I hope people watch this for entertainment and not education. The refinishing process is completely wrong. It only takes a little more time and effort to refinish correctly.
Where do I even start with this one? Over 900 comments on the video and this is the first negative comment. I certainly did not expect it from a fellow youtuber. It takes time, but I reply to every supporter who leaves a comment. Without them, I could not do this. I took the time to watch the 1 video on your channel, gave a thumbs up, and became subscriber #57. My finish choices may not have been your preference, but this journey is about so much more than that. We are here to lift each other up. I would imagine after creating 1 video for your channel, you understand how much time and effort goes into creating quality content. It's sad that you didn't even take the time to respond to the 11 people who supported you by leaving a comment on your first video. May I suggest a humble approach to your work and a greater amount of respect towards others? Thank you for watching my video. Barry
@@MadManRestorations give me a longer response so I can enjoy my popcorn. This isn't a good look for your RU-vid channel. Is it really that difficult to be nice to people? They are your supporters
@@MadCityModern Sure. You talk about a journey in refinishing furniture. In terms of skills and techniques your channel is novice at best. It seems that along your journey you have not learned the correct and better refinishing techniques. So you shouldn't call it a journey but more like an infinite loop that revolves around inferior stains and polys. You should strive to learn but instead people like you get butt hurt when there is constructive criticism that is outside your echo chamber. I'm sure bringing up my channel is a dig at me. Which is funny because I really don't care. I only care about furniture being refinished correctly. These poorly restored pieces end up making their way to me and I have to correct all the mistakes someone made from watching a RU-vid video. I hope this response is long enough for you. I was more than happy to not respond. But like you mentioned earlier, I should respond to all RU-vid comments.
My parents' maple bedroom set, (they were married in 1944). My Mother fell victim to the 60s “antiquing” fad, in red! When both parents were gone I inherited the double bed, bedside tables, 6 drawer dresser, and stool, all of which I restored to their beautiful original glory. Still solid pieces, in use in our home. Company is Imperial Loyalist, Stratford Ontario Canada.
I stripped a dresser that had been painted red and for the weeks that I worked on it my garage looked liked the site of a mass murder. Stripped red paint does look just like dried blood.
😮😮😮On one hand she preserved them in some fashion under paint instead of getting rid of them, on the other hand, RED OH MY! it took years for you to find the true beauty of them.
I was 1 year old in 1957. Sometime in the 1960s, my parents purchased a Lane Acclaim step table, which I still have. I found an Acclaim side table in Goodwill 3 years ago with something sticky all over it, for $1.75. (it cleaned up pretty well.) This is a beautiful line of furniture. I am retired from Nursing now so I "shop the curbside" on trash day and have found mid-century furniture in need of a little repair or cleaning which I do, then donate it to the Humane Society Thrift Store in our county. This has brought the puppies and kittens a lot of revenue!
Oooh, yes!! Great idea, Pamela P! Refinishing curbside cast-aways and then donating the items to a charity such as the Humane Society to sell is an excellent idea!😍🤩
In 1957, I was 7 years old and playing hopscotch on my street that was covered with a cathedral of giant elm trees. The trees absorbed the sound in a way I remember still. I'm sure you would've appreciated those trees. Those trees, like almost all the elms in my city, died from Dutch Elm disease. I still miss them after 65 years.
As always, you never cease to astound me . Your channel is very therapeutic, your voice and watching you bring a beautiful piece of furniture back to life is a joy to witness. There’s something about wood that shows the beauty of nature .
I love that you are going to offer this piece back to the original owner. You are not only creative, you are also thoughtful & kind. Keep up the wonderful work!
This was a small project that took just as much time to complete as some of the larger furniture items. I trust you enjoyed the variety of day to day activities in this video. Where were you in 1957? Thank you for all the support! Barry
I was 7 years away from being a gleam in my Daddy's eye and 8 years from being born in Oconomoeoc and named, (my actual name) for the guy that lost the 1964 US presidential election. In the summer of 1957 my father had worked in the mountains above Flagstaff, AZ cutting ski trails to earn the money to buy a brand new 4-door "convertible hardtop" style Bel Air about when that table was made.
I’ve been anxiously awaiting your return and am glad to see another video of your work. To answer your question early in the video, I have a three-drawer dresser that was my great-grandmother’s. It was refinished by either my mom or my aunt and stood in the kitchen of my parents’ house when I was growing up. The top drawer was where my dad put change for us to use for school lunches, so it holds sentimental value for me. Today, it stores linens at my house. I think people resonate with your channel not only because of the quality of your work but because of your kind heart. Looking forward to learning more as you share your skills here.
I love this comment! It amazes me how different all the stories are. The memories you shared are so unique and that makes a video like this worth it. Thank you! Barry
It’s a good thing paint doesn’t permanently cover the gem underneath. I think this is the first time I’ve never been afraid to see dentistry tools 🤣 Love that table, and the bird life too.
I'm not a big fan of painted furniture because I love seeing the natural wood grain. Your comments helped me to realize that painting it may have brought much joy to the painter or the person it was being painted for. Thanks for helping me see that. Beautiful results, as always.
I was born in Scotland 1956. Growing up a lot of our furniture was salvaged from ships as my father was a manager of a ship breaking yard. By the 1970's most of the pieces he brought home for us to use were sanded and painted matt white. All the pieces of furniture he brought home were well made solid wood pieces, perfectly functional but they lacked design elements as the ships being scrapped were ex Navy. Some interesting things he saved from being scrapped were passed on to other people as well. I had a radio booth in my bedroom for about a year. I could sit inside it and tune into radio stations around the world. It was great fun, full of knobs and dials. It was eventually given to a radio enthusiast to enjoy.
I was 3 years old in 1957, in Tasmania, Australia. The oldest piece of furniture I have in my possession is a writing desk made in 1927, by a young man who was finishing his cabinetry apprenticeship. It was his final examination piece. When he aged and passed away, his family didn't want the desk, so my late father offered to take it off their hands. This unique piece of furniture means so much to me and I use it daily. Mary Joh.
I’ve been missing you. I had to resort to watch repair videos for my bedtime stories. Glad to see you back at it. I was one year old in 1957. I guess you could say I was a mid century baby. Thanks Barry for sharing yourself and your talents. Hugs, and nite,nite.
You bring so much peace and joy to the planet! I was 3 in 1957. Poor, living in the country, no tellie or radio, so climbing trees and playing outside all day was my existence. Had no idea such elegant furniture was the style of the day. I love the format of this video, but truly, I enjoy all of your work. ☮️☮️☮️
As a wood purest myself, it is so incredibly satisfying to see that wood freed from that purple paint! Thank you for saving these beautiful pieces. And boy did that brass crab make me smile! My mother had that exact same piece when I was in high school 😁
I was a year old in 1957, born in Eastbourne and still in Eastbourne on the Sussex coast. Growing up through the sixties and seventies has given me a love for mid century modern but also a love of furniture that’s never waned. Have been collecting Ercol for years (when it was cheap) now find myself back attracted to Art Deco pieces again. Many of your UK subscribers will remember Going for a Song and I think it was Arthur Negus and his descriptions of rococo legs and passion for furniture that made ask for a book on furniture one Christmas! Happy days.
In 1957 i was 6 years old. We had a beautiful Victorian rosewood what-not. At age 71 I still have it in my house today. It's a constant reminder of my childhood in our little stone cottage.
The finished project with the lamp, birds and magazine made me smile. The table is beautiful. Your comments about what you were going to do with the end table and your generosity towards the young couple warmed my heart. I enjoy the beauty you bring out in each piece but I am moved by the beauty of your soul. Thank you.
I feel like there's so much more going on here other than just doing the restoring. You have a good soul and clearly put your full effort and heart in your projects. I truly love your videos, thank you and greetings from Finland!
My Father had the same John Denver album. Take me home Country Roads always my favorite. I could imagine my self as an adult taking country roads home. By the 1957 was 11 years before i was born, June 1968. In 1957 my Mom was 17, my Dad was 28, they had been married a year and my oldest sister was born that June. My father was a farmer, share cropper. Also I have to say along with you soft tone and speak easy voice, the background music you use and nature sounds from outside your shop is so soothing which is one reason I love your videos. ❤
I was in my Mother's womb and came out in 1958. My mother had one of their cedar chests and my sister has it now and it is still beautiful. Barry you saved another piece. It is beautiful.
Barry, things have been busy for me so I have been intermittent on RU-vid for the past few months. The quality of your work, both the filmography and furniture restoration, has grown immensely! Keep up the great work. You’re super! -Phil
A few minutes of calm in this turbulent world. Love your channel and appreciate the extra steps you take. My father was a French polisher by trade and your attention to detail reminds me of him. Cheers!
I LOVE your videos. My 8year old granddaughter wondered what I was watching, and when I showed her the paint stripping portion, she sighed, “soooo satisfying.” YES! She gets it!!
You have done another wonderful job. That table was crying for help and you gave it. Striped it, sanded it, and then refinished it back to it's glory. That poor table looks like it was painted a couple times. Purple is my favorite color but not on wood. You have a very nice even voice as you talk us through this as well. Love all the bird life around your area and the flowers too. You have a great day and keep being you.
1957--I was 8 yrs old, sitting in a one room rural school, recently recovered from a hospitalization from an unknown virus. I love this little project and I love that you share your reflections as you work on each piece. Thank you for the inspiration.....
My grandfather was a carpenter and cabinet maker, so I have several pieces he made. My dresser is one he built for my father in the 50s, and my nightstand is a bookcase he built at the same time. I spent a lot of my childhood in his shop - I wasn't allowed to touch any of the machinery, but I got to watch the process up close. I have a corner table in my living room that I watched him build, and a rocking chair and another table in my sunroom. And I have the beautiful oak table that was their dining table in my basement - I'd love to refinish it & bring it upstairs, but there is no room! Someday... I think that's why I love watching your videos & other furniture builder/refinisher type videos - spending so much time in the shop as a kid, the sound of table saws and hammering and such is oddly comforting to me!
I was born that year! I may be a granny now but I still love to fix up old furniture! Know alot more know too 😉. I so enjoy watching your video's and seeing all the delicious decor items you've collected!
Another awesome video! I appreciated your “paint correction” for this piece. I often see furniture that has been given a cover up paint job in a color that I assumed was on sale, lol. The end product speaks to a time when people were more aligned with nature and it’s beauty, craving that ambiance in their living spaces. Keep up the great work and take care!
Hi Barry. I was born in Dec of 1957. Just after the first satellite was launched. I too have a love of all mix century furniture. As a matter of fact I built a 1960s California bungalow to hold t all. At one time I had 9 team dining room sets in the basement. Now I just try and do smaller items. I too have an Etsy store called On The Rocks Retro. Thanks for saving this heritage. Ed
64 here, I acquired a dresser that was my Great Grandmothers'. I believe it is late 1890's, it’s so pretty! I also own a 1910 Victor Victrola that I want to (someday) refinish, IT STILL WORKS!!!
Hi Barry, what a wonderful video today. I sure enjoyed it. You have the most soothing voice. I learn so much every visit here. What a super transformation on this piece. My parents were married in 1956, I was a thought in 1957 and I came here on the planet in 58. LOL. I grew up with a lot of wonderful pieces from that era. Sadly all are gone now. Funny thing, what I miss most is a 1965 Zenith console stereo in gorgeous real wood that must have been 6 feet long, not fiberboard or fakey. Danish Modern style. Man that threw out the sound on those vinyl records LOL. Take care bud and TY. Keep them coming.
One of my favorite comments. Thank you for sharing all this. I recently started collecting more vintage radios. You are right, you can't beat that rich sound
I've painted quite a few old cheap wooden items in my time - mostly already painted second hand furniture for my first own bedroom when I was about 12, which was in 1957! - but nothing is more satisfying than seeing old paint being stripped from beautiful pieces. 😊
My brother was born in 57 and I, 2 years later. My parents liked Early American furniture. Our oldest piece was made by Johnson Furniture Company out of Grand Rapids, my husband's family started the company after emigrating from Sweden. This piece was saved from a fire in the factory in 1921. By the way, I happened across the other guys video several months ago but I prefer your asmr style and I know class when I see it. I made a fine living fixing and painting furniture these past 10 years. Keep up the good work brother
I'm 28. My childhood dresser was my mom's as a kid, I had it growing up, and now my son is using it, too. It's over 50 years old. I'm very proud that I was able to restore it back to what it probably looked like when it was new for my children to use.
I wasn’t born until ‘79, but I have several pieces from my mom and grandparents dating back to the ‘50s. My favorites include my mom’s Wurlitzer piano from the ‘60s and a 1950’s Tell City rocking chair from grandparents, it was the chair my grandpa would rock me to sleep on when I was a baby. I so appreciate that I am able to have heirloom pieces from them and that my house is a kooky time capsule of items that were special to each generation. Thanks for including the history behind the American furniture companies and thanks for bringing the pieces from those companies back to life. There’s something poetic about watching you restore a piece that someone built decades ago. Although I do get sad seeing something made with care and quality that has been painted, it has still lasted the test of time and lives to see another day when people like you see beyond the paint to what a piece has the potential to be. Awesome job as always!
Hi Angela. I have a sister who’s 17 yrs older. She played a Wurlitzer spinet piano probably just like yours. It was maple . I loved to listen and begged my mom for lessons. When I left home at 18 I dragged that piano around til the late ‘80s when I finally got myself a REAL GRAND PIANO! Its polished mahogany . Always hated that maple ! LOL “early American “ style furniture was the thing in the 40s, and my mom had a houseful for awhile ! LOL Enjoyed your story.😁
Love the dental tools. 1957 was before my parents met. I have an oak dining room set with buffet, a carved walnut coffee + side table and a couple of decorative tables that were my grandparents. All are closing in on the 100year old mark. Personally, I feel the MCM vibe more. Love how you brought it back to its original state. Somethings look better painted but this wasn't 1 of them. Live and learn.
Thank you for sharing the memories. I was so stuck on the MCM stuff, but honestly, these days I am attracted to so many pieces from just about every era. I love hunting for more pieces. Thanks for the support. barry
Beautiful refinishing, Barry! I love watching how meticulous you are. In 1957 I turned 7 years old during the summer growing up in Alabama. Hot, humid, no air conditioning in those days. We're so spoiled now, but I admit I love it!
I would imagine at some point you became accustomed to it? The only thing I can relate to was renting a house for 2 years with no A/C. It was brutal at times
@@MadCityModern We had no air conditioning until I was in my mid-teens. And even then we were so unaccustomed to it we couldn't bear to have it on constantly. I think about that and realize that you really can acclimate to warmer temps, within reason.
I wasn’t around. I have my grandmothers china cabinet/hutch. And I remember it being stained red. My stepmother has stripped it and restored it to a natural finish. I’m so happy to have it. I love Lane furniture.
You are such a gentle soul. The fact you give back so much shows that you are exactly that. You are not driven by profit but by the beauty you know is hidden in the pieces you restore, the respect you have for the previous owners and that you know with your expertise you will reveal by your expert restoration. I love your work, I love your vlogs and I love your humility. You are among my favourite furniture restorers on YT. Please keep on sharing your wonderful work. Cheers from Australia! Well done mate! PS As to the oldest thing I own, I have a Georgian clock face from a grandfather clock. 1750ish, quite a bit older than me! We do however have a collection of antiques we’ve collected over the years and we have a sofa table from the era of the Napoleonic wars. It’s post the battle of Trafalgar as the banding on the table top is black, still mourning the death of Admiral Nelson!
Barry ! Finally ! you made a new video, I`m sure people all over have been waiting. It`s a pleasure to watch you turn a table like this back to its former glory. Just lovely !! But I have to admit I also like painted pieces. Maybe not purple......I like the swedish gustavian era, those colours are more my preference. I guess that has something to do with your age. A mix of new and old is what makes an interior interesting , just like at your place Barry. And when you let us all see the birds and flowers in your garden - it`s sooo charming. A big hug from way up north !
It’s hard to find the words to describe the blob of red and purple goop you took off that sweet little table. It looked like a sea monster or an alien! And why anyone in their right mind would think it looked better purple or red than it’s original natural wood colour! Crazy! But, the man with the sweet, mesmerising voice found it and gave it his Midas touch and restored it back to it’s 1957 look! Well done, fella! Keep doing what you do. We all love watching and listening.❤️🦘
What a lovely “Phoenix” project, especially satisfying to see even the tiny ridges being cleaned. Gotta mention I loved seeing the robin’s eggs, I have collected a few fallen unoccupied shells over the years, signs of happy spring. Enjoyed the technique of interspersing couple seconds of paint removal at the end and especially seeing brass birdies in your styling, all is well, lol… thank you for serenity fix, 😁
I wasn't born yet....but my Grandfather made a little four legged stool and painted it red and it's got red leather for the cushioned part and he made it in the 40s I believe and my mum my siblings and myself have all used it as a rocking horse when we were little.....we would turn it upside down and sit in it and rock back and forth like it was a rocking horse. I still have it. I love your videos so much, you take the time to talk and give us the history of a piece. I have had another trip down memory lane, thankyou. I'm late watching this as for some reason I didn't get a notification....luckily I was scrolling down my subscribed channels and noticed you had put one out, looks like I'll have to keep an eye out in future. Also love the little bit on the Robins nest, so heartwarming. This is such a beautiful restoration 😍❤👏
Great job as usual. So calming and relaxing watching your videos. My entire house is furnished with old pieces from my grandparents' home. The wash stand is my favourite.
As usual, gorgeous work, you! Most likely, I was getting my CLOTH diaper changed in 1957. Lol. My favorite piece of family furniture was constructed in the mid 1930s by a woodworker who lived in the gentle, wooded hills of northwest Arkansas. There was no electricity there, so, for a turning lathe, he had some kind of rope and pully system suspended from a tree limb?? Seems like there was something about the tree limb moving up and down?? My dad bought it for my Mom who was pregnant with their first. All their kids and grandkids were rocked in that beautiful, oh so comfortable rocker. The bottom and back were of something woven - white oak strips?? I vaguely recall my dad explaining how no glue or nails were used anywhere on the chair, but not sure I have that right.
So glad to see someone restore back to the original wood. I refinished furniture to make money in high school and college. Stripping painted furniture is difficult but very rewarding. Much nicer materials to use today. Probably safer too. Most of my refinishing was in the 70’s and 80’s. Still do a little once and a while.
Great restoration as usual, and very educational. Thank you. In 1957 I didn’t exist, I wasn’t even an idea 😂 The oldest piece of furniture I own is a Thonet console & mirror, it’s almost 100 years old and it was passed over to me from my grandma.
Just loved it. In 1957 I was an 8 year old little girl, living in Memphis, Tn. waiting for the "Elvis" movie "Love me tender" to come out in the theaters. Now that's old.
I'm not sure which was more therapeutic and relaxing; the tone in your voice or stripping the old paint. Thank you again for restoring this little lady back to her original beauty 🥰🥰
Love watching you work. Appreciate your thoughtful approach to the aesthetic of the piece. You clearly respect the craftsmanship that went into manufacture. Also, really dig the vintages vibe of your home and workshop. Please keep making more videos! 😀
Your generous and kind nature is so inspiring. Let’s start a “revival” of doing things for people… with no gain for ourselves. Looking forward to your next video, and best wishes!
Wow Barry. I love watching the restoration of the furniture but I also enjoy the little extras, like the beetle walking across the floor and the robins. I will never get bored with your channel. Rena
I wasn’t born until 64’ BUT… I do have a mid century modern coffee table that has been with me since I was 5 yrs old. My dad salvaged it out of an abandon house when I was 5. I just recently restored it. I hope someday one of my sons will want it. Barry you are one of the kindest souls I watch on RU-vid. Your passion and heart really reflects in your craftsmanship. And to be so giving to others in what you’ve restored is simply awesome. Love appreciation and subscriber from SC
I was born in - 63, and I have a commode that was used to have a washbasin, towel, soapdish and stuff to shave yourself on. It was my dads, and probably was mad close to a 100 years ago. Love that piece.
Watching this brought back a memory. My home growing up had that floor lamp with the wooden handles to angle each light. I had not thought of that lamp in maybe 50 years. Wow!
In 1957 I was 7, in second grade at a small country school (60 kids total grades 1 - 8). We lived on a dairy farm in the hinterland just behind the Gold Coast in Queensland Australia. Somehow stumbled across your videos again and enjoyed this one.
My parents weren't even born until 1960! I think my grandparents were married around 1957, so that's where I was. I have an upright grand piano from 1836, it was commissioned by one of my great uncles. It's very special to my family. It's in fantastic condition and hasn't even refinished. It does have one lovely spot in the stain where a fingerprint is visible and I love to think of the person who worked on it and left their mark. Also, bleeding hearts are my favourite flowers, thanks for the close up!
I was astonished at how beautiful this table turned out. Your little bio about Lane furniture reminded me that my hope chest is a Lane from the 1970s when I was engaged to be married.
I was not born in the 50s however I was watching this vid to relax, I like watching your vids late at night to relax and help calm my brain for when I settle down to sleep and I was super excitded because! I have a Lane Acclaim step end table! It's from 1962! My mother gave me and my sister 1 each as a gift when we finally moved out from her house. She loved going to estate sales and buying furniture. They were leftovers she didn't use to refurnish her fiance's house. But I've loved step tables so much and her giving us lots of furniture really helped with our move. This little table is delight for me and I plan to continue to take it with me everywhere I go. I like using them as bedside tables. I loved learning about them in this video!
I have a child’s rocking chair that was bought for my oldest sister in 1955. It was used by all four children in my family. It came to me for my children when my sister passed away from cancer. I treasure it!
I was born in 1957. My old furniture is an in cabinet singer sewing machine from ~1945 which originally ran around $400. My mom purchased mine for me for $25 when I was 15. She just passed this year, so this piece has definite sentimental value.
The style of that table is definitely opposite to what I love to own, yet, I find I can appreciate it and admire the simplicity of the design as well as the beauty of the wood as you have finished it... What a lot of work! I hope your gift will truly be appreciated.
I so enjoy seeing old things made new. I hate waste. It's good there are folks who are willing and talented enough to invest the time to accomplish what you are doing. I have built scale models for more than 60 years. In recent times, I have devoted my time and skills to rescuing old junk models and giving them new life. There is a joy in restoration that is hard to put into words.
I have viewed several that focus on Tonka trucks made in the 50's and 60's. Such videos are far and away more engaging than most of what passes for entertainment on network television of today. Six months ago, I did away with the propaganda feed it has become, and now I am free to pursue many new things!
I watch your videos purely for entertainment: they're intensely satisfying because the beauty of every piece ever-so-slowly reveals itself.The paint removal, sanding, and final finishing coats are especially pleasurable: I know for you it's hard, often tedious work, but when you speed up the playback, it's like instant gratification for viewers. All my dopamine receptors light up!
My mother had a pecan coffee table that my daughter (her granddaughter) drew on with a sharpie. Even though she always lovingly polished that table and took extra care with it...she didn't get upset at her little granddaughter. When she passed, all my daughter wanted from the meager estate was that coffee table, and she displays it proudly in her family room, sharpie drawing still prominent. :)
You are far more charitable than I. Painting natural wood, vintage furniture is an affront to the designer, the factory workers, the lumberjacks, sawyers, the tree, and Almighty God.
I wasn't born yet in '57 but my birthdate is September 19th lol.....I used to collect antique furniture and different depression glass pieces. I have become a minimalist so I parted with all of my furniture.....I still have the dishes and a lot of pieces from my grandmothers' kitchens....which I actually use.....thanks for sharing your craft and I just want to say that your voice is so soothing I often drift off after watching lol.....God Bless!!
I was a few months old when this table was made. What I remember about Lane furniture is that it was frequently a prize on game show in the 60’s and 70’s.
I love watching you and the care and attention that you give to each piece of furniture . I also love that you are a kind soul and appreciate the 50’s and 60’s. In 1957 I was riding my bike with all the neighborhood kids.
Please don't be disheartened but the negative response from someone. There is always jealousy in this world. You have done a wonderful job. I would be proud to have your restored table in my home.
I have an old oval shaped library table that was gifted to my great-grandparents for their wedding. My grandmother did homework on it. When my grandfather refinished it, he found old love letters rolled and stuffed in the wide hollow legs. They were written by my grandmother to a boy she had a crush on, but she never had the courage to send them. Now the table sits in my front entryway and I hope I can pass it to my kids someday.
I use a bed and dresser that was bought for my grandmother when she was a 16 in maybe '61 or '62. My aunt and uncle had them as a young couple, then they went back to my grandparents, a cousin had them for a while, and now me. They were originally white and have been painted soooo many times since. The only writing on the dresser is 40.DBI.DR so I don't think it's anything fancy, but it's definitely special to me. These channels are so inspiring. Maybe when I get married I'll strip it and refurbish it.
