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To Restore or Not to Restore?

Is your piece out of the ordinary? Is it a masterpiece or classic example of craftsmanship? Make sure refinishing won’t diminish the value of your furniture.

Was your furniture made by a notable craftsman or manufacturer, regardless of its age? Look for any marks or labels that might indicate the origin on the bottom or back of the piece.

Would it be feasible just to give the piece a good cleaning and make minor repairs such as replacing missing brasses? Always choose the least invasive method for making a piece of antique furniture usable in your home.

Focus on restoration rather than revamping whenever possible, especially with valuable pieces of furniture.

Before you tackle a restoration project, take some time to inspect the piece of furniture for any identifying labels or marks that might help you research its origin. Look at the overall quality of the wood and craftsmanship, including any carving present. If it turns out to be an extremely valuable item, leave it alone.

Any fixer-up tasks accomplished on a piece like that should be left to a professional who works with high-end antique furniture. A museum curator in your area can probably point you in the right direction to find someone who does this type of work locally.

If it turns out that the piece isn’t a rare antique, it’s still better to take the path of least resistance when possible. If that dirty dresser has held together pretty well over time, try just cleaning out the dirt-dobbers and giving it a good dusting. Even with furniture that isn’t of masterpiece caliber, most tried and true collectors value an original finish and a little patina (which basically translates into dirt and wear that build up over time) that actually makes an item look old, and you might decide to sell the piece some day.

Sometimes a once over cleaning and a little glue to hold the joints together securely will do a world of good. When that’s still not enough, figure out just how much restoration to the finish and components will be necessary to make it presentable.

Clean Vintage Glass and Antique Porcelain Safely | Cleaning Sterling Silver Jewelry | Funrniture Care and Repair |
Do It Yourself Furniture Restoration | Refinishing Furniture: Tips for Staining Furniture | Furniture | Glass |
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