A Mid-Century Modern Rescue - Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ก.ย. 2024
- Tom Johnson of Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration in Gorham, Maine repairs this set of tambour doors whose backings have failed, and reinstalls them into a handsome (and well-stocked!) Midcentury Modern liquor cabinet. And although we appreciate your concern, please don't worry about Ella the dog, we were just kidding around, she doesn't really listen to Tom using the power tools, that was only a bit of silly editing there. Tom has been restoring furniture professionally since 1979. Visit our website at www.thomasjohns..., 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).
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That is a lovely cabinet-an elegant design. You accomplished a thoughtful repair. You work with integrity and respect for the client and the project. Thanks for shots of Ella. What a precious girl!
Oh yes, wasn't she sweet with her ear defenders on? 🤗
Thank you! She is!
Yes! Thanks
It is a joy to watch you work, the fabric you chose will probably last much longer than the original fabric. And thank you for the extra shots of Bela (with her ear protectors on). You gave that dog the right name.
Thanks! Except her name is Ella, Ella Bean! Bella would have been appropriate though
@@johnsonrestoration Leon Leonwood-
The matched Rosewood veneer 'flames' on the doors (and through to the drawers below) is just gorgeous, well worth the effort to bring it back. Great work Tom.
But - I must admit - I am now feeling a distinct sense of cocktail envy!
Thanks! I know right? How about one of my "signature" Manhattans?
To me there’s nothing more satisfying than watching a master craftsman repair a beautiful piece. You never cut corners, you’re thorough and always do such a wonderful job. 👍🏻
Thank you!
This is so nostalgic for me... This is how I originally found your channel. You were repairing another tambour door. I've loved your channel ever since. Thank you again for making all these videos for us.
So did I! How weird! I love your videos, you restore furniture that reminds me of my darling late Grandpa, who built every piece of furniture in his house (which he also built himself), back in the late 1940s. Many thanks from Ireland.
Me too, we have to start a club now, I think. “We who have tagged along since the first tambour” 😂
@@groreistad5234 What a good idea! Anybody else? :)
Perfect ! Greetings from Brazil. I love his work. Genius 👏👏👏
Mee too, watching from Germany👋
Just love watching your ingenuity in making aids to get the perfect result. I think after experiencing the cold that you do, you'd fry in our Aussie summer. All I can recommend is a dedicated pair of scissors for fabric. Heaven help anyone who touches my dressmaking scissors and cuts paper with them. 🤣😂 Beautiful result.😍
@Alison Moffitt Oh gosh, my late mum was the same! Do not cut anything with her dressmaking scissors, I still have dedicated scissors for each type of use!
Thanks Alison! You're right, I was thinking the same thing - I better learn how to sharpen scissors!
Oh yeah! The same with my mom, and now my wife too!
When I was working in a wood cabinet factory then a wood window factory I learned how the wood just sucks the moisture out of your hands. Mine felt like sandpaper. The gloves are a great idea. A beautiful piece of furniture. I can see why they wanted it repaired. Ella is such a good sport LOL The ticking was a fantastic idea as it is very durable and lasts eons. Thanks for the video Tom !
You're welcome! I never suspected the wood! Makes sense
I work in a Library, and it’s the same for books…they just suck the moisture out of your hands. (Logical, as paper is from wood pulp. A direct correlation)
The jigs you make to hold pieces for rework or gluing, such as these, are almost as fascinating as the other repair and refinishing you do. 😁
You have that right.
Thanks!
There is something strangely satisfying about watching you managing to peal away the old backing material in big strips 🙂
It was great for me too! Thanks!
Beautiful work, as always, Tom! As for the gloves, I am there with you. I wear gloves all year when working in the shop, painting in the house, gardening, etc., because my hands are my money makers and crucial to all of my hobbies. My full time profession is IT Engineer, and a lot of my hobbies are hand-intensive (knitting, sewing, fiber spinning, gardening, tractor maintenance, woodworking, etc), and I'm subjecting them to solvents, water, cold, heat, abrasives, you name it. If I get so much as a cut or a blister, I'm down until they heal. I've even have a stretching and massage regime for them to prevent fatigue and strain. I protect my hands like I do my eyes and ears because they are just as, if not more, important to my daily life.
Thank you! Yes! You are 100% correct! I'm subjected to all the same elements. It's bad when you wake up at night because cracked cuticles are excruciating! Stretching and massaging are critical too
I liked watching your technique improve from one door to the next. Even old pros have a learning curve. BTW, that's a beautiful piece of furniture.
Thanks Wayne! Always learning!
Gosh - what an incredible piece of furniture!
As much as I appreciate the 'opulence' and craftsmanship of antiques - these mid-century modern styles were (and still are) such wholesome changes to the overload of decoration on furniture in the average-income household.
I luckily grew up with parents who preferred this style and had a lot of furniture made by a carpenter - although money was always tight - and I was often shocked by what I saw at friends' homes: cheaply made, dark brown, what we call in Germany 'Eiche Rustikal', that ought to look expensive but wouldn't survive a single move.
I inherited most of them and keep them like a treasure.
They are all over 60 years old and still look fresh and modern.
Your work is awesome and I enjoy every single video.
Thank you for your educational entertainment - or entertaining education.
You're very welcome! I love the memories you have and I'm so glad you hung on to that furniture! It must bring you great comfort
Beautiful as always! I want to thank you for taking time to put on safety equipment every time. Many of us often feel it's a bother to hunt down our goggles and such and put them on... But seeing a professional always using them reminds us to do so as well. Maine winters are tough on hands... If you haven't discovered it yet, "O'Keefe's Working Hands" is what we swear by. We work with a lot of cardboard when receiving and shipping orders, and our hands start to crack terribly. Using that has been a lifesaver!
Thanks! Yes, I've seen that - I'll get some. Almost anything works well if you can wear the gloves.
I'm so glad you take care of your hands. I see a lot of craftsmen on TH-cam who don't and it hurts to see their damaged and scared hands and fingers.
Thanks! Yes, I've seen some rough ones!
This episode of renovating the sliding tambour doors of that bar cabinet was most enjoyable, Tom. I greatly admire your gentle but firm touch with the work on it. Thanks for sharing it with us.
You're welcome!
Tambour is french for drum. Tambour furniture, usually desks, have those articulated sliding tops that emulate the round shape of a tambour (drum). Funnily, they also make kind of a thundering drum like noise when opening of closing them.
Nice job. Not very complicated, but I love watching you work so meticulously. I always learn some new stuff and marvel at your many tools. Thanks Tom.
You’re welcome Sylvia! Yes, I had looked that up on Wiki, and the root actually goes back even further! It’s interesting
It’s always amazing to watch the progression of a repair and finally when it’s finished it’s practically seamless
Thanks! I'm always amazed too!
Bella with her ear protection. Classic. Good idea with the gloves. Nothing worse then cold weather cracked skin.
Thanks! Oh yes, painful! Her name is Ella Bean!
Your hands are your most important tools. do what you gotta do to protect them. great job Tom. I'm always inspired by your videos.
12:50 Tom have a chemical patch test done. Suffered 64 yrs. Allergic to 6 Chemicals (they were in almost everything around me) Life much better how. Big Pharma very evil. Those we are taught to trust; do not. vet 1st.
Thanks! Well said!
Thanks! good idea, didn't know you could do that
Thom Im never disappointed! Always a class act. You dont cut corners and your work is amazing. Great job. 👍
Thank you!
Great to see an in-situ instalment. I bet that cabinet smelt lovely after it was waxed, it looked it. Another brilliant job Tom. Thanks for sharing with us.
You're welcome!
You're dog sure loves you. You can see it in their eyes when they look up at you.
Great video, I always enjoy seeing Old stuff made new again. That is a very nice cabinet. I love the look of rosewood.
Thanks! Yes, but she also knows I have treats!
New video of Tom Johnson..... drop everything, start video.... enjoy :-)
Boom! Thanks!
Those are magic hands.....look after them Thomas....look forward to the next magic episode....👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you! I will!
I'm gladdened to see that you teach your apprentice the importance of PPE in the workplace. 😉
Always! Thanks!
I smiled to see that a professional also goes with the attitude of, 'use whatcha got' when it comes to tools. Love the paint-can approach to weights.
Thanks! Always!
Love how you give us all the information about the piece restored, hours it took to complete and the tools used. You’ve got the combination spot on. Love your work, as always. 😁👍🏻🇦🇺
Thank you!
Last summer we bought a vintage Hoosier that has a tambor door on the front of the bread box. The canvas on the back of the door had disintegrated and someone had tried to repair it by gluing the sections together. Thanks to you and this detailed video I was able to restore that door into perfect working condition.
Wow! That's great! It makes me very happy
@@johnsonrestoration And I think it looks pretty good. 😆
Possibly one of the nicest pieces you have repaired/restored and shown us. Not to mention the well stocked contents of the cabinet by your client. 🍸 Thanks Tom, that was a real treat. 😊
You're welcome!
Hi Thomas, another impressive repair of a cool cabinet! I did a tambour repair on the liquor cabinet in a 1968 Stevens 69 foot cabin cruiser in Sausalito, Ca. It belonged to a good friend and while in the boat was in the shipyard I noticed the fabric had deteriorated and the doors did not operate smoothly. Despite some fantastic restoration work on other parts of the mahogany salon, these doors seemed to flummox the woodwright and the boat got delivered with the doors untouched. So I offered to fix them. My friend was confident but his partner in the boat was skeptical. I showed him my portfolio of repair work and he agreed to let me try. The cabinets could not be removed so I cut the fabric on each slat and worked them all out one at a time. After cleaning and waxing all the slats on the workbench I placed them back in the track dado and applied the fabric in situ with the slats in the open position. It worked beautifully and I won over the skeptic who became a good client! Your repair here reminded me of that small victory, Thanks!
Thanks! Good story! I can't believe it worked applying the fabric in place! You are a hero!
Great restoration as usual Young Thomas! (Nice to see "The Byrds" at the end of the video!)
Thanks! You got that!
I love how your buddy always accompanies you. So sweet... Yes, absolutely must protect the hands. (The moose cup is rad.) That cabinet looks pretty good in fact, I'd say it looks pretty dang good. Thank you for the video!
You're welcome! Yes, this dry cold weather is tough on the hands!
This is one of my favorite pieces you've worked on. What a beautiful design.
Thank you! 😊
I love the oblique reference to Bob Dylan in the title of this video. Your craftsmanship and caring is extraordinary and inspiring. Both are rare these days. It is also pleasurable to see the animals in your videos. Many thanks.
You're welcome!
The customer is going to LOVE what you've done, Tom. A great improvement over being broken. What a pain that must've been?
Thanks! It all went well though!
I really appreciate it when you accommodate us metric users.Big difference between 22F and 22 C.
Thanks! I'm trying!
That cabinet is a knockout! I’ve only recently developed an appreciation for MCM furniture. Now, I can’t get enough of it! Beautiful work as always!
It's a great style. Thanks!
There are so many video's of furniture restorations out there. But after watching you for years I realize that most of them are hacks and it just makes a person cringe watching their idea of how to do a restoration. Thank you for showing all of us how to do things properly. I can't begin to name how much I have learned from you.
You're welcome! I'm so glad I can be of some help!
What an amazing piece! And of course you did a fantastic job restoring those doors.
Thank you very much!
There's something elegant and almost magical about tambour doors. They came together so well and I remember you using that same fabric on a previous set of tambours, from a small roll-top desk, I think. Didn't know you made house calls! (LOL)
I suspect the "house call" is because it was only the doors that needed 'help', and it was easy enough to take them out. That cabinet is pretty big (and full of stuff - couldn't have chosen a better one to fix!).
Thanks! dlevi67 is exactly right!
Exactly! I had my doubts when I first saw photos - but I was able to do it in place
Love this cabinet, reminds me of Marshall Fields Dept. Store when I would look at their furniture in Downtown, Chicago! The tambours were nicely fixed and the book matching on both sides is incredible when you finished putting them back in!
Thanks! Yes, these MCM tambours have always fascinated me
This was an enjoyable video right from the start - with the great musical reference in the thumbnail, to the shots of your well-protected pooch, to the actual repair itself. Very satisfying!
Thank you!
Oh Goody, Tom's back :)
I'm back! Thanks!
Mid Century is my favorite style. Excellent job on this iconic peice.
Thank you! I like MCM too
I really appreciate the gloves idea. When i was a furniture maker my hands would get so dry i could not easily grip timber and would slip and catch on sharp cut edges, very sore fingers etc! I wore the yellow type glove with rubber grips. All the best and thanks for the informative and enjoyable videos.
Thanks! Yes! You understand completely - extremely painful
Wow. Those tambours are so well made it looks like a solid door just magically disappearing and re-appearing as the doors open and close.
My thoughts exactly! Thanks!
Such lovely peaceful outstanding efforts to complete this job and video, I know such work takes hours to be done but will I dare to ask for more videos in the week, surely not. As always thanks Sir Thomas for your hard efforts and please keep the good work.
You're welcome! I'm working on more videos! Always! We're trying to do one every 2 weeks
I love to see how much you care for your dog's safety and health in your videos.
Thanks! She's good about it too
What an amazing cabinet, lovely design / look and amazing opening doors. I don't think I have seen anything like this before, although I think I played with some as a kid, but nothing this high quality.
Glad you explained the gloves I was attempting to figure out what chemical was being used, or maybe what dust / wood was an allergen. As someone who only gets light frosts, never snow and always high humidity, I didn't realize this was an issue. Also confused as your breath wasn't showing. Does this mean the air temp was high enough that it didn't show, but the thermal mass of the metal tools was cold, hence the issues? Also thanks for converting temperature into C. Fahrenheit makes no sense at all when one didn't grow up with it.
Thanks! It's not that cold in the shop, with the heat on, but the tools are cold, and just no humidity
The play on words in the title has given me the best ear worm..can stop humming hey Mr. Tambourine man. 👌🏾👍🏾
I can't either! I've had it in my head for a week now!
Outstanding work as usual, Tom!
Thank you!
Also! Nice you included the "field trip" to the customer! A rare out-of-his-normal-habitat TJ sighting! (And what a bar that is...!)
Yes! I was very impressed. I definitely need to stop by their place at cocktail hour!
1:03
Everyone, thank me later.
Yes! Thanks!
That is a good looking and well stocked bar.
Yes, I was impressed!
We love your work down here in Australia Tom, not just the work but the really peaceful way you carry yourself. Ella, the dog is a good companion for you on those cold and frosty days.Thank you.
You're welcome! I appreciate it!
The old glue and fabric sure put up a fight. The owner made a great decision to seek you out in restoring it, amazing job as usual! The wax also gave a nice shine at the end.
Thanks! Yes, it really brought it to life!
The bees wax finish revealed the beauty of the rosewood bar.
Thanks! Yes, the Howard's always does a good job
Add my 'thumbs-up ' to ALL the positive comments. I couldn't think of any new adjectives. Watching your program is like a dinner out and a movie!
Thank you! I like that!
:Hey, Mr. Tambour-ing man, fix my bar for me." I love that cabinet, and the genius design feature that the subtle curve in the top rail , is how you remove the doors.
Thanks! Yes, I was amazed they went in there!
Beautiful ROSEWOOD!
Thanks for an interesting furniture restoration TJ! ❤
You're so welcome Marte!
From 1958-1962 (starting I was 13) I worked in a shop that employed 5 or 6 old-time carpenters (all around 60 yrs old then). I have never forgotten that every one of them was missing a part of one or more fingers. At that age I guess I thought it was a requirement to be a carpenter. You've done well to keep all your fingers.
Thanks! I love that! And had very similar experiences. I am lucky - but also careful
Thomas Johnson goes from strength to strength!
Nicely done!
Thank you!
A lovely cabinet.happy it is in such good condition. That ticking does look a lot more durable than the previous stuff, and the screws should make it easier for the next repair in 70 odd years. Thanks for making and sharing the video.
You're welcome! Yes on both counts!
You did a great job bringing those doors back to beauty and usefulness.
Thank you Judith!
How amazing was the person who figures strip's of wood on fabric make a curving door. Genius.
Thanks! It is amazing!
Mattress Ticking --- WOW --- Never even thought about that. Always used canvass. Now another piece of ammo for my arsenal! --- Just why I keep watching these and can't wait for the next one!
Thanks! Canvas is fine of course, but there's something about the ticking I really like
Dear Mr Johnson, First, you can moisturize your hands as much as you like. Second, in times I have used water-soluble glue to spread on the surface, my methode was First, glue on the surface, second spread by toothed spatula then with a dough scraper.
As a carpenter I have veneered a lot of surfaces. A paint roller we didn't use.
I have enjoyed your project and didn't anticipate behind these tambour doors whiskey but a flat screen (television set). The cabinet was huge. You did an excellent job!
Greetings from Germany
Thanks! I like the roller! It does a good job. And yes, that is a big cabinet - and well stocked!
Really beautiful cabinet made to work again can’t get better than this
Thanks!
Another satisfied customer!
You bet it looks pretty good!
Thanks!
Thought for sec I thought you were about to say, "Now first, I'm just going to pour myself a little drink . . ." Lol
I thought about it!
Great work👍
Thanks!
It looks beautiful. The mid century modern look is very popular now. I grew up with it and never really liked it but this piece is very nice and you brought it back to life. Good job. As they say in Friesian, “goedzo”.
Thanks! Yes, MCM furniture can be quite elegant!
Always nice to see you at work showing us your expertise. Happy to know you are taking good care of your hands and the lovely Ella wearing hearing protection. dont't know how you call them in the States . You pet her from me, please. Blessings
Thank you! Pets delivered!
The piece looks like mine. (Bedroom set) mine was called Danish Modern..so beautiful you are the best.
I am 81yo and its always a treat to watch you FIX everything that comes your way..
🤗
Thank you Collette! Yes, we called it "Danish Modern" also. Now it's called Mid-Century Modern, which is a better description
It's smart to keep your hands in good working order. It's something I took for granted for years. You're gonna need them some day. 🤘
Oh yeah! Arthritis gets most people
It's funny how much of this was like another restoration channel I really enjoy, but for paintings, 'Baumgartner Restoration' He always seems to be scraping the back of a portrait to get the old backing off, and often has the same issue of the glue bond being weak, but annoying stubborn. And when you rolled out the glue, was almost just like how he applies washi kozo paper to the facing of the painting to give it protection, usually while he trying to flatten it out (which you also did, though with wax paper covered board vs. weights) So interesting to watch the worlds collide. Despite my not being a carpenter or furniture restorer, I've learned so many innovations from your channel, Thomas. Thank you
I began by enjoying his channel very much. But I stopped watching after a while. A shame really because the restoration of old paintings, for me, slightly edges out that of antiques. However there is something about that guy that just rubs me wrong. It touches on a lack of humility that I perceive in his personality which I find distasteful, and for some reason, have a peculiar suspicion of.
Thanks! Anytime I'm mentioned in the same sentence as Baumgartener I take as a high compliment!
He talks too much! But still, excellent videos
Nice work, the jig made an easier job of the glue up. Great to see the managing director leading by example. Thank you Tom.
You're welcome!
Beautiful work, as always!
This reminds me of Julian Baumgartner's fine art restoration, particularly his interleaf process. He uses a reversible heat-activated adhesive film to attach a stable backing to a canvas, and also uses pressure (well, in his case, a heat and vacuum table) to do so.
Tom and Julian have a lot in common - they are both great at explaining what they are doing and are such masters at their craft! I thoroughly enjoy all their videos!
Thank you! I am flattered to be mentioned along with Baumgartner!
Thanks! It's a great compliment for me to be mentioned along side Baumgartener!
Beautiful cabinet Tom. I’m sure the client is pleased with your work. I know I would be. Looks great!
Thank you very much!
Super job in fixing the doors. I used to use was paper to keep glue off but I changed to parchment paper. I can reuse it. Beautful job. I love seeing how your pup looks up at you. It reminds my of my lab.
Thanks! Yes, and I get a few uses out of the wax paper too.
I am late to watch this project for some unknown reason. It's a dreary May day in Indianapolis and the sound protection on your dog made me really laugh and continue to smile. Thankd
You're welcome! Unending drearyness here too!
Beautiful work and your dog with ear protection cracked me up. I’m still laughing.
Thanks!
What a beautiful piece! It's amazing how the doors look like solid pieces of wood until they are slid into place. Thanks for sharing another great video.
Thanks! Yes, it is amazing!
Mr. Johnson, thank you for sharing the insights and techniques you have mastered over the course of your career. I recently refurbished the finish on our Cherry kitchen cabinets and modernized the fittings with soft touch closures and pull out drawers. The job came out really well and our real estate agent and the new buyers loved the results. I would not have dared to pull off the project if it were not for the detailed instruction you have provided over the years.
Wow! You're welcome Rob. That makes me feel good!
To see things restored rather than discarded brings me joy. Your skill and patients gives these beautiful pices value once again. If all of life were this way, we would all be rich indeed. Thank you for sharing your art.
You're welcome! Nicely said!
It's just an absolute pleasure to watch you work. Thank you for giving such a detailed glimpse into the work you do.
You're welcome!
All I know is that the owner of this beautiful cabinet owes you a good pour of the finest on offer. Fantastic work as always. Stay warm my friend 🥃
Thank you! And I will!
What a beautiful cabinet. Well done Mr. Johnson.
Thank you!
Beautiful cabinet. Your usual thoughtful, meticulous restoration work. Inspiring!
Thank you!
I’ve never seen a tambour repair before. Thanks for sharing your tips and experience Tom. I learned something new today! Scott
Thanks Scott! They're rarely difficult - but always a source of tension until you see them work properly at the end. Very satisfying. Hope all is well!
In my experience, ol Tom is a joy to watch 👍
Thank you!
Good to see the quality control officer on the job.
Always! Thanks!
Wonderful job!!! Love seeing things repaired instead of things thrown out and some pressboard IKEA garbage taking its place. Keep up the good work sir.
Thank you!
Another great restoration. The final results looked perfect.
Good to see that Ella takes hearing protection seriously.
Thanks! She does! (as long as there's a treat involved)
Thanks, right off the bat!
There is always an anticipation of excellence in your work, and I am never disappointed. I know that whatever I am going to see, this is the way to do it. It's a good idea that the opening of the hooch hutch should make some subtle sound.
You're welcome! I didn't think about that! No sneaking a drink!
Outstanding work, as ever. Thank you for an enjoyable watch.
You're welcome!
Beautiful piece of furniture! Well done Thomas!
Thank you!
The video segments where Tom works in the patches of winter light from shop windows looks cool.
Thanks! I was hoping it would - and not be a distraction
Always nice when a plan comes together.. Another great project.
Thanks! 👍
I've never seen cabinet like this. Great look outside… and inside😉
Neither had I! Thanks