Waiting for Spring

Winter’s quiet has finally come.

Early evenings, tea by the fire, hours with books, friends and family. Nature slows everything and everyone down in winter. It’s a time for dreams and plans.

Last month I attended a workshop conducted by Gary Wood, furniture maker and restorer extraordinaire. Waxes and their use as a finish coat for wood was the topic for this class. Interesting. Waxes have been used for centuries as a wood finish, sometimes in conjunction with other sealers / finishes and sometimes as the sole addition to raw wood. Adding colors and other ingredients to waxes is an art form in itself. Mica, talc, shell, dyes, even soot, have all been added to various waxes to enhance the look and function of furniture. The Redeux workshop will be making and adding several of these waxes to its bag of goodies.

Later this month I will be attending another workshop devoted exclusively to the restoration of vintage and antique furniture.  Field trips to discover and learn various finishing methods are also being planned for these winter months.

It has been interesting looking back at the photos of all the pieces that have been given the Redeux treatment and then found new homes the past two years. Most have been posted on the Blog or website. What a mix! From everyday pieces of furniture such as dressers and chests to one of a kind pieces such as hand made cabinets and tables to Victorian music stands and rocking chairs. Each and every piece has its own history. It has been an honor to become part of their future.

Since late November The Redhead and I have been out and about finding interesting pieces for the Spring. So far we have located a few pieces that have regularly shown up on our wish list: benches, occasional /side tables, children’s rockers, bookcases, cedar hope chests and odd pieces that will have a new life other than what they were made for (an 1800’s folding dress-makers table).  The attached photos are just “sneak peeks” at what will soon be given the Redeux make-over and made ready for new homes in the Spring.

Thanks for all of your support, encouragement and interest in Redeux American Vintage Furniture these past two years.

I'm looking forward to seeing you again, soon!

Best regards,

Bill

Giving Thanks

These past few weeks at the Redeux workshop have been busy.  Several pieces of furniture have been restored and several others have found new homes.

Two pieces were refinished using custom stains. The first was the sideboard / server that had been sitting in the workshop for a few months awaiting refinishing. After removing the old, damaged shellac this piece was re-stained using first a special “plum mahogany” color and then finished off using a medium custom walnut stain. This process took a bit longer than a one-step staining, but the patina and graining were brought out wonderfully. Since this piece was made to be used around food and drinks, an old fashioned varnish was applied as a top coat. This finish should hold up much better than the original shellac finish. This server has already been given a new home. Because this piece turned out so well I decided to use the same process on a compact “half server”.  Dating from about the 1930’s or so, this piece has some interesting detail work and can serve in a number of functions. It really looks great.

Another piece that was given the spa treatment is an oak dresser. This sturdy chest has lots of character: great patina, crackled shellac finish (the real deal, not brought about by mixing glue with paint) and classic turn of the century lines. After giving this chest a deep, gentle cleaning and then a “wood feeding” using a special, all natural, Redeux gumbo mojo, this beauty will compliment any room.

During the winter I plan to work on several pieces that have been awaiting some TLC. There is an interesting vanity with mirror that appears to have been made by an individual rather than as a production piece, a small chest of drawers and the piece I have mentioned before that will be given a stenciled top. Each of these pieces will present new challenges and opportunities. But, they are worth it. I also plan during the winter to continue to search for the special pieces that some of you have been looking for.

The second year of the Redeux Garage/Workshop being open is drawing to a close. Soon, all work will be done in the lower level of our home. To each of you, whether you stopped by once or many times, I thank you. You have given me suggestions, encouragement to try new things and an appreciation for what I try to do – revive pieces from America’s past in order that they continue being used into the future.

Hope to see you soon,

Bill

Maine Writers

Last week, several days were spent up in Maine. In addition to visiting family, it was hoped that two other purposes would be fulfilled. First, that some of the special request items asked for by many of you could be found. Secondly, I really wanted to discover some new sources of interesting vintage furniture. The trip was a great success!

Many of you have been asking for something a bit different – interesting, unusual and functional furniture pieces. Desks and accent pieces were among the most asked for items.

The first little treasure found was a country table / desk. Painted black with some gold leafing and muted color stenciling this piece also has a nice center drawer and interesting scrolled back piece. It is accompanied by a complimentary chair, also painted in black. Both pieces display decades of use and color changes, yet remain sturdy and now ready for new life in a variety of settings.

The second piece is one of the more surprising that I have found in some time. At first glance it appeared to be a tall chest of drawers made of mahogany. It had some nice lines and seemed it would be worth the effort of the refinishing it badly needed. But, surprise, surprise! This was no ordinary chest of drawers. One of the “drawers” actually folds down and, with a gentle pull, reveals a very nice desk, complete with cubby holes. This was a first for me. This chest is made by Shower Brothers Furniture, at one time the largest manufacturer of furniture in the United States. The company was an innovator of many types of furniture. But, more importantly, was an innovator of workplace conditions for its many employees. It was founded in the late 1800’s and survived until the 1940’s.  Stop by and take a look at this piece. If interested, I will make every effort to have it ready before Christmas.

Another interesting piece that was recently finished is a mahogany chest, circa 1925-1935, that has Bakelite drawer handles and inlays of various woods. The curved top is quite unique and adds another dimension to this beautiful chest of drawers.

Several of you have noticed the white painted chest with the mirror standing in the back of the shop for several weeks and awaiting some TLC. Well, this petite, 1930’s era chest has been given the attention it needed. It has been given a facelift with the lightest shade of lemon chiffon paint and has had its mirror reinstalled. “Carolyn” is now ready for a new home and she promises to make any room feel like a cottage at the Cape. She is named after Carolyn, the young lady at the Traveler Bookstore Restaurant in Union, CT. Carolyn has been very helpful to me in locating books on refinishing and American made furniture from among the numerous volumes for sale in the Traveler’s Bookstore. It’s always one of our favorite “must do” stops on our trips to Maine. It is located just south of Sturbridge Village along I-84. After last week’s stop coming back from Maine, my library now includes a great book on refinishing period antiques and Shaker furniture design and finishes. Thanks again, Carolyn.

As the colder weather becomes more frequent, some of the work at Redeux may need to be done indoors rather than out in the shop. So, if you don’t see me out in the garage, I’m probably working in the lower level workroom inside. Just ring the doorbell.

Looking forward to seeing you again, soon!

Bill

Meyers - Briggs for Furniture

Meyers – Briggs is the psychological assessment of preferences and of how people perceive the world and make decisions. It is used by businesses, corporations and universities for job placements and individuals for career / job changing decisions.

The Meyers –Briggs test has been used with great success for many years and is particularly useful today for individuals needing to make job changes. But, the full potential of this test has not been reached until now. Redeux Vintage Furniture is now using this assessment for many of the furniture pieces coning into the shop. That’s right; Redeux looks at the Big Picture!

Some furniture pieces, like people, are quite happy doing what they are doing. But, some want a career change or a change of scenery. Sometimes both. Take for instance the piece pictured at top. Once it was consigned to heavy duty use in a country kitchen in Maine. After applying the M-B test it indicated that it was ready to relocate and was open for a job change such as office work, assisting a writer or to again take up residence in a cozy kitchen but with folks that really appreciated it.

The Mission Desk also is benefiting from M-B. Once relegated to a school, this fellow is seeking something in a more genteel setting. Perhaps a university office or a home office or library would be more to his liking. He loves books.

Thanks to my friend Cheryl Schwartz for introducing me to Meyers- Briggs. I’ll bet she never considered its potential in furniture restoration!

Several folks that admired the small corner hutch we had a while back have asked me to try to find another. Here it is! It will work great in smaller dining rooms or kitchens for displaying your special pottery, cookbooks, etc.

A small rocker is now ready. This little guy has been hanging around the Redeux shop for a while, just begging for attention. It’s now available for a new home and would be ideal for more petite ladies or older children. This style rocker was originally used for quilters/sewers and/or mothers.

Several pieces are in the process of being painted. Redeux is experimenting with a new line of water-based and also a natural oil-based paint product. Stop by to see the work and the pieces now available.The above photo shows a re-worked table / bench that would be ideal for several uses including a display piece for collectibles, photos, plants, or to hold a t.v. or audio equipment. In the right setting it might also be a very interesting coffee type table. It will have a black painted top (first coat shown) and a natural finish on the legs and apron.

With Fall now here I am working as quickly as possible to catch up on furniture pieces folks have asked for as well as some pieces needing stripping. In addition to our Wednesday through Saturday hours, look for our “Rocking Chair” sign on the garage that indicates work is going on inside. Stop in!

Hope to see you again soon. Tea is always on.

Bill

An American Princess

Have you ever seen a photograph of an aged princess and wondered what she might have looked like in her youth?


On our recent trip to Maine we actually met one. When we first met her she was sitting, aloof, by herself. There were a few acquaintances of hers, recently met, hovering nearby, but none had any real idea of who she was…or had been. How could they?

Scars from some unfortunate accident mingled with those of abuse. How this might have happened to such a one as her is anyone’s guess. But, happen it did. Some type of reconstructive surgery had not gone well, either. When the Redhead and I approached her she started to tremble a bit. Her legs, while still shapely, were weak from age and seemed barely able to support her. “How are you”, we asked, not knowing what else to say. No answer. She knew we could see for ourselves how she was. Bending down, I asked if there was anything we could do for her. Quietly, very slowly, she answered, “Take me away from here”. We did. A request from a princess cannot be refused.

Grace is a true American Princess (yes, America does have princesses). She has the lineage of a somewhat rural bloodline, rather than that of a capitol city such as New York, Boston or Philadelphia. Yet, the signs are there. Grace is now undergoing some surgery and spa treatment at Redeux. She welcomes visitors, even during this sometimes painful period. Such a lady! After her makeover, Grace, herself, will choose where she will reside in the future. Isn’t that just the way with royalty!

Hitching a ride back from Maine with Princess Grace were two sturdy fellows. One was an oak Mission style desk and the other was a nice looking, compact, farm table that could very well be a desk since it has a nice drawer. It, too, is made from oak. The desk should be ready by this weekend. The table can be ready soon afterwards.

Just back from the spa is a display cabinet / bookcase. With glass doors and sides it can really show off any collection. It is finished in a nice shade of green with black distressed undertones. Small wheels add to its charm and convenience.


Some folks have asked for pieces that would be a nice addition to a hallway or entryway. Two of our large mirrored chests would do very nicely. One has a marble top. Both have plenty of room for gloves, scarves, umbrellas or would make a handy place for arriving guests to place their hats, etc. Of course, being practical additions to a dining room or large bedroom would be suitable as well. Stop by and take a look.


Hope to see you again very soon!


Best regards,


Bill