At the local St Vinny's this am. Did my usual quick strol thru and was about to leave when I saw it, nice look EXCEPT for all the handling nicks and scratches! BAM in Chicago has a similar one but with vinyl (this one has a very nice green and orange fabric instead) and not the two tone wood like this one:
I am wondering what to do with it; I like the look, but dunno if it goes with the rest of my stuff (eames, nelson, danish).
Also not sure if I should refinish? Some of the marks are bad, and the top corner the veneer has been chipped, and a couple dents to the legs. The rest of it is perfect, I think it was just mishandled upon donation. Does this warrant a full restoration? Can they even fix dents, scratches, and veneer chips? I would like to do the repairs myself but don't want to botch it. I don't mind "tasteful wear" but these marks are not tasteful IMHO. I will try to post some pics after I get someone to help me get it out of my car...
nice
that is really nice! Personally, I wouldn't refinish it... unless the bad areas really bother you. Just rub some lemon oil or something in there.
Whenever I get something from the thrift store... they handle the items so poorly. I won't even let them help me take it my car because I've had them flip something over and jam it in my car in such a way that it caused deep gouges. They just don't care unfortunately....
Exactly
I was cringing, I had the guy put a blanket over the dolly, personally I would have just carried it but what can you do. Very frustrating! It received even more scratches on the way thru the back to the loading dock.
I had the same thing happen when I picked up my Nelson CSS, guy was DRAGGING the walnut display case across the concrete, I almost had to take the guy out! That is the problem with finding people who don't know what they have; on one hand you can get good prices, but on the other they won't treat it with the care you know it deserves. But we all like the history in a vintage piece right???
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Lovely piece. Perhaps intended for the foot of the bed ?
I don't know how even the most skilled restorer could repair missing veneer at the end (as opposed to the side) of a top like yours. This is because wood is relatively easy to add to "along" the grain, but it's virtually impossible either structurally or aesthetically, to add wood to the end of existing grain.
I'd be tempted to create a fill of Bondo that would restore the shape of the edge, and paint in a solid color -- or faux grain if you or someone else is so inspired -- and call it a day. This would allow you to wax or otherwise polish the top as one surface. Any lesser touch-up would leave a coarse appearance at the damaged area, even if color had been added. And wood fillers are generally not of a consistency that will permanently build up a corner -- they are meant to fill cracks and other small irregularities in wood.
But don't ask any repair, including Bondo (auto-body repair material) to stick to wood that has been waxed or oiled. So put off the quick fixes until you've decided which direction pursue.
I know
The damage is in the worst possible spot! I'm going to send the images to a few local refinishers and get a quote, but I doubt it will be worth the $$ if they can actually fix it. Maybe I will hit the local woodworkers store and see what products they have, technology might suprise me! The good news here is that I stopped at the local MCM store and they have a vintage DCM to finish my dining set of 4, I just have to reglue the backrest (this is second nature by now). AND it's only $100. BUT he also has an original RAR in red, I was hoping to flip this Wormley piece to pay for that but I don't think it will bring in much with the damage. I guess I will have to wait and see..
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