We have a lot to choose from today, from fixer upper furniture to Ikea. But the fixer upper furniture, fixed up, is nicer.

In da Mood

We are a throw-away society because corporations realized that making things to last meant we weren't spending money. So now we pay the same amount of money for something that will fall apart a lot sooner.

Current generations have also lived through an economic crisis, maybe that's why?

Newly living in Italy I have been trolling for neglected furniture and having fun bringing new life to old stuff. Great video….thanks.

Any way to contact you in private for some advice on restoring nightstands?

art deco

I agree - the new ones may be "prettier" but the original ones are more typical for the era and more fitting with the overall design.

I agree. The original pulls are unique, interesting and suit the period. Otherwise beautiful restoration.

I loved everything else he did. But I was disappointed by the new pulls. I like the original better too.

I love that you're saving pieces, but I'm not sure Goodwill is a good place to re-donate them. People often want to find things they can paint, or find pieces for the kid's room, or craft room, or even the garage. Goodwill isn't where they look for a prized heirloom. I'd hate to see you put in all the effort, just to have someone buy it for chalk painting. Even people on a budget deserve to have nice, heirloom quality furnishings. But it might be better if you directed your donation to someone you know will appreciate it. Or, you could sell them online, and donate the profits to a charity of your choice.

@@cariwaldick4898 I don't think it is bad to paint an old furniture piece and give it a new live. I, for example have not the skills, the time, the equipment or the patience to restore it the same way as in the video. But I can sand it down and paint it. I think it is better painted and in use than at the landfill. But of course it is a shame if there was so much effort was put in to restore it.

@@chrisssssssi5598 I've seen too many videos, where the goal wasn't to save the furniture, but to use a cool chalk paint technique, to cover the "outdated" piece--because they didn't like the color or tone of the wood. If it's destined for trash, by all means paint it. I've painted a few things myself, but when it's like: "This is the hutch my great-grandfather made by hand for my great-grandmother, and I grew up seeing it in the corner of the dining room. It's mine now, but it doesn't match my decor, so I'm going to paint it!" Makes my teeth grind.

I'm sure you're aware that Goodwill, at least in my area, is no longer the charitable organization it once was!? Their in it to turn a buck now sadly, so donating something back, their just gonna put such a hefty price tag back on it a poor family isn't gonna be able to afford it , it'll go to some "thrifter" that already has money

youd be doing more to help the world by selling it for profit…

Pictures?

If you didn't keep the roaches, you killed the history, you Barbarian

@@soberhippie 😃😃😃

Didn't you at least put them up in a "Roach Motel"?

@@soberhippie There must be a post about preserving insects in cast resin around here somewhere.

JDM furniture

music is nice too.

He has a soothing voice. I normally can’t listen to some peoples voices.

Yeah agree with you sometimes things like this can provide wonderful asmr and you learn something as well 😊❤️🌺🌸🌹

Impeccable workmanship.

Oh wow, that is quite the discovery! It's so wonderful to find such pieces and bring them back to their former glory. Similarly, I bought a 1950s or 1960s kindergarten bookcase with two veneered hatch doors that was in bad shape. I bought it for a small sum based on a blurry picture, mainly because the measurements of the piece were perfect for the location where I needed it, and the little hatch doors were perfect for hiding my restoration materials and my kids' craft supplies. It has a wide shelf that was probably used as a desk or to display kids' crafts at one point that had several large ink stains. I may go back later and replace the veneer, but for now, I managed to remove most of the ink stains with oxalic acid, touched up the remaining faint stains with shellac mixed with different pigments, and finished it with shellac. My favorite detail is that the veneer on the hatch doors turned out to be bird's eye poplar! It was in bad shape, but I cleaned it off and managed to glue it all back down. I carefully hand-sanded it and put about 12 super thin layers of shellac on there, and it looks amazing now. That piece is my pride and joy, and visitors always comment on it. It's the project that got me hooked on restoring vintage furniture!

@@billiev8705 You never know what you'll find beneath the layers of paint and dirt. It's so exciting to come upon a treasure!

​@@billiev87054:24

Me too.

Its getting harder and harder to find things worth restoring.

@@edswope28 go to antique shops and you’re bound to find a project. The shopkeepers are really nice and willing to work with your budget.

You got that right. I see the "junk" they make today all the time on trash day.

I think you’ll find there is plenty of well-made, mass-produced ”junk”. Before we had IKEA, furniture cost a fortune, or was beat-up OLD junk hand-me-downs.

In younger years a woman I worked for covered the most gorgeous black walnut armoire with glossy white & brown spatter enamel. I nearly vomited

@@servraghgiorsal7382 😕😨

My Sainted Mother was a very talented seamstress and this comment reminded me so much of her. Thank you.🌹

Interesting you say that. I learned to sew and make my own patterns. When I started furniture repair and restoration projects I found myself thinking, "This is like sewing. I know how to do this!"

I am learning how to sew and also noticing the similarities. Very interesting!

Согласна, мастер стремился вернуть первозданный вид, но мне было бы интереснее увидеть новый дизайн, но это только мои хотелки 🙂

Новый дизайн у тумбы уже получился благодаря другим декоративным ручкам, а не тем, что стояли вначале.

Same here, i love those style pulls. But to each their own i reckon. Still a great job and a beautiful piece.

Yes, I have the same nightstand. Much better condition than this one, but it’s a shame the original pulls were replaced.

Good luck to you, you have a very admirable skill.

I just love the look and feel of old wood

It is so satisfying to restore well-made old pieces to their former glory! You may also enjoy the craftsmanship of Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restauration here on KZfaq - he is another craftsman with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the trade. His channel and this one are some of my favorites, because I learn so much from their knowledge and expertise. I really only ever watch videos that help me grow my skills these days - learning and trying new techniques is kind of addictive, plus, I love saving pieces from landfill! If you know when large items of "trash" (relative term...) are picked up in different parts of your town, you can usually find some lovely pieces to restore for free. Sometimes pieces are beyond restoring, but they contain some lovely wood to make smaller projects out of - better quality than most of the wood I can afford to buy from the lumber yard! Give it a try - I'm sure you will enjoy the transformation. And don't forget to take before pictures so you can show people the difference! ( I have regretted not taking before pictured in the past...)

There was nothing sympathetic about it. It was total rebuild.

A lot the mass market stuff will probably be in pieces, probably by intentionally.

they wouldn't find any because the crap built today won't last a quarter of that time. cheap weak super thin wood or fake products for a throw away society. nothing is built to last like antique real wood furniture was.

Let's be real anything natural will retain it's beauty. Take fashion as an example. If you look back at classic Hollywood actors and the red carpets you'll realise there were some questionable fashion and makeup choices but those who simply wore something that showed their body and very minimal makeup are still the pinnacle of beauty.

Whats PVA?

@@erickjason9092 Polyvinyl acetate. Really just a fancy name for white glue; Elmer's Glue is a popular brand in the USA.

@@petuniasevan LOL!

Were the original hardware handles not reusable?

@@Ms._Purple_Apple That's what he stated.

In the last year, I have watched many restorations. This one takes the 🍰 cake. Bravo!👏

I agree. I would have just covered up the stains with some wallpaper or a cloth which could be easily removed.

It's a hard decision ! Nice work !

Yes, but... Sentimental value (we do not know in this case though) is much higher than any cost of repair involved. It's great to see people (customers) want to save items, and better to see craftsmen partnering in this...

We’re you there to know how much he was paid?