Bedroom Furniture.

[Orfy]

Is Renovating/Reuseing the same as recycling?

Well if it is I thought you like to see my recycled bedroom furniture.

I think these date form around the 1930's to 1950's.

They were bought in sound but dirty and unloved condition, peeling varnish paint marks etc. I got them from an Auction for less than £5 each.

They are ply wood and veneer but not like the stuff you get today the ply is made form 1/8 inch thick sheets and in total around 1 inch thick and veneered with very thick oak.
I figured if they hadn't suffered any structural damage in over 50 years then they'd do me for a few more years. They are Very Sold. The chest of draws had a mirror but this was cracked and th backing had come off. They looked very in a very poor state and that's the reason they went for so little.

I stripped them to the wood and used colron products to finish them. I did them over 10 years ago and they have needed no more than a very occasional polish (maybe once a year) I just dust them occasionally.
Much better than buying cardboard Ikea or MFI furniture.




Total cost for the full project was under £35 including the purchase price.

They fit into the decor of my new bedroom perfectly.

[p.penn]

What a bargain! You have done a really good job there Orfy.

Now I may be wrong ( I was once) but I think they call renovating 'upcycling'. Not sure though.

[Lillia]

BEAUTIFUL, Orfy! Now THAT'S a bargain! (I love Pooh bear too)

[Spreckly]

Orfy, I have a tallboy very similar to your second picture, bought by my parents in 1937. Also have the dressing table to match, a triple mirror affair, both pieces have been repainted ivory. The original colour was almost black, and a bit battered!

[rhubarb93]

Lovely! We have some furniture from that era too. Some is just plain utility, but we have a few decorated pieces similar to yours. So much nicer and better quality than the rubbish you can buy today - even the expensive modern stuff.

[Orfy]

I love the unvarnished finish.

The grain is really deep and warm.

I used a wood die and then waxed it. I thought at the time it'd need annual waxing but I've never had to yet.

Apart from the hinges and handles there's not a screw in sight. It's all properly jointed and very solid.

I bought another 2 pieces at the same time for £1 each and used them for the handles
and used the wood for other projects in my last house.

The furniture is so handy It dual purpose. The top of the tall boy houses a surround sound and lap top and next to it the dresser fits a 32" flat screen perfectly.
I can sit in bed with the wireless mouser and surf till my hearts content.

I don't think the pieces are part of a set buy because they are of the same period and quality they have the same features.

It'd be very interesting to know how much they cost when new and who made them.

I wouldn't like to guess how much similar quality new furniture would cost.

[Mo]

Well I think that recycling is the least ecofriendly of the 3Rs. You are reusing, which is so much better, if the items have life left in them.

[HappyBob]

Now this is the stuff I like Taking some thing relatively cheap (but cost expensive new). Getting the enjoyment of restoring/repairing because its built well and worth the effort. Good job Orfy and thanks for sharing.

[manda]

Not only are they reused they are beautiful