Old chest of drawers gets a loving restoration | Furniture Makeover

[@lorrieguinn8221]

I work with maple a lot and you need to use a pre stain conditioner on it to help prevent that splotchiness. It works great

[@GM_Design]

that’s great, thanks for the advice 👍

[@coleenburgess6689]

I agree with using the wood conditioner before staining. You can always use toner later if it still needs a little more tweeking. Great save on a classic piece!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@GM_Design]

thanks, glad you liked it 😊 I will definitely try that next time I have a maple piece 👍

[@hickorygolddoc]

Oh my! What a beautiful result! Love the color and it is such a timeless piece! I am a huge fan of walnut it definitely is one of my most favorite, having grown up in a town that was known for its walnut trees so much so it was called often called Walnut City, even though that was not its official name. The area was then known for turkeys and now known for the Alien parade as a famous photo was taken here decades ago. Currently live out of town and had walnut trees here until we lost them. But it is the site of an 1886 school house known as school house number 6 or the Maple school! The whole road was lined with maple trees back then. We had one here but it was in bad shape and it was the last one! Beautiful trees for sure. We actually lived in the old school house that was turned into a house in the 30’s but we had to tear down and rebuild about 10 yrs ago. Was not fond of the maple wood but truly this piece is a huge exception! Geez excuse my rambling! I am just so surprised about the results!

[@GM_Design]

Thanks glad you liked it 😀 And thanks for sharing, truly fascinating 👍

[@interact48]

It looks beautiful. I worked as a French polisher in the late 1970s and when we had close grained wood such as beech or maple , stain would hit dark in areas like this , we called it striking, we would spend hours with different toners and card masks to even out the colour. The old guys back in the day applied colour with squirrel hair mops. These days I use a airbrush and compressor .

[@GM_Design]

Thanks 😊 so pleased you liked it. That’s very interesting, I would love to master those old skills and airbrushing seems a good way of doing it these days 👍

[@georgesehy8058]

Thanks for the video! I enjoyed watching the process of taking away and then giving back! I didn't guess the wood right, but then I have no reason to suppose I could.... Anyway a great video and great work. George

[@GM_Design]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! 😀

[@tammyc1276]

Wow turned out beautiful. Well done sir. I love the color.

[@GM_Design]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@leewood729]

Nice. Maple (and birch) is hard to work with. The toner knocked down a lot of the blotchiness and whatever blotchiness was leftover actually makes the piece look patinaed and antique-y. Looks great.

[@GM_Design]

thanks 😀

[@juliakathryn2582]

Great job on the repairs. Blended quite nicely. Great job!

[@GM_Design]

Thanks 👍

[@pamsheets632]

Looks absolutely gorgeous! Love the color and wood grain! Awesome job! 😊❤

[@GM_Design]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@patriciacrozier7624]

Good work, loved watching how you repaired the leg. That to me is craftsmanship!❤

[@GM_Design]

Thank you very much!

[@mirandamom1346]

I love working with maple- it’s got great chatoyance. But I also like a light finish, so I generally just clear coat it and don’t run up against issues with blotchy stain.

[@64bosely]

My goodness, I would have thought that was a new dresser. Awesome job!

[@GM_Design]

Thank you 😊

[@alexandra_sa_lazer]

Great skills brought this piece back from ruin. Amazing work! From a fan in Iowa, USA

[@GM_Design]

Thank you very much!

[@helenrosetipper3200]

I love the gradual reveal from sanding!

[@GM_Design]

thanks 😀

[@carloss9119]

Que bonito!

[@dahtalmichaels7548]

that looked beautiful when you'd finished! Great restoration, great video... great arms! 🤣❤️

[@GM_Design]

😊 thank you

[@katherineharper-sj4ys]

Great job. The color work turned out great. Thanks for sharing.

[@GM_Design]

Thank you!

[@julielowerson9971]

Beautiful work. Looks spectacular

[@GM_Design]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ljclo8413]

Well made piece. Color came out fine.

[@GM_Design]

thanks 😀

[@MarTay1079]

Looks great, thanks for the video.

[@GM_Design]

Thanks for watching!

[@Cradley684]

Excellent work friend, have a nice day, Brian UK !!!. 😀😀👍👍.

[@GM_Design]

Thanks 👍

[@MASI_forging]

Such a beautiful restoration. 👍👍

[@GM_Design]

Thank you very much!

[@datachickatl4092]

Maple is so hard…sigh. But I’ve also had good results with pre-stain conditioner or a light coat of shellac before stain. I also would use a gel stain since it doesn’t penetrate as deep. Regardless, this piece is reborn!! Beautiful work! The leg repair was a work of art!❤️💥😀

[@GM_Design]

Great tips 👍

[@killy1958able]

Gorgeous 😊

[@GM_Design]

Thank you! 😊

[@fatherfabulous]

Thanks!

[@GM_Design]

Thanks so much, that’s really kind, glad you liked it ❤️

[@josehidalgotenerife2022]

Gracias... 🌹

[@helenrosetipper3200]

Its a super job only I'd love if the wood was left lighter :)

[@GM_Design]

Yes I can understand that, unfortunately due to the natural colour differences in the wood I had to go a bit darker to match them all in, thanks for watching 😀

[@heidisettles5537]

That leg repair was impressive. I wonder if slipcoat of mineral spirits followed by gel stain would have evened out blotchiness since it sits more on top of the wood and can be made more opaque with multiple coats, minimizes the grain though. I've done a similar piece and paint washed for a different look, but now I know to look out for birch or maple when making a decision on staining.

[@GM_Design]

thanks 😊 that might be another option 👍

[@CrazyCatLady1968]

I like how it could fit in anywhere, anytime & always be just right ❤ Is there a reason maple is more of a challenge than other woods?

[@GM_Design]

So glad you liked it 😀. The tight grain and density variation of maple makes it more difficult for the stain to absorb evenly so can leave a blotchy finish

[@iainmayers2246]

Great work as usual 🫡🫡

[@GM_Design]

Thanks again!

[@lynchalk9977]

FANTASTIC!!

[@GM_Design]

Glad you like it!

[@Antigone68]

As always well done!

[@GM_Design]

Thank you! 😀

[@archaicruinx]

Looks awesome, good job!

[@GM_Design]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@memecats5698]

Beautiful!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@GM_Design]

Thank you!!

[@mags8014]

Excellent!

[@GM_Design]

Many thanks!

[@mollysheridan7134]

Lovely

[@anthonypla7134]

Wouldn't have had the blotchy staining if you'd used sanding sealer or light shellac coat first. Other , great job. Love watching you.

[@GM_Design]

Thanks 👍

[@anthonypla7134]

I didn't mean to belabor the point about the sanding sealer...someone had already suggested it. Sorry. Btw you'd benefit greatly with a cheap bench grinder with felt and cotton polishing wheels. Also, if you're sure it's maple that's great but my vote goes to poplar.

[@GM_Design]

yes, the bench grinder is on my shopping list, it would make some jobs much easier. 👍

[@mirandamom1346]

@@anthonypla7134 I thought poplar too!

[@amybucher5439]

I would have solved the hardware problem with guilding wax, too. Will you sell this one or keep it? It’s beautiful.

[@GM_Design]

Thanks 😊, it’s going to be up for sale, although it’s nice enough to keep!

[@robertdemayo8620]

Looks like poplar !!!!

[@GM_Design]

Yeah some of it could’ve been, one of the drawers had some Birds Eye figure so that was maple but could well have been a mix of the two 👍

[@lisamello1228]

Loved the look, but I would have left the handles with the contrast. I thought it looked cool.

[@GM_Design]

Thanks glad you liked it

[@sherynmarsden9917]

Love your work! What is the name of this type of dresser? I have the outer shell not the draws sad situation 😢

[@GM_Design]

So pleased you like my work 😀, not sure on the name of this type, sorry

[@stevesiefken6432]

Was that a wire wheel you used on your drill to sand down the metal pieces? Whenever I use mine it leaves nasty scratches🤦‍♂️

[@GM_Design]

It’s not wire but an abrasive wheel, they’re very good and come in different grits - bndabrasives.co.uk/3m-bb-zs-scotch-brite-shaft-mounted-bristle-disc-50mm-x-6mm-p120-white-62966?gbraid=0AAAAAD8GaDE5LTy8cB69sYqnnv95f7Cqy&gclid=CjwKCAjwsKqoBhBPEiwALrrqiOqG2Os3zEv0yY0pqXVQ8DkTEnXZjGoPjdK-Cs0l8oLjm_5CC1-UUxoCiXwQAvD_BwE

[@caractax.3110]

👏🤩💕