Experimentation has been the driving force at Redeux this past week as has been the continuing urge to revive some very distressed items.
I’ve been trying to come up with a standard finish for the pieces that need it. This may be impossible because of the differing types of woods in the furniture we get. Still, I’m trying to formulate a low-luster finish that will bring out the deep tones within the woods without being an obvious presence. I’m trying differing mixes of shellac, a special varnish and, of course, Tung oil. This last finish could only be applied over completely stripped wood or wood that was never given a coat of the other finishes. Whatever I come up with, it will enhance the look of each piece. Never fear, polyurethane will never be used at Redeux.
This weekend I was given a small wheeled-leg chest / cabinet to perform some type of magic on. Keeping in mind that I am not in the refinishing business, I wonder why I keep taking in these little orphans. But I do and am usually glad I did. This piece dates from about 1900-1930. When finished it should make a nice addition to a den, office, hallway – anywhere an interesting piece is needed for storage or display. Stop by this week and see how this project comes along.
Most of the lamps, table and other items that came in last week are now priced and ready for sale. Very different.
The Redeux wish list is growing from all of our customers letting me know what it is they are looking for. We were asked for oak bureaus/chests and we got a nice one in as well as an interesting piece for a coffee table.
We will be open Saturday July 4th from 9-3:00 or so. As a recognition of our fellow citizens who are serving in the Armed Forces, any Active Duty/ Reserve military will receive a special thank you at our shop this Friday or Saturday.
Thank you all again for helping to make Redeux such a success and joy!
Bill Giblin
June 29, 2009
June 25, 2009
It has been a productive few days at Redeux this week. Several pieces were made ready for sale and a new item, a nice chest-on-chest dresser, came into the shop Friday. The newly arrived oak chest and coffee table are all ready for you to come see as well as the oak table with the undreside scrolling and shelf. We have several new lamps in stock now and they should be ready for sale this weekend. They date in age from about the 1930's, the 1940's and early 1950's. All are very nice and very different!
For the next several days I hope to be able to restore several items that have been on my "to do" list. These items include a nice little side table that has seen some hard times but shows some really nice potential of becoming a nice addition to someone's living room, the J. Wanamaker secretary desk that has been in the shop awaiting some attention for a few weeks and the very unique farm table that we found last week. And, there are several really interesting chairs that will be given the attention they deserve, too. They will be ready for your consideration within a few days.
Stop by the Redeux garage shop and have a look! And a very sincere thank you to everyone that has come by this week.
Additional photos of the new items in stock will be posted here and on the website: http://www.furnituredeux.com/
Best regards,
Bill
Maine trip
We’ve just returned from our trip to the Maine coast. In the past, while either vacationing or visiting family, antique browsing was an enjoyable activity. This trip, however, was very different. Other than being with family, finding vintage furniture suitable for our Redeux customers was a priority. Our search took us from the New Hampshire border to Kennebunk and encompassed the area from the coast to about 20 miles inland.
Like here at home, there were tons of antique dealers offering their goods. Yet, finding interesting pieces that fit with our Redeux philosophy of offering good vintage furniture at affordable prices was every bit the challenge it is at home. We came away with a few pieces that we will be offering this week, including a nice chest of drawers made from oak that probably dates from the 1900-1930 era and an unusual oak piece that could be used for a variety of purposes but we thought it would make a very interesting coffee table. Quite a few customers have asked for just such a piece this past 2 weeks or so. Originally it may have been a “slipper case”. It is certainly a conversation piece and is the perfect height and length to sit in front of the sofa. It has a special feature that I’ll show you when you stop by!
Also, this week we will have a number of other new additions: An oak table that may have come from a library, several interesting chairs and a floor lamp. Pictures will be posted soon or sent at your request.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Bill
Like here at home, there were tons of antique dealers offering their goods. Yet, finding interesting pieces that fit with our Redeux philosophy of offering good vintage furniture at affordable prices was every bit the challenge it is at home. We came away with a few pieces that we will be offering this week, including a nice chest of drawers made from oak that probably dates from the 1900-1930 era and an unusual oak piece that could be used for a variety of purposes but we thought it would make a very interesting coffee table. Quite a few customers have asked for just such a piece this past 2 weeks or so. Originally it may have been a “slipper case”. It is certainly a conversation piece and is the perfect height and length to sit in front of the sofa. It has a special feature that I’ll show you when you stop by!
Also, this week we will have a number of other new additions: An oak table that may have come from a library, several interesting chairs and a floor lamp. Pictures will be posted soon or sent at your request.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Bill
June 17, 2009
Newly arrived 6/17/09
This past week has been busy at Redeux Vintage Furniture. Several projects have been completed: two china cabinets have been restored to a beautiful condition, a small side or sofa table has been added to our inventory. The small, square mahogany that I have been working on is completed, as is the older turtle back table with drawer.
Newly arrived is an oak kitchen / dining table. It probably dates from the very early turn of the last century (1895 – 1915). It has some unusual decorations to the lower section, reminiscent of German or Eastern European wood working but most likely was made in Pennsylvania. This table is in need of some cosmetic TLC but is very strong and suitable for various dining uses. An extension leaf is also missing as are the table’s original leg castors. These may be replaced / fabricated if desired. I can recommend an excellent refinisher in the area. Also, this week, a nice round side table with skirting came in. I am working on this presently and will post some photos of the work in progress on the Redeux website http://furnituredeux.com/. Lastly, a nice desk was found. Desks are a very popular item at "The Redeux Garage" this one has a leather inlay top. I will be working on this piece, too, and hope to have it ready by the weekend.
All in all, Redeux has been very busy. Several pieces are gone including the beautiful china cabinet with lattice front and one of my favorite items, the maple Wisconsin Chair Company kitchen table set. Most likely made during the Great Depression, it had not only survived but thrived over the many years. It is surely a good luck piece. It has found a new home with a lovely local family.
Stop by and see all the new items or just to say hello!
Bill
Newly arrived is an oak kitchen / dining table. It probably dates from the very early turn of the last century (1895 – 1915). It has some unusual decorations to the lower section, reminiscent of German or Eastern European wood working but most likely was made in Pennsylvania. This table is in need of some cosmetic TLC but is very strong and suitable for various dining uses. An extension leaf is also missing as are the table’s original leg castors. These may be replaced / fabricated if desired. I can recommend an excellent refinisher in the area. Also, this week, a nice round side table with skirting came in. I am working on this presently and will post some photos of the work in progress on the Redeux website http://furnituredeux.com/. Lastly, a nice desk was found. Desks are a very popular item at "The Redeux Garage" this one has a leather inlay top. I will be working on this piece, too, and hope to have it ready by the weekend.
All in all, Redeux has been very busy. Several pieces are gone including the beautiful china cabinet with lattice front and one of my favorite items, the maple Wisconsin Chair Company kitchen table set. Most likely made during the Great Depression, it had not only survived but thrived over the many years. It is surely a good luck piece. It has found a new home with a lovely local family.
Stop by and see all the new items or just to say hello!
Bill
June 14, 2009
Quality Costs Less
This past week at the Redeux garage shop was especially busy and productive. Two china cabinets and an end table were given facelifts and are ready for sale. I’m pleased with the results and am always amazed by the quality of the vintage furniture we have. I was struck by this on Saturday evening when Debbie and I took a ride just to get out and wound up browsing through several well known overstock/salvage stores upstate (yes, I know, that's some date night!)
As we checked out everything from wash cloths made from cheesecloth (I actually bought these – great for wiping down furniture and discarding them after one use) to house wares (no bargains there) we walked through the furniture section. The area had quite a few shoppers, including college kids looking for bargain furniture to fill their dorm rooms or apartments with. They were discussing the colors and features of the bureaus, chairs and desks they would need. What struck me was the cheapness of the items and the high prices. Assemble-it– yourself, pressed wood night stands were selling for $80-$95, chests of drawers were listed for $300 and up and computer desks started at $75 and went as high as $150. I’ve bought this type of “furniture” myself in years gone by and know most of this furniture would be trash before the end of the school year, and not necessarily from abuse. Like many things being sold today, it’s disposable. The contrast between what we saw Saturday and what we have at Redeux is striking. Most of our pieces have lasted generations and are still going strong; and sell for a whole lot less than the kit pieces at the “discount” stores.
This coming week I’ll be concentrating on locating several items that folks stopping by the shop have requested. Desks are very popular and this past week we also had several requests for night tables and coffee tables.
Answer to question posted at Getting It, (the first Redeux post), (you can read the question in the Comments section): The questioner asked what I knew about a stamp placed on a piece of folding furniture made by the Lorraine Company. The stamp was issued by the Labor Department of the State of Connecticut.
My reply: The chairs (circa 1950 -1970) seem to be from the Lorraine Novelty Company which was located on Railroad & Hancock Avenues in Bridgeport, CT. This company manufactured /imported many types of novelty items including a folding chair / table set. The company had two divisions. The chairs were actually part of the Leggo toy company and the other Lorraine division was Carnivale Toys which had, I believe, all sorts of novelty toys.
The chair seats and some table tops were padded, thus requiring the stamp you mentioned issued from the State of CT. This stamp was required to be affixed on all furniture that was upholstered or that contained filling, such as mattresses. The CT Department of Labor includes the former CT Department of Factory Inspection, thus the inspection stamp issuing from the Labor Department.
Thanks to everyone for their response to Redeux!
As we checked out everything from wash cloths made from cheesecloth (I actually bought these – great for wiping down furniture and discarding them after one use) to house wares (no bargains there) we walked through the furniture section. The area had quite a few shoppers, including college kids looking for bargain furniture to fill their dorm rooms or apartments with. They were discussing the colors and features of the bureaus, chairs and desks they would need. What struck me was the cheapness of the items and the high prices. Assemble-it– yourself, pressed wood night stands were selling for $80-$95, chests of drawers were listed for $300 and up and computer desks started at $75 and went as high as $150. I’ve bought this type of “furniture” myself in years gone by and know most of this furniture would be trash before the end of the school year, and not necessarily from abuse. Like many things being sold today, it’s disposable. The contrast between what we saw Saturday and what we have at Redeux is striking. Most of our pieces have lasted generations and are still going strong; and sell for a whole lot less than the kit pieces at the “discount” stores.
This coming week I’ll be concentrating on locating several items that folks stopping by the shop have requested. Desks are very popular and this past week we also had several requests for night tables and coffee tables.
Answer to question posted at Getting It, (the first Redeux post), (you can read the question in the Comments section): The questioner asked what I knew about a stamp placed on a piece of folding furniture made by the Lorraine Company. The stamp was issued by the Labor Department of the State of Connecticut.
My reply: The chairs (circa 1950 -1970) seem to be from the Lorraine Novelty Company which was located on Railroad & Hancock Avenues in Bridgeport, CT. This company manufactured /imported many types of novelty items including a folding chair / table set. The company had two divisions. The chairs were actually part of the Leggo toy company and the other Lorraine division was Carnivale Toys which had, I believe, all sorts of novelty toys.
The chair seats and some table tops were padded, thus requiring the stamp you mentioned issued from the State of CT. This stamp was required to be affixed on all furniture that was upholstered or that contained filling, such as mattresses. The CT Department of Labor includes the former CT Department of Factory Inspection, thus the inspection stamp issuing from the Labor Department.
Thanks to everyone for their response to Redeux!
June 10, 2009
Getting it.
For the past several months I have taken a leave from my previous career in real estate - 15 or so years in which I have seen ups and downs in the market with extraordinary price rises and drops and many interesting situations. My clients always received my best advice and insight. I've also had the pleasure of meeting and working with some pretty remarkable folks and making quite a few friends. Yet, there was always something unsettling about much of it. I wasn't following advice I always gave: "Do what you love and everything you need will follow". I certainly did this during my previous career in law enforcement with Connecticut's largest municipality; it was a vocation, not a job. Somehow, I just wasn't "getting it".
It's funny what will bring about a decision or a life change. Debbie and I had been searching for a piece of furniture for some time. We both love older American furniture - and a bargain. We found just the right piece in a little shop in upstate Connecticut, nestled within the town's antique alley. After several return visits and even a stint running the shop while the owner went out of town for a week, I got the feeling that I was onto something. Well, after much discussion with Debbie and also with my long-time friend, mentor and first boss in real estate, Joe Formato, I knew what I had to do.
So, here we are, just one month into my business: Redeux Vintage Furniture. Combining all of my skills from previous jobs and careers, combing through every possible source for just the right piece of furniture, taking it back to "the shop", fixing, cleaning and bringing it back to life and offering it for sale to just the right buyer has become, so far, more than I hoped for. The help and encouragement I have received from everyone has been both surprising and overwhelming. My decision to work with only American made furniture and lighting is not only my great interest but also seems the right thing to do, especially in these times. Everyone that comes into the shop is amazed at the quality and beauty of each piece. They come away, whether they buy then or not, with a little bit of American history - the story of how America built the best, to last a lifetime.
And, once again, I am getting it".
It's funny what will bring about a decision or a life change. Debbie and I had been searching for a piece of furniture for some time. We both love older American furniture - and a bargain. We found just the right piece in a little shop in upstate Connecticut, nestled within the town's antique alley. After several return visits and even a stint running the shop while the owner went out of town for a week, I got the feeling that I was onto something. Well, after much discussion with Debbie and also with my long-time friend, mentor and first boss in real estate, Joe Formato, I knew what I had to do.
So, here we are, just one month into my business: Redeux Vintage Furniture. Combining all of my skills from previous jobs and careers, combing through every possible source for just the right piece of furniture, taking it back to "the shop", fixing, cleaning and bringing it back to life and offering it for sale to just the right buyer has become, so far, more than I hoped for. The help and encouragement I have received from everyone has been both surprising and overwhelming. My decision to work with only American made furniture and lighting is not only my great interest but also seems the right thing to do, especially in these times. Everyone that comes into the shop is amazed at the quality and beauty of each piece. They come away, whether they buy then or not, with a little bit of American history - the story of how America built the best, to last a lifetime.
And, once again, I am getting it".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
