bare wood fibers without gouging or chemical burns.
Meet the Artisan · Olympia, WA
Hi, I'm Tiffany.
I've always had a soft spot for pieces with history. Long before this was a business, I found myself drawn to heavy, forgotten vintage furniture sitting in garages, estate sales, and secondhand corners — pieces built with honest dovetail joinery, dense old-growth grain, and real weight, but buried beneath decades of yellowed varnish, chipped stain, and water rings.
In a world of disposable flat-pack furniture that ends up on a curb after a couple of moves, these older pieces were built to outlive us. They just need someone patient enough to see what's hiding under the surface.
Broken Souls Restoration was founded on a simple standard: dedicated, unhurried craftsmanship right here in Olympia. Every piece taken into the studio receives personal attention from start to finish. There are no conveyor belts, factory shortcuts, or rushing pieces out the door. We work through each project methodically — making sure every joint is solid, every drawer glides smoothly, and every coat of stain or finish brings out the best in the wood.
Whether you have a family heirloom you want to blend into modern decor, or a vintage Marketplace find that needs a fresh vision, the goal is always the same: honor the integrity of the timber, restore its dignity, and create something you'll love living with for decades to come.
Tiffany · Founder & Artisan
Broken Souls Studio · Olympia, WA
Studio Origin
Why “Broken Souls”?
People often ask where the name comes from.
Almost every piece that comes through the workshop doors arrives a little bruised, overlooked, or out of place. Someone thought it was outdated. Someone didn't know how to fix a chipped veneer edge. Or it sat in a corner because its orange 1980s lacquer clashed with modern walls.
I call them broken souls because they aren't junk — they're just waiting for someone to see their worth.
To me, the scratches, worn corners, and aged wood aren't flaws to cover up in shame. They're proof that a piece was loved and lived with. The moment that old, failing finish comes off and the raw wood grain breathes again, it's a reminder that broken is where the work begins, not where it ends. Every piece leaves here with its dignity restored — ready for another fifty years of family dinners, bedside books, and daily life.
The Workshop & Craft
One piece at a time, done right.
Restoration is an exercise in patience and discipline. Here is how pieces move through the Olympia workshop from arrival to delivery:
Step 02 · Surface Prep
Hand Sanding & Patching
Working through graduated grits by hand to level veneer, feather out dents, and prepare an even, receptive grain profile.
Step 03 · Color Direction
Custom Tone Balancing
Applying hand-rubbed stains or artisan furniture paint coats that let natural grain depth show through without blotching.
Step 04 · Protection
Topcoat & Hardware Fit
Sealing with durable satin protective coats, tuning drawer glides, and cleaning or restyling hardware for smooth daily use.
Clear Boundaries
What I take on (and what I don't).
Pre-qualifying projects ensures you get an exceptional result. Here is an honest breakdown of the workshop's specialization:
What I Specialize In
- Furniture refinishing & stain correction: Reviving tired mahogany, walnut, oak, and cherry with warm, modern wood tones.
- Artisan furniture painting: Durable, silky satin and matte paint finishes in muted Pacific Northwest neutrals.
- Minor veneer repairs & surface patching: Fixing lifted edges, chipped corners, and surface blemishes before finishing.
- Hardware restyling & cleaning: Polishing original vintage brass, tuning pulls, or sourcing updated hardware styling.
- Drawer & joint tuning: Waxing wood runners, tightening wobbles, and smoothing sticky drawer action.
What I Don't Do
- No upholstery or fabric work: We do not re-spring, cushion, or re-cover upholstered seating. (We gladly refer clients to dedicated local upholsterers.)
- No major structural rebuilds: Broken internal frames, shattered legs, or catastrophic joint failures requiring heavy carpentry.
- No museum-grade historical conservation: Projects requiring certified reversible glues, chemical analysis, or formal appraisal certifications.
- No on-site architectural woodwork: Fixed kitchen cabinets, banisters, or built-ins. All work is completed inside the workshop.
Client Experiences
What restoration clients say.
Direct reviews from South Sound homeowners who entrusted their family pieces to the workshop:
★★★★★
“Tiffany took my grandmother’s dark mahogany dresser and gave it new life without erasing its history. The wood grain glows and the drawers glide like butter. Highly recommended!”
★★★★★
“The communication throughout the project was fantastic. Tiffany kept me updated with photos at every step, from bare wood to final hardware assembly.”
★★★★★
“So easy to work with from the first text message. The pickup was prompt, the quote was exact, and the bedside tables look stunning in our bedroom.”
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Let's look at your piece.
Send a few clear photos via text or our review form. I'll take a look, assess the wood, and let you know honestly what is possible.