The CLIENT threatened me with a MOLOTOV cocktail if I would make it too beautiful

Usually I make things beautiful, but this time my task is different.
My favorite tools:
Kärcher steam cleaner: amzn.to/3jltvLf
Bessey edge clamps: amzn.to/3A6i7K3
Dovetail jig: amzn.to/2VeM7Vw
Workshop vacuum: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
Random orbital sander: amzn.to/3A925PK
Oscillating Spindle Sander amzn.to/3lq9t4X
Camera: amzn.to/3e5CG0V
Led goggles: amzn.to/3we7mq1
Protective shield: amzn.to/3Pnthmj
T-shirts and other stuff:
at-store-25.creator-spring.com/
My music channel:
/ totucool
AT Restoration Plus channel: / @atrestorationplus
#restoration #howto #furniture
Title: The CLIENT threatened me with a MOLOTOV cocktail if I would make it too beautiful

[@ATRestoration]

For those who want to see more of my stuff, I have second channel where I do more experimental videos: kzbin.info/door/jjxMSJTfAR3IbCAT25-MbA

[@romainthblt]

was the client happy? I hope you didn't get a "it could have looked a bit more restored"

[@edgartelela4106]

It depends on damage and its antiquity and taking into account that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder

[@Tomeccho]

What I really want to know is... how often do you burn your fingers with the iron? 😂

[@loverlei79]

Once again your ability to match new wood with old is unparalleled in the restoration world. I've never seen it done this well before!

[@kyronnewbury]

Thomas Johnson. But this is also incredible work. But if you want to see another master Thomas Johnson is unreal

[@robertkuivjogi7013]

@@kyronnewbury I wanted to start to write this same. He is awesome restorer. Even some restorers from Estonia could study from him and ask some tips.

[@freddieannt3354]

I really love that he doesn’t talk through the whole process. He is definitely a master craftsman!

[@Bzcenci812]

Yes, some of them like rethoric and they stop working and start chatting. It gets boring.

[@JDHood]

You did an amazing job to retain the "patina", so bravo for your skills! But I agree in preferring a full restoration. This would have looked so awesome brought back to "new".

[@hafidz007]

Excellent work

[@lesleythompson6801]

I agree.

[@suilegew]

It depends on the context. If you have an old cottage with lots of old worn stuff, it would look out of place with one fully restored piece. This way makes it a useful piece while blending in with rest of stuff

[@thompson1374]

And the customer didn’t want that!

[@JDHood]

Despite the saying, I've seen plenty of examples in life where the customer is not always "right". There are times when you do the customer a favor by "slapping the crack-pipe out of their mouth" when they have "crack-pipe" requirements. Not saying this is absolutely one of those occasions, but the potential is there.

[@wendyhale2189]

You gave the client what he wanted. And you did a wonderful job of it.

[@lauriefox5350]

If it isn't looking new, no-one will want to steal it. Great job in any case.

[@helenfitch3440]

I know absolutely nothing about restoring furniture but I love watching some who does. Wonderful job.

[@marjorielane230]

I truly admire your skills. The type of restoration all depends on what the piece means to the person who wants it restored and what they want to do with it.

[@kayerin5749]

I agree. However I would like to know the reason behind this clients wish to keep it old and ratty looking _perhaps_ then I would change my mind. Otherwise, I believe Ahti must have had to clench his teeth and groan through most of this project. Although he is such a thorough professional he probably didn't. But if it were me I would have refused the commision. It could have been such an awesome entryway piece.

[@lovingmayberry307]

I agree with the second rule...and I love the way it turned out! I want an antique piece to LOOK like an antique piece.

[@TV-oj8uh]

how can someone live in a house who looks runed down

[@joako9306]

Loving Mayberry, I agree!

[@vbee3571]

Exactly what your client wanted. A beautiful job per instructions. I watch many channels of furniture restoration, but you are the Master. 🌟

[@kristinsewell1441]

I am an archeologist and I like being able to know the history of an object. It's like hearing a person's stories. That said, I prefer the same furniture refinishing you like because even though I want to hear a person's stories, I don't necessarily want to see all their scars.

[@dreed1058]

yup, right there with you! Well said;)

[@kateapple1]

If you are not a writer ma’am, you should be 💕🤘🏿

[@lameesahmad9166]

I respect what you are saying. There is a difference between preserving an artifact for a museum and restoring a piece of furniture which is going to be continually used. If the piece of furniture can be restored in a way that it does not lose its recognisable design but looks in peak condition it will increase its longevity and eventually in future generations its value will also increase making it a prized collectable object.

[@jbart5260]

Great job. I am in the "Look Like New" camp. But maybe depends on the piece and age. Your talent, either way, is sublime! Love your skill and humor

[@richardnordfeldt9524]

I like when you restore to new. It makes old pieces be in glory again. 😊

[@niniemecanik]

I have an aunt that worked in a shop that did hardwood cabinet doors. A customer once asked for his cabinet doors to look very old. So she took the doors outside in the parking lot, put them face down on the gravel, stepped on them and dragged them around a bit. The customer was really happy with the result. Apparently some people like their stuff to look really beat up. 🤣

[@nataliegray8019]

I guess it depends on the piece you're restoring. Some pieces benefit from a full restoration greatly, and it's cool to see what they looked like brand spanking new on the market. On the other hand, age brings so much character and quirk to furniture, and you can lose that in a full restoration.

[@TammyFriend7250]

Ageing just looks old & crappy. You would never see those who can afford old furniture, from a master, and say, Leave it as it with minimal work. They go for beauty and full restoration of a piece. I could just imagine the late Queen's horror if she had been presented with a distressed piece of furniture she had sent for restoration.

[@rekwa3860]

@@TammyFriend7250 what does even it have to do with the queen? There are different aesthetic styles, different philosophies. While love for all things shiny and symmetrical and "perfect" is common in the "Western" world, it's not the same in every culture. Perhaps you might want to read about the Japanese concept of wabi sabi? It's precisely about the appreciation of the imperfections and visible history of things.

[@rekwa3860]

@pegamini that's only if you view "flaws" as something bad. Scratches and variations in colour sometimes add to the beauty of the piece, not detract from it. But not everything is made to age beautifully.

[@blindkimberly1360]

I’d have loved for this beauty to get all new again. But we can’t have you getting coctailed. This old piece is still grateful. You’ve given it more life. Awesome.

[@robertbamford8266]

Interesting techniques with veneering. Using heat to reactivate (regular) PVA glue. Water spotting technique clever to avoid danger. To answer your question, I prefer restoration that is unnoticeable. Maybe the person who sees it should think “Wow, that has been well cared for!” “Like new” sometimes (usually) makes the result look like a reproduction.

[@kayerin5749]

Good point. But I think our craftsman here could have made it look beautiful and cared for and less likely to be thrown in the landfill by the next generation...

[@adacskipper]

Except in rare cases where the damage is part of an object's history, I think full restoration is always better. Not only will it last longer, but you can see how it was originally meant to look.

[@melodienaber3238]

Your sense of humor gets me every time. 😂❤ I enjoy the new restoration best. 😊

[@samanthabaines3578]

Very impressed, you definitely avoided a molotov cocktail!!

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

You are so flipping good at both ways of restoring. For me, it depends on the piece. Some things need to stay “ shabby chic” and some things just scream to be fully restored. I’m glad you didn’t get blown up🐝🤗❤️

[@cherylhammond423]

You did well following their directive. I, too, love when it looks like new again.

[@Richie8a8y]

You are an artist. The way you “restored” this piece while “distressing” it at the same time was magic.

[@gilliandawson6567]

Beautiful. Showing the age "talks" to the lives that it has witnessed.

[@deanhall4069]

I like the first approach more , but you did what the customer wanted.You have next level skills and knowledge.Well done.

[@hetalchudasama]

that depends on a restoration project. For this particular one I absolutely prefer what you have done. Bravo

[@apwhoa7767]

I get that people want it to show its age, but I love the attention to detail that restores a piece for another 100 years.

[@asalicestander]

When you do a full restoration, you make that piece available for next generations to enjoy and appreciate!

[@lagunabay51]

The first one. As usual you've transformed this poor tired piece back to life. Great job.

[@Quaker521]

Great job Ahti. I can go with either a sympathetic restoration or a like-new restoration, it depends on what stetting the restored piece is going into. That said, if I had the choice then generally it would be full restoration. Cheers!

[@richardbova2700]

I prefer your Complete restorations, and especially that you're able to demonstrate your expert methods perfectly without lengthy explanation.

[@christygaffney5814]

I like the "Look Like New Full Restoration", but you did an amazing job fulfilling your customer's request.

[@conniegray3272]

I like it all, minimal, fully renewed, or over the top glam because it depends on placement of the piece. Beautiful and very creative, and obviously attention to detail!

[@WolvenMother]

I like seeing stuff restored like new, and it can be achieved by anyone who puts the time and effort into the craft and have an understanding of how to do it on a (for lack of better words) basic level. Those that can restore an object to "perfection" and still make it appear old and wore is testament to the amount of skills one has amassed over years of the craft.

[@bxmarz8748]

I love the aged patina on this one but all I kept thinking was how much it would benefit from a bit of oil but still leaving all the scars in it. Amazing work as always! I wish I had your skill level.

[@user-ej7gv4pg8k]

If I were a client, I would throw a Molotov cocktail. Too well done.

[@lenkuffert7428]

I have followed both directions as well. Super veneer work on this piece.

[@NaiyaBladesinger]

I appreciate you honoring the client's request and i still think it's ok to make things look like new again

[@stephenmcfadyen1385]

The minimalist look makes the piece look more original rather than restored

[@MadCityModern]

Hope you are doing well my Friend! Loved watching this restoration. You are so creative with your work. I learn so much from you. Thank you. Barry

[@ATRestoration]

Thanks Barry!

[@bonniefroeschle1080]

I prefer “Make it new” method. You do fantastic restoration. Thank you, I love watching you transform broken to beautiful.

[@lindacgrace2973]

Full restoration - all the way. That is what the designer/maker intended, and I think we should honor that intention.

[@American_Jeeper]

While I can appreciate those who like “patina”, I much prefer seeing what it would have looked like when it was new. Either way, your work is flawless.

[@josephinehogg3629]

it must have been so sad that you couldn't restore this piece to it's full and beautiful potential. Well done, regardless of the threat of the Molotov!

[@SiddiGorsky-xc7ub]

I really admire your work and craftsmanship! I love both styles, but most importantly I love the fact that these beautiful pieces continue to be used and valued. ❤

[@MOLLIMEDIA]

You’ve done a wonderful sympathetic restoration here. Some people like that “rode hard and put away wet” look. Distressing is distressful for the restorer, but it takes a special skill to know when to stop. The natural patina of time is hard to beat… but for me, it’d better have some sentimental value before going through the effort of making treasure from trash , then leaving it distressed and sad-looking.

[@Lakehousebuild]

I think the first kind is more satisfying to watch in the end. But the second kind takes such a high level of skill and craftsmanship that it’s very impressive to watch

[@northwoods3d]

There is value in both approaches. In a full restoration (making beautiful again) one gets to see the piece as it was when new. But a minimal intervention can be useful when trying to preserve a piece with historical value - you dont want to lose the history of the piece, but you dont want it to fall apart, either. You, @AT Restoration, are skilled in both approaches. Well done, Sir!

[@ericbaker5224]

I think minimal touch keeps the piece authentic to the age, use and ultimately the care the original builder took in its making.

[@martin5000tube]

You really impressed me on this one...its difficult to find the correct balance of new material with old distressed materials, and you did an excellent job. I am in the middle camp; things that look old and used but not too shabby. This channel needs more subscribers!

[@fatflyin]

I like when patina is retained but functionality is restored. For example making hinge feel like new or replacing some of structure to be sturdy again. So basicly when it looks like old but feels like new.

[@borge2014]

I like it. Is like having jeans broken in with character. Your job is exquisite, it is harder to add the wear than new, I imagine so.

[@graceparker7003]

I got so excited seeing that you posted and couldn't wait to see what piece you would be restoring. I love that the client didn't want it "perfect" and wanted to keep the integrity of the age of the piece. 1930's is one of my favorite periods, especially from the USA. I had a full Waterfall Bedroom Set and some of the veneer wasn't in that good condition. Where were you when I needed you??? lol Ah well, that's gone now and I live in Belgium so perhaps I will still have to find that one piece for you to take care of for me. Now you tell me you have a second channel..... on my way :)

[@phyllisspringfield7705]

You did what your client wanted but I would have loved to see you work your magic on this piece.

[@iamshaman]

I like the minimal intervention approach simply for the technique involved but when you make them new again it's always amazing. This one is charming but it would have come out beautiful completely refreshed

[@argumentfoireux1660]

I like old things keeping a memory of their own story. That also depends of the rest of the room around: "too new" might pop out or just insert smoothly.

[@lindagonzales5848]

Not only an amazing Master Craftsman but now we are seeing the man with a sense of humor :-)! Cheers...and definitely prefer the pretty! -

[@petervandermolen9835]

Ahti, you ran the gauntlet with that Molotov Cocktail 🍸 🤣. I am somewhere in the middle: I prefer to give a piece a new life. But if you ask us: would we like to be 20 again? Perhaps yes - but we would like to still keep all our life's experiences! So I think a piece can show some of its own experiences, yet look splendid. Careful with your clients there, we LOVE to see more videos!

[@darawilson4101]

Before this video I really loved repair to be "new" but this one I can understand the desire for it to look "old"... you did a great job

[@ellenfoster9764]

I prefer your respectful but more complete restorations to leaving it ugly! But you did a good job

[@melodypanek448]

Wow! Fantastic work. Looks like the new parts are actually old! You are very good at this kind of work.

[@anteeker]

I would have wanted to get rid of the water marks but when faced with the threat of a Molotov cocktail, you did an excellent job! I`m not a "look like new" fan but I like it to look nice, like it`s well cared for.

[@Skyliner03]

I really like how you restore furniture and things, it's like Phoenix flying out of the ashes and revived

[@spamdump4459]

A while back you did a video where you went to an estate and walked through with the caretaker, looking at the pieces and discussing the history and whether the pieces would be restored. That was fascinating. It gave real insight into why some would not want to do a full restoration to like new condition. The history of many of the pieces could be lost. Whether minimal repair only or like new restoration should be a piece-by-piece determination. I admire masters of the craft who can do both.

[@hussam41]

It IS too perfect and you absolutely deserve a Molotov cocktail!

[@puffkat68]

Thanks again for another tip. The sideways light is a great idea, thanks. Oh, and I like restoration projects for something to do or for a friend, but for my family pieces, I only do the minimum. I want the dings, dents, and holes, well, most.

[@sifukwaitsungma814]

I like when you restor it and make it more beautiful😀

[@daro563]

It is beautiful that the repaired piece of furniture looks like an old one that has not been repaired before

[@Lee-dq2lw]

Full restoration is now respectful to the person who made it

[@maramakesjournals2319]

I can see it either way. If I had a well-loved piece, I might want it to have the aged patina. But having it restored to what it originally was, that could be worth it. Whatever YOU do, it’s enjoyable to watch. I love a handy man.

[@patternharlot]

I’m somewhere in between. Like some patina but love a full restoration. I have furniture from my Great Aunts that has that old, old wood stain that has lost its luster; just love the look! You did a masterful job!

[@texanasimmons1761]

I think that restoration method depends on the piece, the extent of damage and what the owner wants done. What you did was exactly what the owner wanted plus you extended the life of the piece!❤

[@anthonym.pacelli1960]

Beautiful job of making it look restored / old, but I prefer to see it in like new condition. Very well done !

[@chantillyviolin]

I prefer your magnificent work that takes it to the "whole new piece" level. You do amazing work. I so enjoy your videos!

[@jodidavis6595]

Dang that’s amazing how you made it look like it WASN’T restored. I do like a clean restoration tho. Well done

[@sureshot311]

I also like the first one. Even the ones you do completely still have a timeless beauty. Incredible work. Thank you.

[@deborahhall6861]

It's a shame the client prefers the minimal repair, I would have lived to see it fully restored, but you have done a lovely job repairing the major damage

[@Rev-D1963]

A fine old piece before and after. Only a highly skilled craftsman could have pulled that one off. Well done my friend, as always. And thank you again for your work and videos. God bless. Rev. D.

[@Carmastrong855]

I would have loved to see it completely renewed. You did an amzing job!

[@davidgalietti3398]

I like your usual work more. It always shows the character and age of the item, but is also fully restored. You normally have a very good balance with not overdoing it.

[@chrigunrestauration]

i love your channel. Always an inspiration. Very nice restoration. 😊👍

[@Vickie-Bligh]

I like it being made new again. You did a marvelous job on this, your repairs fit right in with the rest of the piece but I would never put something like this in my home. Lovely work as usual and I hope your opening 'Molotov Cocktail' was delicious. 😁

[@pteddie6965]

I'm sure that you pleased your customer and gave him the look for which he was looking, but can't help wishing that you had been allowed to take this piece back to its original glory. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@maverickstclare3756]

I think the amount of restoration should be guided by the intended environment of the piece

[@restlesshomebody]

I like things made newer, but understand about history, so hope your client is happy!

[@karencooper9185]

Another brilliant restoration...you are truly talented...I would have loved to have seen the entire piece after a full restoration by you though. Just happy knowing there were no Molotov cocktails this time!!! Thank you for sharing your talent and please keep them coming. You are an inspiration to those who love seeing vintage and antique furniture saved and restored.

[@patrickhutton6646]

As a restorer myself,I love to bring furniture back to life and to see the beauty in it again. This was a fantastic job of letting the furniture live again without doing away with its past.

[@Anonymer400]

I like it when it looks new after restoration.

[@Case2_0]

Personally, I prefer when it shows its age but doesn’t look too beat up. Cracks are bad, a ding here and there are good. If a full refinish has already occurred (*shivers* painting) strip it and bring it to new, if it’s already wood, repair what you can without destroying the age.

[@confusedandsleepless]

I would have preferred to see it more restored, but still with an old patina, but you had to respect your client's wishes to get paid! It's a testament to your incredible skill level that you can do minimal repairs, full restoration, or anything in between! ❤

[@jennylawson1980]

I know it depends on taste but…this would have been so much better with a full restoration in my opinion. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

[@1978MJ]

So often the original piece was made to be beautiful. Make it beautiful again.

[@LadyLuvGemStones]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 great job ❗ we'll have to agree with you that complete restoration would give this piece of furniture a new lease in life 👍🏻 .. each to their own 😊

[@paulaw3357]

Wonderful job and meeting your clients request. I can only imagine how wonderful the piece would be if you had been able to do a full restoration.

[@aok2727]

I prefer refreshed to look like an understated new but this was a fun outcome and I appreciate no Molotov cocktails were involved.

[@tamirawiebe7155]

When I started watching you, I was surprised at how much you restored the pieces. Now I enjoy seeing them like new.

[@malcsurfleet3888]

You a true craftsman I love watching your videos,I like both,totally renovated or a minimal repair.

[@cynthiaq1073]

Ahti, I love watching you work. This piece was different than your others, since your client wanted to repair some damage, but wanted to retain an “aged” look. It’s amazing how you managed to do it. Personally I prefer to have something restored to its former beauty if possible. I’m always amazed at the number and sizes of clamps you use for you work. 😊. Great job. Stay safe. 🌺💕

[@TheCraftyMagnolia]

This was great! I like to see things being fully restored, but this is pretty cool too.

[@deboravideiramonteiro3361]

Both restorations are good for me. For an example, i got in some kind of anger and sad when you sand off the little monster in that other peace. But I also love when you make others looking new. I think some time marks can give a unique personalite to a forniture and shouldn't be removed. Any way, preserving history is over all of this thoughts.