Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Restored, not painted

Don't fall off your chair... I decided to restore something and not paint it.  I picked up this divine 1920's silky oak cabinet from a couple who were moving to Brisbane and didn't want to take it with them. It was in a rough way, the timber way so dry and rough and there were lots of marks including red texta. A couple of hours of sanding and waxing and polishing and it looks stunning.

This is extremely smooth and if you buy it you won't be able to stop running your hands over it, I promise :)



Silky Oak 1920's cupboard
68w x 50d x 90h cm
$350

Fantastic storage with a shelf inside
Pickup Lilyfield

Don't fear I'm off now to paint a gorgeous sideboard I picked up last week. It's a stunner also.

Fiona xx



9 comments:

  1. Wow, I hardly EVER see wood like that around here - Canada: I guess we burned it for the heat???
    Also, Fiona - can those possibly be roses atop your piece? I couldn't see enough leaf to tell them from peonies, and they are huge! I wish I could smell them from here!! They are just the colour of some Austin roses I have, but which are uncommonly small due to being marginal in this area.

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    1. It's an australian native and lots of furniture here is made from it in the early 1900 through to the 1960s I think.
      the flowers are actually fake - peonies - but the best fakes I've ever seen :)
      have a lovely day xx

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  2. Dear Fiona .
    Thank you for your wonderful blog .
    My husband has been totally inspired & from your examples is really experiencing a sense of achievement in his relocation to a country house .
    Keep inspiring us all .
    We love it !
    Best wishes . Judith

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    1. Thanks so much Judith - I’m so pleased you find it inspiring and useful.
      A country house sounds lovely 
      Fiona xx

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  3. I saw the before of this and I have to saw your work is just incredible . you are a master at what you do.

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    1. thank you so much. Lots of time and effort in developing my painting skills . xx

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  4. Dear Fiona, I love looking at your pieces, they are inspirational. Could you give a rundown on what you did to this Silky Oak piece thaat came out so beautiful, please? I have an old silky oak chest that would come up beautiful if it was done correctly. I am presumkng you onky finished this one with wax. Regards, Nan

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    1. hi Nan, just lots of sanding to smooth out all the rough spots, remove the old varnish and marks, start with a low grit sand paper and get finer and finer with each sand until you are happy. Then I cleaned it with a timber clearer to remove the remaining dirt and dust, then I waxed and polished it. Hope that helps. If you are in Sydney i can provide a quote to restore your chest for you.
      regards Fiona

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  5. such a pretty piece! i love the finish you gave it and love the shape!

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Thanks for taking the time to comment! Sorry if you have trouble commenting, you can always email me at lilyfieldlife@bigpond.com