Spectacurarly Restyled Modern Oak Dining Table

I've been searching for a piece for a couple of years to employ this finish technique on.  Ceruse or liming has been around for centuries.  A white, lead based pigment was originally used by 16th century cabinet makers to fill pores in oak furniture and to help preserve the wood.  Its popularity returned in Art Deco furniture, although not utilizing the poisonous lead compound.  It is, once again, finding favor with designers for the aged, softened look it provides.  Cerused flooring is popular as an alternative to the honey yellow oak floors we've all seen.  Now, different colored fillers are being used with a wide variety of background colors to produce a huge array of colors and looks.
Oak is the most frequently used wood for cerusing however any open grained wood can be used.

I came across this piece while buying some other pieces to restore.  When I saw the dramatic grain patterns and veneer lay-ups on this table, I knew what I wanted to do with it.  The table itself is a nicely made 70's modern design from Thomasville.  The grain on the top is mostly straight with some nice repeating figures and the grain runs lengthwise.  The grain on the leaves show dramatic cathedraling and run across the table.  The grain along the edge is vertical giving the edge a combed appearance.  It sits upon a simple block pedestal base with more nice vertical grain.

The final result of the restyle is a dramatic looking piece that would look great in a number of settings.  Modern rustic, industrial, mid-century modern, Scandinavian, even farm-house styles would all work well with this table.  If it were staying in my home I'd pair with black and chrome or white and chrome chairs.  The table would also be a great centerpiece of a stylish conference room.

Dimensions:  42" W x 74" L x 29" H
                      each leaf adds 20" for a max length of 114" (9' 6")

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Broyhill Sculptra "Magna" Dresser and Matching Nightstands

This set is perfect for someone looking to outfit a smaller bedroom with some nice vintage pieces.  Broyhill produced a "magna" dresser in each one of their renown "Premier" lines.  The magna pieces are extra tall dressers that offer open storage for bulky items as well as 3 large drawers and 5 smaller drawers.  Its like getting the storage space of a triple dresser in a 4 1/2' long dresser.  Each of the nightstands has one drawer plus open storage.  The dresser drawers have a beautiful repeating cathedral pattern in the bookmatched veneers.  All 3 pieces have just been refinished and the walnut grain stands out even more beautifully than when they were new.

Dimensions:
     Dresser  54"W x 44"H x 17"D
     Nightstands   24"W x 23"H x 15"D

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Walnut and Walnut Burl Side Tables by Founders

Although not bedroom furniture these tables, by Founders Furniture, were produced similarly to the bedset I posted earlier today.  These are built with solid walnut frames with walnut burl veneer on the top.  Even the edge wrapping the top is a solid walnut strip, not a white wood or a veneer.  The cane lower shelves are in excellent condition.  Like the bedroom set these came with an oiled finish so I was able to restore the original finish without stripping to maintain the beautiful warm color the walnut has gained over time.  The burled veneer top exhibits beautiful figuring and "movement" to the grain.  Again, these are of a different caliber than the typical mid century American pieces and much harder to come by.

Dimensions:  19" x 19" x 16"H
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Extraordinary Heirloom Walnut Bedroom Set

I label this bedroom set "extraordinary" for a few reasons.  I completely refinish probably 95% of the pieces that pass through my hands.  Most, even when well cared for have a finish that has deteriorated through the years and shows the scars of decades of use.  This set falls in the other 5%.  These were produced with an oiled finish which doesn't necessarily provide the protection of the typical lacquer finish.  However, it is a finish that can be restored if there hasn't been much damage and it also allows the walnut to develop a beautiful warm patina.  These pieces had been well cared for their first 50 years and I was able to use a restorative process that preserved their original finish.

Extraordinary too for their quality of construction.  These are of a different caliber than the more common Lane, Broyhill, Kent Coffey, Bassett, etc. pieces that most mid century enthusiasts are familiar with.  The legs, stretchers, door frames and edge banding are all solid walnut, not walnut toned white woods or veneered like the typical pieces.  The case joints are mitered, the nightstand legs are a sculpted "clover" shape and there are many other details that show hand work you don't see in large production pieces.

Finally, the scale and design of these have a timeless beauty to them.  The long dresser has a grand scale that is contrasted by the statuesque proportions of the armoire.  Cane accents and worn leather pulls on the doors of the armoire ad an organic element that softens the crisp lines of the design.  The backs of the nightstands are also finished so they could be "floated" in a room.

I'm learning that attribution of design is a tricky process.  As much as the internet has helped give access to information, it also can rapidly spread disinformation.  There are no markings on these pieces other than serial numbers which all appear to be from the same serialization process.  I've seen the low dresser and nightstands attributed to Milo Baughman for Arch Gordon and it was the assumption I was working under when I acquired them.  However, as I researched more I found attributions to Jack Cartwright for Founders Furniture.  I have seen pictures of associated pieces on line with the original tags intact that say Founders Furniture.  The cane doors, leather pulls and oiled finish would are all details that Cartwright used in many of his designs and help substantiate this attribution.  For most people, it doesn't matter but I think it is of interest to provide some details on lineage.

Here are some examples of these pieces being attributed to Milo Baughman for Arch Gordon

https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/tables/night-stands/pair-of-walnut-end-tables-nightstands-milo-baughman-arch-gordon/id-f_686934/

https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/storage-case-pieces/dressers/rare-milo-baughman-arch-gordon-12-drawer-dresser-mirror/id-f_1954032/

Here are some examples that are attributed to Florence Knoll

 http://phylumfurniture.com/2013/11/18/early-knoll-door-chests/

 https://furnishmevintage.com/store/research-archive/mid-century-modern-knoll-tall-chest/

These attributions I believe are correct, Jack Cartwright for Founders

 https://classifieds.apartmenttherapy.com/posts/117147-jack-cartwright-founders-1960s-mcm-tall-cabinet

This one may not be the same as I have in the set but the details are the same, thin edge case with half round on front edge, black outline around inside edge of case, same pulls, leg construction, leather pulls on doors, etc.

https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/storage-case-pieces/credenzas/mid-century-modern-cane-front-credenza-style-jack-cartwright/id-f_2445922/





The set consists of the 12 drawer low dresser, the armoire, 2 nightstands and a mirror.  The armoire provides great storage with its 2 adjustable shelves which would work well for bulky items like sweaters and jeans.  The mirror hangs on the wall and the frame is solid walnut.  The nightstand drawers have some ink stains inside but function perfectly well.  It is a beautiful set that is ready to be enjoyed for a few more generations.

Dimensions:

12 drawer dresser:  78"W x 31"H x 18"D
armoire:                  30.5"W x 66"H x 16"D
nightstands (x2):     22"W x 22.5"H x 16"D
mirror                      22"W x 44"H

I have not seen these pieces available as an entire set before.
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