Rescuing Beauty. Restoring History. Discovering Joy. Happiest Kid Finds preserves and restores:
Have a painting that needs cleaning and restoration, or a family photo that could use some attention? We'll find the best solution to preserve your treasures. Contact me for a consultation today →
You don't need to take our word for it. Below are real before-and-after results from our Wilmington studio — pieces brought in by collectors, families, and anyone who wasn't quite ready to let something go. Every project is handled here by Milagros, using archival-grade materials and the same techniques museums rely on. Scroll through, see the transformations, and when you're ready to talk about your own piece, reach out.
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| Art Restoration | |
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We clean, repair, and restore paintings using archival-grade materials. Every piece is treated in our Wilmington studio with museum-quality care. The example above is an acrylic painting rescued from acetone damage. |
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| See full before-and-after gallery → | |
| Photo Restoration | |
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| Torn, faded, or water-damaged photographs brought back to life. We repair physical prints and can provide high-resolution digital copies of the restored image. Materials can become brittle over time, and more vulnerable with handling and improper storage such as this antique family portrait on a convex board. | |
| See full before-and-after gallery → | |
| Book Restoration | |
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| Loose bindings, torn pages, damaged covers — we repair it all. Each restoration uses conservation-grade materials that respect the book's age and original construction. In this example, it is suspected that the chemicals used in the foam liner under the covers of this family bible may have contributed to the deterioration of the material along the edges and spine. | |
| See full before-and-after gallery → | |
| Furniture Restoration | |
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| Wood, veneer, and upholstery repairs that preserve the character and enhance the natural beauty of your piece. We stabilize structures, match finishes, and bring worn furniture back to its original form. | |
| See full before-and-after gallery → | |
| Leather Restoration | |
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| Cracked, dry, or stained leather goods — handbags, jackets, bound books, and more — cleaned, conditioned, and color-matched by hand in our studio. | |
| See full before-and-after gallery → | |
| Ceramic Repair | |
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| Chipped, cracked, what seems like it may be broken beyond repair, we take the time and care to bring it all together. | |
| See full before-and-after gallery → | |
| Fabric Treatment | |
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| Water stains, soot, and smoke, are removed with gentle cleaning and attention to detail. | |
| See full before-and-after gallery → | |
| Lamp Shade Repair | |
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| From simple fixes to big rips and tears, we apply creative solutions so that you can continue to enjoy your lamp without the unsightly damage. | |
| See full before-and-after gallery → | |
| Upcycling, Repurposing Materials | |
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| Sometimes a piece of furniture has run its course, but rather than discard, we will preserve the elements that are worth saving and give them a new life. | |
| See full before-and-after gallery → | |
