This classic wagon had many miles on it. The red paint was faded, the frame and wheels rusty and worn, and the wood stained and peeling. But it was a beloved family item for a friend who wanted it brought back to life for future generations. This was a big …
Furniture salve is amazing! Wood, like skin, needs moisturizing periodically to keep its glow and suppleness. Sometimes I have an item in my workshop that just needs to be refreshed because the wood has dried and there are minor imperfections that need TLC. Enter furniture salve! There are a number …
This vintage magazine table was in a sorry state. I bought it for $5 online based on this photo. When I arrived for the early pandemic porch pickup, I discovered what wasn’t showing — a broken scroll on the opposite side and loads of chipped veneer. I thought many times …
This vintage accent chair was a carved dream – but the upholstery was a nightmare. Old, stained, and dirty, the beige fabric was ready for the trash. The wood itself was dirty and worn in places. But the potential in this chair was limitless. And there was no way I …
I had a dresser needing a new home and a client needing a dresser. Serendipity, right? But this artificially distressed dresser was over 20 years old. It needed a refresh and new hardware to match the nightstands I’d previously updated for the client. (See Twin Vintage Nightstands: From Disco to …
This nightstand was fit as a fiddle when I bought it. I was so excited to saddle up and get going on its makeover that I forgot to take a “before” pic. (This is the online marketplace shot.) Remember the denim effect dresser I posted back yonder? (Vintage Dresser Makeover: …
People are jettisoning these vintage sewing machine tables like crazy. For those unfamiliar, the top flips open and the sewing machine lifts from beneath on a hinge mechanism. In most cases today, the sewing machines died long ago, leaving carcasses like this. Most people don’t appreciate the craftsmanship that went …
Such a sweet little vintage chair! I’m converting a vintage sewing table into a desk for a client, and it needed a matching chair. I found this little darling online. When I picked it up, the gal told me it had a special history. It had been her grandmother’s desk …
This vintage-inspired scroll-arm bench was in pretty poor shape when I rescued it. One leg was wiggly, and it was covered with what looked like coffee stains. On the plus side, these flaws would be easy to remedy. Read on to see how this bench “shaped” up. Step 1: Deconstruction …
This tufted cane arm chair was looking very worn out. The stuffing was gone from the seat, and the fabric was worn and stained. The wood was looking weathered and dreary. Lucky it found me — time for some TLC! The Frame I removed all the fabric and remaining stuffing …
