Repairing a Thrift Store Mirror - Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 มิ.ย. 2019
- Tom Johnson of Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration in Gorham, Maine restores this antique 19th c. ogee mirror of the American Empire period, found for a song at a charity shop here in Maine. Tom has been restoring furniture professionally since 1979. Visit our website at www.thomasjohnsonrestoration.com, or write us at thomasjohnsonrestoration@gmail.com. And for those on the west coast looking for custom framing, be sure to check out Tom's daughter's shop, www.emcollier.com (@emcollierframes on Instagram).
- แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
This is therapy for me. It’s your demeanor and quality of work that genuinely calm my mind. Thank you Tom.
You're welcome!
I love your videos , I really liked how you kept that little bit of writing on the back , it is such a thrill when you buy antique furniture when you find a little something left behind from past owners , I also love the way you keep as much of its originality as possible , your restoration is so gentle to the piece you are working on you are a true master , thanks for sharing and saving these beautiful pieces .
You're welcome! I appreciate your comments
Your videos are excellent. You make me feel like a kid again watching my father working on different projects. Over 70 years ago and still fresh in my mind, thanks to you. Love your supporting cast of animals. Best wishes.
Thank you! I love it when my videos can evoke these old memories. I'm thinking of my dad often
I love watching the beginning to see what animals you have to share with us!
Thanks!
I think I can speak for all of us when I say you are indeed the best at what you do . Superb workmanship and beautifully detailed commentary explaining everything . Thank you so much Tom.
You're welcome!
Great work Tom. Just loved the intro with your fur friends and your dog clearly loves you enough to fall asleep on a cold shed floor. The final shot of you checking your look in the mirror was classic. It's so Lively to see these precious skills of yours being shared with those of us with neither said skills or sheds!! Thankyou.
Emily Liberty.
You're welcome!
That mirror could not have fallen into better hands. I love that you put as much care into a modest mirror as into a priceless antique. The result is outstanding… as always.
Thank you! 😊
The generations that have looked into that mirror.... what a lovely piece to hang on your wall, great work Tom.
Thanks!
Just found your channel and now I'm binge-watching on a cold damp day. Whoever does your camera work is to be commended also. Wonderful close-ups, especially that 200-year old nail!
Subscribed and looking forward to watching more. Thanks for taking the time to show us how restoration should be done
You're welcome! And welcome to the channel! I do the photography and Nick Barker does the editing.
I learn something new every time I watch you. Thank you Sir.
You're welcome!
It amazes me how easy you make it look. It shows a great deal of knowledge about restoring antiques. It was my favorite pastime
Thanks!
Fine piece of work Thomas? Cannot understand why you do not have more subscribers. The high grade of perfection you reach in your work, combined with your calm and sympathetic way of presentation, deserves a much larger public. Thanks for downloading this. Rgds from Germany, Robert.
Thank you Robert! Well, I'm getting more all the time. Share!
Another wonderful video Thomas, never thought that one day I would so enjoy watching glue dry !!! great job !
Thanks! That's good, you made me realize that's exactly what I do!
I have this exact mirror! Same dimensions, same veneer, everything. Despite my very amateurish attempt to replace some of the veneer about 25 years ago, I still love it and it hangs in my living room.
That's great! They are very handsome frames. I wonder how many of these were produced, and by whom? Could it have been an early 19th century production line operation? That's about the time they started figuring out these production methods
I also have a mirror that looksvery similar to this too. The glass though is bad, with streaks and splotches so that everything looks kind of blurry. I love it
Mr. Johnson, you a conservation artist. You inspire us, your followers. Thank you, John.
You’re welcome!
@@johnsonrestoration I envy you living in Ghoram Maine. That is a wonderful area of the country. Please forgive my grammatical error in my first post. I am a terrible typist and an even worse proof reader. Happy Thanksgiving. John
I've seen so many old pieces I thought were unrepairable. It is great to see it is possible for some of these pieces to get new and beautiful life restored! thanks for being one of the soldiers standing against a throw away world!
I like that "soldiers" bit! Thanks!
Excellent work Tom! Your attention to detail is incredibly admirable. Thank you for taking my suggestion and telling us how many hours go into each repair. It makes us appreciate your hard work even more.
Thanks! I take people's suggestions to heart, although I often forget to say the hours
When you left the finished mirror standing on the table at the end of the video, my anxiety jumped up about 10 levels.
Sorry! It was well supported from behind!
Tom works slowly and carefully . That was a nice ,not too obtrusive, restoration . Sometimes other restorers go too far . I have never seen Tom go overboard .Bravo Tom.
Thank you!
OMGoodness! You meticulous attention to detail and commitment to using as much of the original materials as possible is very impressive.$4.00 + TJAFR= $4,000+! Thank you so very much for saving these masterpieces!
Thank you! 😊
Well worth the money, Thomas. I love to see items like this restored instead of dumped. Great job as usual. Regards, Solomon
Thanks Solomon! So many things must end up in the dump, it's sad
Incredible job! I really enjoy the longer videos. Thanks, Tom!
You're welcome!
Hello Tom. You seemed to do this simply for the pleasure. Someone who does this for a living and still does it just to do it is truly fortunate. Thank you for these videos.
Thanks! This I did just to do. But in all my other videos these are for customers, and I have to make money doing it!
So pleased that this lovely mirror came into your capable hands and you were able to make it glorious again.
Thank you!
The masking tape hinges for the veneer are genius!
Thanks!
Thomas Thank you so much for posting these vids.. They are a joy to watch... Thank you from the UK
You're welcome!
I almays particularly enjoy and admire Tom's patient custom-making pieces of missing veneer pieces on his antique restroration projects. Thank you.
You're welcome! I appreciate it!
I just came across your videos a little over a week ago. I am hooked! I absolutely love watching restore these pieces of history! I find it fascinating and amazing. Very impressed, very!
Thank you!
Beautiful job! And funny how you fixed your “hair” at the end.. 😆
Your videos are one of the very few I get excited about appearing in my cue
Thank you! Did you really have to put quotation marks around hair?
@@johnsonrestoration You reminded me of a 15 year old boy getting ready to go out -- and I'm sure you had hair then
@@firecracker4151: Just remember: Grass doesn't grow on a busy street.
He "looks pretty good".
It's interesting that while seeing you repairing wood it's not always what you do, but what you do NOT do, that makes the difference in the finished project.
Thank you! I like that
My compliments on your craftsmanship. As well, compliments to whoever is doing the photography! Excellent work both of you.
Thanks! That would be me! I appreciate it
I'm sure the person who made this beautiful piece would be so happy to know it's even more beautiful since you worked your magic on it.
Thanks! I think so! I hope so!
Tom checking his hair :).
Legend!
Think SNL's Californians
I love the restoration of found pieces like this. Curb finds ect
Yes! I love saving things that were headed to the dump!
@@johnsonrestoration I'd like to see you save one after it's been saved. For instance the beautiful natural wood pieces painted white/pink ect in "recycle/reuse" life. Such a tragedy.
So glad to see your channel up and running again. I have enjoyed your videos for years. It is great to see such a skilled craftsman at work and I appreciate you sharing your work and your animal friends with us.
Thank you! And I appreciate you watching!
What an artisan you are! When I watch your videos, I have the same reaction I do when I watch an orchestra playing classical music -- as long as people like you exist and create, there is hope for the civilized world.
Thank you! I appreciate your kind words
A true master. Thank you for another video lesson.
You're welcome!
Beautiful work Tom as always,love watching your videos.
Thanks!
I second this! I always chuckle a little when Tom shows these exquisite pieces after they have received the care of his precise, professional, talented hands:
"It looks pretty good."
Tom, it is absolute stunning, truly.
You Sir are an artist, a restorer and a scientist. You certainly have my admiration and respect.
God bless you.
Thank you! So kind! I appreciate it
I appreciate that you even show the little things that didn't quite go to plan...many thanks for the uploads.
You're welcome!
As always, a pretty good reflection on (of) you!
Good one! Thanks!
Woooooow this mirror back to life
You always do a stunning work
Thank you!
That mirror got lucky, to have you take it home. It's lovely.
Thank you!
Pure genius a pleasure to see a craftsman at work. Thank you Mr Johnson
You're welcome!
Thomas Johnson thank you great for Tutorial, admiro art of wood ,create ,restore and reveal beauty old peace ,thank you
You"re welcome!
Great work as usual Young Thomas! (Patience of a saint!!) ha ha!
Thanks! I don't know where the patience comes from!
Nice work as usual! Thanks for taking the time to show the world these old pieces are worth saving.
You're welcome! I appreciate it!
Came out really great and saved a real antique.
Thank you!
It looks amazingly good Tom...four dollars...I must be shopping in all the wrong places and attending the wrong sales!
Dave
Thanks! This one was from the Goodwill warehouse store!
Here in New England you can find many examples of this type of Empire style furniture at flea markets and antique stores. Quite common here in the New England area as opposed to other areas of the US.
Ever the optimist, Tom... You say it's "in really good condition", then immediately list a whole series of problems! Anyway, fine work as always.
Thanks! Well, it was good enough that it could still be used as a mirror! But I can always find problems!
What a great find! We don’t have antique finds like this in thrift shops here in Australia. It would be $30 for a plastic second hand one here. I aspire to have some skills like you one day. I could watch the whole 6 hours on video you said you put into it , you are so relaxing to watch plus I always learn something. Thank you for the effort and time you put into your videos.
You're welcome! and thanks for watching!
very well done!
there's that "historical" sticker on the back with who bought it from whom... just for shits and giggles i'd have added my own sticker "picked up at a thrift store on (date) and restored by thomas johnson. estimated value (however much it's worth now)".
You know, that's a good idea! Why not? I'll ask the owner if it's OK, I think they won't mind a bit!
@@johnsonrestoration and while you do that: tell them to add a sticker of their own. this way some future owner will know at least a bit of the piece's history!
Nice work. Some people won't realise the cost of the years of experience that stand behind those six hours of labour and the value of the end product.
Well, when you do the same thing as the original manufacture did & re-use too large nails, that is not experience, that's slop.
Thanks! You're right!
Thanks for watching! Well, I can't think there's anything wrong with putting back a nail that appears to be original. The hole is there, what are you going to do?
Loved watching how you tenderly restored this mirror.
It is a very nice piece....1830! Six hous of labor!
Wow!
Thank you very much!
Sir, you are an artist. After watching your videos I am both envious of your skill and incredibly relaxed from your low key personality and soothing voice.
Thank you! So nice of you
Tom, I am continually amazed at how receptive to re-gluing and re-attachment the fragile original veneer is to restoration. I've peeled off loose bubbled veneer and started over thinking the tiny bits and pieces weren't salvagable. You make it look easy. The difference between a amateur and a true pro - heart! I should be braver!
Thanks! Yeah, you have to dive into it! For me, the pressure's on when the camera is rolling!
"Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the fairest one of all..?"
Yes, if it could only talk. Somehow I don't think it would be me!
you?
Four bucks for that!
Wow, I bet the store owners are kicking themselves if they see this video, superb piece of history very sympathetically restored and a very nice example, well done!
Thanks!
I love that you obviously love animals..., and I love your attitude to those vintage wooden things. Your work is stunning, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and showing your awesome skills...
You are very welcome! I learn a lot from my animals
When you're hammering a nail almost 200 years old back in, do you find yourself imagining who the original man who hammered it in, was like?
Oh Yes! All the time!
Yes and don't forget the person,(probably a child or a woman), who hammered that nail into shape on an anvil.
@@jonka1 And the children who hauled the ore out of the mine in New Hampshire.
I'd be curious to know if the thrift store would still have asked $4 if they saw the finished project.
Extra thumbs up for the puppy at 22:54
Thanks!
The preening at the end is perfect! And 1830 - we don't really see that sort of thing out here on the other coast. Beautiful!
Thanks! I appreciate it!
Patient expert work, as usual. I love the humorous touch of you smoothing your hair down in the reflection. :-)
Thanks! Yes, that was good
I'm glad to see you resolved the issue with You Tube, I was agast when I went to look the other day. my heart sank, but I had confidence you would prevail, and you did!!. There is no other Craftsman on here like you Tom you are the one even the other p'ro's watch and learn like the rest of us. such joy, and relaxation and contentment I get from watching your years of knowledge pull another lost item out of the path to ruin. Thank you again. for another Masterfull job.
Thank you! Yes, Google deemed my channel could return! I appreciate your comments
The great old frames are definitely a worthwhile woodworking project. Even the ones constructed with softer woods are a worthwhile project. I spent about 40-cents on a couple of soft wood frames, and after cleaning and sanding them, I spray painted them with gray satin paint. I needed some frames of that size and I had the prints matted in gray with a dark pewter color on the inside of the matts. That was about 15 years ago and I still love the pictures and the frames I cleaned up to put them in. The frames themselves are about 3-inches wide - something you don't get anymore when you take pictures to be professionally framed. If you can find thick frames like that (and that's a tall order), you pay cost prohibitive prices for them. Great job on the frame - a worthwhile project indeed.
Thanks! there are so many good frames out there, it's great to reuse them. It sounds like you did a good job!
@@johnsonrestoration , I just found an antique frame that someone painted unfortunately. The paint hasn't been on it that long so will likely be a gooey mess to take the paint off. Once doing so, I'll have a really nice frame to use as a mirror or picture. I'm thinking mirror. I found some really nice unfinished, handcrafted ones at my local thrift store for onl;y $80-cents each. Someone actually made them. They're about 3 inches/wide/ thick. You know what shocks me is how so many are ending up at thrift stores. I've got two 3-4 inch thick maple door mirrors that I'm planning on using. I think they need touch up at most. I paid only $2.50 each.
Only my 2nd video, but I love your channel. It's a real privilege watching such a skilled person as yourself work. The mirror turned out beautifully. Can't wait to watch more videos!
Thanks! I am a huge fan of Annie Oakley after watching the show about her on PBS American Masters. So I'm wondering why you have adopted that moniker?
Wow! The silver on the back of that mirror was in good shape. Testament to the craftsmanship..
Yes, thank goodness!
Quite the difference from start to finish. So nice. Your craftsmanship is exceptional.
Thank you!
AAwww you make me miss my Dad - he would love your channel. You did an exceptional job on the mirror - love it!
Thank you! I miss my Dad too - and if only he could see these
I was thinking the same while watching these, how my wood-worker dad would have loved these videos. He even dressed a lot like you, he was from NH and learned the carpentry trade from his French Canadian grandfather. Thank you for your videos!
Pleasure watching a master at work.
Thanks!
I was unfamiliar with Hyde glue until I started watching your fascinating videos. Just started watching and I plan to watch them all.
Thanks! I really like the hide glue, specifically "Old Brown Glue" www.oldbrownglue.com/
Antique mirror found in a thrift store...ONLY in Maine! Beautiful job of restoration.
Thanks!
"It looks pretty good"? Sir, that mirror looks phenomenal! I really enjoy watching your videos! You are a consummate expert at taking what many would toss in a landfill and bringing it back to all its glory!
I'm going to re-finish a cigar humidor I found in a Goodwill by using the aerosol stain. Thanks for this idea because I didn't want brush marks and I didn't want to have to use my sprayer and compressor, which are in my storage unit. It would be overkill on such a small project for me.
The part of the video I really thought interesting was the historical note affixed to the back! Such provenance! Only $4? Wow! A true find!
Thanks! Yes, the aerosols come in handy! I get mine from Mohawk
Ditto to all the comments. So kind of you to share your expertise. Wishing good health and happiness to you and your family. Aloha
Thank you!
May I say, I've had a relentless May and June, one of those times in your life you're juggling more than you think you should. This Friday evening is the first time in a long time I haven't had exams, assignment deadlines, travelling or my side business to worry about. I typed TH-cam into my browser and knew I felt like watching one of your videos, and there it was, freshly uploaded 7 hours ago. Thank you ever so much, what a treat this is and has made my weekend.
You are very welcome! It's amazing to me that people can feel this way and it makes me feel good!
Wow, you did a fabulous job on restoring that mirror. And you do it with such ease. I enjoyed watching.
Thank you so much!
I have heard of French polish but had not watched it be applied. Beautiful results and amazing patience to do it. Thanks for sharing your expertise. Beautiful mirror.
Thanks!
You are truly an artist! From Calgary Alberta Canada 🇨🇦
Thank you!
You did a really beautiful job of this mirror. You are truly a master craftsman.
Thank you!
This guy really knows his stuff i have learned a lot from him
Thank you!
Another Great work of yours. It turns to life back in your hands. And also it's nice to get such piece from a thrift store for four dollars :)
Yes! Thank you!
Love the beginning of your show. Mirror absolutely beautiful.
Thanks!
Your work is absolutely stunning. I had no idea the expertise needed to repair and restore these old pieces. You certainly are a master craftsman. Thanks for sharing this with us.
You're welcome!
Man Tom got the life, just gets to play with wood all day and be creative.
That's true! It just took 45 years to get to that point!
Love the Llamas or El Pacas too ... great video, always something new to learn from you Thomas
Thanks! Yes, they are alpacas!
Restoration .... you are an artist in doing this!
Thank you!
I'm hooked. You are such an inspiration. I mainly work on pinball machines and arcade games, but seeing your level of craftsmanship just makes me want to do better :)
Thanks! That must be a lot of fun working with those machines
It's always a pleasure to watch a true craftsman at work ... thank you.
You're welcome!
A true master at his craft.
Thank you!
that's a beauty, pure and simple 🥰
Thank you! 😊
Ce bijuterie. Ce maini are acest OM! Asemenea meseriași nu mai găsești, totul este din plastic cu valoare mica. Felicitări ptr răbdare. 👍👍👍👍
Mulțumesc! Apreciez asta!
Loved the opening scene of those two little lambs, so sweet!!
Thanks!
I have probably commented on this mirror in the past.
It is amazing to see you take exactly the same amount of time, care and expertise to fix that $4 thrift mirror as you do priceless antique that belongs to a customer. I find that so awesome.
Thanks! It's true, I treat all furniture the same
Congratulations on 50K subscribers Thomas! I love your videos, they are so informative and have a peaceful quality as shown from the wildlife around your place there in Maine. It's important to keep the history of a piece of furniture intact by restoration, and your perform that on this channel with your expertise. Thank you for your channel.
You're welcome! I appreciate it!
Great job Thomas! The most amazing thing is what that mirror did to your hair!
I think so too! Thanks!
Beautiful!, I've got to visit the local charity shop more often, what a great find!
You should! Thanks!
Such beautiful work. Found you by chance and can’t stop watching.
Thanks!
A beautiful piece of antique furniture brought back to life by skilled hands .. Thank you Tom.
You're welcome!
Thank you Thomas for another Master Class in antique furniture restoration.
You're welcome!
What a great restoration of a wonderful find. I can't imagine finding a nearly 200 year-old American historical piece at a thrift store. Only $4 and even the mirror was intact. Thank you for the wonderful work you do. I'm glad you saved the writing on the back of the mirror. It is part of the mirror's provenance. Your videos are also well-done. By the way, one thing I have learned is that you can't have too many clamps. Thank you.
You're welcome! There is a lot of old stuff here in New England, it's amazing what you can find