Ep. 93 Amazing Restoration of an Old Oak Table

[@MadCityModern]

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[@mdeysenroth]

Many years ago I picked up a simple but sturdy desk at Goodwill for about $15. I gave it a coat of paint and new hardware. I used it for its' intended purpose, just paying bills and studying when I was in nursing school, and my daughter then used it as her homework desk. She and her husband used it as a changing table for their now four year old son and I am sure he will use it for homework as well. Even a piece that was free or cheap can become a piece that creates new memories with its' new life.

[@lindakennedy1193]

I bought a small 2 drawer chest 6 years ago and painted it for my daughter's newly refurbished bedroom. It is now in her new home as her dressing table. It is really well made. I've since refurbished 2 small pieces of furniture for her from charity shops. Nice to give things a new lease of life.

[@VioletJoy]

I love that story. 🤍

[@007Julie]

I always have the feeling that the pieces that you rescue are so thankful for a second chance at life. I know it’s just furniture but wood pieces have life and you can feel their relief at been saved and restored. Thank you so much for every piece you rescue.

[@VioletJoy]

I always think of that, too. These pieces can offer their services and stand proud once again. 😉

[@vickiebelk635]

I’m 67 and that looks like a desk my teacher had when I was in elementary school. I’m glad you saved it and made it beautiful again 😍

[@maryland8532]

You, Barry, are a collector with purpose. Your sensibility for not wasting a good memory that was once a living tree, refreshes my appreciation. Thank you.

[@ruppertale3319]

This looks like a typing desk, but it might have had a glass top with a calendar under it. That's a good surface for blueprints and mimeographs. You refinished it well, and I hope it servers you well for many years.

[@isabelcortijo2642]

"It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important." The Little Prince. 🌹❤

[@loisbolton1800]

This is an honest desk. Can’t believe anyone would just dump it. You have given it a new life & new purpose. 💖

[@windycityliz7711]

People often "dump" things hoping someone else will want it and pick it up.

[@persephoneblack888]

That Navy print you have in the background (the one with the lady in the uniform in the poster frame) is the exact same one that used to hang in my Dad's office. He was in the Navy and his office was Navy themed. When he passed away, my mom gave it to my uncle for his office because he and my Dad were in the Navy together and they were how my parents met! It's wild that it's there, in the video, in March. His birthday is in March and he would have been 55 yrs old now. His anniversary to my mom is in March too. That's a lot of info but, it's so crazy to see it sitting there.

[@barbannco]

I love the way you save things from the landfill...this beautiful oak table would have had an oak ply inset on top which has obviously been destroyed....thank you for saving it

[@GeorgeWTush]

You're a prince, Barry. You make the world a more beautiful place for everyone .

[@VioletJoy]

He sure does.

[@solotraveler6025]

Its a 1940's or early 50's library desk make by the Standard Furniture company, the top has been replaced. They made a single drawer, two drawer and a three drawer. In the sixties, the drawer pulls were replaced with metal pulls.

[@kimlindseyOH]

Thank you!! I had a feeling that the top had been replaced - the base and drawers look to be older, from before MDF would have been used in pieces pike this, especially the (nice & simple) wooden drawer pulls. It turned out great for his purpose, and someday he might replace the MDF top with oak if he wants to give the desk a different purpose.

[@solotraveler6025]

@@kimlindseyOH Yep, I prefer the wood pulls myself. I have a single drawer that I restored about 37 years ago and left it at my parents house when I left for service and Desert Storm. My mom who is still alive has it in the corner of her living room with all of her family picture sitting on it. I will get it back someday, for now it's in good hands. Sadly the tops on a lot of them were replaced because of kids carving their name in them or a heart and arrow with their long lost crush's name carved into it. The library chairs are hard to find but you do find them in antique shops once in a while.

[@jebsails2837]

I saw roomfuls of these 2 drawer desks used at US Naval facilities from the 1960's on. They served in classrooms and office spaces. I would suspect the MDF tops are probably on the newer units. Narragansett Bay

[@traceyspad01]

You are an inspiration. I want to redo a piece but timid. Less so now after watching. I did redo my older oak kitchen cabinets that were fairly 80's yellow tone. I started out staining but ended up painting them white on bottom and dark gray uppers. They look wonderful. The stripping and sanding was the hardest. I dont have any fancy tools. All in all, took me about 1 year to finish, working in evenings after work, and weekends. In my defense, I have a lot of cabinets and an island.

[@debsmith2269]

If the person who threw this out saw this, they'll want it back. It looks so good now.

[@steven_ryan]

Amazing!!! What a handsome, reliable desk! 🥰

[@AngelJul]

Oh man... You turned it into a very kind piece of furniture! The finishing... Wonderful!!! I have just finished a project, a dresser from the 70,s here in Brazil... My mother bought It when I was born... And I wanted to restore it for her. Totally influenced by your channel! She loved it and I was really surprised with the result. THANK YOU for your teachings! A big hug from Brazil!

[@jimmieyoung925]

Next time you end up with MDF as a top try using paper back veneer of the same species once you put on the top coat it should be fine. Looks great though

[@rosatrevino1930]

Did the tabletop not have an original veneer? Was it not worth putting a veneer on it? Otherwise, great job!

[@georgethomsonyoung8959]

Another very enjoyable video . The desk looks like the desk our teachers had when I was a wee kid

[@carguy4658]

At first when you looked closely at the top, I "Assumed" the top might have been cork. The solid wood elsewhere, the dovetail joints of the drawers, made me assume this piece was created in the post WWII era. Nice piece, good job bringing it back. It was worth your time and effort.

[@mustafaemrekurban]

Başarılı çalışmanız için tebrik ederim.Selamlar👋

[@stevenmiller4254]

Another curbside find that was given new life, thanks to your care, and efforts. Your meticulous work never disappoints. I look forward to seeing more of your videos Barry! Steven Miller, Bay View WI

[@1959Berre]

The top of that desk is made of hardboard. Where I live we call it "unalit". It is older than MDF.

[@maurawhelan3530]

Gorgeous desk! Old furniture is so well made and timeless. I resell vintage bamboo or faux bamboo pieces and sell as is. My buyers usually restore and I ask them to send me picts. Such a joy seeing the Thomasville, Lexington etc well made pieces esp night stands redone. A gift that keeps giving!

[@MidwestMagicCleaning]

I've been a fan of your channel for a very long time. Thank you for being you.

[@ElaineWood-f2t]

I'm curious about why you didn't use veneer to cover the desktop since it's made of pressed board. At any rate, this desk restoration looks fantastic!! 😊

[@LavenderDaisies]

I enjoyed this video. I feel very similar to you. Old pieces have so much character from their history. All of the memories and the stories those pieces could tell us. My favorite furniture pieces are those from my grandparents. They raised their children with them, my parents raised me, I raised my children, and I am sure they will raise their children with. 4 generations of one family with a piece of furniture is quite amazing I think. It has so much to tell us. I also am happy to refinish pieces that have chip board and laminate and the sort. There are many options to turn them into beautiful pieces too. They deserve a chance just the same as a “solid wood” piece.

[@Becky-nn3pu]

This is just gorgeous! And the top looks almost like leather! A very nice and useful piece!

[@murlthomas2243]

What a beautiful little desk! It’s hard to just get a small, plain desk these days!

[@dalevictor6516]

I bet that had a green lanolin drawing top like a drafting table it looks like a graphic table.

[@Dakiniwoman]

I have truly enjoyed every one of your videos I have watched. I love the idea of restoring any old furniture even if it doesn't seem special, it is not wasted if it is restored. I like the rich color of the stain you used here. As a person who has a lot of stress in my life, I do find your voice and watching your meticulous work calming in this mad World we live in... In regards to shellac, I recently viewed a very interesting video here on KZbin about how it is made from little bugs and other uses it has.

[@texanasimmons1761]

Nice refinishing job! Its pretty, despite the top not being oak like it rest of the desk. You did a great job! Thank you!

[@WCP-c2m]

Great job restoring this desk, the top is masonite sheet , my dad used this when he built his work bench it's a harder surface

[@robk1310]

looks waaaaaay better. Looks brand new.

[@01backpack]

I was thinking that a nice sheet of veneer on the top would go really good with that table

[@founderist]

I was about to say the same.

[@karencox3235]

I fully expected him to pull out a sheet of veneer... I wonder why he didn't.

[@freethebirds3578]

I was puzzled about that desk. Solid oak body, and an ugly MDF on the top? I would think a new veneer, or maybe a (fake) leather would make it look very nice. I saw in the comments someone suggesting a glass top, and thought you could put anything under glass: photos, decoupage, something patterned. Whatever, it is still a lovely piece I would be happy to have in my home. This channel is so positive. So much ugly turned beautiful.

[@samararivett2965]

Well worth the effort, and one less 'still useful' piece of furniture on the scrap heap.

[@jenniferschweikert7464]

Always worth keeping items out of the landfill! I refinished a similar desk and the owner said it was a teacher’s desk.

[@randbodily3058]

I absolutely love the texture of the top, reminds me of fiberglass. What a great little desk!

[@dshey6802]

What a sweet small solid wood desk. The top is unique. You surprised me that you kept it. That wax finish on the top really turned out well. The color and the sheen of the top look so good with the solid wood of the rest of the desk.

[@johnscullion7685]

I have just finished restoring one thats similar im from Scotland it's nearly like mine and I think its a school teachers desk nice thing do it good 👍

[@PeggyMonroe-md6fm]

I never tire watching your videos!

[@AlohaLowah]

That book on libraries is one of my favorite books! ❤️ ❤️

[@TheTriptamineDream]

Happy to see you! Heard you for years, good to see a face with the voice.

[@LadyLeigh]

It is a beautiful desk! I wonder why the manufacturers made everything but the top, solid wood? The top is the piece you see the most of and it is made of a cheap compressed wood fibre, weird? Anyway you made it a superb useable piece for another 100 years at least!🤗🇦🇺

[@MadCityModern]

That was my question as well

[@janeyoung2838]

A beautiful desk ready for another 50 years 🎉😊

[@mollysheridan7134]

Watching you breathe new life onto an old, beat up piece s a pleasure.

[@martemacdougall1985]

I was surprised to see how well the MDF wood looked at the finish. Spraying the shellac was a choice made by an experienced refinisher. 👌 Lovely little desk and I am sure it will be very useful in your workshop. Thank you MCM.❤

[@karencooper9185]

STUNNING in its simplicity!!!

[@kimzimmerman2492]

Who Knew that gorgeous desk was hiding in there! Once again amazing work Barry!

[@MadCityModern]

Thank you so much

[@jimwalker5412]

That Sir, is a very nice restoration.

[@Placement239]

We want to see whatever you decide to do

[@eveb446]

You did a great job with this desk. Thank you for keeping it out of the land fill.

[@jillsmith6052]

Simple but quite beautiful.

[@christinebrady6842]

Whoa! It's beautiful! I'm glad you saved it. Sometimes you put in the effort because it just feels good.

[@lindahill7315]

That turned out great.

[@TheKnitwiz]

BARRY JOB WELL DONE, THANK YOU FOR SAVING SO MANY PIECES OF HISTORY. I WOULD SUGGEST you look for the pictures of that desk with a leather top with gold etching. My uncle had an antique shop, I saw a few with the leather tops.

[@loismaddux4800]

Love your videos! Enjoy your voiceovers so much!!!❤❤. Your work is beautiful!

[@kristicitak3932]

It’s the perfect size for so many spaces. Beautiful job!! Well done. I feel that all your projects are worth while. ALL OF THEM. BLessings

[@ccbphoto]

I respect your dedication to your art/craft! BTW, how long has MDF been around?

[@goofe.washington953]

Great video. And thank you, thank you, thank you for the calm, relaxing music. So many of these videos are accompanied by the loud thump-thump-thump music that is VERY offputting, at least to my ears..

[@walterscott6915]

Really enjoy your video! It was very well produced. Your voice was like yoga for my ears, very relaxing. Thanks

[@jillosiecki3049]

My grandfather had a similarly styled Mission or Arts and Crafts style desk, which was larger and with more drawers, but it was so special because it was the desk that he had to provide FOR HIMSELF to work in the WPA during the Depression. So not only was it so incredibly hard to get a job, but if you got a job with the government you had to provide your own desk! That is why my family has kept it for years as a treasure. He worked in the WPA during the 1930’s. Before that he worked as head teller for a bank in Wisconsin which was robbed by John Dillinger.

[@moneymakingmikeg.9555]

This desk came out so stinkin "CUTE" Barry!!! Well done my friend. Hoping all is well Bud, Dirty Jersey out!!

[@mauraricketts2769]

My father was in the public service (Canadian federal government); this table looks VERY much like the table he brought home when his offices were refurbished.

[@christiemay4444]

WOW! It's beautiful again! My guess is it is a school desk, student or teacher. When I was in grade school, K-2, we had 2- student desks, much lower and not made of beautiful oak. All 3 years my desk mate was the same boy. We moved to a different town, but in college, that same boy and I had a couple of classes together🤗 It makes me happy to see you rescue old pieces like this💞 I had no idea one could finish MDF like you did😯 Very nice! Love watching you scrap old finishes off. Very satisfying to watch. Thank you for all your videos!

[@mudrat52]

Oh no just finished watching all your videos... can't wait for you next video

[@joyceclark8476]

Hello again Barry, this piece looks beautiful. My first impression was maybe it was used by a clerk in a lawyer’s office. I kept feeling court of some sort. Looks great with that chair. Joyce ❤️🙏🇺🇸

[@SusieMonk-jh8tj]

Another beautiful restoration Barry. I love the tables simplicity. It would be beautiful anywhere, vase of flowers on it in a hallway or as ever in my sewing room, haha. In your workroom it will help you give life to many other projects. Love from SWFrance👏👏

[@loricartwright9841]

Beautiful! As always, your work is impeccable.

[@todaysrules6730]

I love your feelings about furniture... Their history -who might have first bought it, how it was used... I feel the same way. Along with refinishing them, I love that I am saving them. The new furniture nowadays, are made of cheap wood, and nothing like the older, better made stuff. When I'm refinishing a piece, (I did for almost every piece I own), I go in a zen-like zone... Thank you for seeing the good in tossed out furniture. We live in such a wasteful culture 😢

[@TheMalchikjae]

I promise that I’m not throwing shade… but why didn’t you veneer the top or add a real wood component? It would have taken the stain way better.

[@TheCraftyMagnolia]

I think it looks great! Better than it did on the side of the road, I'm sure! I bet it will get a good many more years in your work shop. The benefits of your labor. ❤ Sometimes you have to do a little for yourself!!

[@woodrowcall3269]

Gorgeous,the finished product looks amazing. At first I wasn’t sure about the color, but as usual you hit the nail on the head.

[@laraandersontownsend1643]

Watching your videos has proved very calming to me, thank you Barry

[@-gina1114]

I enjoyed this video. So much inspiration, like your other videos. I am very grateful for them.

[@myredplaid]

You talked for the first 4:24 of the video. I appreciate that the advertising of your sponsor is important so you can make more videos but, personally, I would like it if you could separate the talking from the doing as much as possible. I’m not watching your videos to do what you are doing (although watching them has made me appreciate vintage furniture and look around my house and consider what I have in a different light). Watching videos like yours are my ASMR. Based on how you film and edit (close ups and original sound-I could even do without the music) I think you know that there are a lot of us out there just watching for the calm and relaxing effect. Thank-you for creating this content.

[@clairewright8153]

I love when you post a new video, I hit the like button and settle in to hear you soothing voice and watch your amazing skills, bringing an old piece of furniture back to life.

[@leewood729]

Nice - I wonder if a felt or naugahyde faux leather top would have worked, too. Oak, though, is always worth saving.

[@shellydehart8217]

I remember those type of desks from when I was in school. The teachers desks had a large drawer in the front with 3 drawers on the side. The kind you have I remember seeing them in the library but ours never had that kind of top like yours. Everything was solid oak. They definitely made well no veneer on any of it. I think you did amazing job on the of the desk. Hang on to this one as they’re not as easy to find anymore. I wish I could be so lucky to find one in the trash. ♥️♥️😊👍👍🌟 PS. I’m so glad you didn’t change anything about it n kept the original wooden handles.

[@jessicabuck-daniel2160]

Another beautiful piece!

[@ccbphoto]

Thanks!

[@angelaperry2785]

Lovely job as per usual. I especially appreciate your consideration of the history and therefore "story" that a piece has and it's relevance to a particular culture. This seems to be largely missing from the consumption minded disposable culture of today. And your voice is so soothing and calming...your words flow like a river of caring and truism. Blessings to you Barry ❤

[@daninadaf]

Beautiful work , every furniture have a life no matter what...keep doing what you love it's wonderful, thanks for the great content wish you piece and love 🙏🏼

[@aureliusrusticus2320]

A piece doesn't have to have a high monetary value in order to restore it. I enjoy restoring old things simply because I like enjoy making things look more beautiful.

[@demasterofnone740]

Thanks for the inspiration and showing what is possible! I just refinished a set mid century kitchen chairs and couldn’t be happier.

[@lucetteketley9114]

That looks like the Utilitarian furniture that was made in the UK during WWII.

[@chrisszabo8554]

Very nice! I love that style furniture, straight lines. I grew up when Early American was popular and I really grew to dislike that style with the turned legs and maple wood.

[@jodidavis6595]

Wow the desk is so nice and solid. Would be a shame to have it up against a wall because the back is gorgeous. And the top came out just as beautiful as the rest. Thank you for another great video and for sharing it. Hope you enjoy some Irish food tomorrow. I’m going to 😀🇺🇸

[@wandahutchinson4289]

This desk is like the ones my teachers had in elementary school. It was 1959 through 1967. They were small, in relation to the desks of today.

[@kbreckan]

I really like this desk! I am curious why the builder used MDF on the top. Maybe it makes a better writing surface than oak? Great job as always.

[@juliemarkham4332]

I don't think it was a waste of time just because the top is a pressboard. I'm surprised it didn't have veneer, though, since the rest is solid wood. Great restoration job. Looks beautiful.

[@patriciathorp4911]

Hi. Would you have considered putting an oak veneer on top of the MDF considering the rest of the wood was of good quality? I am just interested in furniture restoration and deeply admire people like you who save old pieces from the junk yard. 👏👏👏

[@richardpfefier1171]

I am wondering, looking at the piece with the mdf top, if it might have been a modular piece from an educational lab set up, like a hight school chemistry lab where they have acid proof stone countertops. I remember (mostly because of my age) my old junior high having similar desks in the lab areas. there would be two of these two drawer bases, with a long slab top over the two. The weight of the stone would hold it in place. Just a thought. Beautiful work as always!!!

[@BlackRaven-w4e]

Standard teacher's desk. Nothing that deserves much attention.

[@cecoya]

This turned out great. A piece like this offers quite a bit of variation of either getting creative or being able to cover it with something else to see how far you can go. Personally I would have covered this with material like lace then some glass/plexiglass or even putting some art (wood burning) to it and then protecting it with the shellac or glass. No, no purple paint but that is my favorite color. You did great with it. You have a great day and enjoy your new work space.

[@diysbydar]

Beautiful as always my friend. You breath new life into these pieces to live another day and be useful again.

[@frelnc]

Nice. I love these old pieces that are virtually everywhere. Now this one is ready for a new family and a new life. Thanks for rescuing this piece.

[@stevespa7523]

But why didn't you cover the ed shelf with velvet, imitation leather or decorative paper? I don't think the mer shelf was exposed and without finish…

[@TheParkAttendant]

I own a desk just like it. I bought it at a yard sale. It was painted military green and was purchased from a Army Navy Store. It has since been sanded down and stained walnut. It has served me for 55 years.