To Restore or Not to Restore?
Saturday July 5, 2008
I'll be upfront with you, there's no catch-all answer to this this recurring question. I can tell you that if you run across a piece of American masterpiece furniture like the one you see here, the answer is a resounding NO. You definitely don't want to touch the finish or try to make repairs on your own. Seek the help of a professional to retain the value of the piece. There are cases where restoration is an option, but you have to know what you're doing before tackling a furniture project. Read To Restore or Not to Restore? to help you on your way.
Comments
Hey nice blog, I like it
I discovered a website about antiquities yesterday http://www.expertissim.com
Rather cool…
See you
So glad I stumbled across your blog. I’m hoping you can help me with a question.
I found a piece of furniture that someone had discarded (they had spray-painted it!) so I refinished it. (Really had no choice…) I am curious as to how to find information about it - mostly how old it is, and what it originally looked like. There is a mark stamped on the back, but I don’t know how to find out what it means. Mostly just to satisfy my own curiosity, because I’m sure the piece was not valuable to begin with.
Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
(There are before and after photos of the china cabinet on my blog - posted last week - if you’d like to have a look.)
I think the sentimental value can be a huge deciding factor. I recently inherited a 42″ wooden settee that had been a wedding gift to my grandparents in 1910. It was in tough shape, torn cushions, broken springs, had been painted a few times and had trim pieces missing. It has Queen Anne legs and back but was roughly made; it had originally been shellacked and had had a faux mahogany finish… But then my 92 year-old uncle told me it was called a loveseat because you had to be in love for both of you to fit on the bench…. Sooo, I sanded off the old paint and rough areas, primed, painted and clear-finished it. I’m having a new cushion made and giving it a spot of importance in my greatroom. It was of no real value but to me it’s priceless…