"Cleanliness is next to Godliness..."

Here's a fun and not to infrequent item to the Wood Talkin shop. Yup, it's a Wash Stand. These were common and often multiple in before-there-was-indoor-plumbing homes across the United States. This one was fabricated in a North Carolina shop (see the tag below). For sure, it looks a bit shabby...right now.

As with many genuine antique items that come through the door for "refinishing," there is an appropriate and necessary tension to be discussed. It defines some options, that is, (1) between stripping the cabinet to bare wood and refinishing it in 21st century contemporary finishes (like our present lacquers or polyurethanes), or, 2) utilizing refurbishing and maintenance-type methods contemporary to the piece's "birth" period. Retaining appropriate period-techniques and methods helps these Centurian-type pieces retain their very well-earned integrity and monetary value.  

Stripping and completely updating a piece can make it "fit" the decorum of today's furniture and "feel", but it may destroy some or all of its value as an antique. So, some careful and sensitive discussion around this possible dilemma is appropriate. We want everyone to get what they want: complete, personal satisfaction!

Cabinet's top surface: lots of scratches and two deep stains

The top of this turn-of-the-18th century oak wash stand and under cabinet displayed some angry stains. In some places the finish was completely destroyed--lost. But its "harp," sides, and front displayed old (perhaps crazed and dirty), but generally salvageable finish surfaces. 

Looking across the bottom of the cabinet's floor...big warp!

So, the goal of this effort was to re-do the top using period-contempory techniques, then clean and similarly refresh the cabinet's surfaces throughout. Some structural work inside the cabinet was also needed. For example, the cabinet's only drawer moved very hesitantly; and its frame was painfully fragile. The cabinet's floor was warperd, axially, nearly 30 degrees from what should have been ''flat."

Looking inside of the cabinet's drawer frame: dark walnut "overstain"

A partial back-of-cabinet sticker: manufacture's name, model, and North Carolina location!

 

As you can see, the original finisher used a dark, walnut, stain on this piece...observe it on some internal areas as "over-stain." 

OK. That's Wood Talkin for today...fun huh! Are you listening?

Centurians Signatures

Before

After

Those dignified "Centurian Gentlemen" went home more than ten days ago already. But their presence here is still sending good vibes through the shop. Come to think of it, and as a general rule, lives lived well tend to do that. They leave a warm feeling in the hearts of people privileged enough through the years to be around them.

Comparing the "before" and "after" pic, what is most noticeable is probably the slight difference in color. The cleaning process lightened them a bit--something the customer needed so they would be a better match to an antique dining room table they would join and share. Yes, most of the scrapes and scratches from years of use--and abuse--are appropriately noticeable, but the majority of the rough edges are gone. Of course it's just part of their Centurion Signature! When we work with old guys like these. making them look like young pups is an insult. And their feel to the touch is warm and smooth; they're each wearing six coats tongue oil. What you can not see or feel is the chairs new stability--their knees don't buckle anymore! They were all "rockers,"  and now they are genteel...sturdy. (Wow, don't you wish we could all insure ourselves against the "wobbles and woes" that come with time, wear, and tear!?).

Well, that's it...Wood Talkin for today. Keep listening

Millions of Thread Miles...and counting

How many million yards of thread did this little box hold through the years? It's fun to speculate. This little cherry wood box has been around for a while, probably since the 1870's or so....my guess. It walked in the door needing some TLC. It got it.

Pic taken after a little cleaning had been done

Whenever we're working with an item like this the challenge is one of not doing too much. The question: Do we want to support it's antique integrity--look like an antique and be an antique when it's finished--or does the customer want to drag it (kicking and screaming) into the contemporary age. I use that terminology because the tools and finishes and sensibilities of the 21st century are not the tools and finishes of the 18th century.

The choice was on the side of antique integrity with this little guy. So the effort of my apprenticing son, Nathan, was one characterized by cleaning, repairing existing structural pieces, re-gluing, and refreshing surfaces. No hard sanding was done on the box's existing surfaces.

Nathan then French Polished the box. It's simple...and time consuming, a technique that really cannot be used commercially today; it's just too time-demanding. In the 1700's French Polishing became a finish technique of choice, for its general beauty--rich feel, relative durability, visual depth and color. It looks really good---don't you agree; it always feels good to look so good.

It's going to go home with a new zest for life--a marvelous, mature J&P Coats 1870's Thread Box...and strutting its stuff in the 21st century!

Nice job Nate!

And that's Wood Talkin for  today....listening is always good!

What's In the Shop this Week?

Those wonderful Old Gentlemen (above)....getting closer to going home. The bases have been pulled apart, cleaned and re-glued (60 joints!). The backs are in preparation for the same effort.

An old school desk. It has been re-glued and sanded throughout. Final finish application is in process. Hurray!

A marvelous little turn-of-the-century thread box...also nearing completion. The front will be stained, then the finish surface will be prepped and completed. 
That's Wood Talkin for today....keep listening.

Broken Bones?

Well, it may look painful, but these guys are taking it all in stride. Yes, we're talking about the refurbishing effort--a re-freshening after many years of wear and tear. Somewhere in the not too distant past these chairs received some kind of similar attention, but not to the joints. There's creeky, and then there is C-R-EEEEEE-K-Y! These are the latter...with the emphasis.

The chairs' unique wire braces have significantly complicate the effort to disassemble and handle each chair's parts and pieces. Even when the top of the chair is removed from the bottom of the chair, great care must be exercised to not crimp the wires that dangle. Also, the way the wire was long ago threaded and turned through the seats and backs makes a re-threading effort impossible. Consequently, the integrity of that effort must be preserved and my effort must work meticulously around it.

At this point in the process two chairs have been disassembled. Their joins have been cleaned and prepared for the re-gluing and clamping efforts. The third guy stands patiently in line...waiting.

That['s Wood Talkin for today....but be listening....until tomorrow.

Dick

Three Stand-Up Old Gentlemen

Wow, this is a lot of fun. Meet these three fine old gentlemen--Centurions all! I'm not going to tell you where my customers found them.   Amazing.                                           
                                      

All their joints are loose. They'll be be opened, cleaned, and re-glued. Of course, if you and I could claim 130 or so years successfully bracing ourselves against time's elements, we'd need to be cleaned up and re-glued, too. Yes, there will be something of a "trick" as I carefully work with, through, and around their wire bracing. I'll keep you updated on that challenge.

Then, the plan is to sensitively rejuvenate their finish. That effort will incorporate era-sensitive techniques that, hopefully, will do great justice to them and support their integrity as Centurions--bonifide antiques. (Aren't you jealous now?) And it's been fun listening. Since their not alone--they're together--they're carrying on a conversation with one another. Cool huh. It's so nice to have friends!

OK...That's Wood Talkin for today....and in the interests of three fine old Gentlemen...please keep listening.

Gliding Through Life

 This is an 1880's era vintage Carpet Glider. Constructed of maple throughout and upholstered in a carpet-type floral fabric, it has well-weathered the challenges of many decades. It's in wonderful condition--albeit it has dried out and gathered some recent dust.

rt and lft swing brackets

It is my esteemed privilege to have it in the shop. One of the brackets that suspend the glider's under-frame had been lost; so the carriage hung limply and couldn't be reattached. It was not difficult to do it, with the appropriate hardware in hand, and its smooth gliding movement was quickly recovered. What a wonderful invention!

The difference between a glider and a platform rocker lies in the under-frame construction and movement. The glider literally swings back and forth through an arc suspended from a frame under the seat. The platform rocker, by contrast, provides a stationery frame upon which the curved treads (rockers) rock back and forth (i.e., to-and-fro). Patents for these designs were first applied for in Europe in the late 1800's. The "patent applied for" designation is clearly observable on this glider's cast iron under-seat brackets (2)--and dated 1878. My customer's grandmother purchased this little jewel in northern Europe around the turn of the 19th century. So, yes, it's the real article!

Fun huh...and that's Wood Talkin for today. Keep listening!