Dont be afraid

I am so glad 'The Antiques Roadshow' finally,
stopped giving people the, NEVER TOUCH ANTIQUES impression.
They do not want to be responsible for someone that does not know what they are doing,
hurting your great piece.
After years of watching the show,
I noticed several times this season they mentioned that restoring
is not a bad thing.
They even explained that some restoration would increase the value of a few pieces!
when it comes to putting a custom finish on newer
fine furniture.and even restoring most antiques.
Theres almost nothing I am afraid to do anymore.
Would I want to paint a set of Rosewood Meeks chairs bone white
with a very light glaze?
No.
Would I encourage anyone to use their Kentucky sugar chest
for a vanity in their new bathroom? No.
If you have an important piece',or a 'special piece'
of coarse it should only look one way.
I think of them as the 'important pieces being things like,
made by a particular cabinetmaker. Pieces from rare areas,
like the above mentioned Kentucky sugar chests. Many of which easily
sell in the six figures.
I think of special pieces as things like Abraham Lincolns desk, JFKs rocking chair,
the table Grant and Lee sat at, pieces made by Thomas Edison ect. ect.
Pieces like that aside.
Have I seen seen just about anything you can imagine done to funiture?
Yes.
Unless its one of those important or special pieces,
a period English chest of drawers that sells four $5000-10,000 today
is never going to be worth a fortune.
The difference it has with a brand new quality piece of the same furniture is,
it should be forever worth at least what you paid it(a good thing).
Many times over the years I have done jobs like painting black
a set of common 'Eastlake' style walnut chairs,dry brushing
with a a light silver, producing a beautiful gunmetal color
with highlights of the silver overall. They turned out incredible.
If someone restores those chairs twenty years from now,they will still hold their value
as a set of common Eastlake style chairs

Always looking for new resorces

I always try to find the best products I can locally, but then again I have been blessed with a few local chemical companies and paint stores
that could provide almost anything I needed over the years.
For online shoppers, Its hard to beat places like www.vandykes.com or www.mohawk-finishing.com for most of anything basic you need for finishing or craft supplies.

In my experience

I love restoring furniture.
After nearly 30 years, I can remember all of the special and important pieces
I have had a hand in restoring in some way.
From the entire dining room suite that came in small pieces in box"s to a display case for the museum.
From tortise shelling the 17th century French chest destined for conversion to a lavatory to custom billiard tables.
From total restoration of life sized hand painted statuary to an entire library made from a recovered old growth Birch log.
From gilding and glazing to Faux finishing entire suites of furniture.
I wish I could share with those who love fine furniture all of the fantastic things I have seen.

Whether it was a important piece or a simple family heirloom.
I knew that I had a hand in something that people would be enjoying for many years to come.