A tabletop can reveal its cutting method through the direction, rhythm and figure of its wood grain. Learning to read those clues helps buyers distinguish a…
Gothic Revival furniture turns medieval architecture into domestic form. Its most recognisable features include pointed arches, trefoils, quatrefoils, tracery,…
A jewellery box drawer lined with faded, thinning or torn felt can make an otherwise beautiful piece feel tired. The lining may have absorbed dust, perfume and…
Australians are accustomed to using BPAY for household bills, council rates, school payments and other everyday transactions. That familiarity makes BPAY an…
A modesty panel is the broad board fitted beneath the front edge of a desk, usually between the legs or pedestals. From a seated position, it hides the…
A taped-on price sticker can seem like a minor nuisance until its adhesive lifts colour, pulls a flake of shellac away, or leaves a dull rectangle on a…
Furniture names can be wonderfully precise, yet they are often used loosely in shops, auctions and online listings. A long upholstered seat might be called a…
Shellac has protected and beautified fine furniture for centuries. Made from natural resin dissolved in alcohol, it creates a warm, luminous film that can be…
A marble-topped washstand brings together two materials with very different personalities. The timber may develop a mellow patina and tolerate careful waxing,…
A dry sink can look like a simple old cupboard, yet its value depends on a combination of age, materials, construction, condition, provenance and local demand.…