A Happy Reunion

It's always a surprise to me
how these "inanimate pieces of furniture" become homesick in the same way people do. No kidding, these pieces predictably start whining about their need to go home. Just like people it appears these pieces miss the familiar sounds, smells, surroundings, and of course the comings and goings of special people, all of which make their existence fun and exciting--worth while. After all, I guess, how is a self-respecting heirloom hutch to "think" of itself if there's nobody around who remembers and can tell it's story? (Glance back at the Oct 21st post to see what this top was like before!)

So, it was time to go home. This honey of a Cherry Hutch was really ready to get back to the music studio. Hence, these parting shots--these "hugs and kisses in goodbye fashion"--testify to a handsome face lift (a phrase oh so respectfully submitted) describing the purpose and intent of the hutch's brief vacation at the Wood Talkin "boutique." Bon Vie!

Cherry Hutch: It's A Real Honey

This beautiful little Cherry Hutch appears to have been part of a school or other institutional-type collection. It's been a family member for at least the past two generations. So, right now it belongs to a Denver area musician and music teacher. It sets proudly in her studio, a fine piece probably manufactured as part of a set in the early 1900's. Any other pieces to the set are gone, so it stands alone "taking notes" (i.e., keeping track of sheet music) in her studio.

Ugh. At some point along its life path it held a potted plant on its top. As often happens this was something of a convenient place for a plant, but it was a threatening destination for the occasional over- watering events that predictably occur to impact the top. Consequently, it had become badly water stained and the wood was split and crazed.

So with a piece like this the challenge becomes that of retaining the integrity of as much of the original finish as possible. In general, its surfaces, throughout, remain amazingly clear, clean, and un-crazed. The lacquer is old and it appears more "tired (dead)" in some areas (e.g., the top) than in others (e.g., the inside of the door). But overall, once we address issues in the top, we'll work to support the original finish. So, we'll not disturb it's look and feel any more than we need to revitalize it around the sides (but not inside).

The "Old German Steamer Trunk"...an Update

This old trunk really generated some attention around here. Not because of some unique or particular beauty...at least not to the eye...but because of its story and the secrets it still keeps. From an art/craftsman's perspective the old trunk is a "treasure chest." Everything about it is hand made. From its hand-crafted dowels and dove joints, then its nails, hinges, and metal straps--all hammered out on an anvil--, to its locking mechanism and skeleton keys. This was really fun stuff!

Everything we did with the trunk demanded respect for the story it tells and for the secrets it continues to keep. We were glad to offer it...and delighted to have some part, albeit a very small, contributing to the idea that other people will enjoy it too.

A Quick Postscript re., "Oopsey!"

Ugh. Our customer wasn't 100% on this one. There was question about the color match and the "smoothness" of the drawer front's finish. It happens. When customer satisfaction is in question our goal is to make it right...consistent with industry standards. In this case the choice of another finish material and an adjustment to the color are appropriate responses. As a general rule maintaining a collaborative relationship is the key to mutual satisfaction.

"Oopsey!"... It's one of the reasons I can serve you.

Here are three drawers, all part of a matched set complimenting a baby's attractive changing table. I suggest they are all white, but alas, we all know white is rarely just "white." It's a secret blend of reds, or blues, or yellows.

As a Re-finisher I have not so secretly wondered if the formula for "White" has been (but other colors often suffer the same manipulation) concocted to make life more fun for me and others, like me, who just want to serve customers successfully. (I've learned to place such emotionally muscular exercises in the category of character development.)

The story behind this: The changing table enclosing these drawers was newly purchased and happily on its way home when, "Oopsie daisies," they spilled out and onto the ground. The smallest one took the worst of the insult. It landed smack on its decorative corner crushing it quite severely. No it was not a pretty site. The others sustained comparatively superficial damages with scrapes and chips here and there. And that's where the issue of "white" comes into the story.

Matching colors is always something of an adventure--and it's always doable. This "white" was no exception. So wow, look at them now! (OK, the picture isn't the best and really doesn't do the situation justice.) The picture does offer the general idea. They will all soon be reunited with the dresser and everyone, including the much anticipated baby, will be beneficiaries; a little story albeit a contributing preface in an obviously longer and more novel adventure....serendipitously interrupted in the tradition of "Wood Talkin."

Mystery In an Old German Steamer Trunk

As trunks go, this one is not pretty or handsome in traditional terms. However, what it lacks in the way it looks is more than made up in its mystery and intrigue.

It's a simple pine box. The two metal straps across the top and bottom are hand made...flattened and elongated patiently by a Black Smith's hammer strokes. The hinges are respectively distinct, non-transferable. All the nails are hand made...forged, square shanks with hammered heads. The lock mechanism (of the Skeleton Key variety), was probably originally fashioned in a lock smith's shop. My guess is that it was likely to have been purchased for this application and then placed and secured in the trunk by its creator.

The box's corners are secured with hand cut dove tail joints (see the picture!). The boards across the top and on the sides are held in place with hand made dowels. It has no internal shelves or evidence of there every being any...just a big pine box...and there is nothing inside or on the walls of the box to suggest otherwise. However, there are words scrolled, again in cursive, across a portion of the front inside panel (near the floor) of the box--again in German.

There are three well-faded packing labels on the sides of the trunk (one shown). They are unmistakably German in origin--Hamburg was either a destination or a point of departure on at least one trip. These tell-tale hints suggest the trunk traveled in the belly of a ocean going steamship--a "Steamer Trunk"--and I'm going to guess there were some associated railway adventures. At some point in the past the entire box, including all metal pieces and the hinges, was coated with a rust (i.e., cedar) toned stain. I'm guessing it was a pigmented shellac-type sealer.

Finally, scrolled in cursive across the top of the lid, apparently also in German, you can see as it were a possible title or statement of some kind (Can you read it?). Perhaps this is a reference to the owner, or to the nature of the box and its contents.

I originally assumed this trunk was a vintage post 1900. Given all the hand work we see, I'm going to guess we're peering into the mid-to late 1800's. The challenge for me in doing this kind of work with precious pieces like this old trunk is that of not doing too much to it! "Restoration" can mean many things to different people. In this instance the goal is that of keeping it vintage--authenticity reigns the day.

Wow, these are the joys when we get to hear "Wood Talkin."

They say they want to go home!

This furniture manufactured by Henredon in North Carolina is really attractive stuff. Much appreciation to their Customer Service people for the help they were able to offer. So, two days in the application of the finish coats (i.e., repeated spraying, curing and sanding) we're ready for the last step--buffing them out. Does anything really feel better than success?!