January 2, 2014
Happy New Year! Now that it’s January, we’ll be switching to our winter hours. Weekday hours remain 10 until 6, Tuesday through Friday, but on Saturdays we’ll be open from 10 until 5 (rather than 6) and we’ll be closed on Sundays.
This seems to be the time of year when we are busy with restorations. Is it because people are staying home more due to the weather?
Below are photos of a 1940’s spinet desk that 20 years ago was painted pink, inside and out. As you can see, the paint has been removed and it has been restored to its original condition. Nice, huh?
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The process of refinishing is not complicated, but it is time consuming and requires a dedicated work area. The first step is to remove the paint or old finish, which is done with stripper. Since this stuff is so strong it literally eats away paint, it’s very important to wear gloves while using it. (Just ask Bob how it burns the skin!) Once the stripper is washed off and the piece dries, the piece is evaluated and any required repairs are made, then it’s time for sanding. Pieces are sanded at least twice at this stage with different grades of sandpaper. After removing any dust resulting from the sanding, next comes the staining (if required) to achieve the desired color. This often requires multiple coats that must dry thoroughly before a sanding sealer is applied. Once that dries, there’s another round of sanding and another coat of sanding sealer. After the second coat of sanding sealer, coats of hand rubbed satin polyurethane (modern varnish) are applied and rubbed with 0000 grade steel wool. The final finish is a coat of wax. Pieces end up with anywhere from 4 to 10 coats of finish. We’re sharing this with you not so that you decide to do your refinishing yourself, but so that you appreciate the time constraints associated with this process. Some things just can’t be rushed!
We wanted to bring one local event to your attention. There will be an Appraisal Day at the Carver Center in Purcellville on Jan. 25th. Todd Peenstra, our friend and nationally-known antiques and art appraiser, will be there from 2 until 5 conducting an Antiques Road Show-style event with Bob there to assist with the furniture appraisals. The cost is $5 per item with a limit of 3 items per person. Click here for details.
Finally, we hope you’ll join us in cheering for Auburn in Monday night’s BCS Bowl. Sean wanted to go to school where they had a football team and it really seems to be working out well for them this year. Hopefully you’re happy with the teams you’re following this year. (We aren’t even going to say anything about the Redskins season.)
Come visit us when you have a chance!
Lynne & Bob McCann