An empire dresser

This one is a favorite. First, it’s an awesome piece–one that I would have to try fairly hard to irreparably ruin.  It’s a much different enterprise working on a lower quality piece that lacks good bones or quality craftsmanship.  As my (former) midwife, Savita, told me: “You can’t polish a turd.”  We all know that’s true.

A little web recon dated pieces similar to this one to the 1840s. Given its age, the original craftsman used old growth wood, probably walnut. I knew that I wanted to keep some wood, and possibly a lot of wood in the final finish. She needed a little work: the solid wood top curled at the edges, to the point where the slab looked somewhat concave.  Careful examination revealed that previous owners had tried to correct the problem, but with little success.  Enter Thad, some wood glue, a Kreg jig, screws, and some clamps.  While it’s not perfect, it”s acceptable and perfect would look silly on something like this, I think.

In terms of finish I layered milk paint–two different greens–on the drawers and allowed it chip as it would.  If you’ve ever used the medium, you know that you have minimal control over how the paint finishes.  I stained and varnished (yes, varnished) the body.  I chose an oil-based product from Sherwin Williams, applied two coats with a quality brush, while sanding between coats.  I wanted a durable topcoat–I haven’t found wax to be that durable–and one that was in keeping with dresser’s age.  Poly was too new a finish for something this aged.

As far as knobs went, I initially had my heart set on some oversized bone ones, similar to those used by Ferpie and Fray, The Weathered Door, and Phoenix Restoration.  Ultimately, it wasn’t in the budget and so I went back to the drawing board, did some online digging and decided on something similar to what the originals might have looked like, but with a slight edge.  I settled on these knobs: natural variations in size and shape of the glass, brass backed, on clearance, and the clincher: there were eight. I maybe took the last knob, the sample knob,  from my local HL. They. are. perfect.

 

It’s a favorite for other reasons too. I’ve had this piece for the entire summer.  I’ve stared at it, stripped it, stained it, painted it.  All in stages. And then, as I still wasn’t entirely pleased with the piece, re-stained and re-painted again.

The dresser encompasses all the reasons why I love old pieces: its dings and dents tell a story, and probably many stories; there’s history in that Fred White signed his name on a dresser back on April 2, 1899;

its epitomizes craftsmanship–likely, the dresser is entirely handmade and it includes a maker’s name: Geo Ream;

and it’s outlasted multiple generations. There’s a good chance, in fact, that this dresser will continue to serve other people well after I’m dead and gone. Spending a fair amount of time on the piece meant that I had time to think, always a little dangerous, and wax philosophical.

I love poetry–though I can’t write a lick of it, unlike my verra talented sister, Mary–and I love old things: furniture, books, clothes, tchotchkes.  I love both, though seemingly unconnected, in part I think, for the same reasons: poetry offers a chance to wonder and old things offer a tangible connection to the past. Working on this piece I wondered if a young woman ever stuffed love notes in drawer? Or what types of items did these drawers hold, and why? These unknown stories fascinate me, these stories that I don’t know but somehow do, always make me catch my breath.  “The Thread” by Denise Levertov, a favorite poet, speaks this mystery:

I’m fairly certain that I’m the only furniture blogger connecting poetry and furniture–maybe that’ll be my niche: )?? I thought I might compose a little ditty in order to better combine my two loves: “She gleams, she glows, and she’s ready for the next 100 years.”  Mmmmm.  Maybe I should stick to writing blog posts. Tell me though, if you would, what compels you to work on furniture? Or to value old items? History/herstory? Cost? I’m curious.

PS- Just for kicks I shared this with Danielle at Finding Silver Pennies.

Until next time,

Queen P