Restoring A 1940s Utility Furniture Tallboy Made In London - Who Was The Maker?

In this video I'll be restoring a Utility Furniture Tallboy that was made in the 1940s. The tallboy was made as part of the government efforts to make best use of scarce resources during the war.

[@Bob-mk4cd]

When I first went to London in 1968, I saw a tall boy like that. Brings back memories 😊

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thanks

[@yana1955]

I admire your workmanship and think you are criminally undersubscribed.

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thank You! I'll keep posting in the hope that KZbin gives me a break soon!!

[@laineymcd4074]

@@RhooseRestorations We need to get you involved in a challenge. That seems to be how a lot of viewers find new people to follow.

[@robt2151]

@@laineymcd4074 Have you seen 'FlippingDrawers' in Bristol? He has recently restored a tallboy and he's usually up for a challenge.

[@RhooseRestorations]

@FlippingDrawers is just over the Bristol Channel from me, maybe I should get Jay and David from @MayfieldRestorations to consider me for their next challenge

[@laineymcd4074]

@@RhooseRestorations yes

[@andrewbowers7542]

I didn't know you could trace Utility furniture to the factory it came from. Nice to see those bookmatched door panels, even on the most basic wartime stuff.

[@RhooseRestorations]

It was a very well documented scheme! I found out that the company was founded by Isaac Griew, a Russian Jew who came to the UK in the 1890s. He employed his son and four of his 9 (NINE) sons-in-law!!

[@robt2151]

@@RhooseRestorations Obviously taking Genesis 9 v7 seriously.

[@amberghost78595]

I like when you add the history of the furniture you're working on, it makes the item come to life. Thanks for sharing the restoration.

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thanks for watching!

[@thudson4407]

That turned out just lovely. The tiger oak really pops!

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thanks, oak always looks good, it's a shame that it mostly gets covered with dark varnish

[@laineymcd4074]

@@RhooseRestorations Especially when it will darken itself over time. All those Tudor houses would have looked a lot different when they were built.

[@TheParkAttendant]

Seeing these pieces brings back memories. The restoration was fantastic, the piece looks brand new!

[@RhooseRestorations]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@OwlingDogDesign]

Gorgeous work, my friend! 🥰

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@robertgriffith9703]

It's Hard to Believe these are 80 Years Old Now. Ah, the March of Time! Makes My Bones Creak! Beautiful Work as Always! Give 'Like' and 'Subscribe' my Best!

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thanks again!

[@shirleyannconfer9651]

You’ve really brought out the beauty of the wood. I love your videos.

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thank you very much!

[@dshey6802]

Well done. What a lovely, functional piece of furniture. I'd love to have it.

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thank you very much!

[@polgarauk5606]

Absolutely gorgeous result and the grain was stunning 😊

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thanks so much 😊

[@gf8958-p7p]

You do such lovely work - this dresser reminds me of the first I ever refinished with wooden handles - but my lacquer failed. That was over 30 years ago & I’m taking inspiration from you that I can do better now. Thank you!

[@RhooseRestorations]

You can do it!

[@designabeej]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼your pieces look so good staged inside 😁

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thank you! 🤗

[@isabelochando6449]

Precioso mueble y preciosa historia y gracias traducir al español❤❤❤

[@RhooseRestorations]

No hay problema, trabajo para una empresa española en el Reino Unido, por lo que KZbin dirige a los espectadores en España al sitio con regularidad. ¡Me parece justo que haga traducciones al español!

[@megwolff58]

Lovely result!

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thank you! 😊

[@TofferJ-UK]

I have the identical post war Tallboy and matching drawers, they were my parents. I’ve yet to restore them, they were painted. 🙈👍🇬🇧

[@RhooseRestorations]

Good luck with the restoration and remember to go easy on the sanding!

[@TofferJ-UK]

@@RhooseRestorationsyep, I saw the identical drawers restored by Jay @flippingdrawers about a year ago too. It’s my winter project now 👍

[@larrykelly2838]

Very nice

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thanks

[@founderist]

Such beautiful restoration. I would have added legs to it to give bit of modern touch. Either ways, very nice

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thank you very much for the comment - each to his own I guess but I was happy to leave the piece as the original designer intended! 😀

[@crabtonia]

New LEGS???...What nonsense...both pieces have retained their integrity without unnecessary interfere nce...dgp/uk

[@RhooseRestorations]

@@crabtonia As I commented earlier, each to his own but I prefer to keep the original look

[@c.a.chambers68]

Nice finish

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thank you

[@patbolstad3701]

Beautiful ❤

[@RhooseRestorations]

Thanks

[@isabelochando6449]

Y estoy suscrita ❤❤❤

[@RhooseRestorations]

Gracias

[@laineymcd4074]

Is that a Fox's Mint bear?

[@RhooseRestorations]

It's a Wedgwood polar bear, designed by John Skeaping in 1927. My grandparents both worked at Wedgwood for many years. It may well have been the inspiration for the Fox's glacier mint character!!

[@laineymcd4074]

@@RhooseRestorations It certainly looks like him. Beautiful.