Avoiding Furniture Damage

Refinishing and restoring furniture reveals that most defects, blemishes and damage can be corrected or at least minimized. Doing so while still protecting and preserving the initial integrity and antique or vintage quality of a piece requires much thought, skill and understanding of what, exactly, a piece is. It is interesting, too, to find how much damage is often done to furniture by either neglect or willingly. The vintage piece I am currently working on is a prime example of both types of damage often found by furniture restorers.

Initially, most apparent was the damage visible to the dresser's top and the improper installation of drawer hardware. The top damage seems to be the result of perfumes and other liquids having an alcohol base spilling and leaking onto the wood surface. Besides damaging the varnish / shellac finish, there is some stain damage to the underlying wood. This is likely the result of some of the spilled products having had a tint added to their ingredients or of having sat in one place on the dresser for an extended time. Other discovered damage included holes drilled into the drawer fronts to accommodate the mismatched hardware, duct tape used to secure loose drawer bottoms and some nails used to strengthen drawer joints. All of this damage was very unnecessary.

Here are some simple tips in order to avoid some of these very common problems on your own furniture:

Always use a make-up tray to store your perfumes, lotions, after-shaves, etc. These can be very simple trays or more elaborate, decorative trays with glass, mirrored or stone bottoms. Whatever the material, the bottoms of the tray should be non-porous.

Never place a hot or cold cup or glass on furniture. Always use coasters or pads.

Tighten drawer pulls and handles properly. Loose hardware can damage the furniture finish when it moves from side to side.

If a drawer is loose do not nail it. Instead, use the correct type of glue: carpenters glue or hide glue. Never use “crazy glue” or duct tape on your furniture.

Use a quality furniture polish or wax sparingly on your furniture. Avoid using products with silicone. They do make the wood look shiny but they also choke it. Mostly, dusting is sufficient with only periodic, once or twice per year, polishing or waxing.

If you have any questions about what to do with a particular piece call me or stop by. Remember to look for the Redeux Rocking Chair sign out front. When it's up...I'm in. Stop and say hello!

Now, back to the Redeux Spa to continue restoring my newest treasure!

Getting off the rocker

Have you ever come to the realization that too large an amount of time has passed while you were distracted from what you were supposed to be doing? Exactly that happened while moving the furniture to the Redeux “winter quarters”.

Had I known how much stuff had been accumulated in the workroom and how long it would take to get rid of or organize, I would have started in August rather than December! It wasn’t a complete loss, however. A photo album of the kids when they were little (how did that get there?) and a few other interesting tidbits were found, making the effort all worthwhile. In addition, an older Oreck air filter was found and put into use again. The “Redeux workroom” has never been better.

During these past few weeks I also managed to take a class on wood finishes with a master wood worker/restorer from Vermont. Several interesting tips, methods and insights, as well as being introduced to some great materials – waxes, stains and various sandpapers, made the time spent very worthwhile.

Now, back to work. I need it.

Working with the furniture has always been a pleasure. But, it has become more. Each piece I touch brings thoughts of the many folks that built it and then used it over the many decades. When it leaves Redeux, each piece begins a new life. And I wonder, where it will be and who will be using it 20, 40 or 100 years from now.

Redeux started as a hobby. Each of you has made it a gift.

Since getting back to work a nice little oak chest has been given the “Redeux treatment”. A new set of period-correct hardware pulls were also installed. There is some checking and board shrinkage on the top that adds character. See the photo.

Just in is a dresser that appears to be 80-100 years old. It has legs with wheels and a small top crown. The current hardware is not original and does not match. After re-working it, this piece will be given proper hardware. It may be made of cherry, but, only after some work will I be able to tell. It’s very nice, with graceful, simple lines.

Several of you on the list have asked when you can come around and take a look at some pieces. The idea of putting the tag sale sign in front of the garage doors did not work well. So, give me a call to arrange a time. Or, if passing by, look for the red sign with a rocking chair hanging in front of the garage. Then, I’m inside working away. Come around to the back or ring the front doorbell. Again, this is only for you folks that have been by before and are on the list.

I look forward to seeing you and... tea is always on!

Bill

Holiday Furniture

Holiday furniture? Of course!

In selecting the last two pieces of furniture that Redeux is likely to restore before the end of the year (in addition to a few special requests) I chose what may be best put to use during the holidays.

Everyone needs a server and this compact mahogany server/console seemed just the right choice. Likely dating from the early 1900's, this piece was truly a diamond in the rough when it was first seen. Decades of wear and tear hid its underlying beauty. Having simple, understated lines this server can go with any decor and have many uses. First, it was stripped, then given an "evening coat" of oil stain and then several coats of oil top finish. The original brass drawer and door pulls were cleaned and now shine, while retaining their aged patina.

The Christmas and Chanukah season is one in which there is much joy and activity, yet also lots of time to sit quietly with family, friends and yourself. For this reason, I chose to restore a Victorian rocker. Nothing could be better than sitting and chatting or reading to "little ones" or a dear friend while slowly rocking in this beautifully carved, padded seat (with coil springs!) rocking chair. This is a real beauty.



If you would like to see these or any other items before Christmas you can do so Friday 12/18, 9:00- 2:30 or Saturday 12/19, 9:00-1:00. Just call ahead of arriving: 203-414-1727 or 203-254-2017.



Around December 28th the remaining furniture will be taken to the Redeux winter quarters inside. Only you on this list will be invited to the Redeux Winter Quarters. Look for the sign out by the garage doors or just call to ensure I'm here if you'd like to stop by and browse.

Thank you ... and wishing you all a very blessed, happy and joyous Christmas!

Bill

Finishing

As November draws to a close Redeux Vintage Furniture is beginning the move indoors. Slowly, until after the first of the year, pieces needing painting, staining or oiling will be taken to our lower level.

So, for all of you on the Redeux mail list, our “winter shop” will be open just for you. Look for the “Furniture Tag Sale” sign in front of the garage doors – that will be the indicator that I am open and working inside. Just come to the door. Call ahead if you’d like: 203-254-2017 / 203-414-1727.

With the onset of the colder weather I really had intended to consolidate the pieces on hand to make the move indoors a bit easier. However, we've gotten in several items that I just could not resist – or leave homeless. These include:

A small, console type chest with drawers at the top and doors below. It is dark mahogany.

Two oak chests, both having curved tops. One seems to date from the late 1800’s; the other from about 1910-1930 or so.

A very nice oak chest with pivoting mirror.

A chest of drawers that appears to be walnut with a gold stenciling on the front. The design is quite different and is pictured here:

Note the drawer pulls that appear to be original– they appear to have Bakelite incorporated into their design. This would date the piece to the Depression 1930’s.

A sideboard/server also was located. For those of you looking for an elegant piece that is not quite so “heavy” looking as the darker mahogany ones we’ve had this may be right for you.

Just finished is an oak dresser that has been stripped of its old, damaged varnish and given an “evening” coat of stain and then hand-rubbed with oil. New period-correct brass hardware has been added. This is a sturdy, handsome piece. The "before and after" pictures are at the top of this posting.

Just refinished, too, is an oak bed frame with a trundle-type of frame to accomodate a sleep-over guest. The piece seems to date from the late 1800's and has wonderful detailing. It is a bit smaller in size than a modern twin so it would be quite suitable for not too tall folks (up to about 5'8" ) and children. A mattress company in Hamden can custom make a quality mattress for this bed at a reasonable price. This is a very special piece! Ask me for more details

There are also a number of other wonderful pieces ready for a new home!

Working in the garage these past few months has given me the opportunity to chat with all of you and the question of why I choose what finish for which piece often comes up.

Each piece is different and has its own personality, so to speak. Sometimes, it takes several weeks to figure out the best approach for restoring an old chest, table or server. Once in a while I’ll know what to do the first time I see a piece of furniture – regardless of its current condition. Concentrating on only American-made wood furniture built before 1950 makes the job a bit easier. Quality and craftsmanship, so often in short supply in modern furniture, was the rule of thumb back then. Restoring these furniture pieces is both a privilege and joy.

But, back to the finishes. I prefer oil stains and paints over water-based products. While requiring a bit more care in application, they are much more attractive, durable and better for the wood.

The same with the top coating on stained wood furniture. Varnishes and shellacs have their place and have been around almost forever. Yet, more and more, I find myself drawn to giving a piece, when appropriate, a hand- rubbed oil finish. Boiled Linseed oil is my preferred method and each piece gets at least 2 to 3 applications of the oil. This oil finish provides a durable, water and scratch resistant top coat. The oil penetrates the wood fibers and actually gives them more strength. An oil finish is also resistant to heat damage – great for table tops! Re-touching later is fairly easy, too.

Thank you, again. You have made Redeux such a joy and I look forward to seeing you again very soon. Remember to look for the sign in front of the garage - or just call.

Bill

Fall at Redeux

The time has come…or is at least very close. Work at the Redeux Garage has become very sporadic lately due to the weather. Paints, glues, varnishes and stains just don’t like the chilly temps and have become a bit sluggish and unpredictable. But, not to worry.

As I mentioned a while back, work will soon begin commencing in the house. So, you may not see the garage doors open and me working inside as often as before. However, this is what we’ll do and see how it works out: I’ll try to have all pieces of furniture photographed and posted on the web site or sent out via this Blog. Whenever possible the doors to the Redeux Garage will be open. If I’m not out there working away just ring the doorbell. When the weather is really cold or inclement the doors may be closed but if you’d like to see something either call ahead (203-414-1727) or come to the door. This arrangement is only for you that have stopped by before. At some point, right after the first of the year, all the pieces will be taken inside and you’ll be able to browse, have a cup of tea by the fire and chat while I am working on something in our lower level. Again, just call or look for the sign to know I’m working away on some new and interesting treasure. Also, many of you have stopped by after work. With darkness now coming before 5:00 P.M. it is difficult to work in the garage. So, look for the sign in front of the well-lit Redeux Garage to see if we’re around; usually Tuesday thru Friday 1:00 until 5:30 and Saturdays 9:00 until 3:00 is a safe bet. Call me to ensure we don’t miss one another (203-414-1727).

Speaking of interesting treasures, the birdseye maple chest has been finished. When it was first found the top was badly damaged from liquids with alcohol (perfume, after shaves, etc.) and some drawer pulls were missing. Well, the top has been stripped, re-stained and given a hand-rubbed oil finish. I used this technique in order to minimize the chances of the same type of damage happening again. The drawers have been refitted with great looking pulls while keeping the original backing plates. The remainder of the chest has been refurbished as well and the birdseye graining of the top and the tiger stripe maple front and sides make this a very attractive piece.

The old oak chest that has been sitting in the front of the garage for some time has been stripped and the drawers re-glued. It will be given a coat of light to medium stain and then my favorite hand rubbed oil finish. Working with the oil finish continues to be my favorite final coat. It has low luster, shows the wood grains beautifully, and actually gives strength to the wood fibers when it soaks in and hardens and is fairly low maintenance. And, it is very traditional. Stop by and see this beauty.

The tall chiffarobe is getting more prepping but will be ready for the Redeux Spa soon. This piece will probably be painted the same deep red as the chest but may have a few special highlights added. Together, they would make a great looking bedroom set!

A new piece just arrived and will be given the fast track to the spa because it is such a great find. Made of oak, this approximately 1890 – 1920 era chest with a large tilting mirror would be a great hall or bedroom piece. I’ll post pics asap but feel free to stop by beforehand. There is also a nice little serving cart that I plan to have ready before long. It needs to be refinished so some of the final finishing may take place inside.

Finally, if you are looking for something special let me know. For the coming few months I will be concentrating on finding “special requests” and more unique, more compact pieces. Also, if you have a piece of furniture you no longer need, give me a call. There are a few of you that I need to arrange meeting with.

Thanks again to all of you.

Bill