Tonight I started a project I have been putting off for quite a while now.
Jess’ grandparents gave her a piece of ‘antique’ furniture – a hutch to store her teapots in eventually. The piece has a lot of character and needs a lot of work to “make the cut” to be brought indoors.
Tonight I performed steps 1-3.
Step 1. Actually look the piece over and realize how big a job I’m taking on.
Step 2. Take off all the hardware – in this case, two drawer handles, four hinges, a miniature door knob, and an ancient hook-lock and eyelet.
Step 3. Begin disassembly.
Step 3 came only after realizing that to ‘make the cut’, this piece of furniture is going to have to be completely rebuilt from the ground up. There are MANY loose pieces, some gaps, a lot of finish-work, and even some reconstruction that will have to take place to make this hutch presentable in our home!
This will be a FUN project for me this Winter! Progress will be published as it happens – stay tuned!
The front of the hutch after I’d already removed the two doors from their hinges.
The back of the hutch – each of these 1×4 tongue-and-groove-style backboards is in need of some TLC.
Can anyone (preferably a grandfather of mine whose wife actively browses this blog) give me some advice on this project – even knowing what type of wood I’m dealing with (if such a thing can be told through viewing only a simple photo)?
CAll your Papa Sweeny—he has some ideas. 1. He said it can’t be repaired, so he’ll take it off your hands!!!!! (jk) Call me on cell if you don’t have his cell #.
Love ya,
Oh, don’t let anyone take it off your hands. Part of the beauty of it is that it is unique and has character. Personally, I think if you cannot repair it then it would still look very nice and be a talked about antique piece sitting inside your home. Maybe liking older things comes with becoming old like me!!!!! Stevan,I must say that you are not afraid to tackle tough jobs.
Love ya,
Mom Garrett
A true antique if repaired and refinished will lose alot of its value. I think it looks great the way it is. A lot of controversy here from an antique lover. Miss you all.
I agree. It looks great, and will lose value if you refinish. To give the benefit of the thought though…sometimes photos don’t give the ‘true’ presentation. What a beautiful gift!!! What a treasure to have!! I am sure what you do will be fine. I am just so tickled for you that you have such a wonderful piece. Make sure to tack the history in a protected or laminated note on the back. I wish I had done that for every piece I ever got from parents or grandparents.