Who says that things worn and wearied can’t be brought back to life? When done correctly, restored antiques have plenty of life left in them! We love to see pictures of how our readers have brought a piece back from the brink. As we all know, a damaged antique is a hard sell and some of them can be beyond help. That’s why it’s so lovely to see a piece being treasured and used!
“A beautiful chestnut dresser that my husband restored.” Submitted by Terry Morgan Morrison.“This is a stove we just installed in our kitchen. My father lovingly restored it and brought it up to modern safety standards. We are so proud to add it to our home!” Submitted by Jerry Frear Jr.“Howe sewing machine made in the 20’s. Restored.” Submitted by Don Montgomery.“This is a pump organ that my great aunt owned. Bought in the early 1900s from Alexander Bros. & Co, in Greenville SC. I rescued it from my uncle’s barn in the mid 70s and my mother had it restored and refinished for me. I absolutely love it. I use it to display old family photographs.” Submitted by Jane Taylor Freeman.“1921 child’s electric stove my husband restored. It works great. He even found some old original electric cord. This stove had been very, very rusty.” Submitted by Wayne Vicki Howell.“Intricate woodwork dragons on the arms. These have been restored.” Submitted by Buffy Atkinson.“1930’s Singer Treadle Machine. Restored by my Dad, my Husband & Me!” Submitted by Cheryl Acanfora-Lee.“Bakers cabinet I bought and restored in South Boston, VA.” Submitted by Anne Hudspeth.“Rescued ice box. Mom paid to have it restored to its original wood. It took the man 14 months to finish. When I asked how much it cost, she waved me off saying ‘too much.'” Submitted by Lisa Farris Milstead.“This hoosier was sold by Montgomery Ward in 1933. It was owned by a family in Oriental, NC. The mother passed away and the hoosier went to a daughter. The daughter placed it on her porch and left it outside for 2 years. When an uncle came to visit he saw what was happening to the hoosier, he loaded it in his pick up and moved it to his garage. It sat in his garage for over 10 years. This project was not an easy one and was very time consuming. We love our hoosier and feel very blessed that a stranger would trust us enough to give this beautiful memory that he has for his sister.” Submitted by Deborah.“Our 1930s restored model A.” Submitted by Deb Shatrowsky.
Whether you restore as a family or do it on your own or take it to a specialist, there’s nothing quite like breathing new life into a treasured piece. Some pieces should only be restored by a professional, but many 20th century items can be restored at home with no issues as long you don’t make drastic changes to the finish or function of the piece. Thanks to our readers for sending in these wonderful projects. Do you have a piece you’re working on right now?
