Pie Safes Antiques
Pie Safes Antiques
To Refinish Furniture Or Not?
Why is it a sin to remove the old damaged finish from a chair yet not the old paint from a rusted car? Why do reupholstered car seats add value but reupholstered chair seats destroy value? Why is it okay to replace the tires on a car but not the rockers on a rocker? So why is it that furniture is being valued differently? Why is there a double standard when it comes to furniture?
As refinishers, we do have a voice in this issue and we need to use it. We need to educate the public through our customers that there should be no double standard when it come to valuing antiques-that what’s good for the Model A should be just as good for the pie safe. We need to turn the current trend back to the way it used to be, when restoration added value to antique furniture!
For clarification, we are not talking about a speciric truely museum quality antique furniture item that has been protected in its prestine condition and has become highly valuable and collectible. We aer talking about fine old furniture items that are probably family keepsakes.
A 1930 Model a Ford has just been discovered in a little old lady’s garage. Its tires are flat and won’t hold air; its battery is dead and won’t take a charge; its leather seats are dried, cracked and break when touched; its paint is dull and worn through on the tops of the fenders; and its running boards are rusty. Basically, this old Model A is in Original condition, but it has little value.
Same car three years later and totally restored: It’s now in showroom condition, just as it came from the factory. The car disassembled, its upholstery gutted, paint stripped, rust sandblasted, engine overhauled, brakes rebuilt; it was newly painted, newly upholstered and was given new tires, new wiring, a new battery-you name it. The only thing still original about this car is the steel from which it was made. The value now skyrockets.
Now take the same model, same year, same style of car found in a similar state of originality: this owner elects to disassemble, strip and gut it and then toss the fenders and hood, chop the top, lower the body, put in on a newer car fame, replace the engine with a full-blown, super-charged Shelby Ford, replace the tires with 16-inch drag slicks and paint the car bright yellow with red flames decorating the sides. He also adds air conditioning, power windows stereo and automatic transmission and, because the door handles have been removed, remote door openers. One touch of the key fob and the door opens. Push another button and red neons light up the underneath of the car as if it is glowing on flames. Wow! What a change! In the hot-rod market, its can be even greater than that of the fully restored car.
This scenario can be applied to almost any antique. Paintings can be cleaned and restored. Boats can be rebuilt, aircraft restored, buildings abated of their original lead paint and restored, – all with one thing in common: The value is increased through refinishing and restoration.
About the Author
Gerogetown Refinsihing & Antique Restoration
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Wilton Cake Caddy $11.35 Carry decorated desserts with ease in this portable cake caddy. The 6″ high clear plastic dome has 3 locking latches that hold the base securely in place wherever you go. Convenient handle gives you a firm grip for a safe trip from your car to the party. The elegant base is approximately 13″ in diameter and holds and stores up to 10″ round cake or pie, cupcakes, cookies, and more. 13″ x 13″ x 6″…. |
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James Pie Safe James Piew Safe was inspired by an antique original in the private collection of Jim and Peggy McConnaughay, owners of Country Collectibles in Nevada City, California. Handcrafted with floating rusty tin panels. One drawer. Two adjustable shelves. Chamfered toggle closure. Solid pine back. Shaker knobs. Shown in red on black primitive and mustard on red on black museum painted finishes.Exterior me… |
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Pie Safe Tin – Hearts .027 Gauge Unplated Steel PIE SAFE TIN ~ Hearts Overall: 10″high x 14″wide Pattern Size: 8″high x 12″wide Sold Individually… |
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Pie Safe Woodworking Plan (Woodworking Plan) $10.95 Long before iceboxes became a common household item, frugal homemakers everywhere stored their bread and pastries in a pie safe. Buy pre-punched tin panels or use the instructions to punch your own…. |
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Pie Safe Woodworking Plans $10.95 This full size woodcraft pattern is a part of the fun, easy-to-make projects from the Winfield Collection! Be sure to look for additional patterns to add to your project list! Unique woodcraft projects for the do-it-yourself weekend woodworker. This charming country piece is modeled after an actual antique country pie safe. Use it to show off your favorite collectables or to store bath towels, t… |
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Woodworking Paper Plan to build the Pie Safe, Build your own Colonail version of this! $17.95 A century ago, cupboards like this could be found in every kitchen to store pies, baked breads and other foods. Our pie safe has 3 shelves and 2 drawers on top with half blind dovetails. Inside the instruction book, we detail how to punch the tin. The wood and material must be purchased at your local lumber supply company; we only supply the woodworking plan and instruction booklet to build the pr… |
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