Comments on: When it is OK to Replace Original Furniture Finish

By: Fred Taylor

Fred Taylor — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 20:00:04 +0000

Phillip _ I assume you are talking about Joerns Bros Furniture. Here is some history.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wispags/history/bus-joerns.html

Since Joerns was a 20th century century manufacturer your desk is not an antique and the finish is not considered to be “historic.” At this point just about anything you do to restore it short of painting it will improve both the appearance and the current market value.

Good luck. Thanks for posting.

Fred Taylor
http://www.furnituredetective.com
info@furnituredetective.com

By: phillip morrison

phillip morrison — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 18:00:37 +0000

I found a desk made by the Journs Bros co. from stevens pt Wisconsin. I want to fix it alittle to make it look better, Im liking of selling it but I have no idea if it’s really worth much. I’ve tried to find something like it online in which they made before but I can’t tell the worth of these things. Will it deminish the value if I work on it?

By: Eric Jones

Eric Jones — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:40:47 +0000

As a professional restorer, I believe too often a finish is removed before there is an attempt at rehabilitation. Many damaged finishes can be made lovely again with proper restoration techniques. Also, I believe that what is considered “beautiful” today is ugly tomorrow. Many of the blackened (fumed) finishes referenced in the article were highly prized at the time of manufacture. Similarly, to assume that the modern finish aesthetic that is championed today will be appreciated by the owner of the piece tomorrow is a fallacy.

By: Millie O'Reilly

Millie O'Reilly — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:47:55 +0000

I think that what you write is just great!

By: William H. Geiger III

William H. Geiger III — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:59:04 +0000

Hi,

I am in the new & used furniture business. While I don’t specialize in antiques I do come across old pieces quite often. I am constantly asked about refinishing by my customers. My advice to them is this:

If you are buying the piece for every day used in your house then refinish it to give it the look you want. If you are purchasing the piece for an investment then don’t.

I have an old Marstall wardrobe that I am redoing for a guest room. The old finish looks horrible. I don’t care if I kill the resale value by refinishing it, I want it to look good in the room I am putting it it. It’s why I bought it.

IMHO too much emphasis is put on resale value. The average buyer is no more a antique dealer than they are a day trader. They should be happy with the way a piece looks in their home not what it may be worth some years down the road.

By: Joyce Rau

Joyce Rau — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:15:31 +0000

Thank you Fred for clarifying this for all of us novices. I have read your fascinating book “How to be a furniture Detective” and enjoy following your articles on WorthPoint.

By: Cora McDonnell

Cora McDonnell — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:59:35 +0000

Hi Fred,

Thank you for writing about finishes that I think are awful.
Many pieces of my mother’s furniture are alligatored. She blamed it on her heating system (or lack of). What do you think of the technique of reamalgamation? I have a piano from 1924 for which I’m considering it.

Best wishes, Cora

By: Dan Haag

Dan Haag — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:03:43 +0000

Hey there Fred, I took your class in New Orleans. It’s nice to find you here so I can learn more from you. The articles that I have read are great. Thank You and Happy Days, Dan