Water rings are among the most common blemishes found on antique and vintage furniture. A cold drink, damp vase, freshly cleaned surface or steaming cup can…
Recognising an R.J. Horner piece requires more than spotting an elaborate carving or an old paper label. The New York firm worked in several historic revival…
Burled wood is prized for its intricate grain, deep visual movement and sense of rarity. Rather than growing in straight, even lines, the timber develops from…
A loose or spinning screw can make a vintage table leaf difficult to fit, especially when the leaf depends on small fasteners to stay aligned with the main…
American Sheraton and Hepplewhite furniture belong to the Federal period, a refined style that developed in the United States from roughly 1790 to 1820. Both…
A signature can transform an old chair, table or chest from an attractive survivor into a documented piece of furniture history. Yet the mark itself is only…
A drawer bottom can reveal more about a chest, dresser or writing desk than its polished front suggests. The board sits in a protected position, so it may…
Long before the modern sofa became the centre of a sitting room, American households relied on a sturdy wooden bench called a settle. It combined seating,…
A four-poster bed depends on its vertical posts for much of its character. Their turned sections create rhythm, establish the bed’s period, and often reveal…
Staining a refinished antique piece is less about changing its colour than revealing its character. A well-prepared surface can show the grain, soften repaired…