Posts

TitleDateExcerpt
The Best Way to Store an Antique Quilt Inside a Cedar ChestAn antique quilt can look sturdy while its fibres are becoming increasingly fragile. Repeated folding, acidic materials, excess moisture, insects and poorly…
A Guide To French Provincial Furniture In AmericaFrench Provincial furniture brings together rustic charm, graceful proportions and the practical elegance associated with provincial France. In America, the…
How to Fix a Loose Banister Spindle on an Old StaircaseA loose banister spindle can seem like a minor nuisance, yet it plays a real part in stair safety. Spindles, also called balusters, help support the handrail…
Chiffonier, tallboy, and armoire: how to tell them apartAntique case furniture can be confusing because names often describe a piece’s height, storage arrangement, or historical use rather than a single fixed…
Choosing the Right Wax for an Antique SurfaceWax can give an antique a soft glow, deepen the appearance of its wood, and provide a modest layer of protection against dust and handling. It can also create…
Identifying Herter Brothers Furniture From the Gilded AgeFurniture made by the Herter Brothers occupies a special place in American decorative arts. The firm transformed elite nineteenth-century interiors with richly…
How to realign a sagging door on an antique armoireAn antique armoire door can sag for several reasons: loose hinge screws, a settling cabinet, worn hinge knuckles, a weakened hinge stile, or a door that has…
The Knife Box In The Dining RoomA knife box is a small piece of furniture with an unusually direct connection to the rituals of dining. Designed to store and present table knives, these cases…
How to Recreate A Period-Correct Paint Finish On A Country CupboardA painted country cupboard can look convincingly old without appearing artificially distressed. The most successful finish respects the piece’s age,…
The Best Kits for Touching Up the Finish on an Antique FrameAn antique frame can look tired without being damaged beyond repair. Small abrasions, pale edges, water marks, and missing color around a corner often distract…