When you mess up your Broyhill Brasilia Dresser.....

I've encountered a small setback in my furniture refinishing project. The very beautiful wood on the top of the dresser looks so stunning when it was bare wood. I started pre-staining and then put one coat of stain on the top and then I was almost in tears as I watched it dry. The orbital sander I used to sand the paint off left squiggly marks all in the wood. I was so careful to change sanding pads often so that this would not happen and I couldn't see the marks until I stained it. 

So, I have some choices. I can try to keep sanding it down until some of the squiggles are removed but I run the risk of sanding completely through the veneer. I could replace the veneer all together but I am imagining the cost of the veneer would be significant and I have never replaced veneer before. I could end up really messing up my dresser and having to send it off for a professional restoration and then I will have to hang my head in shame and admit I got in over my head. 
 
Although you have to look at the wood from the top or at an angle to see it, I know its there and it will bother me. 

I think I will try sanding it down a bit more and then staining it and putting the poly coat on and living with the damage I created.

It's truly heartbreaking.  
 

Stain Time

I couldn't hardly wait to get home yesterday to start staining the drawers and the doors. The doors took a lot longer than I expected and I somehow forgot that I had sponge brushes to use and started using a clean rag to rub the stain on. Yeah sometimes I get a head of myself and do goofy stuff like that. I think everything turned out lovely though. I was very surprised by how deep the wood grain looks after I stained it. I just wanted to stare at it. 

Bare naked wood

I did a pre-stain conditioner just to make sure the stain went on without blotches.

Pre-stain conditioner phase

Half dry and half wet

 Another boo-boo I made was not checking the pre-stain conditioner and since the drawers were sitting on an angle and sort of leaning the pre-stain conditioner pooled at what would be the top of the drawer. I don't think this effected the stain any but it could have and that would have been disasterous. I just wiped away the excess and let it completely dry.

Close up of the door after pre-stain conditioner

Two coats of stain on the left and the right is ready to go.

two coats of stain on the drawers

two coats of stain on the door.

This photo below is a comparison between the original wood stain center drawer and a newly stained drawer pictured on the top. The lighting is a little off because of the shadows and sunlight but in person the stain matches perfectly. I was surprised because I didn't have to mix stain colors. This is Cabot Dark Walnut stain right out of the can.

 

Comparison with original wood

Just some more photos

I just wanted to add more photos all together. Sometimes I just like to stare at it. :-)

Update on my Broyhill Brasilia Dresser refinishing

 The hardest part so far has definitely been this bottom rail. It feels like there isn't any veneer on this and it's just 100% walnut wood. The paint and stain took a really long time to sand off. You can see the damage to the veneer in between the drawers. I am still not sure what I am going to do. Either replace the 4 panels or just remove the damaged panels. You won't be able to tell unless the drawers are removed anyway. I am pretty sure the damage was caused by moving multiple times and by critters of some sort. 

 Here is the last two photos I took after completing the first sanding with 80 grit sand paper. I was super shocked at how beautiful the veneer was after all of these years. I was anticipating water marks and deep scratches which had been covered by paint. There were some scratches but they were easily sanded out. There was one tiny spot on the right hand side you can see in the photo below that is deeply "stained" by something. I don't mind though. It will give it a little character.

If you notice, I left the middle part of the dresser unsanded. The dresser had been painted at one time with a dark brown paint, however the middle drawers behind the doors were left unpainted. I considered sanding them down so that they would completely match the new stain, but I decided to keep that part the way it was from the factory. This is furniture I am never planning on getting rid of or selling so it was a personal choice. 

Since I took these photos I have completed the second sanding with 220 grit sand paper. The second sanding usually takes a fraction of the time compared to the first sanding. Next I will use pre-stain conditioner and then two coats of stain on the drawers and doors. I am a little concerned with putting the polyurethane coats on the top and sides. The top is very very long and using a brush will leave brush strokes and bubbles so I may use the rub-on method which worked well on the top of the end table. 

I wish there was someone I could learn this from. It would be great if there was a class on refinishing furniture. Everything I have learned has been from Russel or the "inner-nets" which is great but hands-on learning works better.

More pics to come. Stay tuned!

Beauty from a box

Good news! I finished the end table and I am happy with the way it turned out. I can't wait to see the dresser all finished. 

Before

After

Yesterday I had a pretty emotionally stressful day because I had to help my dad take his dog to be put to sleep. Then we had to dig a hole to bury her in. I am sore from using a pick axe to break up the soil. I was ready to just curl up in bed and sleep so when Russel brought a cute little box in from the mailbox I was happy to see my beautiful drawer pulls inside. They were shiny and beautiful. So, either the guy had them refinished or he actually had them fabricated. Either way I am happy with them. I can't wait to see how they look on the dresser. 

 I also convinced Russel to help me pick up my cedar chest. Mom's cedar chest. I was very happy to have it back. I cleaned it up and it looks fabulous in the living room. 

 

I am also almost done with the hardest parts of the dresser. I have the very bottom foot pieces and the sides and top. Then on to the second sanding which shouldn't take as long. The edges all had to be hand sanded because they are concave and not flat. The doors turned out nicely and only took about 6 hours all together.

 

 I am usually looking forward to working on this every day after work. Can't wait until 3:00!!!!

The Dresser

The dresser is so beautiful. It's like meeting a long lost relative you haven't seen in about 10 years. 

Here are some photos of her through her metamorphisis. 

This outer part took 1 hour to sand by hand. The inner part took another hour to sand by hand. My hands get very sore.

I can't believe how beautiful it is under all of the stain and paint. 

I think I may have found something so awesome. Of course, I would love to have the original drawer pulls that I lost so many years ago but I may have found some replacements and they don't cost $500.00. I am hopeful but I won't believe it until they are safely in my hand!!!! Updates to come.

Learning new skills

I am actually having a great time refinishing this furniture. I didn't think I would enjoy it this much. 

I was doing my searching through Craigslist one night and I found what was described as a mahogany headboard. I clicked on it and I immediately saw the Broyhill Brasilia sliders. It was a king sized bookshelf headboard. We used to have these headboards when I was growing up. I was completely shocked when I saw the price and the listing was a few weeks old. I sent a text to the owner hoping and it was still available. After a few texts back and forth, Russel and I were picking it up. I got 3 of these sliders for $20.00!!!! 

 After a little clean up they turned out like this:

 So, my plan is to hang them on the wall in the bedroom. 

After we looked at the headboard itself, it was more work than I was willing to put in and the veneer needed to be replaced in many places. So, we decided to go ahead and say goodbye to the headboard. I put it back on Craigslist for free because I really didn't expect anyone to take it. I had multiple e-mails and someone actually picked it up before I could remove the posting. So, I hope that the new owners can refurbish it and make it like new. I'd love to see it all fixed up. 

That same day we transported the dresser from my Aunt's house and made a place for it in the garage. I have already started sanding the drawers. 

I have been extra careful to not sand through the veneer by accident. :-) 

The small night stand has been a little difficult to finish completely. I can't seem to get the top of the stand as perfect as I want. It's either a stray bubble, the poly was thinned too much (my fault), or a stray cat hair or bug in the finish. I will sand it down again and try one more time. Gotta keep my fingers crossed. 

Here are some pics of the Poly process though. 

 I have also contacted Broyhill Furniture to see when they are releasing their new Mardella line of furniture which pays tribute to the old Brasilia line. I have seen articles online and some say June/July but I haven't found anything from authorized dealers. 
I was doing the Snoopy dance when I received a response from them....

It's a little hard to read but it says that the line is in production now and we should see it in stores end of summer beginning of fall!!!!! YAY! 

This is the furniture I would love to have in the bedroom. 

The only thing I have not been able to locate for less than an arm and leg and my first born child are the drawer pulls. 

If you see these laying around anywhere call me, email me, smoke signal me, come knock on the door!!!!

Second Sanding

The second sanding went considerably faster. I am very happy with the end result of this phase. I am super excited because I get to pick out the stain tonight and start on that. I am really hoping it comes out like it looks in my head. I want it to look like it just got off the truck. 

Forgotten Hidden Treasure

Yes, I know it's been half a century since I wrote anything. I am sure no one even reads this anymore but just for my happiness I wanted to write about my newly found forgotten hidden treasure. 

A few weeks ago I talked to Russel about painting one of my end tables I brought when I moved. I needed a project. One day when I was surfin the inner-nets I wanted to see if I could find a match for the end table for cheap. Of course I had no idea who the manufacturer was. I searched and searched and finally found something close. It was made by Kent Coffey. Then I discovered the name for the era I have been trying to re-create subconsciously all along. Mid Century Modern. Late 60's through mid 70's. I hit the jackpot. It was Broyhill Brasilia furniture and I almost cried when I found the first end table for over $500.00. Then I remembered I left my long dresser that matched at my aunt's house. I nearly cried again when I searched and found one for over $1600.00!!!! Why was I so sad? I had both pieces painted in my early 20's because the paint was coming off and I wanted something darker. Then I realized who cares!!!! I owned two of these beautiful pieces and they were mine mine mine. 

Actual Broyhill Brasilia Commode. 

Broyhill Brasilia Dresser. Mine is not in this condition yet.

I begged Russel to let me keep them as our bedroom furniture and of course he is so awesome he said of course we can keep them. We discussed having them professionally refinished but I am going to try first. I've never refinished a piece, I've never even stained a piece of furniture before and I've never even sanded a piece of furniture before. But, I have an expert in woodworking afterall. He build an arcade and doggie stairs for Bella all by hand. 

I remembered long long ago taking the drawer pulls off so it could be painted and I remember not putting them back on. Back to the inner-nets I go in search of replacement hardware. *GASP* Each pull costs no less than $75.00. I currently need more Kleenex because of my past treatment of my awesome furniture. 

I am trying to make ammends. Here was the first step. Sanding off the paint and stain it was covered in. I am only two days in so hopefully I will post more photos as it progresses. 

Top and side

Back

I have been searching for the hardware at antique stores, thrift stores, ebay and etsy. Maybe one day I will happen upon them again. Or I will win the lottery and be able to buy a set of 6. But I'm keeping my furniture!!!! 

February Update

Things have been so busy lately I haven't had time to write on my own blog. Well, this one at least.  

I have been planning the wedding and things are going well. With the exception of the photographer crisis. The first one missed our first meeting. The second didn't show to our engagement shoot. I e-mailed 4 more photographers and got no answer and finally one responded. A husband and wife team that seem very enthusiastic and dependable. It was getting a little stressful there for a moment. 

I have been learning a new skill thanks to my friend Jennifer and I am hoping it will make me much happier in the future. 

I also started a new hobby. As if nail polish wasn't enough! I have started collecting vintage Pyrex. I think the closer we get to the wedding the more and more I miss my mom and wish she could be here to hang out with, the more I want things around me that remind me of her. Mrs. Schultz gave me such a wonderful wonderful gift. My mother's correlle dishes. Since then I have been on a mission to find more things that remind me of her. Then as I started growing my collection Mrs. Schultz gave me 5 vintage Pyrex bowls that belonged to Russel's grandmother. I was just kind of blown away. I mean how lucky am I to have a Mother-in-law who is so wonderful? 

Russel has even endured taking me to antique malls and walking around with me. Poor guy even had to carry around stuff for me. A true sign of love I am sure!!!!

I found a great deal on an old IKEA bookshelf at a thrift store and now it displays my awesome treasures. 

 

Then there is work. Work has been stressful and difficult. I can only hope that things improve for everyone there. I have to consciously make an effort to make myself go there daily. It is worse than it has ever been. 

And here are some cute pictures of my kids for your viewing pleasure.

And the beautiful flowers I got for my birthday for Russel. They couldn't have come at a better time and they are my favorites!!!

  


 

 

Ridiculousness

Ok so I usually don't post anything very specific about my job but this ridiculousness is exactly that.

I answer incoming calls. Sometime one of our employees calls in to speak to a supervisor to call in sick.

This entails taking out a pink missed call memo pad and writing the employee's name, date, time of call and the word "Sick" in the notes. Then this note is posted on a pole where the supervisor's desks are with the thought that they will see it when they come to their desks for work. I mean seriously? My dog could probably be taught to do that. Not a huge project you want to assign to someone making $75k a year right?

On our particular shift the on duty Shift Commander takes these calls. The Shift Commander is the highest ranking officer on duty at the time. This could be the Lt. or the Sgt. When the call is transfered the Shift Commander can either fill out the pink memo himself or he can call dispatch and tell us to do it for them. If the call is transfered to the Sgt. on duty because the person asked for the Sgt. on duty but they are calling in sick the Lt. usually lectures you about how these calls are to be transferred to him.

Usually in the real world the employer treats the employee as an adult and accepts e-mails for sick calls. Not here. You have to call the on duty Shift Commander to speak with them so that they can judge whether you sound sick so that they can comment on that to the next Shift Commander. For, example, "Hey, Just so you know Sickly Sick Girl called in sick again and there was a lot of background noise and she didn't sound sick at all." Some of us also have to notify our direct supervisor as well. There are others who also have to find someone to cover for them. Oh and you also have to have your current address on file because your on duty Shift Commander could possibly make a home visit to ensure that you are sick and unable to come to work.

Now, what happens when the on duty Shift Commander is too busy to answer his phone? Well, it goes to voicemail and they usually don't know how to check it. The sick employee calls me back and says they were unable to get through. Ok so we transfer to the desk phone. If the on duty Shift Commander is "out and about" they don't answer that either. The sick employee calls me back again and advises me that no one answered. So then we go down the list of supervisors until we finally get one. Then the Lt. calls back to inform us that all sick calls are to be sent to him.

C'mon people I am not making this shit up!