The Restoration Process — Atelier Patina

The Full Journey

Seamless from First Contact to Doorstep

We designed our process around one principle: your experience should be as effortless as the restoration itself. From the moment you submit your request online to the moment your restored piece is returned to your door, everything is handled by our team — with free pickup, transparent communication, and a satisfaction guarantee at every step.

Begin Your Restoration

Six Steps

The Restoration Journey

01

Submit Your Request

Everything begins online. Use our restoration request form to describe your piece, upload photos from multiple angles, and select a convenient pickup window. Our team reviews every submission personally — no automated systems, no call centres. You will receive a personal acknowledgement within 24 hours.

Go to Request Form

02

White-Glove Pickup

At your chosen time, our courier arrives at your door. Your pieces are wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and placed in our branded box — the same care and presentation you would expect if dropping them at the finest atelier in Florence. Pickup is complimentary throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

03

Expert Assessment

Every piece that arrives at our atelier is personally inspected by a master craftsman — never an assistant, never a trainee. We examine every detail: construction, leather condition, hardware, stitching, sole integrity. Photographs are taken at every stage. A complete restoration plan is written, specifying every service to be performed and every material to be used.

04

Your Approval

We send you a detailed, itemised quote by email — including photographs of your piece taken during assessment. You review every service and every cost. If anything is unclear, we are available by phone or email to discuss. Absolutely no work begins until you have said yes. If you choose not to proceed, we return your piece at no charge.

05

The Restoration

Once approved, your piece passes to our craftsmen. Every restoration is performed using heritage techniques and premium materials: bark-tanned sole leather sourced from traditional English tanneries, waxed linen thread hand-stitched in the saddle-stitch tradition, full-grain leather matched precisely to the original. We work to our standards, not a clock — restorations take the time they require.

06

Quality Control & Return

Before your piece leaves our atelier, it undergoes a final quality inspection by Marco Valenti personally. Only when every aspect meets our standards is the piece cleared for return. It is carefully wrapped, placed in our branded packaging, and delivered directly to your door — the same white-glove service that collected it. You can also track your order status at any time using our online tracker.

Track Your Order

Premium Materials

What We Use

The quality of a restoration is only as good as the materials used. We source exclusively from the world's finest suppliers.

Full-Grain Leather

The highest quality leather available. The full grain retains the natural surface of the hide, developing a beautiful patina over time and offering unmatched durability.

Bark-Tanned Soles

Traditional vegetable tanning using oak bark — the same process used for centuries. Bark-tanned leather is denser, more durable, and moulds beautifully to the foot over time.

Waxed Linen Thread

Sourced from specialist suppliers in France, our waxed linen thread is used exclusively for all hand-stitching. It is stronger than synthetic alternatives and will not rot or degrade over time.

Brass Hardware

All replacement hardware is solid brass — buckles, D-rings, rivets, and closures. We source heritage-quality hardware that matches the weight and finish of original luxury fittings.

Our Promise

The Craftsman's Guarantee

"If you are not completely satisfied with the restoration, we will redo the work at no charge. No questions asked."

This is not a marketing line. It is the standard we hold ourselves to with every single piece that leaves our atelier. In eighteen years of operation, our guarantee has been invoked fewer than a handful of times — because we do not release work we are not proud of.

If for any reason you are unsatisfied when your piece is returned, contact us within 14 days. We will collect it, assess what needs to be addressed, and redo the relevant work without charge.

Begin Your Restoration

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does restoration take? +

Most restorations are completed within 5 to 10 business days from the time we receive your approval on the assessment. Complex restorations involving multiple services — full resole plus colour work, for example — may take up to 15 business days. We always provide an estimated timeline with your quote, and we communicate proactively if anything changes.

Is pickup really free? +

Yes. Free white-glove pickup and delivery is included with every restoration order throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. We schedule a convenient window with you directly. For clients outside our local service area, we provide detailed guidance on how to ship your pieces to us safely, and we cover the return shipping cost.

Do you work on luxury brands? +

Yes, we work with pieces from all brands — from everyday footwear and accessories to heritage luxury goods from makers such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Church's, Alden, and Berluti. Our craftsmen are experienced in the specific characteristics of luxury leather and handle every piece with the care the brand and its owner deserve.

What if my item cannot be restored? +

We will tell you clearly during the assessment — before any work is performed and before any charge is made. If a piece has suffered damage beyond what restoration can address, we will explain why honestly and return it to you at no cost. We will never recommend a service that will not meaningfully improve your piece.

Do I pay before or after the work? +

Payment is made after you have approved the assessment quote and before restoration work begins. We request a deposit at the time of approval, with the balance due on delivery. We accept all major credit and debit cards, and bank transfer. We never charge for the initial assessment, and there is no charge if you choose not to proceed.

Can I track my order? +

Yes. Every order has a unique reference number, which is provided in your confirmation email. You can use this reference number to track the real-time status of your restoration at any time using our online tracking page. We also send proactive email updates at each key stage: pickup confirmed, assessment complete, work in progress, quality control passed, and out for delivery.

A Journey of Renewal