Many ways to skin a cat...

There is no place where the old adage applies more than with furniture refinishing.  With the myriad of wood finishing supplies available there are many different directions to go and there isn't really a right or wrong way.  Ultimately it comes down to what the goal is for the final product.

One of the things that gives mid mod furniture value is the materials that were used.  In today's affordable furniture you rarely find real walnut or teak or mahogany.  Lower grade materials are used and stained or colored to look more like nicer materials.

That said, because mid century furniture was generally produced in a production environment, the original process used wasn't always the process that did the most to highlight the material quality.  Manufacturers have to make concessions to control the speed which they are able to finish the pieces.
Their process also has to mask material variations and quality issues.  A nightstand made on monday much match a dresser made on friday from a different batch of materials.  Finally, their process must reflect the desire of the marketplace.  For example, I'm not sure why dark brown "wormwood" finishes were popular in the '70s but many of the manufacturers did it.

One of the foundations of modern design philosophy is to celebrate the materials used.  The simple, straight lines of modern design tends to put the focus on the materials.  Often in modern architecture things like concrete walls and wood or steel beams are used as a design element rather than covered up.  I try to adhere to the same philosophy in refinishing.

The process I use for most pieces does not involve stains, dyes or toners.  Rosewood, teak and walnut are all beautiful materials on their own and staining covers that up.  The process I use is one that custom furniture makers and acknowledged finishing masters like Sam Maloof and Bob Flexner profess.  It requires complete stripping of the piece and more meticulous prep as there isn't a stain to help hide imperfections.  Each coat of finish gets a different formulation.  The finishing masters also suggest to think of finishing pieces "in terms of weeks, not hours or days".  It is not a finish that is well suited for a production environment where manufacturers need to minimize the time pieces spend in the finishing department.  But for maximizing the potential beauty of the wood and giving a smooth feel to the hand, it is difficult to surpass.

Many of the vintage furniture refinishers and resellers are trying to repair or cover up blemishes incurred in the 50 or so years these pieces have been around.  They often only refinish a top or parts that show obvious damage.  In some cases it is easier to paint parts and alter the design intent.  Again, it isn't a wrong way to do it if your intent is to get the piece back out the door quickly.  My goal is to make these pieces shine in a way they perhaps never did by honoring the materials.  It is a more meticulous and time consuming process but it shows in the end result.

Let's try something....

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Walnut Mid-Mod Bedroom Set

I'm not sure of the manufacturer of this set but it is nicely made and has 2 matching nightstands, which is often hard to find.  The set has been completely stripped, sanded and refinished.  I left the pecan legs their natural color to give the set a 2-toned finish.  The walnut is a nice, deep brown with the new finish highlighting the light sapwood stripes.  The drawer pulls had a faux wood paint finish on them that was worn and muddy looking.  That was removed and the pulls polished and have a bright copper tone.  The 2 swing open doors reveal 3 drawers. 

Refinished for my friend, midcenturymike!

Faarup Teak credenza and floating hutch

These pieces just scream classic Danish modernist design.  They have very simple, straight designs.  The credenza sits on tall legs which give it a lighter, less imposing feel.  The hutch, as well, is smaller in proportion and floats above the credenza.  The tambour doors give the front a monolithic, seamless look and the bookmatched veneers on the doors are one of the indications that the design was well thought out.  It is nice to have a place to display vintage ceramics or glass pieces but so many of the American mid century hutches are very large pieces that really dominate a room.  This set strikes a nice balance.
Faarup is a high quality manufacturer that made many pieces from well known designers.  I haven't turned up the provenance on this particular piece but it is reminiscent of designs from Arne Vodder and Sven Larsen.
Sold

Adrian Pearsall inspired living room

We have 6 month old daughter who is quickly becoming mobile and "busy".  I found these pieces in poor shape and restored them for our living room.  Adrian Pearsall, along with Milo Baughman, are probably my favorite 2 American mid century designers.  Pearsall's designs have a space age, Jetson's, sort of look with swooping designs and exaggerated proportions.  I though both of these were his designs but as I researched them I found they were done by others.

The sofa was designed and manufactured by B.P. John in Portland.  They were a quality manufacturer who made a number of pieces similar to Pearsall's Craft Associates.  I had my friend Jose completely remove all the upholstery and stuffing, repair the springs and totally reupholster the sofa in a rich, peacock colored wool upholstery fabric.  The color stays true to the period while also working well in updated decor.  The original table tops were a laminate so I made new ones with real walnut and finished with a durable finish that I normally reserve for high use pieces.  I refinished the legs to match.

The chair is also often mistaken for a Pearsall design but made by Alan White Furniture.  Again, this piece was completely stripped down, springs repaired and reupholstered with all new foam and stuffing and the same wool fabric.  Jose said this one was very challenging because of the stitching in the seat but he did a great job.  I refinished the legs to match the sofa.

I also have a couple original Pearsall coffee tables, one is the "dogbone" table the other is the "jacks" table.  These have oval glass on the top that just rests on the base.  With the little one starting to pull herself up to her feet I have visions of her pulling the glass onto herself!

Thanks to my photographer friend, Michael Nelson for the living room pic and some photoshop "adjustments" to my crappy photography.

Both pieces are sold.  

Bassett Credenza

Bassett credenza.  I don't normally refinish other people's pieces.  I like to be able to take my time and choose the design direction for the piece.  However, the owner of this piece has bought a number of others from me and they wanted it to match.  They had acquired it from a local vintage shop where it had already been "refinished".  Fortunately I was able to strip off the stain they had applied.  I am not a big believer in staining walnut, it is beautiful on its own.  On this piece the oak used on the front edges and legs was also left natural for a 2-tone finish.  The bottom pics are how it looked when they bought it.  Once again I have to apologize for my poor photography.  The color temp didn't look so "hot" when I took the pics but these are a bit red.
Not for sale.

Drexel Declaration Credenza

The Drexel Declaration line was designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall not to be a trendy design but a timeless design using simple lines and quality construction. It's popularity is proof that good design is timeless. It is considered one of the true classics of mid century design and is sought after by collectors.  Some of the nice details Stewart and MacDougall included are a solid walnut rounded edge on the front edges of the case. The doors have a subtly profiled solid walnut edge encompassing their perimeter.  The legs are solid walnut and instead of using a simple tapered dowel often seen on mid century American pieces they use a tapered rounded square shape more like high quality Danish pieces.  Round, white porcelain pulls offer a counterpoint to the straight and square lines of the design.
This small credenza has 3 drawers with the upper drawer being felt lined and containing all the original removable dividers. The middle drawer also has one centrally located removable divider. Behind the swing open doors is open storage and the original light that automatically turns on when the door is opened.
The size and design of this piece would be perfect as a flat screen tv stand where additional A/V components could be located in the open storage area.
This piece has been completely stripped, sanded and refinished to show off its beautiful walnut.
These pictures are quick iPhone pics, I'll update with better pics shortly.
Sold