The Sligh Dresser is Done

 Yup, it's ready to go home...and telling me so. Have you ever noticed how anxious furniture acts just like antsy little kids!

Two pics...same dresser

Two pictures of the dresser. It really is pretty. The Sligh Furniture Company really does some nice work; it's definitely heirloom quality stuff.










That's Wood Talkin for today. Remember to "listen."

Of Mice and Men

Sometimes the best laid plans just don't work out. That's been the situation this week here in the shop. A difficulty with the sprayer introduced some heretofore unanticipated challenges. I think all is well now, but there was some necessary back-tracking to do and a lot of time was lost.

I can well remember how that when I as a kid at home my dad would often be heard to say, "A stitch in time saves nine." It's oh so true, and this "little hole" just couldn't be seen coming before it was a big "rip." 

That's Wood Talkin for today. My sincerest best wishes for a great Memorial Day weekend!

The walnut knobs are removed for refinishing

This handsome walnut dresser was manufactured by the Sligh Furniture Company(click on this). It makes a very elegant statement. Well designed, durable and attractive its varnish finish probably dates it to the late1940's or mid-1950's. Its nicely veneered with solid walnut trim and accents over and around a solid pre-manufactured core. It comes to the shop because it's varnish has wrinkled and checked with time .

 

As you see it here it's been hand stripped and re-stained throughout. Some loose dovetail joints have been re-glued--but then those of us who have been around for at least fifty years tend to need that anyway. The dresser is happily waiting to get a lacquer sealing coat and two lacquer finish coats before buffing and final clean-up.

Check-out the progress

As I said ... this Empire era dresser gets my motor revving. So I've got to show you what's happened since we walked it in the door.  

It's seen a lot of elbow grease removing stains and spots and restoring its overall color integrity. That's been the main effort to date. Check it out. Cool huh.

 
So, we officially end the week. 

That's Wood Talkin.

1810-1837 Empire Dresser

It felt as though the other pieces in the shop stopped breathing. They were poised in acknowledgement as I carried this "fine old gentleman" in the front door. This is a piece that even gets me all twitterpated!  

Consistent with the skills of the Empire era, it's all hand made--from the flat stock on the dresser's backside including the screws and nails that hold it together and in place, to it's joints, screw and dowel holes. It's unquestionably the real deal! We're going to use some "old world" refinishing skills and techniques here. It's about historical appreciation and the preservation of INTEGRITY!

When I'm in a customer's home being introduced to a piece, usually in order to offer an estimate for its repair or refinish, I generally don't get to really SEE IT. So, developing a realistic and factual relationship with the piece is the first thing I do when it comes to the shop. I get to carefully inspect it. It's an event much like going to the doctor's office for the yearly check-up. So, I start talking to it, getting to know it personally. Hopefully it marks the beginning a pleasant conversation and a lasting friendship. 

This wise old man is quick to carry his side ... of our conversation, and he's got some really fun stories to tell about the past 192 years!

Straight slots and those horizontal lines are from the artisan's plane

To start, all the drawers are signed with the craftsman's scrawled initials. Then, on the back of the dresser I found what I suspect is the location of the shop in Milwaukee where it was made (below--and yes it's hard to read).

J. Teedeman's, 15704  Reed Street, Milwaukee

 Check out the screws (above the signature pic). Yes, they are the same diameter, but you can see irregularity in the placement of their hand-made "straight slots."

The hat pin has slid back and forth...follow the ball

Finally, here's a really unexpected find! Yes, it's a black hat pin (above) lodged in the cabinet's upper left corner at the back of the top drawer's frame and slide. It's understandably rusty and you can see it has moved back and forth--see the friction marks against the outside wall of the dresser--but there it is....and my client doesn't use hat pins! So, how long do you suppose it has it been there? Fun, huh.

Ok. There are more stories to tell and pictures to see, but we'll save them for another blog. So you better keep listening....because it's Wood Talkin for today!

Cherry Record Cabinet Update

Do you remember seeing this little beauty? Well, here she is in all her splendor. She is really special for her quarter-sawn veneer inlay in some patterns that really catch the eye and maximize the contrast and color effects. I've pulled up the "before" picture, too, and placed it (down below) so you can compare it to the way she looks now. Um mm, she is a stunner! As you can see--although barely in these pictures (sorry)--the damage to the top repaired perfectly. 

            

I suspect she was probably manufactured in the mid-to-late 1940's, and my guess is that there were a limited number made of this particular veneer pattern and design. On the bottom of the cabinet is a number, probably the number of the cabinet, i.e., number 135 of an anticipated 200 to be made.

She wants to go home and in response to her wishes the delivery is scheduled this Friday. It's been fun!

That's Wood Talkin for this morning. Keep listening ... because wood talks!