Not every old dresser deserves the bench. Here is what we look for before we commit a piece to restoration.
Solid stock and honest joinery. Dovetails, mortise‑and‑tenon, corner blocks. If the bones are hardwood, almost any cosmetic sin can be forgiven.
Good proportions. The best mid‑century furniture earns its keep in a modern room because the scale is right. A piece with great lines and a rough top is a better candidate than a pristine piece with clumsy ones.
Repairable veneer. Walnut and teak veneers over solid cores were common and are perfectly restorable — thin, blistered veneer over particleboard usually is not.
If you are on the fence about a family piece, send us photos. Estimates are free, and we will tell you honestly when something is not worth the spend.