The Joys Of Furniture Refinishing

October 23, 2014 BY Carrocel Interiors | Leave a response

Are you a fan of reality TV shows like the Antiques Roadshow or American Pickers? Then you probably love to browse through flea markets and estate sales in search of that one-of-a-kind treasure. And if you've ever bought or inherited antique furniture, you know you have an exciting opportunity to transform an eyesore into an attention-grabber. While you will appreciate the charm of old furniture that has been refinished, here are some points to consider before you embark on your next project: Refinishing can be rewarding. A well-loved, old piece of furniture is irreplaceable. Handmade pieces are generally better made than their modern, machine-crafted counterparts. Refinishing a hand-crafted quality piece will give it longevity and breathe new life into your ...

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Tips For Buying Or Converting Antique Furniture For Your Bathroom

September 19, 2014 BY Carrocel Interiors | Leave a response

Bathroom vanities are more than just utilitarian. They are also a means to dress up your bathroom in any style you desire. These vanities add charm and character to your bathroom unlike any other bathroom fixture. They provide a style choice that's distinctive from the cabinet vanities you get at the big box stores. Perhaps you’re looking for genuine antique furniture for your bathroom that can be easily and inexpensively turned into a unique bathroom vanity. Or maybe a reproduction of an antique will work best for you. Before you go searching through antique stores, learn more about converting antique bathroom vanities: Real antique or a reproduction? Keep in mind that genuine antique furniture can be expensive. The wood and ...

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Tips For Keeping Antique Upholstery Clean

July 15, 2014 BY Carrocel Interiors | 10 Comments on Tips For Keeping Antique Upholstery Clean

  Cleaning and maintaining your antique furniture is necessary, but sometimes, cleaning antique upholstery can actually destroy the value of the piece. Most antique furniture pieces have very delicate fibres used to upholster them, which means using the wrong furniture refinishing method could permanently destroy the piece. The main purpose of furniture refinishing is to preserve the original techniques, materials and beauty of the item. Therefore, it is best to consult an expert before refinishing your own vintage furniture. Tips For Maintaining Antique Upholstery While a professional is your best option for antique furniture upholstery, there are ways you can maintain and clean your upholstery without destroying its value. Some things you can do, include: Taking Care Of Spills Appropriately ...

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Visiting Antique Stores In Toronto? Plan The Perfect Shopping Trip

June 27, 2014 BY Carrocel Interiors | Leave a response

  It does not matter if you are a collector or you are just looking for antiques to spruce up your space, antique shopping takes a little more prep work than your average trip to the mall. It is easy to find deals at some local antique stores in Toronto, and those deals can be hard to pass up. This means you need to take a little time before your antique adventure so that you can walk away with exactly what you want, and no regrets. Make A List Of The Types Of Antiques You Want Make a list of what you are looking for. Perhaps you want to find an armoire or you are looking for an antique platter ...

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Furniture Repair Takes A Lot More Than A Quick Patch-Up

June 17, 2014 BY Carrocel Interiors | 2 Comments on Furniture Repair Takes A Lot More Than A Quick Patch-Up

  Antique furniture is not like your garden variety furniture you find at big box stores—it is unique; therefore, the care and repair is equally unique. Before you try furniture repairs on your antique pieces, consider these tips and evaluate whether or not you should call in a professional. Things To Consider When Performing Antique Furniture Repairs Research The Piece You Are About To Repair: What era is it from? What materials and techniques were used to create it? Find out the value of the item as well. If the item is worth thousands, it is best to hire a professional for the repair or restoration process. If the item is not of very high monetary value, you may want ...

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DIY Furniture Repair Tips

May 27, 2014 BY Carrocel Interiors | 1 Comment on DIY Furniture Repair Tips

Preserve The Value Of Your Antiques With Professional Furniture Repairs While it is okay to do minor furniture repairs like fixing small scratches, dents and tears yourself, it is preferable to leave antique repairs and refinishing to the professionals. Without the right tools and training, you could damage the appearance of vintage items and diminish their value. Here are some common furniture repairs you can attempt: Minor scratches Rub the paste of a Walnut or Brazil nut into the scratch of light to medium coloured wood. The oil will darken the scratch and the paste will level it off. Then buff with a cloth. A similar-coloured wax crayon would also work. Fill in the scratch then use a hot dry ...

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Your Guide To Buying Bargain Antique Dining Room Tables

April 29, 2014 BY Carrocel Interiors | Leave a response

Antique dining tables make a stunning impression. They provide a stylish backdrop for your dinner parties and family gatherings while gracing your home with old-world charm. Finding the right piece for your dining room however, takes time and effort. Authentic antique furniture can also call for a substantial investment. That does not mean you cannot own an antique. A good way to save on cost is to buy a bargain antique table and have it professionally restored to its original glory. Here is Carrocel’s guide to buying bargain antiques: Do your homework on the different antique styles e.g. Jacobean, Georgian, Early American, art deco, art moderne, etc. (Read more about How To Identify Antique Styles) and also get an idea ...

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The Difference Between Upcycling, Recycling, And Antique Refinishing

April 15, 2014 BY Carrocel Interiors | Leave a response

Preserve Sentiment And Value With Professional Antique Restorations Quality antique restorations can give worn out furniture a new lease on life. Concern for the environment and sentimental attachment for heritage items is causing more people to think about how they can salvage vintage items rather than dispose of them in the landfill. One environmentally-friendly trend that has caught on is the upcycling of old-fashioned items. What Is The Difference Between Upcycling, Recycling And Antique Refinishing? Upcycling involves taking an item that is no longer needed or wanted and giving it new life as something that is either useful or creative. Many people consider this to be a form of recycling, which involves breaking down the item and using the materials ...

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How To Boost The Value And Maximize Profit With Your Antique Chairs

March 4, 2014 BY Carrocel Interiors | Leave a response

Your Antique Chairs And Vintage Furniture Can Fetch Top Dollar! There is no doubt that antique chairs and other types of vintage furniture can fetch you good returns. Remember however, that the selling price is determined by a number of factors including market conditions and the demand for your piece at the time of sale. Here are 10 tips from the experts at Carrocel Restorations to help you get optimal returns. Buy from established vintage furniture dealers: Association memberships are a good way to determine their credibility. Invest in things you like: Whether you choose antique chairs or other types of vintage furniture, you should be happy to have them in your home. Financial value is a bonus. Remember that ...

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Factors To Consider Before Investing In Antique Lighting And Mirrors

February 18, 2014 BY Carrocel Interiors | Leave a response

Considering investing in antique lighting or mirrors? While antiques can fetch you rewarding returns, a lot depends on the quality, public taste and market conditions. Experts also caution against putting more than 10 to 15 percent of the value of your investment portfolio into art and antiques. The most rewarding returns, however, come from enjoying the beautiful items that lend grace and style to your home. That they may fetch you top dollar in the years to come is an added incentive to own antique mirrors and/or lighting. It also helps that antiques and collectibles have become increasingly popular in the past few years. Here Are Some Valuable Tips on Buying and Selling Antique Furniture: Research Reduces Risk: This means ...

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How To Reupholster Antique Dining Chairs

January 15, 2014 BY Carrocel Interiors | Leave a response

Do your beautiful antique dining chairs need a facelift? Reupholstering them is a great way to give them a fresh new look and brighten up the space. If you have the time and the inclination, you can even try to do it yourself. Below are step-by-step instructions to help you: Remove the seat from your antique chair with the help of a screwdriver. Trace the seat (leaving ¼” on all sides) to create a cardboard template. Use the template to trace and cut foam for each chair. Fix the foam on each seat with the help of an adhesive. Cut your fabric to size: to determine what size you’ll need for each seat, measure the width of your seat across ...

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Quick Tips For Evaluating Antique Furniture

January 7, 2014 BY Carrocel Interiors | 2 Comments on Quick Tips For Evaluating Antique Furniture

Are you in the market to buy antique furniture? Do you know what to look for? If you are new to this, you could end up paying more than necessary or worse, buying a piece that is not authentic. In such cases, it is best to go to antique dealers you can trust. There are many who misrepresent new furniture as genuine antiques; to an untrained eye, it is hard to tell the difference. We have highlighted some important points to make note of while purchasing antique furniture. This is not a comprehensive guide but offers some hints to help steer you in the right direction. 10 Tips For A Quick Evaluation Of Antique Furniture: The dimensions of old furniture ...

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Difference Between Antique Restorations And Reupholstering Your Furniture

November 19, 2013 BY Carrocel Interiors | 3 Comments on Difference Between Antique Restorations And Reupholstering Your Furniture

Considering Fine Antique Furniture Restoration? When conducting antique furniture restorations, you may be tempted to reupholster your sofa or dining chairs some of the pieces in order to make them look more attractive and stylish. However, there is also a question as to whether reupholstering will decrease the value of the antique. To answer the question of restoration vs. refinishing, you must first consider the piece you are working with. Experts recommend that a classic piece that is unique or rare, and exhibits fine elements of early artisanship should not be altered. Additionally, if the piece is made by a notable designer or craftsman, it is likewise best to leave the piece in its original condition after performing antique restorations. ...

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Main Causes Of Antique Furniture Damage That Needs Restoration

November 5, 2013 BY Carrocel Interiors | 2 Comments on Main Causes Of Antique Furniture Damage That Needs Restoration

Watch For These Main Causes Of Antique Furniture Damage When you own fine antique furniture, you need to be aware of some of the most common causes of damage. Especially after putting a lot of time into antique fine furniture restoration, you want to be sure to maintain the pristine quality of your vintage furniture. Likewise, if your furniture does suffer unfortunate damage, you should know how to perform basic antique restoration to repair the piece. Much of the damage that occurs with furniture is preventable. Be aware of these common reasons for damage and you will be able to keep your vintage furniture looking beautiful and well maintained. Carelessness — This is one of the major causes of damage ...

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Debunking Common Myths For Antique Furniture Restorations

October 18, 2013 BY Carrocel Interiors | Leave a response

Fine antique furniture that has not been properly cared for in a while can show visible and ugly signs of wear and tear. Sometimes even pieces that receive regular cleaning can exhibit indications of damage due to one careless accident such as a spilled drink or a bad bump. You may feel that you need to have the piece brought in for fine furniture restoration, but often there are many things you can do yourself. It is imperative, however, to ensure that your method for cleaning and restoration will not have any unintended side effects. Some Myths About Antique Furniture Restorations: Some DIYers swear by oil and vinegar. Preparing a solution of the two supposedly helps to repair the old ...

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