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Raphael's Furniture Restoration
Raphael's history began with the Erskine and Danforth Corporation est.
1914, which thrived in what is now the "Number One Dock Street"
building, in Stamford, Connecticut. The company produced fine, custom
furniture, with blueprints and a miniature model being produced as
detailed references to ensure piece perfection. At Erskine and
Danforth's prime, the successful manufacturer employed over 300
workers, with many being higly skilled immigrant carvers and
cabinetmakers from Europe. The Depression of 1929 closed
the Erskine and Danforth Corporation, but it was later re-formed on a
smaller scale as Danersk Craftsmen in the early 1900s. Ralph Devito,
Sr. entered here, eager to learn the skill of cabinetry and to explore
the many ways in which to beautify and preserve fine furniture.
In 1952, Ralph opened Stamford
Craftsmen, restoring antique furniture and constructing high quality
antique furniture reproductions. His son, Mark Devito, joined the firm
in 1975, which had by then expanded to Raphael's Furniture Restoration.
Mark started with small jobs while learning how to remove
damaged upholstery from furniture. Over the years, Mark took turns working with fine
craftsmen, including wood turners, cabinetmakers, and finishers. At sixteen years old, Mark began to learn the trade from his father and
a handful of the remaining craftsmen who were once employed at The
Erskine and Danforth Corporation years ago. Since Ralph’s retirement in 1984, Mark has continued the tradition of
these craftsmen, as the owner of Raphael’s Furniture Restoration. Raphael's
Furniture Restoration has now been caring for antique furniture for 57
years.
By
using similar materials and techniques as the skilled craftsmen of
years before himself, Mark dedicates his time in previewing antiques to
be worked on, establishing an effective course of restoration, and
finally performing the skilled artisanal restoration only achievable by
a skilled craftsman. Mark personally works on all repairs and
directs all finishing jobs. Jean DeVito joined the firm in 1995,
focusing on the improvement of management. All pieces taken in for
restoration and repair are fully inspected and returned to their
original condition.
Raphael’s has been recognized by the media, such as in The Westport News
1981 newspaper article entitled, “Restorers: An Endangered Species.” In the summer of 1992, Channel 12 television
news interviewed Ralph and Mark about their restoration business. In 1998, an article in The Advocate detailed
the history of Raphael’s. In 2001, the
Bishop Lori thanked Mark's voluntary restoration work of The Stations of the Cross
at St. Mary’s Church in Stamford, CT, where he dedicated over 900 hours of his free time. In 2005, the City of Stamford
thanked Mark for his restoration of a horse-drawn carriage that belonged to
John Hoyt, one of Stamford’s
earliest residents.
History and long lines of fine
craftsmanship is preserved throughout generations through the antique.
The antique has become an honored treasure to prize. Raphael's clients
range from antique dealers to historical societies, and to individuals
who appreciate the priceless beauty of antiques. Raphael's Furniture
Restoration has been preserving not only history, but a sense of pride
in the form of years of experience and quality.
To find out more, please Email Us
at MarkDeVito@snet.net.
 Ralph J. DeVito |
 Duncon PhyfeTable |
 Westport News |
 Advocate Home |
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 Stamford Advocate |
 Chest of Drawers |
 Sam Carolluzzi |
 Uncle Carmen |
 Enrico Calagaris |
 David Herco |
 Thumb Scraper |
 Drop Lid Desk |
 Chair Clamp |
 Building a Chair |
 Veneer Top |
 Blueprint & Sketch |