I guarantee that anyone else faced with this piece would have refinished it. Your ability to keep the history and character preserved even though it had extensive damage is amazing to me. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible skills with us Tom.
Your closing comments about the historical integrity of furniture was great to hear. Thank you for your dedication to preserving the everyday furniture of people who valued and used them many years ago.
It seems like on UA-cam the trend is to make videos of people finding old furniture, sand it within an inch of it's life, then paint it or not sand and just slap chalk paint on it. I have always loved the look of natural wood on a piece. It is lovely to see this piece of history returning to health. Great work! I'll bet the customer was happy. btw, those chickens are so adorable!
I have to admit that when I first saw this one, I was sure you'd have to do a lot more sanding than you actually did. I just wasn't seeing how this one could really come out looking nice without doing all that. Once again though, Tom, you've shown me that you can preserve the antiquity of furniture without refinishing it all. I'm amazed at how nice this looked in the end. You've managed to keep the look of it's age while making it a piece that is still functional and presentable. That's invaluable.
The finish you achieved on this antique chest of drawers still holds reminders of much of what has happened to it in it's long life. You have preserved both it’s beauty and memory. Such excellent work!
I'd give anything to see the customers face when they see what a beautiful piece this is compared to what it was. Your skill and knowledge just blows us away. Nice job.
Another great care restoration, preserving the family's history with this piece. I'm near 80, so I can appreciate the history each person/family can have towards their furniture. I have had a lot with some of mine. and I miss the ones that got lost over time and years . I can still remember a closet chest of drawers we had when i was a child, its long gone but it still evokes fond memories. Funny how we can relate to pieces of wood from our past. and you sir. exemplify how to keep that memory intact thru your skill thanks for sharing it all with us. ECF.
The Bob Ross of furniture repair and restoration! I have been watching for years now. And have learned so much. Can’t appreciate this channel enough. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and talent
I am so happy, to see another antique piece of furniture with its aged and beautiful patina, saved from chalk paint - without exaggeration almost every sense in my body feels it.
You never cease to inspire me. Not only because your work is so beautiful, but because of your patient attitude of "well, let's try this and see how she goes." It really helps to know that a real expert and artist like you, are just "trying stuff out" (or course with a wealth of experience) and that if it doesn't quite work out, you just keep at it. I try to apply your calm,patient approach to everything I do now.
Keeping a piece of history preserved is a great feeling. I love to see you bring things back to life. Kentucky is always watching. I learn from each of your videos.
So well done Tom. Your determination to preserve the character of the piece rather than trying to make it look like new, resulted in a beautiful finish. I am sure the owner will be delighted with it for many years to come. Thanks for sharing.
I'm always impressed by the care you take with every detail; it really speaks of not only your great experience but also understanding of your materials.
Such a considerate gentle preservation/restoration. Just master craftsmanship of the highest calibre. Thanks again Tom for sharing your considerable knowledge and talent. When it comes to antique furniture I can see why your clients trust you with their precious heirlooms. Hope you and your family are keeping well. All the best as usual from across the pond. Kate x
Beautiful, Tom. Simply beautiful! Watching and learning from you I have developed a great appreciation for restoring rather than strip down and refinish.
I think there should be another category for work like this. Fine art is conserved. I think this beautiful work that maintains the integrity of the piece is also conservation. Sometimes "restoring" is thought to mean to "making something look new." I do not want my antiques to look new. I love that they tell a story! But I want them to be maintained and cared for. Thank you for showing us how that can be achieved.
I agree - the term restoration is used so loosely that it’s meaning is imprecise. I’d love a new term that celebrates the history while repairing the “ugly”.
I think any of us can read books and watch videos to gradually gain the skills needed for such a sensitive restoration, but you have many years of experience and there is no quick way to acquire the benefits that brings to your work. In my opinion you work is craftsmanship of the highest standard.
This, this is one of the many things I love about your work. The respect and understanding of just how and why your clients want you to do what you do. Such a loving touch to produce a beautiful job of preserving the history for the family. 👍
Thanks Tom for another great video. It’s wonderful how you demonstrated the method in preserving the patina on the piece. I’ve been doing my own restoration projects like this for years. I don’t know if it’s the case over in your neck of the woods that people want antiques to look like new rather than antique. Here in Australia, it seems to be the norm. When restoring a piece for someone else, I usually deter my client from any heavy restoration unless it’s absolutely necessary. Not only that but keeping the patina on the piece generally makes it more valuable.
Thanks Alex! I agree. Most people come to me and say "I want this refinished" and I say "no you don't!" Nicely of course and then explain to them that "Grandma's Dresser" still has to look like "Grandma's Dresser" when I'm done.
Hahaha, yes. I have the same conversations with my clients too! Thank you for showing the world how it should be done. If I had the technological know-how, I would too.
It's such a pleasure to watch you bring a piece of furniture back to life. Your love for your craft is apparent. I could only wish to live close enough to your shop to be able to bring in a piece to be treated with such care.
I used Krud Kutter to clean up the cabinets in my kitchen. They are Yellow Pine and they have gone very orange over the years. As a disabled person, tasks like that are time consuming and difficult so I find the best products that do most of the work for me. Tom introduced me to the Krud Kutter cleaners and I have been grateful ever since. My friends are older and they too now use it. I told Tom he should go fo a sponsorship with them! I even wrote the company on his behalf. Thanks again Tom!
It looks pretty good… 😂 I love that you give as much TLC to a simple family heirloom as you would a very expensive piece. What a gentleman restorer you are, Tom…
As a novice wood worker in my retirement I enjoy watching and gleaning from your years of skills and love of what you do. Thank you for sharing what you do. ☑️
I mentioned to my son today that I have watched so many restoration videos, that he and I can tackle an old dresser that has been in the family for a long time, and bring it back to its former beauty. That’s ideal that we move off the armchair and into the action! Thanks for all your instruction. Blessings! from Canada 🇨🇦
Good job Tom! I love that you are using the metric system in your videos these days. You do have an international audience. People from around the world are learning from you. Happy Springtime!
I scratched my head on those escutcheon troughs: those handles were loose for so long that the escutcheons traveled in an orbit for years (decades). Going with putty repair was an eye opener for me: your precision is amazing in terms of color, fill, and later finish. I learn something every time I watch one of your videos.
I'm originally from Duxbury, MA. I'm now 76. As a boy I worked summers abroad the Mayflower II as a guide. Your incredible work transports me back to my roots and the love and respect I still embrace for all things old and historic. Thank you Tom!
Another beautiful, sensitive restoration. Many restorers would have sanded away 200 years of character, it was good to see that you carried out minimal sanding preserving the character and leaving the age of the piece. By inserting a simple pin on the rear plate on the handle you did what should have been done by the original maker, a simple fix that will stop future wear. Always a pleasure watching you work.
Superb! You saw and preserved the beauty of this piece. So easy for a restorer to do a run-of-the-mill revamp which, in this case, would have been a great injustice. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge.
Thank you for explaining your rationale for not sanding the piece. It was very touching to me, and I will look at antiques differently now. It looks lovely.
Very well done job restoring the chest of drawers. Your videos are always insightful and filled with great demonstrations of techniques and practices. Thank you.
Stunning finish Tom - you are perfectly correct about not sanding the top right back - all that history would be lost. It looks fabulous again and should last another 200 years, thanks to your care and attention. Thanks for sharing your skills with us. Take care 🙂
You do such stellar-caliber craftsmanship on heirloom pieces;the families must be thrilled to have their beloved furnishings made ready to be used, cherished and admired for the next 200 years.
Removing the signs of use, it's history, it's long life, would remove its character. It is diminished. And, if I were ignored or brushed aside, discounted as knowing nothing, I would feel sad. So, there it stands showing its long life beautifully. A victory for everything and everyone elderly. Thank you, Mr Johnson. As always your finished work is beautiful.
@@johnsonrestoration I bought the plans for 3 turn of the 20th century tables first, then my 'design' skills made the rest. With the help of a couple woodworking magazines.
That is a nice piece coming out of the 1st Industrial Revolution period. So hard with a modern standardized designs that they made drawers to fit the order of clothing size in the past. It is a tribute to the maker who would never think what he made is still in use almost 200 years later.
Another great video rescuing an antique from the dumpster. The top on this piece looked hopeless before the transformation. More inspiration and guidance to us. Thanks for what you do.
Hi Tom. I am glad to have found your channel. In 1973 I moved to West Buxton. Marriage didn't survive, but I continued repairing, and refinishing til 2 years ago. Thanks for the paper bag tip. A winner.
@@johnsonrestoration Oh, I'm long gone from Maine. Pa, Oregon, NM. Have you any interest in old hardware? I have some stuff I've carried around the past 50 years? Locksets,old screws, etc. I'm moving to a small place within the next year. Don't want to send to Goodwill. Please ignore me if this is intrusive.
wow ! So happy to see you back. Perhaps it’s been me that hasn’t been here. I admire the love and respect you and your team demonstrate on the furniture you restore. Again thank you one and all. shalom
I have an explanation for the knob scouring, i have seen it on some of our older furniture, when the knob gets loose, people tend to rotate the knob and hold the nut in the back, so cutting into the wood at the front, in fact we have a very similar piece with the same damage and similar knobs in one of our bathrooms, great save though without affecting the overall look of the piece. I was taught the same trick with paper/card sheets from my late father.
First... your winged Beauties pre and post are wonderful. I have a resident Downy here. I adore Chickens... what a stately platoon. Watching you work, Tom, is like watching Mother care for Her Baby. I don't know how else to say it. I have never seen you do anything to cut a corner or save an hour... again, like Mother prepares Her Baby for an Outing. Blesses the heart of a dyed-in-the-wool perfectionist, Tom. ...Barry
Thank you Barry! I love our chickens too! Very funny creatures. I appreciate your comments and support. (you can't cut corners when you have 50K viewers watching in ultra-high definition!)
Thanks Tom... The difference with You is... You wouldn't cut corners if You had zero viewers watching... and I'm sure most of them know this very quickly... I did immediately. .Barry@@johnsonrestoration
Its great to watch someone that knows what they are doing do just enough, rather than hooking up an electric sander to make every piece of wood look like it was just milled. The defects are what makes old furniture so great, as well as people.
I love this piece, I love wood that is not painted. The way you’ve left it is just so full of the many, many, many years of use still there to see. I think the owner will be extremely happy. ❤️❤️👍🏻👍🏻
Nice work. I have to agree that too many pieces like this one get destroyed by palm sanders and a bucket of paint. Thankfully there are still true craftsmen like yourself out there to save the day.
I love the way you repaired the leg properly after so many people in this furniture's past tried the quick and dirty fix. Your channel helps me appreciate even more all my Empire pieces.
My father would go to auctions when I was little and pick up pieces of antique furniture. I'm sure I took it for granted, but when I watch videos like this. I'm reminded of the antique pieces with which I was surrounded growing up. I'm glad you really care about this furniture and it's history. Besides, who wants to do all that sanding?!
Tom, excellent professional restoration (in lieu of commercial "refinishing") which could only have been accomplished by an artisan and craftsman like you. You skillfully restored the damage while enhancing the history/provenance of the piece. Congratulations again...and thank you for your talented work and vids. Hats off!!
The quiet relaxed opener is Tom's trademark and much appreciated. No flashing lights, explosions, rock music or demands to like and subscribe. Thank you!
It's amazing, Mr. Tom, how a single piece of furniture, can bring back a flood of memories just by looking at it. Memories of loved ones long gone or perhaps of one's childhood. Your client will be over the moon at seeing his restored treasure! 😸🌷🌷
I think when I first started watching this video, I had thought that the top would have needed to be stripped back while at least preserving the finish on the rest of the chest as you did. However, as you progressed and how you sorted out the top, the approach you took was absolutely the right way to preserve the history. A good lesson for all of us in restoring antiques. Don’t be in a hurry to remove what is there, but rather take your time and work with what you have and save the history. A lovely result Thomas. 😁
This is my first time watching one of your videos. I was enthralled! The care taken, the time, tour willingness to not go rushing in and sanding till its a shadow of what it was- I was blown away! I honestly never considered the "spot repair" approach, and I love it.Thank you for sharing your skill.
You removed the bad stuff, but left all the character that a 200 year old piece should have. Beautiful work.👍
Thanks 👍 Yes, I felt it was successful!
I agree that the history of this piece of furniture needed to be preserved. What a beautiful job Tom did on it!
Best rub it with a slightly damp single layer cloth and a rubber sanding block. Easy peezy.
I guarantee that anyone else faced with this piece would have refinished it. Your ability to keep the history and character preserved even though it had extensive damage is amazing to me. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible skills with us Tom.
Thank you! I was lucky that it worked out so well
Yep, it looked like someone had used it to cut fire wood on.
As always excellent job
You’re the king of restoration!❤
Mr. Johnson, your skill is amazing and your love for these old pieces is obvious. And you always seem so calm and unhurried.
Thanks! Yes, no reason to rush! I always say the fastest way to get something done is to take your time
Your closing comments about the historical integrity of furniture was great to hear. Thank you for your dedication to preserving the everyday furniture of people who valued and used them many years ago.
It seems like on UA-cam the trend is to make videos of people finding old furniture, sand it within an inch of it's life, then paint it or not sand and just slap chalk paint on it. I have always loved the look of natural wood on a piece. It is lovely to see this piece of history returning to health. Great work! I'll bet the customer was happy. btw, those chickens are so adorable!
Thanks Marilyn! I could not agree more!
Ahhh, but now I’m seeing them buy the painted ones, stripping them back to wood and restoring them. lol
I have to admit that when I first saw this one, I was sure you'd have to do a lot more sanding than you actually did. I just wasn't seeing how this one could really come out looking nice without doing all that. Once again though, Tom, you've shown me that you can preserve the antiquity of furniture without refinishing it all. I'm amazed at how nice this looked in the end. You've managed to keep the look of it's age while making it a piece that is still functional and presentable. That's invaluable.
Thank you Wallace! I figured why not try - I could always sand it down if it didn’t work. I lucked out
The finish you achieved on this antique chest of drawers still holds reminders of much of what has happened to it in it's long life. You have preserved both it’s beauty and memory. Such excellent work!
I love the fact that you kept the piece's history intact. As others have said, anyone else would have refinished it.
Thanks! I'm glad people agree
This man is a national treasure.
Thank you! That is very nice!
My goodness, Tom. It is such a joy to watch the meticulousness of your work.
Thank you!
I'd give anything to see the customers face when they see what a beautiful piece this is compared to what it was. Your skill and knowledge just blows us away. Nice job.
For real! I often think that I would so love to see how the customer responds to these miracles that Tom performs.
Thanks! A lot of people have suggested that. Just too difficult to pull off
Thanks! I appreciate it!
Amazing result, with respect for the originality of this piece. That family must be very happy getting it back with all of its history conserved.
Thanks! They are!
Another great care restoration, preserving the family's history with this piece. I'm near 80, so I can appreciate the history each person/family can have towards their furniture. I have had a lot with some of mine. and I miss the ones that got lost over time and years . I can still remember a closet chest of drawers we had when i was a child, its long gone but it still evokes fond memories. Funny how we can relate to pieces of wood from our past. and you sir. exemplify how to keep that memory intact thru your skill thanks for sharing it all with us. ECF.
Thanks Ellis! I too use the same chest of drawers I've had for 60 years! One of these days I will restore it
The Bob Ross of furniture repair and restoration! I have been watching for years now. And have learned so much. Can’t appreciate this channel enough. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and talent
I can't think of two more opposite personalities than Bob Ross and Tom Johnson
You're welcome! I appreciate it!
Interesting! But of course, no one is saying I personally am like Bob Ross, but that our videos have the same effect. Thanks!
The difference in hairdos alone is enough to get me laughing....just teasing Tom. 😁👍
Yes, the 'feel of the years' is so important, and satisfying. The owners will be delighted.
Thanks, Tom!
Couldn't agree more! Thanks!
I am so happy, to see another antique piece of furniture with its aged and beautiful patina, saved from chalk paint - without exaggeration almost every sense in my body feels it.
That's great! Thank you
Well done, Tom. You succeeded and it was wonderful to see its history.
Thank you Liz!
@@johnsonrestoration You are quite welcome!
Preserving the evidence of hand planing the top and drawer fronts was a very nice touch.
Thank you! I love that shot of the top with the plane marks
And that's how it's done! The finish is beautiful and all the character is still there. Great job, Mr. Johnson!
Thank you!
Just looks superb! The perfect blend of ‘no ugly’ and timeworn patina. Who wouldn’t want to use that chest!
Thanks! That's nice
You never cease to inspire me. Not only because your work is so beautiful, but because of your patient attitude of "well, let's try this and see how she goes." It really helps to know that a real expert and artist like you, are just "trying stuff out" (or course with a wealth of experience) and that if it doesn't quite work out, you just keep at it. I try to apply your calm,patient approach to everything I do now.
I need to catch up. I just found this channel. I'm obsessed with the craft of woodworking and restoration.
Thanks! I like to say the fastest way to get something done is to take your time
Thank you! And welcome to the channel
What a treasure! And I’m not just talking about the chest of drawers. Tom Johnson’s repair skills are also a treasure!
Thank you! That's so nice!
Gorgeous piece. I appreciate how you preserved its character while refreshing it for use over the next hundred years.
Thank you!
At first, I was glued to your restoration…but in the long run, I took a shine to it.😉 Great job!😀
That got me laughing! Thanks!
Keeping a piece of history preserved is a great feeling. I love to see you bring things back to life. Kentucky is always watching. I learn from each of your videos.
Thank you! I appreciate it!
So well done Tom. Your determination to preserve the character of the piece rather than trying to make it look like new, resulted in a beautiful finish. I am sure the owner will be delighted with it for many years to come. Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome!
I'm always impressed by the care you take with every detail; it really speaks of not only your great experience but also understanding of your materials.
Thank you! That's nice
This channel is one of the best things on the internet.
Thank you! That's nice
Such a considerate gentle preservation/restoration. Just master craftsmanship of the highest calibre. Thanks again Tom for sharing your considerable knowledge and talent. When it comes to antique furniture I can see why your clients trust you with their precious heirlooms. Hope you and your family are keeping well. All the best as usual from across the pond. Kate x
Thank you!
Beautiful, Tom. Simply beautiful! Watching and learning from you I have developed a great appreciation for restoring rather than strip down and refinish.
That’s great! Thanks
I think there should be another category for work like this. Fine art is conserved. I think this beautiful work that maintains the integrity of the piece is also conservation. Sometimes "restoring" is thought to mean to "making something look new." I do not want my antiques to look new. I love that they tell a story! But I want them to be maintained and cared for. Thank you for showing us how that can be achieved.
I agree - the term restoration is used so loosely that it’s meaning is imprecise. I’d love a new term that celebrates the history while repairing the “ugly”.
Thanks Laura! I like that! I also like "sympathetic restoration"
I think any of us can read books and watch videos to gradually gain the skills needed for such a sensitive restoration, but you have many years of experience and there is no quick way to acquire the benefits that brings to your work. In my opinion you work is craftsmanship of the highest standard.
Thanks David! You are very kind and so correct. I often have to tell people, quit watching and get into the workshop!
This, this is one of the many things I love about your work. The respect and understanding of just how and why your clients want you to do what you do. Such a loving touch to produce a beautiful job of preserving the history for the family. 👍
Wow, thank you! I appreciate it!
Thanks Tom for another great video. It’s wonderful how you demonstrated the method in preserving the patina on the piece. I’ve been doing my own restoration projects like this for years. I don’t know if it’s the case over in your neck of the woods that people want antiques to look like new rather than antique. Here in Australia, it seems to be the norm. When restoring a piece for someone else, I usually deter my client from any heavy restoration unless it’s absolutely necessary. Not only that but keeping the patina on the piece generally makes it more valuable.
Thanks Alex! I agree. Most people come to me and say "I want this refinished" and I say "no you don't!" Nicely of course and then explain to them that "Grandma's Dresser" still has to look like "Grandma's Dresser" when I'm done.
Hahaha, yes. I have the same conversations with my clients too! Thank you for showing the world how it should be done. If I had the technological know-how, I would too.
It's such a pleasure to watch you bring a piece of furniture back to life. Your love for your craft is apparent. I could only wish to live close enough to your shop to be able to bring in a piece to be treated with such care.
Thanks!
I used Krud Kutter to clean up the cabinets in my kitchen. They are Yellow Pine and they have gone very orange over the years. As a disabled person, tasks like that are time consuming and difficult so I find the best products that do most of the work for me. Tom introduced me to the Krud Kutter cleaners and I have been grateful ever since. My friends are older and they too now use it. I told Tom he should go fo a sponsorship with them! I even wrote the company on his behalf. Thanks again Tom!
Thank you! I would definitely do a sponsorship with them
It looks pretty good… 😂
I love that you give as much TLC to a simple family heirloom as you would a very expensive piece. What a gentleman restorer you are, Tom…
Thank you! That's nice. Yes, I try to treat every piece the same
As a novice wood worker in my retirement I enjoy watching and gleaning from your years of skills and love of what you do. Thank you for sharing what you do. ☑️
You're welcome! Enjoy your retirement!
Thomas: what a wonderful restoration. The piece itself was a treasure and you made it shine even more. A great family heirloom. Carol from California
Thank you Carol!
I mentioned to my son today that I have watched so many restoration videos, that he and I can tackle an old dresser that has been in the family for a long time, and bring it back to its former beauty. That’s ideal that we move off the armchair and into the action! Thanks for all your instruction. Blessings! from Canada 🇨🇦
That is great! Good luck with it!
Love your videos, great inspiration to us all with your commitment to the historical aspect of the pieces you work on.
Thank you very much!
I learn so much from your videos Tom. Thanks so much for showing how to restore and preserve these venerable objects for the next generations.
You're so welcome!
Wonderful piece. I love you attitude toward preservation of the finish and texture.
Thank you! I love the texture!
Good job Tom! I love that you are using the metric system in your videos these days. You do have an international audience. People from around the world are learning from you.
Happy Springtime!
Thanks! I'm trying to learn!
I scratched my head on those escutcheon troughs: those handles were loose for so long that the escutcheons traveled in an orbit for years (decades). Going with putty repair was an eye opener for me: your precision is amazing in terms of color, fill, and later finish. I learn something every time I watch one of your videos.
Thanks! And I learn something new every time I'm making a video! It works both ways
I'm originally from Duxbury, MA. I'm now 76. As a boy I worked summers abroad the Mayflower II as a guide. Your incredible work transports me back to my roots and the love and respect I still embrace for all things old and historic. Thank you Tom!
You're welcome Rick! I could never get over how small that ship is!
A wonderful restoration, thanks for posting it.
You’re welcome!
Another beautiful, sensitive restoration. Many restorers would have sanded away 200 years of character, it was good to see that you carried out minimal sanding preserving the character and leaving the age of the piece. By inserting a simple pin on the rear plate on the handle you did what should have been done by the original maker, a simple fix that will stop future wear.
Always a pleasure watching you work.
Thank you! Yes, I think this worked out well
Beautiful job. Thank you for preserving history, instead of wiping it out.
You're welcome! I'm glad so many people get that
Superb! You saw and preserved the beauty of this piece. So easy for a restorer to do a run-of-the-mill revamp which, in this case, would have been a great injustice. Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge.
Thank you very much!
Wonderful job of bringing the dresser back to life without taking the 'life' out of it, Thomas Johnson. I so love to watch your videos!
Thanks! I like that!
There is so much zen in the way this master conducts himself. I am sure he has many Japanese fans.
Thanks! I wish that was true! I can actually look that up in the UA-cam analytics
What a beautiful, sensitive restoration, improving a well worn family heirloom, reviving its grace and value fit for pride of place once again.
Thank you Alistair!
Thank you for explaining your rationale for not sanding the piece. It was very touching to me, and I will look at antiques differently now. It looks lovely.
You're welcome! That makes me happy!
Very well done job restoring the chest of drawers. Your videos are always insightful and filled with great demonstrations of techniques and practices. Thank you.
You're welcome! I appreciate it!
Thank you so much for another fascinating restoration video. My day is always improved when see a new TJA video has been uploaded.
You're welcome!
Stunning finish Tom - you are perfectly correct about not sanding the top right back - all that history would be lost. It looks fabulous again and should last another 200 years, thanks to your care and attention. Thanks for sharing your skills with us. Take care 🙂
You're welcome!
Wowza! What a beautiful restoration!!! You never fail to surprise! Just beautiful.
Thank you Deette!
I'm telling y'all that he is a wizard and not just an ordinary human! I appreciate him sharing his skills (wizardry) with us
Thank you! That's nice
Beautifulĺy done! Thank God you preserved 200 years with your delicate restauration. Greetings from Germany.
Thank you! I appreciate it! Hello to Germany!
Well done! Those aren't scars, they're character marks or memories. Love the chickens again.
Yes! Well said
You do such stellar-caliber craftsmanship on heirloom pieces;the families must be thrilled to have their beloved furnishings made ready to be used, cherished and admired for the next 200 years.
Thank you! Yes, they are happy
Tom, I think you performed a miracle on this piece. Just beautiful!
Thank you!
Comme d’habitude Tom une remarquable restauration sans en faire trop et en laissant ce meuble dans son jus. Bravo.
He did it his way...
(Sorry - bad joke triggered by the 'comme d'habitude')
Merci! J'aime ça!
I get it!
@@johnsonrestoration Then you are part of a small minority of musically erudite people, Tom.
Happy Easter to you and family!
Perfect compromise between historical patina, appearance and functionality. Beautiful work as always.
Thank you so much 😀
Removing the signs of use, it's history, it's long life, would remove its character. It is diminished. And, if I were ignored or brushed aside, discounted as knowing nothing, I would feel sad. So, there it stands showing its long life beautifully.
A victory for everything and everyone elderly. Thank you, Mr Johnson. As always your finished work is beautiful.
Thank you! Well said!
I found furniture making very philosophical during the years I took to make my living room. (9 pieces)
Wow! I think that's more furniture than I've built!
@@johnsonrestoration I bought the plans for 3 turn of the 20th century tables first, then my 'design' skills made the rest. With the help of a couple woodworking magazines.
That is a nice piece coming out of the 1st Industrial Revolution period. So hard with a modern standardized designs that they made drawers to fit the order of clothing size in the past. It is a tribute to the maker who would never think what he made is still in use almost 200 years later.
Thanks! I often wonder what the makers would think if they knew! They'd probably say "isn't it about time you got a new chest of drawers?"
Very true.
Another great video rescuing an antique from the dumpster. The top on this piece looked hopeless before the transformation. More inspiration and guidance to us. Thanks for what you do.
You're welcome!
I didn't really warm up to this piece in the beginning but I do love it now, a lot. Stunning work as usual! Have a great weekend.
Thanks Marc. That happens to me all the time!
Hi Tom. I am glad to have found your channel. In 1973 I moved to West Buxton. Marriage didn't survive, but I continued repairing, and refinishing til 2 years ago. Thanks for the paper bag tip. A winner.
Thanks! Stop by the shop sometime! I'm on Flaggy Meadow.
@@johnsonrestoration Oh, I'm long gone from Maine. Pa, Oregon, NM. Have you any interest in old hardware? I have some stuff I've carried around the past 50 years? Locksets,old screws, etc. I'm moving to a small place within the next year. Don't want to send to Goodwill. Please ignore me if this is intrusive.
wow !
So happy to see you back. Perhaps it’s been me that hasn’t been here.
I admire the love and respect you and your team demonstrate on the furniture you restore.
Again thank you one and all. shalom
Thank you Mercedes! Yes, I've been posting every 2 weeks - you must have missed some
I have an explanation for the knob scouring, i have seen it on some of our older furniture, when the knob gets loose, people tend to rotate the knob and hold the nut in the back, so cutting into the wood at the front, in fact we have a very similar piece with the same damage and similar knobs in one of our bathrooms, great save though without affecting the overall look of the piece. I was taught the same trick with paper/card sheets from my late father.
Thanks! Yes, but it was still difficult to see how that happened so deeply!
Great job!
Now…200 years from now? Is that even possible. Your amazing craftsman in every aspect of your trade. Thank you Sir.
You're welcome! I appreciate it
I love that you repaired it and kept the character in this piece.
Thanks! Yes, it worked out well
First... your winged Beauties pre and post are wonderful. I have a resident Downy here. I adore Chickens... what a stately platoon. Watching you work, Tom, is like watching Mother care for Her Baby. I don't know how else to say it. I have never seen you do anything to cut a corner or save an hour... again, like Mother prepares Her Baby for an Outing. Blesses the heart of a dyed-in-the-wool perfectionist, Tom. ...Barry
Thank you Barry! I love our chickens too! Very funny creatures. I appreciate your comments and support. (you can't cut corners when you have 50K viewers watching in ultra-high definition!)
Thanks Tom... The difference with You is... You wouldn't cut corners if You had zero viewers watching... and I'm sure most of them know this very quickly... I did immediately. .Barry@@johnsonrestoration
You have once again demonstrated that less is more. I continue to be impressed by the results you achieve with minimal intervention.
Thanks! That's my goal!
Another wonderfully sympathetic repair. Thank you for sharing your lifetime of knowledge.
You're welcome!
Tom excellent!! We are all lucky to be able to watch your videos. Your knowledge and workmanship only comes from years of experience and age. Thanks.
You're welcome!
Thomas, you are an artist.
Thank you!
Great work Tom. Your attention to detail and sensitivity to the aesthetics of the piece are remarkable👏👏👍
Thank you so much 😀
A Just Enough Effort restoration .Well done, Tom
Many thanks!
Mr. Johnson, you are a treasure. Thank you for patiently sharing your wisdom and talent with us. The restoration was just right!
You are very welcome!
You are indeed a person who believes in the Sympathic Repair! And I applaud you!
Thank you!
Its great to watch someone that knows what they are doing do just enough, rather than hooking up an electric sander to make every piece of wood look like it was just milled. The defects are what makes old furniture so great, as well as people.
Thank you! I'm glad so many get that
Wow, Tom. I thought you might've met your match with this one! Instead it came out more than "pretty good". I think it's exquisite. Well done.
Thank you!
Mr. Thomas, I so enjoy watching a master at work, thank you.
You are very welcome!
I love this piece, I love wood that is not painted. The way you’ve left it is just so full of the many, many, many years of use still there to see. I think the owner will be extremely happy. ❤️❤️👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you! They are!
Nice work. I have to agree that too many pieces like this one get destroyed by palm sanders and a bucket of paint. Thankfully there are still true craftsmen like yourself out there to save the day.
Thank you! That's nice
Your client will love this job. It is clearly an antique with flaws and imperfections, but so beautiful now.
Thank you!
I love the way you repaired the leg properly after so many people in this furniture's past tried the quick and dirty fix. Your channel helps me appreciate even more all my Empire pieces.
Thanks! I like Empire too
Watching Tom restore and preserve these beautiful old pieces of furniture, is food for the soul. Thanks for your dedication Tom.
You're welcome! That's very nice
My father would go to auctions when I was little and pick up pieces of antique furniture. I'm sure I took it for granted, but when I watch videos like this. I'm reminded of the antique pieces with which I was surrounded growing up. I'm glad you really care about this furniture and it's history. Besides, who wants to do all that sanding?!
Thanks Camille! I'm glad you have those memories - I hope you still have some of the furniture!
I agree Tom. The character of this piece is stunning. Beautiful job as always!!
Thank you!
Tom, excellent professional restoration (in lieu of commercial "refinishing") which could only have been accomplished by an artisan and craftsman like you. You skillfully restored the damage while enhancing the history/provenance of the piece. Congratulations again...and thank you for your talented work and vids. Hats off!!
Thank you! You are very kind!
I like the way, at the beginning of your videos, you give your viewers the bird.
That's a good one!
The quiet relaxed opener is Tom's trademark and much appreciated. No flashing lights, explosions, rock music or demands to like and subscribe. Thank you!
You're welcome!
You really do love that old wood. It is a joy to watch you rescuing the furniture and the history.
Thank you!
It's amazing, Mr. Tom, how a single piece of furniture, can bring back a flood of memories just by looking at it. Memories of loved ones long gone or perhaps of one's childhood. Your client will be over the moon at seeing his restored treasure! 😸🌷🌷
Thanks! Yes, often we latch onto some particular object from our childhood, and it's amazing how good it feels
The Bob Ross of furniture, restoration, great job
Thanks! I like that!
I think when I first started watching this video, I had thought that the top would have needed to be stripped back while at least preserving the finish on the rest of the chest as you did. However, as you progressed and how you sorted out the top, the approach you took was absolutely the right way to preserve the history. A good lesson for all of us in restoring antiques. Don’t be in a hurry to remove what is there, but rather take your time and work with what you have and save the history. A lovely result Thomas. 😁
Thank you! Yes, there's nothing to lose by trying! It's so important to keep the history
This is my first time watching one of your videos. I was enthralled! The care taken, the time, tour willingness to not go rushing in and sanding till its a shadow of what it was- I was blown away!
I honestly never considered the "spot repair" approach, and I love it.Thank you for sharing your skill.
You’re very welcome!