From Thrift to Treasure: DIY Furniture Cleaner & Magical Spring Cottage Garden✨
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- Опубліковано 21 лют 2024
- Join me on a double adventure this week! First, I'm tackling a project close to my heart: restoring a stunning antique writing desk I thrifted last week! Watch as I whip up a DIY furniture cleaner (hint: it's eco-friendly and super effective!), and dive into the first steps of bringing this beauty back to life. But that's not all! We're also escaping to the breathtaking Altamont Gardens in Carlow, Ireland. Immerse yourself in the magic of their spring cottage garden display, bursting with snowdrops, hellebores, and flowing trees. It's a feast for the senses and a guaranteed mood-booster! ❄️
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#diy #furnitureflip #restoration #thrifting #antique #writingdesk #springgarden #altomontgardens #ireland #travel #gardening #inspiration - Навчання та стиль
I googled what was on the lock - looks like your desk is from 1910 and it's solid oak. Here's some of the listing: " A magnificent and high quality Edwardian golden oak tambour-front writing desk, with fitted interior, and solid oak fielded (bevelled) panelled sides and back. Each pedestal has four fitted graduated drawers, and at the top, two brush slides: desk extension pull-out ledges. The lock escutcheon is marked "Entirely English Make H.L.L"; and when the desk top is closed, this auto locks all the external pedestal drawers." (and the price they've listed it for is $2,604!)
@DaintieDiaries
❤ amazing
Holy cow!
Wow! 😮
It's Harris Lebus London.
Been watching you for years, but have never commented. I find you so calming and inspiring! Your attention to detail makes even mundane cleaning feel like a sacred act. And your Irish accent is so lovely. Love your channel! ☺
That is so kind, thank you for commenting x
Yes! I'm new here, but I feel so calm and peaceful after watching and listening:)
Saw a quick video on USA news that stated honeybees are diminishing in World, so companies are partnering with bee keepers and allowing box hives to be put on building rooftops and landscapes reconfigured so rooftop gardens can be created on buildings such as industrial/factories, banks, commerce businesses, museums, colleges, etc. can help save the honeybees! I think that would be awesome and help create very beautiful landscapes!
Isn't that such a great initiative! And something to think of
I love the repair shop. I always cry! I did a couple of upholstery courses and my teacher always said to put a note inside the furniture so that future generations would know who’d worked on it. I love finding little notes in furniture or in old books. For me it makes me feel more connected to the piece I’ve bought x
What a sweet thing to do to leave a note
Googled the entirety British make HLL several of your desks came up. Made around 1910 and one selling for £1,250 🎉 you did well
Yes, I did the same and the picture is exactly the same. We'll done a great buy
WOW! Thank you, feeling very lucky
Hi Catherine - what Will did on Repair Shop (whom you have been talking about) had a crack like that and he filled it with very thin pieces of veneer and then he coloured it with appropriate colour to match the rest of the desk. Looking lovely, I LOVE furniture like that. When I was 6 years old, my Dad made me a desk exactly the same as that and size. We had a cellar in the house at the time, and he made it down there so it would be a surprise for me. His fear half way through was, "Will I get the desk upstairs and through the cellar door" LOL yes he did - and what a GREAT SURPRISE.
That’s a great tip to fill it with a piece of thin veneer ❤️ thanks for sharing
I adore the Repair Shop! I also love the wood cleaner. I also am sensitive.
For a seeding pot, I use a silicon cupcake mold. I punched holes in the bottom and reuse them every year. The are so easy to pop the seedling out ☺️
I'm in North Carolina, USA. I watch the show Repair Shop on UA-cam sometimes I watch it over and over. Every time I watch I see something different. I enjoy your videos and love when you and Karen are together. You two make me laugh when you hang out together.
Aww thanks Ann! Thanks for stopping by ❤️❤️
Catherine, the desk is a beautiful addition to your room! I appreciate how you take such pride in your work. I'm sure there is someone in some period of time that would be very pleased of how you cared for this piece. It reminds me of a movie I saw where a guy found a 200 year old letter in a secret compartment of a desk he purchased in an antique store.
My husband has a desk like yours.
Solid oak, its called an
" Editor's Desk"
On the top roll up section, you'll find small draws. Pull them all out, there should be one, looks the same, except you can put your hand behind it, there's a false back/bottom to hide things.
His is around 1890-1920's. Value depending on condition, (yours looks good) starting @ $2,000 American
Wow, Ms Catherine, I was really surprised and happy to see the desk you found. That wonderful desk is exactly like my husband’s desk that he inherited from his father. The story about the desk is interesting. His father bought the desk in the late 60’s from a gentleman who was an editor for a newspaper in Richmond Va. it was his work desk. His father worked in Richmond also at the time. After buying the desk, he had the desk restored and use it until he died in the late 80’s. My husband said that someone offer him 5000.00 for the desk . There is no Identifying marks on this desk either but he thought it was made around the turn of the century. My husband has had the desk for almost 40 years and his dad use it for around 30 years. So we know the desk is at least 70 years old. Everything is exactly the same as your desk except the handles on the roll top( his just had an area indented for your hand to fit), and his desk is wider with 2 rows of cubbies. One row on top of the other, with 5 cubbies on either side of an a middle section that has 3 small shelves. My husband has never had the desk apprised but he has mention that he may sell it because we are talking about down sizing in the near future. I think you made a wise investment and I think getting a knowledgeable person’s advice on fixing the crack is very smart. Also enjoy as always the trip to the gardens and nursery. Ann from Va. USA 🇺🇸
I really enjoyed hearing about the history of your desk.I have a love of this furniture,i inherited this from my lovely late dad who was an antique dealer when i was a child....spent hours in antique shops!!!
This made me remember the dreams I have about a desk like this with all the little cubbies and hidey holes and I keep all my precious things and jewellery in there!
Catherine put some baby powder in the running groves of the sliding desk cover, it will run smoothly.❤
W0W!!! That's a gorgeous desk, and I can't believe with some olive oil and lemon juice was brought back to life... I will try it on some of the older furniture instead of the store bought smelling products. I agree with You on buying those hard plastic planting containers, dnt knw how long I have had mine, but I just clean n reused it👍 😊
I love thrifted items, often thinking to myself ' how could anyone give this away?'. The best part is revamping it and giving it a new lease of life.
Absolutely!! Brings new life into some fab pieces 😍
Looking nice , soon u can fill it up.😜
How do you identify Lebus furniture?

The drawers of Harris Lebus furniture such as chests, wardrobes and roll-top desks made during this period, can be identified by the H.L.L (stands for Harris Lebus, London) on the face plates of the brass locks. More obviously, some desks had 'The Lebus Desk' stamped on the escutcheon plate of the roll-top lock.
Lebus also made cocktail cabinets and sideboards if im not mistaken??? Sought after pieces....
Beeswax on all sliding areas like the drawers and roll top. Will be wonderful to go over whole thing.
Hi Catherine a couple of years ago I bought dad a desk which was very similar but without the top.
The lady I got from said it was her dad's and he told her it was a teacher's desk and around 100 years old it also has no maker's mark but lovely old desk.
So excited about your bees I have always wanted a hive but with a small garden and lots of neighbours not sure I would be popular lol
Bees are so important that we should all be helping them to thrive.
Glad to see your fluffy supervision xxx
Bees are soo important!! It’s definitely a fun hobby but a lot of work for sure 👌
Altamont is an old old house, at least 1700s, but there may have been a house on the site before that because the oak trees date from the 1600s 🌳
So you are definitely right about those trees being centuries old!
Lovely video, Catherine ❤
Enjoy all your videos! I think that desk maybe circa 1910 I saw the same one on YG antiques (Yola Gray) Antique English Edwardian 4ft Oak Roll Top Pedestal Desk (Circa 1910) looking forward to what you’ll be doing next
Love the Repair Shop! I am in the US so I watch it on Netflix for your other US viewers!
Loved this! The desk is gorgeous!
With all the care you gave the pc of furniture...it deserves your initials. Great job
If it’s the same show that Im thinking of..the repair shop is on Netflix ..or at least the first few seasons used to be. I LOVE that show! I felt the same when someone would come in with a piece that they inherited or with some other sort of history. So much talent in that shop! Skills that are just about gone now.
I too believe that a little wobble is a sign of charm!
I love the Repair Shop episode with Dame Judi Dench.
On the crack, I believe Will did a repair where a desk was damaged during a robbery. Watch that episode for tips on how to potentially handle your desk.
On the olive oil and lemon juice wood cleaner… so genius! Also so close to making a lemon vinaigrette 😋
Just need garlic, salt and pepper lol
Love the new piece and can’t wait to see your new flowers in bloom🥰
You've done an absolutely genius job on that beautiful roll top desk and it's beautifully placed under the window ❣The
deep drawers , secret cubby drawers, pull-out writing board and large working surface are ideal for you. Thank you for the wood cleaning recipe...I usually use a lemon beeswax solution I buy but this will be wonderful to clean beforehand
:))))) wonderful!
Maybe a pretty wallpaper inside the drawers, or on the outside sides of them. I love this desk.
I was a medical receptionist in my working life , an this desk is exactly the same as our senior partner had in his surgery . I think it's an origional 19th century bureau desk . Looks solid oak .
Oh wow 😍😍 I’m definitely noticing that it’s a special piece 😍
Hi Catherine so good to see you and your growing up babies after you cleaned the furniture piece it looked like new loved this video have a great weekend love you all ❤
Aww thanks Rita! They’re always keeping an eye on me 😂😍
The desk looks beautiful. I believe it is fairly old. It’s amazing. 😊🇨🇦
It’s a special one 😍
Really enjoyed the garden tour and seeing the bees which I also adore. I liked the little lambs jumping around too 😊
Love your beautiful antique desk. It looks very at home in your nook.
Also love, love, love The Repair Shop. I'm in Australia and we Sometimes get a season of it on the ABC. We often drool over the 'treasures' people bring in. Thanks for sharing, it's a stinking hot 37 degrees here today so staying indoors in the aircon watching industrious people like yourself is the order of the day.
You did a beautiful job on that desk, it has been so fun to see this small nook transform! I can't wait to see how you fill and style the desk!! 😊
Love the desk. Would look lovely with one of those old fashioned wooden swivel chairs with the leather seat 🥰
A captain’s chair! Lovely.
Have you ever thought of getting an allotment? Or maybe you and Karen a joint small one? Would love to see your ideas
That is a very beautiful piece of furniture. Made a big difference to it, cleaning with oil and lemon juice. Gorgeous.
Thank you so much Catherine, what a wonderful video. The desk looks beautiful 🤗 🌺 🌱 And reading through the comments it sounds like you have found some treasure. I'm sure the desk was pleased to find you too; I could see it breathing a sigh of contented relief as it took in the oil 👍
Also, I made a table top out of two pieces of wood and glue them together with wood glue, the titan glue, believe that is what it’s called. Great glue. Then sand it off and if a gap I fill it with Bondo, a wood like hardener, sand it. It so nice and smooth after I varnish it. Like a one piece. Just FYI.
Ah Catherine - The Repair Shop is meant to make you cry! At least that's what I think. I love that programme and especially love Will. They do such wonderful work. I have a few pieces from my parents and grandparents house and constantly think "can I apply to the Repair Shop and have this rejuvenated/repaired" but none of them are bad enough to make the programme. Love what you're doing with this desk - it looks beautiful in the space. You're doing a great job on it! Hoping to head to Altamont Gardens soon!
I'm a big fan of Will Kirk and the Repair Shop too. I watch his auction show on public television and I love it!!! I'm now a big fan of your channel. I wish you lots of success!
Thank you, that is so kind x
My husband was left this same desk to him by his grandparents.....its dated 1903 and it was made by a firm in London.
I love it. I'd be inclined to make a Roman blind behind it and take away the curtains. To me that always looks cosy. Love your channel as always. 👌🏻💗
Love The Repair Shop, it's such a cosy watch.
You got your self a beautiful piece of furniture there. You have a great eye for things.
West coast Canada gets "The Repair Shop" on a couple of channels - I watch obsessively :) They often make me teary.
I love The Repair Shop too, they are a very special bunch of people. It's filmed at the Weald and Downland Living Museum in Chichester. The museum is well worth a visit! ❤🇬🇧
Ooh I’m sure the museum is fab!!
Omg, I saw a commenter say she watches The Repair Shop on UA-cam. I found it and I'm thrilled! I don't have Netflix anymore so I thought I'd never see it again. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Hello Dainty I have been following your channel for years, I am a home bound grandma and enjoy all your videos especially your travel ones, my brother is a master woodworker he has a shop in Southern California and he suggested that you glue and clamp the desk but if that is not possible, to keep the integrity of the desk and if you would want to sell it in the future an (Old Fix) would be good, making a pattern out of the crack with paper and carbon pencil cut out a similar piece with similar wood and work with it until it fits, then use a playner, I hope this helps. Thank you
A fan of the repair Shop too, love the care you are giving to your desk, hope you find a Solution to the crack.
Not sure if anyone else mentioned but The Repair Shop is on UA-cam every week.
I just ordered lots of Dahlia bulbs that are due to arrive at the beginning of April, I pray they will all bloom this year, I am preparing myself to be poor again this summer with all the plant buying I will be doing 😉
According to the internet, HLL stands for Harris Lebus, London. By the looks of it you have a lovely solid piece of Art Nouveau furniture.
It was really interesting listening to you talk about the bees. As you learn more about them you'll have to share your knowledge with us.😊
I certainly will!! We will have to do a little bee segment 😍🐝
I haven't seen snow in years, so I had to make a nice warm cuppa to see down and watch your video all the best with your new book ❤
That writing bureau is beautiful, I’m not up on the age of things, but even if it is a reproduction, I don’t think it’s a recent one. It still very old.
Looks beautiful. You can get flat metal plates that would support that crack from underneath. How lovely to be so handy. You're very talented.
The chair looks perfect size, just do a little paint restore, darker than the pink though would look good 😉
What a beautiful old desk! What a find ♥️
Yes for second breakfast! Indubitably!😀
We do get The Repair Shop here in New Zealand. They do have some very interesting things on. I was very interested watching the episode where they had, the then Prince Charles on. Very clever and charming people they all are.
Catherine, maybe a bit of candle wax or bar soap would help get the roll top all the way down. Just a thought. Love the desk.
For the roll top desk maker info... look up "Harris Lebus, London" furniture...that's what the H.L.L. stands for usually
It's a Harris Lebus make from London. Catherine, it's a beautiful find
Hi Dainty. Yes, who doesn't love 11sies!
LOVE 'The Repair Shop'! I am in Midland , On Canada. I get it on the Makeful cable on Wed night @ 9pm. We are seeing season 9 and I pvr it every Wed night but haven't seen it yet (thurs afternoon here) will watch later or maybe tomorrow. Yes, the craftmanship !!! Some of the things they get brought...you think how on earth are they going to repair it but they do.
What a gorgeous desk and an amazing find👍I agree with the dark bigger desk....who wouldn't love it! 😍 Always a pleasure to see you and how you get things done ❤
We get The Repair Shop here in New Zealand. I don't have TV, but my sister is an addict, so I get to see it sometimes.
It's good you doing good work repairing old furniture, I got a mirror chest of drawers from sister in law who was going to dump it at skips as 2 big drawers was broken, so I got it from her and took out the 2 drawers and put a shelf there and now it's being used as my diamond painting unit for so many months then at November, December it's top is used for Christmas village, I've got seeds coming, comos and son came in with pkts of seeds
I have an old typewriter desk with those wood flat “work surfaces” that slide out. They are very useful as you work and the more items are on the desk. Gives a place to put an extra book.
And we love more space for notebooks ☺️👏🏻
Or a cup of tea!'
I have a sliding flat surface on either side of my desk (in front), they are sturdy, beautiful and well-used! Like Catherine’s, except with brass pulls.
What a lovely little desk. Well done on rescuing it. So many little nooks and crannies there to hide your bits in. Looks like a 30's or 40's piece to me. But could be early 50's, but who knows.
Top tip re olive oil / lemon juice mix. Does that also work for cleaning up stainless steel ovens, kettles etc (on the outside)
I think the repair shop was on Netflix. My husband was very into it. It could have been another streaming service but I remember seeing it in America.
Love the repair shop, I have learnt such a lot from watching it. Me and my Hubby often end up bawling our eyes out too! I have also learnt a lot watching you too, and I can't wait to see how this desk turns out, Thank you x
I acquired a similar desk a year ago and it’s awesome to see someone else repairing theirs! I’m still fighting with the locking mechanism in the back but mine is pretty large so it’s finicky bc it’s so heavy. If you want any reference photos, let me know! I’m happy to share!
Hi Catherine the desk is gorgeous turned out really lovely I love it,have a lovely weekend 😊
It’s getting there!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Loved the field trip. For the drawers, while felt would definitely work, I would get some pink velvet to match your bedroom decor. I think that it would look lovely inside the drawers. Hope someone is able to help you with the split top of the desk. Good luck. P.S. Full episodes of Repair Shop are available on UA-cam.
Catherine,i actually have a feeling the chair maybe of the same era if unpainted??? its a lovely chair!!
The Repair Shop is my absolute favorite show! Unfortunately I like in NC, USA and it is not readily available to watch. Will is AMAZING (as are ALL the Repairers)!
I’ve googled as I’m sure you already …..The drawers of Harris Lebus furniture such as chests, wardrobes and roll-top desks made during this period, can be identified by the H.L.L (stands for Harris Lebus, London) on the face plates of the brass locks. Over 150 years of experience. Lebus Upholstery, which was established in 1840, has become one of the largest furniture manufacturers of UK produced upholstery, based in North Lincolnshire.
That desk is GORGEOUS, exactly what I would have bought, if I had the space in my house 😍🤩
And yes, I watch The Repair Shop, love it and Will and Dom are my absolute favourites❤💚
I loved brining the desk back to life 😍😍
You need a lovely swivel captains desk chair to set it off 🥰
If you could get hold of a couple of sash clamps you should be able to just glue and clamp together to fix the cracks.
Embrace the scratches and splits and love it anyway ❤
The lock is a clue, as others have said! Harris Lebus on Wikipedia came up. Looks like you've got an exquisite eye and have done well with this!
We used the slide out to put our typewriter on when working. Then pack the typewriter away when done.
Hi Karen lovely video .I do think you desk is pretty and dainty look at all the lovely tiny shelves and draws it has .years ago my mother said rub candle wax along the bottom of the drawer so it closes .I imagine there’s a better solution today .that was a lovely vlog .I’m here in the UK with my daughter she’s expecting her second baby and I’ve been trying to watch your video with my arm under my grandsons neck holding the iPad n typing my message with my right hand he has a hold of my ear n I’m afraid to move in case he wakes .love your channel Take care xx C from Dublin
I love that show! I have watched it many times! ❤😘
Love the repair shop and Will is my favorite. Your writing bureau looks good and your oil and lemon has made it shine. Love your curtains can you let me know where you ordered them from please. Catch you next time xx
Oh ya we get the Repair Shop on our Makeful channel in Ontario Canada, love it!
Great job Catherine. There's a you tube channel called fixing furniture where about a year ago the gentleman repaired a tambor roll top desk. I think you might find it interesting with regard to the cracking in the desk top and also the roll top not closing fully. We have a desk similar to yours which the drawers automatically lock when the roll top is fully closed - the mechanism for this locking device is underneath the desktop I think at the back of the drawer units. Hope this helps. (By the way, we don't know where our desk was made either
my dad arrived home in the 1970's after buying it from a second hand dealer).
Hi Catherine :) The H.L.L. probably stands for Harris Lebus, London, that was founded in 1840.
Hi Catherine I saw your desk only this week in an Antiques catalogue online, in Ireland with an estimate of €200-€300.... Good choice ❤
Beautiful writing desk and a beautiful garden. Amazing how expensive snowdrops are. Artichokes are awesome. I didn't harvest them because the bees 🐝 love them and it's so funny to see them in there full of pollen and making funny noises because it must be so jummy 🐝😂🤣
That is a beautiful desk looks great. I do ❤ when you go to places in your area of Ireland is wonderful see a bit of your beautiful country!❤
Lovely!
I think these are known as Derby roll top desks or bureau desks circa 1900 - Edwardian.
I remember the process of oiling and restoring my oak bureau I got for £100, it made such a difference!
Oooh I’m sure it turned out beautifully for you 😍😍
Nice job girl! 👏🏻👍🏻💪🏻 I saw that your drawers were dovetailed, so it has a little bit of age and I believe that the pullout board could have been used for a typewriter. 🤔
I love watching "the repair shop" i live in Germany and a tv sender brought some episodes out. I dont think that you can see the whole thing on german tv. Love the desk ❤
I enjoyed your talk about bees. You learn something new everyday 😊.
More bee updates will follow!! Thanks for stopping by ❤️
You’re doing a lovely job on your desk. I’m itching to get started in the garden but the rain just doesn’t stop here in South Wales. Have a great weekend. Xx
When planting the catnip it is in the mint family and can take over a garden so my tip is grow them in pots since they are for the cats. They will love you for it. Just cut off the leaves fresh and let them eat it and play with it. The desk is beautiful and you did a great job cleaning it up. The oil will sink in and you may have to still use wax on it once the oil has sunk into the wood.
How beautiful the desk looks now. So much storage. You need to treat yourself to some new stationery. Have you got any scraps of that lovely wallpaper left - you could line the drawers with it.