collect fine antique furniture More than just a slanted hobby. In fact, for those who catch bugs well enough, it can become a way of life.Finding a good vintage deal is not only exciting in itself, but integral to a successful find Rising costs on par with high street goods.
Your relationship with your furniture collection doesn’t stop with the purchase and installation in your home. Antique furniture must be preserved and cared for so that it continues to showcase them and your wider home in the best light possible. Whether you’re a natural antiques hunter, or antiques are forced upon you…you’re probably looking for some tips on how to best care for your collection! Well, look no further.
keep it done
Every piece of fine antique furniture is finished in some charming way, whether it’s a varnish sheen or a natural finish. Many will say that a complete re-polishing is the only way to keep your work in top condition, but this is not always the case. Antique furniture in good condition is low maintenance, requiring only regular dusting and occasional polishing.
However, repolishing may be required in some cases. For example, when an antique has suffered damage or degradation (more on that later). But even redecorating isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. Tools like the Milwaukee Multi-Tool can cut down on sanding jobs Remove the existing finish and cut away any areas of decay before proceeding with a new coat of oil or varnish.
reduce UV exposure
To avoid such measures, you can ensure that your piece does not receive too much direct sunlight. UV exposure in particular can cause degradation of varnishes, especially older shellac finishes…causing discolouration, wrinkling and brittleness.
If it’s impractical to keep your furniture in the shade, polarizers can be used to filter UV rays from windows.
reduce moisture
Another major risk factor for vintage furniture is moisture, or humidity. The presence of these two substances is dangerous to woodwork of any kind, and has an effect on old finishes that once might have been moisture resistant. When humidity is high, wood swells and varnish cracks…a simple dehumidifier installed in every room can help control this. Natural solutions may be more beneficialJust be sure to retain some moisture – after all, extremely low humidity can be risky too!
