As much as we love DIY projects there are occasions when it's

time to call in a professional.  Today's Before and After Friday post

features furniture that was too far gone to be rehabbed by novices.

 Veneer damage is something that most

of us aren't equipped to tackle.

The repairs to this gate leg table had a happy ending.

 Removing several layers of old paint isn't as simple as
applying paint thinner.  Old wood can be quite delicate.

This table was beautifully restored to its original graceful state.

 This pitiful twin bed was consigned to a

backyard shed after many years of service: 

The owner decided to have it

made into a charming bench:

Link

Before and after photos of an antique satinwood knife box:

Link

Before and after photos of a French walnut dresser:

Broken leg of a Chinese table:

This oak chest of drawers was ready for the dump:

Link

Hardly!  Great job.

A damaged library table . . . . .

. . . was restored to its former glory.

Curved veneer can be a big challenge:

An amazing vanity restoration:

Link


An antique tilt top table was in desperate need of help:

Link

The damage to this Victorian dining table was daunting:

Link 
Success!


This antique card table needed a new leg:

Link
The new hand made leg perfectly matches its mates.

The damaged leg of this Sheraton chair was a
candidate for repair instead of replacement:

 Link


The Manchurian cabinet, below, has a fascinating history.  It was on the last ship
into Charleston Harbor before the Union blockade during the Civil War.

The interior of the cabinet was also restored:

 
Link


And, lastly, this photo 'says it all' about furniture refinishing done right:

If you don't have the time or tools to tackle that dilapidated old
treasure patiently sitting in the back of your garage, pull it
out and take it to a professional refinisher.  You'll be glad you did.

Special thanks today to:
Austin Furniture Doctor
Buckhead Find Restorations
Lauer Furniture

It doesn't matter how wonderful your collectibles and treasures are,
if they're packed away in boxes they're not fulfilling their purpose.

Living with collectibles is so very different from amassing collectibles.  Let's take a look at a beautiful home where the owners enjoy their antiques and vintage items every day.










Kim of Living Vintage  lives and breathes Americana collectibles and her amazing home reflects her passion.  Let's take a quick tour of her living room.

 Living Vintage shows the possibilities and fun of living the flea market style.  In fact, Kim just announced on her blog that her charming home will be featured in an upcoming issue of best of flea market style magazine.

 Check out Kim's inspirational blog on how to live a vintage life.

One of the reasons we love flea markets?
The incredibly weird stuff we find there.

 You would be hard pressed to find anyone in the blogisphere,
who appreciate repurposing more than me.  But these doll
head lamps?  Nope.

Link
Why do cute baby doll heads look so evil when
they're sitting beside antique embalming tools?

Okay, that's better . . . . eerily, I frequently see that book,
Very Special People, at flea markets and thrift shops.

Is it even legal to sell real human skulls?

Where do vendors find stuff like expired

passports, spy stilettos and fake IDs?

Is that Hans Solo inside a vintage home sauna?

Some people see recyclable sheet metal.
Southerners see wall art.

"It's a little chilly in this armor, Guv'na"

 Yewwwwwwww!!!!

Let's glove up, guys.

 Wow.  That's one big flip-flop.

A bomb and a little jet to put it in!

Whoever thought plastic upholstery material
was a good idea was actually an idiot.

Evaluation Center for Disturbed Women?!
I need one of these.


Okay, here's the REAL reason we love flea markets:
Link
A few years ago a Virginia woman bought a 'lost' (i.e., stolen) original
Renoir painting for $7 at a flea market.  Worth over $100,000, the
woman admitted that she bought the painting for the frame, not
suspecting it was a valuable work of art.  Keeps us pickin', right?!