I freely admit that some of my restoration pieces are “curb finds,” put out for garbage collectors to haul off to a landfill. The quality of these pieces varies. Sometimes a maker’s mark will signify who made it and when, giving me clues to its vintage and value. Otherwise, I rely on the details of the joinery and choices of wood used to indicate if they were built well.
When I can identify the prior owner, I ask where it was used it, how long they owned it, and if the piece reveals any local or family history. Combined with some internet research, this can lead to some fascinating stories, but oftentimes with curb finds I’m left to guess.
This curb find seemed to have had a hard life. Water rings and stains on the top indicated careless or clueless treatment of the finish. Stubborn red and black marker stains suggested kids used it, coloring outside the lines for sure. Patches of dried wax suggested teens or others were fond of candles. It is not made of fine hardwoods and is assembled with metal hardware. But the Arts and Craft style and compact size convinced me it could be upscaled for a new home.
My plan was to combine a natural-finished top with a painted base. A wood-paint combination bridges generations and décor, and gives a fresh look. I stripped the oak veneer top, then bleached it with oxalic acid. I replaced failed oak-banding around the top and trimmed and sanded it, leaving the nice oak grain unstained. After scuff-sanding and priming the base, I sprayed-on multiple coats of a cool-toned black, followed by three coats of a water-based matte finish over everything. The “cherry on top” is an enameled orange and black drawer pull that really pops. All ready for a new owner.
Do you own a furniture piece that you associate with a specific memory, or have a keepsake antique passed on to you from your family? Leave a comment and let me know!
Local pickup Takoma Park, MD
Dimensions: 37” L x 22” W x 18”H
$150 Cash or Venmo.
#takomaparkmd#vintagefurniture#furniturerestoration#furnitureflip#furnituremakeover#redotheold#makeitnewagain#beforeandafterfurniture#DMVmetro#restoredfurniture
I freely admit that some of my restoration pieces are “curb finds,” put out for garbage collectors to haul off to a landfill. The quality of these pieces varies. Sometimes a maker’s mark will signify who made it and when, giving me clues to its vintage and value. Otherwise, I rely on the details of the joinery and choices of wood used to indicate if they were built well.
When I can identify the prior owner, I ask where it was used it, how long they owned it, and if the piece reveals any local or family history. Combined with some internet research, this can lead to some fascinating stories, but oftentimes with curb finds I’m left to guess.
This curb find seemed to have had a hard life. Water rings and stains on the top indicated careless or clueless treatment of the finish. Stubborn red and black marker stains suggested kids used it, coloring outside the lines for sure. Patches of dried wax suggested teens or others were fond of candles. It is not made of fine hardwoods and is assembled with metal hardware. But the Arts and Craft style and compact size convinced me it could be upscaled for a new home.
My plan was to combine a natural-finished top with a painted base. A wood-paint combination bridges generations and décor, and gives a fresh look. I stripped the oak veneer top, then bleached it with oxalic acid. I replaced failed oak-banding around the top and trimmed and sanded it, leaving the nice oak grain unstained. After scuff-sanding and priming the base, I sprayed-on multiple coats of a cool-toned black, followed by three coats of a water-based matte finish over everything. The “cherry on top” is an enameled orange and black drawer pull that really pops. All ready for a new owner.
Do you own a furniture piece that you associate with a specific memory, or have a keepsake antique passed on to you from your family? Leave a comment and let me know!
Local pickup Takoma Park, MD
Dimensions: 37” L x 22” W x 18”H
$150 Cash or Venmo.
#takomaparkmd#vintagefurniture#furniturerestoration#furnitureflip#furnituremakeover#redotheold#makeitnewagain#beforeandafterfurniture#DMVmetro#restoredfurniture