Furniture repair is something I have enjoyed doing over the years. I really like the idea of finding furniture that has great style and character but may no longer be functional, and converting it into a usable piece that can live on and serve again. I also take pleasure in fixing broken furniture pieces and making them usable once more. When Desiree reached out to me about an antique cupboard that was at least 150-200 years old and needed significant restoration to get it back on its feet, I was thrilled.
She had found it for sale on the marketplace and managed to get a good deal on it. It had a lot of unique hand-carved details, which made it special and in my opinion, worth the cost of repairs.
One of the back legs was completely snapped off, but luckily, all of the broken pieces were included. Apart from the broken legs, many of the glue joints were loose and needed to be disassembled and cleaned for regluing, ensuring the cabinet could be put back together and tightened up.
Repairing the broken leg presented a bit of a challenge. Initially, I considered remaking the entire leg, but after careful consideration, I decided to opt for internal reinforcement to preserve the original woodwork. I drilled into the broken part of the leg and inserted a 3/8-inch all-thread, securing it with epoxy.
I then drilled into the upper part of the broken leg and poured in more epoxy to solidify it.
Once that was completed, I reassembled all the pieces using replacement dowels, and I used Tightbond 3 glue to ensure the best opportunity for long-lasting glue joints. I conducted a thorough cleaning and applied a wiping varnish to refresh and protect the wood. Finally, I added a wax coat for additional protection and to even out the sheen of the finish.
Desiree was very pleased with the finished project and excited to put it to good use in her work as an artist. I am delighted to have had the opportunity to help bring this piece back to life.
If you have a piece of furniture that needs some tender loving care to reach its full potential, please get in touch. Perhaps I can assist you. Additionally, take a look at the services section to learn more about the repair work I offer.
Desiree is featured at many art venues in Kansas City, her art and sculpture work are superb! If you feel like getting a little side tracked and learning more about her work here is a (link)
