A restoration journal from a small garage workshop. Chairs, chests and frames rescued from skips, attics and house clearances, one weekend at a time.
Latest projectBefore and after, with the steps in between
Grey paint, a wobbly back and one leg shorter than the others. Under all that was solid beech.
Bought for the price of a coffee. The drawers stuck, the top was ring-marked and two knobs were missing.
A heavy arched frame with a cloudy mirror. The glass was beyond saving; the frame was not.
Not a restoration so much as a tidy-up. The goal was to keep every mark and stop it falling apart.
A single garage, a solid bench and mostly hand tools. No spray booth and no miracles, so every finish here is something you can do at home.
More about the workshop →