Restoration Part I

A few weeks ago Adam and I piled into my dad’s kombi and drove up to Rockingham to grab a desk and a tv that a lady had offered to us on freecycle. I love freecycle. I have gotten rid of so much stuff I didn’t want; bags of old kids clothes, a ugly wardrobe that sat in the sun room with nothing in it for months, Adam’s old computer which only worked when it wanted to. I’ve also picked up a heap of stuff – a bbq (next restoration job), an old Atlas for Kaidin to cut maps out of, a huge tv and the desk. It took a bit of manouvering to get the desk into the kombi and we drove home with Adam holding onto it so it wouldn’t fall through the window or onto the dog.

The desk was quite big, but old and grotty; one leg was slipping; the top was very worn and stained. I decided this was the perfect job for using the sander than mum gave me for christmas last year. When I was growing up Mum restored a few bits of furniture – sanded back and revarnished the computer table (now my dining table), sanded the gross black paint off an old sea chest (now her coffee table) and some small cupboards and chairs. About a year ago, I decided that I really wanted to start making furniture out of packing crates. Mum’s dining table is made out of packing crates, and I have always found the idea of recycling wood fascinating. But until I get a ute or a trailer so I can go and get the wood, I’ll have to be content with sanding back and revarnishing old wooden furniture from freecycle.

At this point I went inside for a break – sanding makes your hands go so numb!

Note: No I’m not pregnant! I just have an obsession with smock style tops in summer – so comfortable.

Finally I finished. Tomorrow I have to buy some sandpaper and wood glue to sand the joins that the sander couldn’t reach and glue the leg and part of the top back on. Then I’ll varnish it. I was going to stain it dark brown, but once I finished sanding I found the wood is such a gorgeous colour that I want to keep it as light as possible. It is silky and gorgeous. I have no idea what type of wood it is, but it’s really soft and easy to sand. Next time however, I’m definately doing it out of the sun – I have a very red back. Stay tuned for the next segment!