Fine Craftmanship
is our passion
InStudio Decorative Art and Design is based in Auckland, New Zealand, and specialises in antique restoration and special decorative finishes including gilding, gold and metal leaf applications, as well as a wide range of faux finishes, marbling, glazing and custom paint finishes for interior or exterior surfaces.
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Our Craftsmen
The best traditional services
Johan has over 30 years experience in the field of decorative arts and design in the Netherlands and New Zealand. Professionally trained in the Netherlands, Johan worked as a decorative artist for Queen Beatrix on the Royal Palace restoration project.
New Zealand projects have included Auckland’s Metropolis Hotel, Sky City Casino and Vero Building, as well as Dunedin’s Southern Cross Casino, Queenstown’s Millennium Hotel and a number of offices, residences and super yachts in Auckland.
Johan was also a senior lecturer on a design programme at Unitec in Auckland for 10 years.
He and his wife Annelies owned Van Westen Antique Studio in Newmarket, Auckland, for several years, selling fine antiques and providing an antique restoration service.
In addition to Johan’s work with architects, designers and homeowners, he designs and produces his own range of French mirrors and dining tables.
Johan also passes on his specialised knowledge and skills to the public via his classes.
What People Say
“ It is very difficult finding really professional, knowledgeable and skilled antique furniture restorers unless you hear by word of mouth. So I
consider myself very lucky to have discovered Johan. I would certainly recommend Johan to anyone who, like me, had valuable or personally sentimental antique furniture they needed skilfully and sensitively restored. At every stage there was good communication and also explanation of costs and what would be involved and why. The other thing I like is that Johan doesn’t ruin the character of a piece by over-restoring it. He explains and listens well.”
“I found InStudio prompt, efficient and professional
I would certainly recommend their services. They provide an excellent quality of workmanship
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“The quality of workmanship is exceptional; most repairs being completely invisible.You have saved the insurance industry a lot of money with your professional repairs, and made our customers very happy. Your pricing is very reasonable, and quality of service very high. I am very often surprised as to how good workmanship is and how it was done (sometimes doesn’t seem possible). We recommend your service to everyone, as per the reasons above.”
“Johan, you have done an AMAZING job on my lovely furniture and I am so grateful. I have never, ever known the drawers to work properly, so it is amazing to have them running smoothly and to see all the damage repaired. Poor old secretaire, been shunted from this country to that, so I shall make sure it very very carefully packed this time!
Great job Johan!”
“We were pleased that Johan came to us came to us to view and restore our table.
I would recommend Johan to everyone, he is very easy to work with and knowledgeable.
”
“The service InStudio provided was Prompt, Johan collected, assessed and gave quote .The outcome was what was called for , “to look as if it had not been restored “.
I have and would recommend your service , the outcome for my friend Robert has been exceptional I would happy pass on your details for any restoration.”
“Johan is a magician! He is one of the best around with any aspect of antique restoration and I have trust him with projects for years. He is extremely experienced, creative and artistic and is a true craftsman with excellent training and a great CV. He also happens to be a charming man and I can not recommend him highly enough. Actually - you won’t do better.
Give him a call now!”
“I was absolutely thrilled with the service I received from Johan. Johan is very passionate and completed the restoration of both my mirror and antique chest to a very high standard. I would definitely recommend Johan to friends and family.”
“Johan can repair seemingly irreparable objects. We have been very impressed with the quality and finish of the restoration work carried out by Johan. We would highly recommend his services.”
