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Rodney Keyser has owned and operated The Restoration Studio since it's Grand Opening in 1991. We have risen to the top of our field by remaining a small family run business. We have strived to provide the highest quality refinishing and restoration services in the region. We offer a wide range of services, most all of which are done by us in our Studio.
Head restorer Rodney Keyser still does most of the work himself. This has allowed us to maintain the high standards we have become known for. A third generation finisher / restorer, his love of the trade was handed down to him through his late parents, Rolland and Jacklyn Keyser. Both Parents worked within the wood trade their entire life. Rodney, along with his wife Jennifer have built an impeccable reputation for both quality and service. We are, always have been, and always will remain a small family run business built on exceeding our customers already high expectations.
Our Story....
Rodney entered into the furniture trade upon his graduation from high school in 1982. "I took a job at a local office furniture plant out of high school where both my parents were employed. I was just a kid and it was just a job". Little did he know , it was the beginning of a fulfilling career. "Furniture was always a big part of my life. Growing up, my entire family was associated with the furniture trade, so it was just part of my DNA".
Rodney worked at his first job for 5 years, all of which was spent in the finishing department. In a company of 300+ employees, Rodney climbed the ladder and his abilities didn't go unnoticed. At the age of 22, he was promoted to supervisor in finishing. "It was very awkward at the time because I was so young", explains Rod. " I was one of the youngest in the department, so nobody really liked to take instructions from me".
Under challenged and feeling the need for change, Rod moved on and took an apprenticeship with a gentlemen who specialized in high end retail furniture repair. "It wasn't your typical apprenticeship. I worked in a small garage workshop with very basic tools , supplies and very expensive damaged furniture that I was expected to fix." That was Rod's job for the next two years of his life. "I worked by myself with no formal training, so I had to learn everything the hard way, but with each accomplishment I gained self confidence". Rodney continues," those two years were the toughest of my career. I'm glad I did it though, partly because it was worth it and partly because I'll never have to do it again".
Rodney made two more stops on his career trail before his venture into self employment. One stop was with a well established company repairing furniture damaged in moving claims and lastly with a company that restored antiques.
In 1991, Rod opened his business Artistic Furniture Service. His specialty was on-site furniture repair & touch up. Over the years, Rodney realized his real passions were on the refinishing and restoration side of the business, so in 1997 after a fire wiped out much of his business and home, Rod decided to open The Restoration Studio. "It was the perfect time to make a change and dive head first into my true passion", recalls Rod. "It's hard to believe that was 14 years ago! The Restoration Studio has been such a great success, and it will continue to be a part of me for the rest of my life. Restoring furniture is all I have ever known".
In 2010, Rod and his wife Jennifer decided it was time to teach the art of furniture refinishing, repair and restoration to the world. Rodney began teaching his craft through his new website The Refinishing Studio Learning Center, in January 2011. "Nothing has really changed and we run The Restoration Studio like we always have, but now much of what I do is filmed so that I can share my techniques with the world".
Rod and Jen Keyser live in Pleasant Valley Pa with their two children Justin and Lily, and their chocolate lab River. They own and operate The Restoration Studio. Visit them at www.werefinish.com. They also run an informative "how to" website,
Pictured above: Bernard Henderson Rodney Keyser
email us at: werefinish@yahoo.com Phone 610-346-7551
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We Also sell uniquely refinished and restored high quality furnishings
Voted Best Of Philadelphia 2011 by the USCA
With Instructor Rodney Keyser
A truly unique website, brought to you by The Restoration Studio. Tips, techniques, tricks and advise on how to refinish, repair & restore old wood furnishings
Howard Products, Family of Fine Wood Care Products
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