Amazing Restoration of an Old Oak Table

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3 ай бұрын

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I found this old desk on the side of the road, brought it home, and refinished it. It appears to be made from solid oak, but unfortunately, the top is mdf, making this difficult to refinish. I sanded the entire piece, then applied a gorgeous penetrating oil-based stain. I have been using this simple piece in my workshop daily since the restoration. Thank you for your support. Barry
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Пікірлер: 246

@MadCityModern 3 ай бұрын

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@mdeysenroth 3 ай бұрын

Many years ago I picked up a simple but sturdy desk at Goodwill for about $15. I gave it a coat of paint and new hardware. I used it for its' intended purpose, just paying bills and studying when I was in nursing school, and my daughter then used it as her homework desk. She and her husband used it as a changing table for their now four year old son and I am sure he will use it for homework as well. Even a piece that was free or cheap can become a piece that creates new memories with its' new life.

@lindakennedy1193 3 ай бұрын

I bought a small 2 drawer chest 6 years ago and painted it for my daughter's newly refurbished bedroom. It is now in her new home as her dressing table. It is really well made. I've since refurbished 2 small pieces of furniture for her from charity shops. Nice to give things a new lease of life.

@VioletJoy 3 ай бұрын

I love that story. 🤍

@vickiebelk635 3 ай бұрын

I’m 67 and that looks like a desk my teacher had when I was in elementary school. I’m glad you saved it and made it beautiful again 😍

@007Julie 3 ай бұрын

I always have the feeling that the pieces that you rescue are so thankful for a second chance at life. I know it’s just furniture but wood pieces have life and you can feel their relief at been saved and restored. Thank you so much for every piece you rescue.

@VioletJoy 3 ай бұрын

I always think of that, too. These pieces can offer their services and stand proud once again. 😉

@maryland8532 3 ай бұрын

You, Barry, are a collector with purpose. Your sensibility for not wasting a good memory that was once a living tree, refreshes my appreciation. Thank you.

@isabelcortijo2642 3 ай бұрын

"It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important." The Little Prince. 🌹❤

@loisbolton1800 3 ай бұрын

This is an honest desk. Can’t believe anyone would just dump it. You have given it a new life & new purpose. 💖

@windycityliz7711 3 ай бұрын

People often "dump" things hoping someone else will want it and pick it up.

@GeorgeWTush 3 ай бұрын

You're a prince, Barry. You make the world a more beautiful place for everyone .

@VioletJoy 3 ай бұрын

He sure does.

@persephoneblack888 3 ай бұрын

That Navy print you have in the background (the one with the lady in the uniform in the poster frame) is the exact same one that used to hang in my Dad's office. He was in the Navy and his office was Navy themed. When he passed away, my mom gave it to my uncle for his office because he and my Dad were in the Navy together and they were how my parents met! It's wild that it's there, in the video, in March. His birthday is in March and he would have been 55 yrs old now. His anniversary to my mom is in March too. That's a lot of info but, it's so crazy to see it sitting there.

@ruppertale3319 3 ай бұрын

This looks like a typing desk, but it might have had a glass top with a calendar under it. That's a good surface for blueprints and mimeographs. You refinished it well, and I hope it servers you well for many years.

@johnarmenta2199 3 ай бұрын

Certainly, if you are developing your furniture restoration skills, then a piece like this is PEFECT! It's free - you found it on the side of the road. It's cheap - material is mdf - and t's small. Drag out the tools, roll up the sleeves, send the Mrs. on a shopping trip, and give 'er hell. Worst scenario: You chop it up and use it for firewood. Awesome video, sir!

@solotraveler6025 3 ай бұрын

Its a 1940's or early 50's library desk make by the Standard Furniture company, the top has been replaced. They made a single drawer, two drawer and a three drawer. In the sixties, the drawer pulls were replaced with metal pulls.

@kimlindseyOH 3 ай бұрын

Thank you!! I had a feeling that the top had been replaced - the base and drawers look to be older, from before MDF would have been used in pieces pike this, especially the (nice & simple) wooden drawer pulls. It turned out great for his purpose, and someday he might replace the MDF top with oak if he wants to give the desk a different purpose.

@solotraveler6025 3 ай бұрын

@@kimlindseyOH Yep, I prefer the wood pulls myself. I have a single drawer that I restored about 37 years ago and left it at my parents house when I left for service and Desert Storm. My mom who is still alive has it in the corner of her living room with all of her family picture sitting on it. I will get it back someday, for now it's in good hands. Sadly the tops on a lot of them were replaced because of kids carving their name in them or a heart and arrow with their long lost crush's name carved into it. The library chairs are hard to find but you do find them in antique shops once in a while.

@barbannco 3 ай бұрын

I love the way you save things from the landfill...this beautiful oak table would have had an oak ply inset on top which has obviously been destroyed....thank you for saving it

@maurawhelan3530 2 ай бұрын

Gorgeous desk! Old furniture is so well made and timeless. I resell vintage bamboo or faux bamboo pieces and sell as is. My buyers usually restore and I ask them to send me picts. Such a joy seeing the Thomasville, Lexington etc well made pieces esp night stands redone. A gift that keeps giving!

@debsmith2269 3 ай бұрын

If the person who threw this out saw this, they'll want it back. It looks so good now.

@TheParkAttendant 3 ай бұрын

I own a desk just like it. I bought it at a yard sale. It was painted military green and was purchased from a Army Navy Store. It has since been sanded down and stained walnut. It has served me for 55 years.

@wandahutchinson4289 3 ай бұрын

This desk is like the ones my teachers had in elementary school. It was 1959 through 1967. They were small, in relation to the desks of today.

@tommie5967 3 ай бұрын

Well done. I bet if this desk could talk,it would be singing praises for you restoring it back to life. Love the wood grain pattern

@1959Berre 3 ай бұрын

The top of that desk is made of hardboard. Where I live we call it "unalit". It is older than MDF.

@jebsails2837 3 ай бұрын

I saw roomfuls of these 2 drawer desks used at US Naval facilities from the 1960's on. They served in classrooms and office spaces. I would suspect the MDF tops are probably on the newer units. Narragansett Bay

@traceyspad01 3 ай бұрын

You are an inspiration. I want to redo a piece but timid. Less so now after watching. I did redo my older oak kitchen cabinets that were fairly 80's yellow tone. I started out staining but ended up painting them white on bottom and dark gray uppers. They look wonderful. The stripping and sanding was the hardest. I dont have any fancy tools. All in all, took me about 1 year to finish, working in evenings after work, and weekends. In my defense, I have a lot of cabinets and an island.

@audiomxr 3 ай бұрын

I've never seen a desk with a pressboard top like that. I think you helped it be the best it can be. Enjoy putting it to good use.

@carguy4658 3 ай бұрын

At first when you looked closely at the top, I "Assumed" the top might have been cork. The solid wood elsewhere, the dovetail joints of the drawers, made me assume this piece was created in the post WWII era. Nice piece, good job bringing it back. It was worth your time and effort.

@MidwestMagicCleaning 3 ай бұрын

I've been a fan of your channel for a very long time. Thank you for being you.

@PeggyMonroe-md6fm 3 ай бұрын

I never tire watching your videos!

@steven_ryan 3 ай бұрын

Amazing!!! What a handsome, reliable desk! 🥰

@laraandersontownsend1643 3 ай бұрын

Watching your videos has proved very calming to me, thank you Barry

@georgethomsonyoung8959 3 ай бұрын

Another very enjoyable video . The desk looks like the desk our teachers had when I was a wee kid

@karencooper9185 3 ай бұрын

STUNNING in its simplicity!!!

@dshey6802 3 ай бұрын

What a sweet small solid wood desk. The top is unique. You surprised me that you kept it. That wax finish on the top really turned out well. The color and the sheen of the top look so good with the solid wood of the rest of the desk.

@heidisettles5537 3 ай бұрын

Who knew that particle board top would turn out so lovely! Never thought to clean interior drawers with fels-naptha (sp?) or to use wax on top of the sprayed finish to smooth it. Your channel sparks that joy that people have when they feel connections to old things, and I enjoy the memories in the comments that viewers share.

@robk1310 3 ай бұрын

looks waaaaaay better. Looks brand new.

@jillosiecki3049 3 ай бұрын

My grandfather had a similarly styled Mission or Arts and Crafts style desk, which was larger and with more drawers, but it was so special because it was the desk that he had to provide FOR HIMSELF to work in the WPA during the Depression. So not only was it so incredibly hard to get a job, but if you got a job with the government you had to provide your own desk! That is why my family has kept it for years as a treasure. He worked in the WPA during the 1930’s. Before that he worked as head teller for a bank in Wisconsin which was robbed by John Dillinger.

@stevenmiller4254 3 ай бұрын

Another curbside find that was given new life, thanks to your care, and efforts. Your meticulous work never disappoints. I look forward to seeing more of your videos Barry! Steven Miller, Bay View WI

@AlohaLowah 3 ай бұрын

That book on libraries is one of my favorite books! ❤️ ❤️

@alisambrano 3 ай бұрын

That totally looks like the teachers desks at my elementary school. The sound of the drawer brought back memories😂😂

@jenniferschweikert7464 3 ай бұрын

Always worth keeping items out of the landfill! I refinished a similar desk and the owner said it was a teacher’s desk.

@TheKnitwiz 7 күн бұрын

BARRY JOB WELL DONE, THANK YOU FOR SAVING SO MANY PIECES OF HISTORY. I WOULD SUGGEST you look for the pictures of that desk with a leather top with gold etching. My uncle had an antique shop, I saw a few with the leather tops.

@jimmieyoung925 3 ай бұрын

Next time you end up with MDF as a top try using paper back veneer of the same species once you put on the top coat it should be fine. Looks great though

@brendadriver2702 3 ай бұрын

That desk looks just like the desks teachers used when I was in school. They were usually a little bigger. With two deep drawers on the right as you sit at the desk.

@texanasimmons1761 3 ай бұрын

Nice refinishing job! Its pretty, despite the top not being oak like it rest of the desk. You did a great job! Thank you!

@janeyoung2838 3 ай бұрын

A beautiful desk ready for another 50 years 🎉😊

@lydiaflatt9859 3 ай бұрын

Yay! Makes me think of first grade. It looks like the desks my elementary teachers used. I love listening to you talk about the things you save.❤

@SparrowStockwell 3 ай бұрын

That really turned out very attractive. The top looks interesting, too.

@Becky-nn3pu 3 ай бұрын

This is just gorgeous! And the top looks almost like leather! A very nice and useful piece!

@randbodily3058 3 ай бұрын

I absolutely love the texture of the top, reminds me of fiberglass. What a great little desk!

@user-db7hq5ho3t 3 ай бұрын

Great job restoring this desk, the top is masonite sheet , my dad used this when he built his work bench it's a harder surface

@todaysrules6730 3 ай бұрын

I love your feelings about furniture... Their history -who might have first bought it, how it was used... I feel the same way. Along with refinishing them, I love that I am saving them. The new furniture nowadays, are made of cheap wood, and nothing like the older, better made stuff. When I'm refinishing a piece, (I did for almost every piece I own), I go in a zen-like zone... Thank you for seeing the good in tossed out furniture. We live in such a wasteful culture 😢

@angelaperry2785 3 ай бұрын

Lovely job as per usual. I especially appreciate your consideration of the history and therefore "story" that a piece has and it's relevance to a particular culture. This seems to be largely missing from the consumption minded disposable culture of today. And your voice is so soothing and calming...your words flow like a river of caring and truism. Blessings to you Barry ❤

@AngelJul 3 ай бұрын

Oh man... You turned it into a very kind piece of furniture! The finishing... Wonderful!!! I have just finished a project, a dresser from the 70,s here in Brazil... My mother bought It when I was born... And I wanted to restore it for her. Totally influenced by your channel! She loved it and I was really surprised with the result. THANK YOU for your teachings! A big hug from Brazil!

@jimwalker5412 3 ай бұрын

That Sir, is a very nice restoration.

@jillsmith6052 3 ай бұрын

Simple but quite beautiful.

@mauraricketts2769 3 ай бұрын

My father was in the public service (Canadian federal government); this table looks VERY much like the table he brought home when his offices were refurbished.

@zanneizzo8113 3 ай бұрын

I'm surprised that you didn't use a piece of thick oak veneer on the top. The desk looks so nice with the stain you chose.

@1975dlawson 3 ай бұрын

Just a simple little desk. Nice Barry.

@raycox4139 3 ай бұрын

The top looks better than I imagined! Similar desks were in the elementary school when I was a kid (in the 60s) and they had a green laminate top.

@diysbydar 3 ай бұрын

Beautiful as always my friend. You breath new life into these pieces to live another day and be useful again.

@LavenderDaisies 3 ай бұрын

I enjoyed this video. I feel very similar to you. Old pieces have so much character from their history. All of the memories and the stories those pieces could tell us. My favorite furniture pieces are those from my grandparents. They raised their children with them, my parents raised me, I raised my children, and I am sure they will raise their children with. 4 generations of one family with a piece of furniture is quite amazing I think. It has so much to tell us. I also am happy to refinish pieces that have chip board and laminate and the sort. There are many options to turn them into beautiful pieces too. They deserve a chance just the same as a “solid wood” piece.

@katherinemartinez4944 3 ай бұрын

The desk turned out awesome, Barry!

@christiemay4444 3 ай бұрын

WOW! It's beautiful again! My guess is it is a school desk, student or teacher. When I was in grade school, K-2, we had 2- student desks, much lower and not made of beautiful oak. All 3 years my desk mate was the same boy. We moved to a different town, but in college, that same boy and I had a couple of classes together🤗 It makes me happy to see you rescue old pieces like this💞 I had no idea one could finish MDF like you did😯 Very nice! Love watching you scrap old finishes off. Very satisfying to watch. Thank you for all your videos!

@murlthomas2243 3 ай бұрын

What a beautiful little desk! It’s hard to just get a small, plain desk these days!

@trinasyoutube 3 ай бұрын

It kills me that people will just put stuff in the trash. Wonderful job. So glad you saved that piece.

@nancyanneberg403 3 ай бұрын

At the end,that finish is dee lish us! Like a butterscotch goody. Thank you. I can go on.

@01backpack 3 ай бұрын

I was thinking that a nice sheet of veneer on the top would go really good with that table

@founderist 3 ай бұрын

I was about to say the same.

@karencox3235 3 ай бұрын

I fully expected him to pull out a sheet of veneer... I wonder why he didn't.

@freethebirds3578 3 ай бұрын

I was puzzled about that desk. Solid oak body, and an ugly MDF on the top? I would think a new veneer, or maybe a (fake) leather would make it look very nice. I saw in the comments someone suggesting a glass top, and thought you could put anything under glass: photos, decoupage, something patterned. Whatever, it is still a lovely piece I would be happy to have in my home. This channel is so positive. So much ugly turned beautiful.

@lindahill7315 3 ай бұрын

That turned out great.

@georgemunoz878 2 ай бұрын

My work disposed of a similar desk but bigger with draws on both sides and side panels, I restored this desk and now I get compliments of how beautiful it is.

@robs824 3 ай бұрын

Your artisan abilities as a filmmaker and furniture refinisher have greatly advanced from the start of the channel. Please continue to share your skills with us.

@michellereber6816 3 ай бұрын

This is the kind of “living green” project I can get behind. saving furniture from the landfill and avoid buying something of even less quality new. It looks wonderful.

@woodrowcall3269 3 ай бұрын

Gorgeous,the finished product looks amazing. At first I wasn’t sure about the color, but as usual you hit the nail on the head.

@patriciathorp4911 3 ай бұрын

Hi. Would you have considered putting an oak veneer on top of the MDF considering the rest of the wood was of good quality? I am just interested in furniture restoration and deeply admire people like you who save old pieces from the junk yard. 👏👏👏

@kristicitak3932 3 ай бұрын

It’s the perfect size for so many spaces. Beautiful job!! Well done. I feel that all your projects are worth while. ALL OF THEM. BLessings

@carolcurtis2220 3 ай бұрын

It does look like a school desk. If it was made for use in a school I think you would have found an manufactures stamp. As usual a wonderful outcome.👍🏻❤️

@jodidavis6595 3 ай бұрын

Wow the desk is so nice and solid. Would be a shame to have it up against a wall because the back is gorgeous. And the top came out just as beautiful as the rest. Thank you for another great video and for sharing it. Hope you enjoy some Irish food tomorrow. I’m going to 😀🇺🇸

@timothyarchie320 3 ай бұрын

Someone may have already mentioned this, but the top of this would have very likely have been covered in felt or leather, hence the pressboard. I love your videos.

@TheTriptamineDream 3 ай бұрын

Happy to see you! Heard you for years, good to see a face with the voice.

@TheCraftyMagnolia 3 ай бұрын

I think it looks great! Better than it did on the side of the road, I'm sure! I bet it will get a good many more years in your work shop. The benefits of your labor. ❤ Sometimes you have to do a little for yourself!!

@demasterofnone740 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the inspiration and showing what is possible! I just refinished a set mid century kitchen chairs and couldn’t be happier.

@aureliusrusticus2320 3 ай бұрын

A piece doesn't have to have a high monetary value in order to restore it. I enjoy restoring old things simply because I like enjoy making things look more beautiful.

@user-vl8qw8hp1g 3 ай бұрын

I'm curious about why you didn't use veneer to cover the desktop since it's made of pressed board. At any rate, this desk restoration looks fantastic!! 😊

@kmmara41 3 ай бұрын

Barry, this piece is great! May not be fancy or high-grade but wow… and it’s useful, the main thing you want out of furniture!

@ccbphoto 3 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@eveb446 3 ай бұрын

You did a great job with this desk. Thank you for keeping it out of the land fill.

@BabaC35 3 ай бұрын

It's the voice that gets me back , like a audio book about wooden history

@loissaedder2214 3 ай бұрын

I love that desk. Simple but beautiful. Hi from Australia

@loricartwright9841 3 ай бұрын

Beautiful! As always, your work is impeccable.

@SusieMonk-jh8tj 3 ай бұрын

Another beautiful restoration Barry. I love the tables simplicity. It would be beautiful anywhere, vase of flowers on it in a hallway or as ever in my sewing room, haha. In your workroom it will help you give life to many other projects. Love from SWFrance👏👏

@VioletJoy 3 ай бұрын

I would much rather have an old piece like this in my home or garage rather than a piece without character. The desk turned out very, very nice.

@kevinknight6302 3 ай бұрын

Gorgeous as usual Barry

@mollysheridan7134 3 ай бұрын

Watching you breathe new life onto an old, beat up piece s a pleasure.

@joyceclark8476 3 ай бұрын

Hello again Barry, this piece looks beautiful. My first impression was maybe it was used by a clerk in a lawyer’s office. I kept feeling court of some sort. Looks great with that chair. Joyce ❤️🙏🇺🇸

@Dakiniwoman 3 ай бұрын

I have truly enjoyed every one of your videos I have watched. I love the idea of restoring any old furniture even if it doesn't seem special, it is not wasted if it is restored. I like the rich color of the stain you used here. As a person who has a lot of stress in my life, I do find your voice and watching your meticulous work calming in this mad World we live in... In regards to shellac, I recently viewed a very interesting video here on KZfaq about how it is made from little bugs and other uses it has.

@lfuentes4098 3 ай бұрын

A desk like this would be a perfect candidate to learn how to apply a veneer as well. Nice job Barry. What color stain did you use?

@susanadam6094 3 ай бұрын

I would consider this a handsome piece of furniture ❤

@StrongopinionsRus 3 ай бұрын

Darling little desk ❤

@sheilarowan8664 3 ай бұрын

I think it's a beautiful desk you made a fantastic job of it ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@mikekeough2492 3 ай бұрын

Very nice restoration work. I think that this desk was worth your effort. I would be proud to own it.

@jodirauth8847 3 ай бұрын

This little oak desk really turned out super nice

@mascottie 3 ай бұрын

You have the sharpest scrapers of anyone I’ve seen on KZfaq

@carollsbostwick9683 3 ай бұрын

Could the center once had a leather covering on top of the mdf? Love your work it is always amazing

@cecoya 3 ай бұрын

This turned out great. A piece like this offers quite a bit of variation of either getting creative or being able to cover it with something else to see how far you can go. Personally I would have covered this with material like lace then some glass/plexiglass or even putting some art (wood burning) to it and then protecting it with the shellac or glass. No, no purple paint but that is my favorite color. You did great with it. You have a great day and enjoy your new work space.