Looking at an old oak table and chairs can make you feel like you are stuck in the 1970’s but it is possible to update an old finish that will look right at home in todays dining rooms. This set had some big positives going for it like all solid wood and a 24″ self storing leaf. What it really needed was to get rid of the old orange finish … Read More
When is it better to save the original finish on a piece instead of stripping or sanding to bare wood? That is what I ran into with this old dresser where the finish had darkened and alligatored over the years. There was much work to be done inside. Beginning with gluing loose dovetails and replacing drawer bottoms to adding missing drawer guides and drawer stops to prevent drawers from tipping … Read More
What do you do when you have quality furniture with sentimental value that just really isn’t your style? A customer came to me with exactly that situation, three pieces of Stanley furniture that was gorgeous in its day but was in need of a fresh update to be beautiful today. We talked through ideas and possibilities for redesigning and decided on a Modern Farmhouse Restyle. The three pieces would be … Read More
This well built oak buffet was dated but with a few simple updates and a change of color it would get a whole new life. For this update the two main changes I will be making are to refinish the top in Antique Walnut and remove the center door to make an open shelf space. Supplies Used TSP General Finishes Gel Stain Antique WalnutFusion Mineral Paint Bayberry Fusion Antiquing Glaze … Read More
This project is a simple repaint and stain that will give this buffet a classy and current style. It is a perfect piece for this update as its smaller size is very versatile in todays decorating. Prep work for this included washing with TSP and scuff sanding with 220 grit before painting with General Finishes Alabaster Milk paint. If I do this again I will prime with BIN first to … Read More
General Finishes, Blue Moon paint, paired with a lighter stain make a big change from the dated original dark oak finish in this Table and Chairs Makeover. This table came to me in need of refinishing. The finish on the table top and chair seats was worn. My plan was to strip, sand and refinish the table top and chair seats in a lighter stain and paint the rest with … Read More
I saw potential in these two craftsman style solid wood tables. They where showing their age and the orange finish made them look old but I saw an opportunity to restyle the coffee and sofa tables in Alabaster white and the tops in driftwood gray. I began by giving the tables a good cleaning with TSP to remove the years of built up dirt. Then using my jigsaw I cut … Read More
This project came to me in need of a complete restoration. After repairs had been made and refinished with a rustic paint technique, the completed Antique Dresser Restoration is ready to wow and be useful again. This dresser was in such bad shape it took a lot of imagination to see what it could be. This project began with repairing many loose joints and drawer runners in the dresser cabinet. … Read More