| With some furniture, the patina is most important to | | | | necessary in cases where furniture has been altered, |
| the overall effect and, when stripped and refinished, | | | | is incomplete or the finish has already been partially or |
| the piece often seems to have lost character and | | | | totally removed by others. Even in those cases there |
| needs another 100 years of grime and hard wear to | | | | is still hope, by balancing the other work or |
| get it back to where it started. And, under | | | | distressing the new work depending on what needs |
| present-day circumstances, it would be unlikely to | | | | to be done; each case is evaluated individually, as no |
| occur, as most people do not have the time to | | | | two are restored in the same manner or by using |
| maintain their furniture as often as in the past; that | | | | production line-type processing. |
| is, furniture is not being polished, waxed or even | | | | Even recently painted pieces can be caringly stripped |
| handled as often, slowing down the build-up in quirks | | | | by hand rather than completely washed down, to |
| and around hardware which is very important in | | | | avoid disturbing the patina of the unfinished surfaces. |
| attaining a good patina. | | | | Then repolished by hand, these pieces are often |
| In many cases furniture is cherished and not used, | | | | accepted as in original condition with just the finish |
| just admired. Originally these articles were utilitarian | | | | revived, if done properly. A considerable amount of |
| pieces and used for their practical purposes, | | | | old polish is retained and all of the grain filling, if the |
| therefore gaining a rich, well-worn patina through daily | | | | piece is after 1860. |
| usage. They were not treated as valuable assets or | | | | These statements may sound extreme, but one |
| as decorative items. Furniture needs to be used and | | | | must appreciate that quality items in good original |
| maintained, and the more this is done the more it will | | | | condition very rarely surface, and when they do, we |
| glow and will return you a compliment for your | | | | must ensure that we do our best to preserve them. |
| devotion. | | | | If you have a good piece of furniture, go to a |
| Provincial and rustic furniture pieces seem to have an | | | | professional restorer for advice. I am sure they |
| aura of their own, with red oxide finishes and | | | | would rather advise you than see another old finish |
| powder blues worn through to the base timbers | | | | hosed off down the garden path after being stripped |
| brought to gloss with body oils, kitchen oils and | | | | by a zealous home restorer. |
| greases, as well as just plain dirty hands and daily | | | | Let me say there are times where it is necessary for |
| use; this should he retained, not lost. Respect original | | | | drastic action, but this must still be executed caringly |
| painted furniture for what it is, and also painted | | | | and not always with a budget in mind. Otherwise, a |
| furniture with original varnish underneath. Sometimes | | | | large portion of our heritage will be ruined by this |
| these pieces have more character and appeal as is, | | | | generation, depriving the next. Antique furniture |
| rather than stripped and refinished. | | | | should show evidence of its age; otherwise, what's |
| In our experience, radical restoration is only | | | | the point? Remember, we are only guardians. |