I would not have used polyurethane on a 200 year old dresser. Shellac or oil would be more period appropriate. I also usually wax the screws when refitting them; it helps prevent dry wood from splintering when you re-insert them.
I personally believe that’s an old way of thinking. Craftsmen back then didn’t have the option of modern day polys and finishes. I’m sure they’d use poly if it were available during their time.
@ronwilliams1094 Don't disagree that if the makers lived today they'd use now available products, but a shellac/wax combination does have a look that is not the same as poly. A water-based poly followed by hard wax is close though.
I don’t care! You brought a beautiful piece of furniture back to life who care how you got there or what you used it’s not in a landfill ! Great Job!! 🐝
Thank you very much! 🌿 I think so too, old items when "revived" like this really bring joy and significantly reduce waste 🌎 Have you ever tried to remake any old items yourself? Share with me
This is a stunning piece of furniture, and you did a wonderful job on it. I'm surprised at the harshness of some of these comments, tbh. Can't please everyone, huh! I refinished a 1900-1920s era, Empire style kitchen table and sideboard using oil-based stain, three (or four?) coats of Minwax Tung Oil, and Howard's Feed n Wax and it's held up great to everyday use. Anyway, I hope you don't let some of these comments get you down. The final result was beautiful. 🙂
Thank you! I agree. Some people just want to come here to criticize. It doesn't bother me. TH-cam views any comment, good or bad, as engagement so it actually helps the video haha. I like using Tung Oil as well, but lately I've been testing different finishes.
It's beautiful... I do have one question... why didn't you fix the chipped corner where the veneer was chipped off? I know you said you wouldn't be able to find a matching veneer, but why didn't you fill it in with wood filler or something? I know it was a small chip, so I'm sure blending it in wouldn't have been that hard... I was just wondering. It still looks good.
Thank you! I couldn’t find a matching veneer that thick. I thought about wood filler. But it’s almost 200 years old I felt weird just slapping wood filler on it.
I love that you kept the integrity of the dresser by not sanding down the insides. Also, have you ever tried odies oil for a finish? It's magical! Hands down my favorite product
That wooden object is most likely a corset busk and is rather rare, they were inserted in a pocket in the front of the corset for support. Makes sense to find one in an old dresser. super cool.
I think the object you asked us to comment on is a bone folder - used to crease paper. At least that's what I've used them for in making greeting cards.
I love that you respect the furniture, respecting the old nail history. Restoring this beautiful old Piece drawer. ✨ I admire people like you, you respect the history of the furniture and respecting the original look. ❤️🥰 I was tired of seing other people ruining a beautiful old furniture, with there AWFUL “Modern” ideas… 😭 It’s very Nice that i found you, i have subscribe to your Channel! 🤩
OMG...I have a piece of furniture almost just like this. Same feet, same back boards, same locks, and same knobs. Ours has an old piece of mirror on top which made me believe it was a buffet. I actually had no idea how old it was!! Yours is beautiful!
I have a similar piece. A very common one, but functional. Mine was is much better condition. I paid 100.00 dollars for mine. I like it at that price. Stout and functional..
Me too! Mirror with a shelf above it, 2 small top drawers, one long drawer, 2 doors with shelves the full width inside, and another long drawer at the bottom. Husband keeps saying it’s not valuable because his mom bought it at a garage sale for $30.
Beautiful piece! The thing you found in the drawer looks like a bone folder. I could be mistaken, but it looks like one to me. I've used one in book conservation before.
Thanks! I like tung oil too. Just the 3 day application gets annoying. Mahogany veneer and think pine underneath. It was kind of a soft wood underneath.
I like you left some of the "historic" dings and didn't over restored. Also, IMHO oil finish is the best choice. It restores the shine and helps with the dryness of the wood.
Nice job! I currently have one of these in my studio, but my two top little drawers have bow fronts and no bib on the back top. The screws on the wooden knobs are wood and part of the knob. Very cool, actually, as I've never seen that. The veneer on mine is in horrible shape, crumbling and falling off. I didn't want to wood fill or bondo, so i may try to find a replacement. Thanks for screw and nail education!!
Brilliant job as per usual. I think that article you found in the top drawer might be what bookbinders call a “bone”. It is for flattening and folding paper. I love your videos and eagerly await each new one. Cheers from Australia. 🇦🇺🤗
I see these American Empire pieces often and always wanted one. I love the heavy-duty legs and the lines of them. I'm going to buy one next time I see one!
I have a dresser almost exactly like this. It was my great-great grandmothers. It's such a beautiful piece of furniture. I need to make some repairs but for now, it's a piece to admire & not use. Thank you for not slapping paint on it and calling it pretty. The wood is beautiful on these pieces.
I normally don`t like a poly finish on antiques, especially on Empire, but you got a very nice look with the finish you used. There are two very light triangular areas on the upper glove drawers that I would stain darker to match, but other than that, very nice job. I`d add it to my collection.
I have seen similar furniture also described as "Grecian Plain style" or "Greek revival". I was familiar with the earlier American empire style for several years, but discovered the later circa 1825-40 plain pieces only two months ago. Thank you for showcasing this underrepresented style.
I learn something from almost everything i watch. Thanks for you taking time to do a you tube. It never ceases to amaze me how arrogant people think they need to correct and give advice not solicited. They dont wanna take the time to put their own you tube out. Carry on sir...
Respect for what things are: The real challenge in restoring antiques is to work within a set of parameters. It's time consuming to do it well and requires thought, patience, care, certain tools some specialized, certain materials, chemicals and understand their properties, an encyclopedic knowledge of woods and a collection of, and and and and a willingness to learn and keep learning.
Really nice restoration---but what did you do about the veneer that was so thick? Did I miss something? (I've been known to doze off even when I'm really into something...it's the vintage thing!). It's a pleasure to watch you work!
I did a similar dresser to yours about a year ago, much veneer issues , I would have to put at least two layers on to get the right thickness. I thought mine had been redone before( it had paint showing in some places) but I saw on yours that only the curved legs and the drawfronts were veneered so I guess thats how they were done back in the day. I sold it for 4 times what i paid but had many months, off and on in labor ,but I love it.
Wowie-zowie! What stunning wood grain on this handsome dresser! I bought a similar piece with exactly the same legs but a "harp" mirror on top. Handmade dovetails too. Mine was painted, and when removing allof that, beautiful BIRDS EYE MAPLE!. The drawersinside were pine and I thought that pine was throughout. However, the dresser was very heavy..I should have suspected. Sadly, this piece had to be sold. Oh yes, the mirror had 1 inch beveled glass. This piece that you have shown us today is needing a good price. Very nicely done. 👌 thanks!❤
I think the object you found in the upper drawer may be an ebony or galalith paper folder. Concerning getting rid of the finishing I now prefer sanding with Cubitron pads and an orbital sander. I have found scraping hazardous to veneers and chemical strippers a real pain in the butt. Hope this help. Cheers.
@@restorationrhode Yeah, I have used scrapers but I find them unreliable with veneers if thin. They can damaged it and increase labour time. Time vs money.
I believe the item you thought was a shoehorn is something called a folding bone. Probably because it is made of bone. It was used for folding/creasing paper. When I started out in the drafting career we used it to fold 34”x44” blueprints into about the size of a sheet of paper like a map.
@@restorationrhode while most are pointed some are not and the ones I used in the 80’s were not pointed. From the video it appears to not be made of wood and does look like bone material which is why I was leaning towards a folding stick.
This piece looks so much like the pieces that are in The Omni Bedford Springs Hotel in Bedford PA. They have many original pieces there still. The hotel dates back to 1796
Me encanta el resultado, aunque yo hubiera preferido un acabado a la cera. El objeto de madera que se ve, a mí me parece qye es una plegadora de papel, se utilizaba para plegar las cartas y meterlas en el sobre, ya que el papel solía ser grueso. Felicitaciones ❤
![What's in the box?! 1890s Safe [Restoration]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kugqGatwLDY/mqdefault.jpg)
![What's in the box?! 1890s Safe [Restoration]](/img/tr.png)
Beautiful. It is so nice to see something old redone without using paint.
I agree! Thank you!
I would not have used polyurethane on a 200 year old dresser. Shellac or oil would be more period appropriate. I also usually wax the screws when refitting them; it helps prevent dry wood from splintering when you re-insert them.
That’s a great tip! I thought about using shellac. I did use shellac on the inside of the drawers.
I personally believe that’s an old way of thinking. Craftsmen back then didn’t have the option of modern day polys and finishes. I’m sure they’d use poly if it were available during their time.
@ronwilliams1094 Don't disagree that if the makers lived today they'd use now available products, but a shellac/wax combination does have a look that is not the same as poly. A water-based poly followed by hard wax is close though.
I typically use Lacquer for these old pieces. It has a great sheen, goes on easily and can be ‘built’ up.
@@datachickatl4092 I used lacquer on the French dresser. I wanted to try this wipe on poly.
I don’t care! You brought a beautiful piece of furniture back to life who care how you got there or what you used it’s not in a landfill ! Great Job!! 🐝
Yes! Thank you!
I love wipe on poly. Minwax makes a better product, IMO.
@@Tenebarum I will try that one next. HD only had the Watco brand
Thank you very much! 🌿 I think so too, old items when "revived" like this really bring joy and significantly reduce waste 🌎 Have you ever tried to remake any old items yourself? Share with me
This is a stunning piece of furniture, and you did a wonderful job on it. I'm surprised at the harshness of some of these comments, tbh. Can't please everyone, huh! I refinished a 1900-1920s era, Empire style kitchen table and sideboard using oil-based stain, three (or four?) coats of Minwax Tung Oil, and Howard's Feed n Wax and it's held up great to everyday use. Anyway, I hope you don't let some of these comments get you down. The final result was beautiful. 🙂
Thank you! I agree. Some people just want to come here to criticize. It doesn't bother me. TH-cam views any comment, good or bad, as engagement so it actually helps the video haha. I like using Tung Oil as well, but lately I've been testing different finishes.
It's beautiful... I do have one question... why didn't you fix the chipped corner where the veneer was chipped off? I know you said you wouldn't be able to find a matching veneer, but why didn't you fill it in with wood filler or something? I know it was a small chip, so I'm sure blending it in wouldn't have been that hard... I was just wondering. It still looks good.
Thank you! I couldn’t find a matching veneer that thick. I thought about wood filler. But it’s almost 200 years old I felt weird just slapping wood filler on it.
i had exactly the same question
I love that you kept the integrity of the dresser by not sanding down the insides. Also, have you ever tried odies oil for a finish? It's magical! Hands down my favorite product
I haven’t. It’s on my list of finishes to try out. Odies and Osmo hard wax are two I really want to try.
That is a beautiful peice of furniture, you did an amazing job.
Thank you!!
Don't you love how an oil finish just brings the wood to life?! You just gained another subscriber.
Thanks for the sub! Watching the grain pattern pop with the top coat is my favorite part. Brings me coming back every time.
That wooden object is most likely a corset busk and is rather rare, they were inserted in a pocket in the front of the corset for support. Makes sense to find one in an old dresser. super cool.
Hmm. My guess was a tongue depressor. Yours makes more sense.
Is it wooden though? Most were made from whalebone.
Your presentation is perfect - no music etc.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
WOW. This is a beautiful piece. I love how the grain is really prominent and how it popped when you put the poly on!
Thank you! That’s my favorite part. Watching the grain pop.
Nice job. I love American Empire furniture. You did a wonderful job sir
Thank you!’
I think the object you asked us to comment on is a bone folder - used to crease paper. At least that's what I've used them for in making greeting cards.
Interesting never would have thought of that.
I think you can also use a bone folder to make a temporary crease in fabric It's a very handy tool.
I thought it was an old tongue depressor.
@@ecuadorious think you are right.
Depends what it’s. ade if. I think it’s the folder.
I love that you respect the furniture, respecting the old nail history. Restoring this beautiful old Piece drawer. ✨ I admire people like you, you respect the history of the furniture and respecting the original look. ❤️🥰 I was tired of seing other people ruining a beautiful old furniture, with there AWFUL “Modern” ideas… 😭 It’s very Nice that i found you, i have subscribe to your Channel! 🤩
Thank you! I will admit I do paint furniture sometimes. But I try to restore if I can.
It had great lines and you brought forth the beauty of the wood with your terrific finishing. God bless.
Thank you very much!
Beautiful! I love old furniture and the natural wood grains!
So do I. Why would you paint it when the wood grain looks like that.
Thats A Handsome Dresser! ❤
Thank you!
Absolutely, gorgeous transformation! The wood grain is amazing! Beautiful piece that can now last another 200 years! Thank you for saving it! 😊❤
Thank you very much! I glad you enjoyed the video!
OMG...I have a piece of furniture almost just like this. Same feet, same back boards, same locks, and same knobs. Ours has an old piece of mirror on top which made me believe it was a buffet. I actually had no idea how old it was!! Yours is beautiful!
It's called Empire style because they are "large and in charge"! LOL. I have my great grandmother's Empire dresser, so grateful.
I agree. I like the large bold style.
I have a similar piece. A very common one, but functional. Mine was is much better condition. I paid 100.00 dollars for mine. I like it at that price. Stout and functional..
I had the same price too , exactly, in PA
Me too! Mirror with a shelf above it, 2 small top drawers, one long drawer, 2 doors with shelves the full width inside, and another long drawer at the bottom. Husband keeps saying it’s not valuable because his mom bought it at a garage sale for $30.
Top-quality video, top-quality work! What a beautiful piece of furniture. Looking forward to the next one!
Thank you very much!
Gorgeous!! Thank you for saving this beauty
Thank you!
Beautiful piece! The thing you found in the drawer looks like a bone folder. I could be mistaken, but it looks like one to me. I've used one in book conservation before.
Thanks for the info! Glad you enjoyed the video!
I only use tung oil..I love the finish it gives. May I ask what kind of wood is this? I think it might be mahogany..
Thanks! I like tung oil too. Just the 3 day application gets annoying. Mahogany veneer and think pine underneath. It was kind of a soft wood underneath.
Beautiful! Reminds me of a piece my grandmother had. Thank you for the video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wow! This piece is gorgeous!
Thank you so much! Agree. The wood grain really popped!
Beautiful result. Thanks for sharing !
Thanks for watching!
I like you left some of the "historic" dings and didn't over restored. Also, IMHO oil finish is the best choice. It restores the shine and helps with the dryness of the wood.
Stunning!
Thank you! Cheers!
That is an awesome piece
Thank you!
Beautiful! I love it! Bravo 👏!
Thank you so much!
You did an amazing job. The piece is beautiful!
Thank you!
Great job! I love it
Thank you! I'm glad you like it!
Gorgeous!! You did a wonderful job!!
Thank you so much!
Nice job! I currently have one of these in my studio, but my two top little drawers have bow fronts and no bib on the back top. The screws on the wooden knobs are wood and part of the knob. Very cool, actually, as I've never seen that. The veneer on mine is in horrible shape, crumbling and falling off. I didn't want to wood fill or bondo, so i may try to find a replacement. Thanks for screw and nail education!!
Can you remove the old veneer and replace it?
Beautiful restoration!
Thank you very much!
Awesome job it looks amazing ide love to do somerhing like this i just dont have the patience for such a long job.
Thanks 👍 you can do it!
Absolutely beautiful.
Thank you!!
That turned out beautiful! Great work!
Thank you very much!
Beautiful!!!
Thank you!
Phenomenal job. Thank you!
Thank you!!
Can't wait till the next project... Watching this is almost therapeutic.
Thanks! Should have the project vid out next weekend. That’s the goal at least haha.
Excellent restoration! It has been brought back to its original glory.😊👍👍
Thank you! Cheers!
Stunning
Thank you! Cheers!
Brilliant job as per usual. I think that article you found in the top drawer might be what bookbinders call a “bone”. It is for flattening and folding paper. I love your videos and eagerly await each new one. Cheers from Australia. 🇦🇺🤗
Thank you! It’s either that or a tongue depressor is the consensus.
I see these American Empire pieces often and always wanted one. I love the heavy-duty legs and the lines of them. I'm going to buy one next time I see one!
I think they are beautiful, too!
Beautiful old piece. Sure you will make it beautiful ❤️ again. Have a wonderful day.
Thank you! You too!
Congratulations! Good transformation! 🌷🌷
Thank you!! 😊
Beautiful! I love it! 🤗
Thank you!
Absolutely beautiful
Thank you! Cheers!
I'm in love with it and I'm only 2 minutes in. lol
I was too when I saw it on FB marketplace.
i really like the design of this piece.
I agree. I like this style too
Turned out beautifully. Job well done 👍
Thank you!
Great job
Thank you!
Beautiful. I love the character of the piece.
Thank you! So do I!
absolutely stunning
Thanks!
That dresser is beautiful 😮❤❤❤❤
Thank you! It is! Gorgeous grain pattern.
Could you add a link for the scraper tool? Thanks!
Lotsa ASMR!! I loved it!! You just got another new subscriber!! What's next??
Thanks! Next up is a desk. It’s been painted but allegedly has black walnut under the paint. We shall see.
I have a dresser almost exactly like this. It was my great-great grandmothers. It's such a beautiful piece of furniture. I need to make some repairs but for now, it's a piece to admire & not use. Thank you for not slapping paint on it and calling it pretty. The wood is beautiful on these pieces.
Back to nearly good as new with aged characteristics left to add to its beauty. Bravo, it's beautifully done.
Thank you very much!
I normally don`t like a poly finish on antiques, especially on Empire, but you got a very nice look with the finish you used. There are two very light triangular areas on the upper glove drawers that I would stain darker to match, but other than that, very nice job. I`d add it to my collection.
Thank you very much!
I have seen similar furniture also described as "Grecian Plain style" or "Greek revival". I was familiar with the earlier American empire style for several years, but discovered the later circa 1825-40 plain pieces only two months ago. Thank you for showcasing this underrepresented style.
I agree. It is underrepresented and I always thought it was such a cool style.
I learn something from almost everything i watch. Thanks for you taking time to do a you tube. It never ceases to amaze me how arrogant people think they need to correct and give advice not solicited. They dont wanna take the time to put their own you tube out. Carry on sir...
Thank you for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Respect for what things are: The real challenge in restoring antiques is to work within a set of parameters. It's time consuming to do it well and requires thought, patience, care, certain tools some specialized, certain materials, chemicals and understand their properties, an encyclopedic knowledge of woods and a collection of, and and and and a willingness to learn and keep learning.
Well said! I agree!
Some more care on the coloration of the veneer was expected
You did a lovely job restoring this magnificent dresser. I subscribed!! Susie
Thanks for subbing! Glad you enjoyed the video!
Very nice! She's a beauty!
Thank you!
Beautiful!
Thank you!!
Gorgeous 😮
Thank you!
😍Beautiful work‼️ 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 From 🇧🇷
Thank you!
Really nice restoration---but what did you do about the veneer that was so thick? Did I miss something? (I've been known to doze off even when I'm really into something...it's the vintage thing!). It's a pleasure to watch you work!
Nice work. I enjoyed watching.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I did a similar dresser to yours about a year ago, much veneer issues , I would have to put at least two layers on to get the right thickness. I thought mine had been redone before( it had paint showing in some places) but I saw on yours that only the curved legs and the drawfronts were veneered so I guess thats how they were done back in the day. I sold it for 4 times what i paid but had many months, off and on in labor ,but I love it.
Yes! The veneer is so thick I couldn’t find a veneer thick enough to match it. Thank you!
What patients you have. Beautiful restoration. I love it!
@@patriciacrozier7624 thank you!
WOW! I thought it was amazing with the dust on it. You did a great job.
Thank you! Cheers!
Awesome product 100% restored congratulations 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you very much!
Great save!
Thanks!
Wowie-zowie!
What stunning wood grain on this handsome dresser!
I bought a similar piece with exactly the same legs but a "harp" mirror on top. Handmade dovetails too. Mine was painted, and when removing allof that, beautiful
BIRDS EYE MAPLE!. The drawersinside were pine and I thought that pine was throughout. However, the dresser was very heavy..I should have suspected. Sadly, this piece had to be sold. Oh yes, the mirror had 1 inch beveled glass. This piece that you have shown us today is needing a good price. Very nicely done. 👌 thanks!❤
Thanks! Yea this one was pine throughout with veneer.
That is a beautiful example of the Empire style of furniture.
Thank you!
Gorgeous!
Oh so very, WOW 👌
Thank you!!
Muito linda!!!!!😮😍
That turned out nice.
Thank you!
She’s lovely❣️
Thank you!!
Beautiful, bro !
Thank you!
Very nice
Thanks!
i have one almost identical to this! down to the knob with the missing edge bit.
The dressers long lost twin! Separated at construction.
@@restorationrhode very possible, im in Hamlton Ont. and I found it on the side of the road.
@@more5347 if you would like you can email me and I can get a shipping quote for you to see if it’s something you are truly interested in
I liked the first one you use on the drawers. It was a richer color. I liked the red that came through.
Are you referring to the top coat? I used the same top coat (a wipe on poly) on the entire piece.
wow perfect job. thks
Thanks!
I think the object you found in the upper drawer may be an ebony or galalith paper folder. Concerning getting rid of the finishing I now prefer sanding with Cubitron pads and an orbital sander. I have found scraping hazardous to veneers and chemical strippers a real pain in the butt. Hope this help. Cheers.
I use the mesh cubitron pads they are amazing. But I find the stripping to be quicker and saves the sanding pads.
@@restorationrhode Yeah, I have used scrapers but I find them unreliable with veneers if thin. They can damaged it and increase labour time. Time vs money.
I believe the item you thought was a shoehorn is something called a folding bone. Probably because it is made of bone. It was used for folding/creasing paper. When I started out in the drafting career we used it to fold 34”x44” blueprints into about the size of a sheet of paper like a map.
In crafting circles it is called a bone folder
I think it might be a tongue depressor. Most folding bones are pointed on one end. This one isn't.
@@restorationrhode while most are pointed some are not and the ones I used in the 80’s were not pointed. From the video it appears to not be made of wood and does look like bone material which is why I was leaning towards a folding stick.
FROM.JUNK.TO.TRES.
BRAVO.💯💯💯💯💯
Thank you!!
This is truly American furniture. This bonnet top empire style dresser become popular after 1820.
I really like this style. I like the bold features. Also, thank you for confirming the 200 years old!
Да получилось красиво
! Но не доработан элемент возле замка ...швы надо было бы спряпать клеем и опилками... но мне советовать...
Комод шикарный!
Thank you!
Beautiful…
Thank you!
I think that the pattern or figure of the wood in the drawer centers is pretty.
I agree the book matched veneer is really nice.
Ficou muito bom. Ótimo.
Thank you!!
Beautiful
Thank you!
This piece looks so much like the pieces that are in The Omni Bedford Springs Hotel in Bedford PA. They have many original pieces there still. The hotel dates back to 1796
This dresser looks like it could be a match to my great-grandparents' dresser! Th3 male to our female dresser!
LOL I would say you could buy it, but I already sold it.
What kind of wood?
Pine with a mahogany veneer
Me encanta el resultado, aunque yo hubiera preferido un acabado a la cera. El objeto de madera que se ve, a mí me parece qye es una plegadora de papel, se utilizaba para plegar las cartas y meterlas en el sobre, ya que el papel solía ser grueso. Felicitaciones ❤
Thank you! I’m trying a wax finish on upcoming projects.
so sweet
Thanks!