Posts
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Here's a little 'freebie' treat for my faithful readers.
Back in the 1990's we published a newsletter for furniture restorers - both professionals and active hobbyists. We published over a span of nearly 4 years, with nineteen volumes created during that time. It has been out of print-on-paper for a long time. We have scanned the original artboards, and now I'm making it available to readers once again.
About once a month - more or less, no promises! - I'll make an issue available to you for FREE. It is in .pdf format, so you can download it, and read it on your computer, your e-reader, or you can even go old-school and print it out on paper if you want.
Of course, I'm still a merchant, and if you want to own the entire set right away, and not have to wait for a couple of years to get it all, you can buy them all on CD at our online store. Just click this link, and you can order your own set - and I'll even throw in some free extra stuff to say thanks and make it worth your while.
Enjoy!
March 23, 2010
March 19, 2010
Antique Roadshow Article by Peter Cook
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A number of folks have asked for copies of the article written by Peter Cook, an executive producer for the Antique Roadshow series. In that article, which was published in the magazine, Professional Refinishing, June 2002, Mr. Cook says, "Let the record show that Antiques roadshow generally agrees with this notion: Well-conceived and well-executed refinishing and restoration usually enhances the value of just about any piece of old furniture."
It is an article we use (with permission from the publisher) as a handout in our shop, and at shows. It really helps people to understand that the furniture in their homes is not 'Roadshow' quality, or period, and that it is OK to have it refinished, restored, or professionally cared for. If you have questions about refinishing old furniture, or if you might have customers who do, I suggest you make a copy of this article for your own use. Again, we do have permission from the publisher to do this.
The article is posted on our website, http://www.historicinteriors.com/. You can go there to get your copy, or you can just click this link, and it will take you to the Roadshow Article there.
Please feel free to use the 'comment' option below to add your 2-cents worth.
Tim B. Inman
A number of folks have asked for copies of the article written by Peter Cook, an executive producer for the Antique Roadshow series. In that article, which was published in the magazine, Professional Refinishing, June 2002, Mr. Cook says, "Let the record show that Antiques roadshow generally agrees with this notion: Well-conceived and well-executed refinishing and restoration usually enhances the value of just about any piece of old furniture."
It is an article we use (with permission from the publisher) as a handout in our shop, and at shows. It really helps people to understand that the furniture in their homes is not 'Roadshow' quality, or period, and that it is OK to have it refinished, restored, or professionally cared for. If you have questions about refinishing old furniture, or if you might have customers who do, I suggest you make a copy of this article for your own use. Again, we do have permission from the publisher to do this.
The article is posted on our website, http://www.historicinteriors.com/. You can go there to get your copy, or you can just click this link, and it will take you to the Roadshow Article there.
Please feel free to use the 'comment' option below to add your 2-cents worth.
Tim B. Inman
March 12, 2010
Does Refinishing Hurt the Value of My Antique?
"Does refinishing hurt the value of my antique?"
I get this question over and over again, so maybe it is an appropriate place to begin this blog.
The 'Hoosier' cabinet in the picture is just as I saw it the first time. It is a falling-apart piece of junk. But, it was 'Grandma's' and it is meaningful to the owners. Unquestionably, it will cost more to restore this cabinet than it could ever be worth on the open market. Equally unquestionable is that the 'value' of this piece can only be driven in one direction - up!
The problem is the owners had been watching the Antique Road Show, and they were convinced that having this cupboard repaired and restored would be the wrong thing to do, since it would 'destroy its value.' They actually said that to me. Really. They did. They weren't being flip or teasing. They were dead honest serious about it. They were wanting it to be nice again, and they were wanting it to be a remembrance from the days when their grandmother was alive and using it in her home. How can we have come so far away from 'values'?
In my WoodFinishing & Furniture Restorer's Guide Google Group, we've discussed this issue. I've even offered to make a copy of a magazine article available, written by Peter Cook, an executive producer of the Antique Road Show. In that article, Mr. Cook expresses his hope that the show has not been misleading to people about the need and worth of caring for their furniture. Nevertheless, people who watch the show assume their 'antique' is on a par with the hand made period furniture being evaluated by the Keno Brothers and others. In my professional opinion, a cabinet like the one in the picture isn't worth firewood without restoration, and even then, the restoration work must be done for the sentimental, or family, value. It will never be 'worth' the investment in care services, except to the owners. Without care, though, it will certainly be destined to return to the ashes from whence it came.
March 12, 2010
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