Make hay while the sun shines was certainly the motivation this week at the Redeux garage. With a drop in the humidity and a break in the excessive heat these past couple of days, progress was made in restoring several pieces of furniture.
Finally the chiffarobe has been painted! Selected as the color was a nice, soft ivory. The small carved detailing shows nicely and the overall appearance is much more inviting than the previous darker wood. The vintage character still remains, yet it now has a completely different look that will be a great addition to many rooms and uses. Thanks again to The Redhead for her help in color choice and to our friend, Jeanne Boyd for suggesting to add more depth to the color. I think you’ll be pleased with the results.
The other piece that has been completed is the small mahogany side table. Having classic lines and a lyre design at the ends, this piece has been stripped of its old, darkened shellac and given a hand-rubbed oil finish. The graining shows beautifully.
After weeks of hair pulling (not easy for me) I’ve decided how to proceed with restoring the Berkeley & Gay chest of drawers. Manufactured by a prestigious American company, this chest had seen lots of wear and some tear. Yet, it remains intact and the details and carvings add real character. But, I knew refinishing this piece was going to be a problem. My friend and on-call furniture historian, Rachel Casillo, suggested painting it in a period accurate color. A selection of 1920’s colors is being examined and surface restoration / preparation is fully under way. While a shade of blue is the strongest contender right now, other colors may go equally well. If you are thinking of adding an interesting accent or bedroom piece to your home you may want to consider this Berkeley & Gay beauty. Stop by this weekend or within the next few days or so to take a look.
Just arrived is a compact sideboard. It appears to be made of walnut and date from 1900-1925 or so. This should be ready within the week. At about 42 inches long, it’s perfect for entryways or a cozy dining room. An unusual find!
A three legged dog. That’s how my little yellow chest has been described. But, the skeptics are wrong! I see an elegant piece with beautiful lines. She’s strong with graceful curves and has all four legs. This will be a challenge, but this Golden Lady will shine again. Stop by and wish her well as she enters the Redeux Spa!More goodies are due in this weekend. I look forward to seeing you, sharing some tea and time while you browse through American furniture history at Redeux.
Thanks to you all for helping to make this such fun.
Bill
