Save it or Scrap it ?

With any piece of furniture concerning repair and restoration, the bottom line is .... Is it worth trying to save it?

You may have found a piece of furniture at a garage sale, second hand store or it may be a sentimental piece that has been in your family for generations and you like it bought back to life..!

There are a few things to consider when making your decisions. You have this piece or your looking at purchasing it, now what to do with it! Do you get it repaired, if required or restored so it can take pride of place in your home. The great thing is that older furniture is usually fairly study and well made but time could have taken its toll.

Ask yourself these questions ....

- are the legs even, straight, have any splits or cracks, does it wobble?

- do the doors and drawers work properly? ie do the hinges work properly or are they missing or do the drawers bind when trying to get them in or out? Are the key components of either the door or drawer missing or damaged or worn?

- is there any dry rot or insect damage? Dry rot can't be repaired, it has to be replaced. If there is minimal insect damage it can sometimes be repaired, but often time consuming, the extent will need to be considered.

- Are there broken components? Are they split, broken off and maybe missing entirely?

- Are there loose joints making the piece unstable or open up when under weight or stress?

- Does the piece have any veneers and if so are they damaged, missing or lifting off?

- Is the finish in good condition or damaged in any way, in the form of cracking, peeling or any discolouration?

Take these questions into account before purchasing and decide if you are willing to have the expense of getting them back to a functioning state.

If it is a true antique then it is probably worth it.

If it is a sentimental piece, many seem willing to do what ever it takes to have the piece repaired or restored. But, bare in mind it could be a timely and expensive process.

The decision is yours, as to what and how much repair and or restoration you wish to have done. It can also be completed in stages in line with your budget and time frame.

If it isn't an antique, you might want to consider your purchase or at least be aware of what you might be in for.

Most repairs are possible, timber and or veneers can be sourced to carry out the repairs, sticking doors or drawers can be dealt with, cracks can be glued back together, broken and possible missing components can be replaced and some insect damage can be treated.

Take the time to find someone who is willing to work with you during this process and has an understanding of the techniques used in the making of the piece originally, and is willing to respect the piece so as to maintain its authenticity.

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