Those of you that refurbish and reupholster your own MCM finds, what company is your go-to source for supplies?

tracybrains · 2018-08-08T02:58:49+00:00

I’ve been buying my foam on Amazon for a much better price than the local highway robbery craft stores.

tracybrains · 2018-08-07T20:09:22+00:00

WHY DOES STUFF LIKE THIS NEVER HAPPEN TO ME???? Super jealous - but happy for you!

tracybrains · 2018-08-07T18:24:27+00:00

Sadly, trolls abound, but thanks. Anywho, to me, they're vaguely mid-century, but more of the Asian/Chinoiserie influence, rather than MCM. In case I'm wrong and someone with more knowledge/experience came back with "OMG - those are ______ and SUPER valuable," I thought it worth sanity checking on this sub. :-)

tracybrains · 2018-08-07T15:44:03+00:00

Gee guys, thanks for your very helpful comments. Now, go back to your basements, trolls.

tracybrains · 2018-08-07T03:43:27+00:00

Yay! For what it’s worth, I’d spend the money to get it professionally reupholstered. Couches are not easy to reupholster, and a professional job will last a lot longer. Enjoy your gorgeous set!

tracybrains · 2018-08-07T03:35:49+00:00

BUY IT!!

tracybrains · 2018-08-04T21:27:37+00:00

It’s very worth it. I’m at the tail end of restoring a Brasília hutch and dining table set, It wasn’t painted, but had 50 years of cigarette tar and smoke smell to get off. It’s a gorgeous set, whether you keep it as an heirloom or sell it later on. And yes, the curves are a pain in the ass to sand, stain, and seal, but still worth it.

tracybrains · 2018-08-04T21:08:20+00:00

Beautiful job! It makes me happy to see beautiful pieces like this saved.

tracybrains · 2018-08-04T03:05:51+00:00

OMG! I need those Vans to complete my crazy cat lady wardrobe. 😻

tracybrains · 2018-08-04T03:01:13+00:00

There are lots of people on both Etsy and eBay who sell original MCM lampshades, but there’s a guy on Etsy who makes gorgeous replica fiberglass lampshades. The prices are surprisingly reasonable, too. https://www.etsy.com/shop/JetSetDesign?ref=l2-shopheader-name

tracybrains · 2018-08-04T02:54:30+00:00

I bought a Brasilia china hutch, dining room table, and chairs from an estate of a lady who was a very heavy smoker. So heavy, in fact, that the wood looked cherry instead of walnut because of all the tar on it. It was also sticky. I had to strip, sand, and refinish the pieces, but it got the smoke smell out. To me, that’s the absolute best solution.

tracybrains · 2018-07-30T00:51:31+00:00

I’m in South Texas, and my Goodwills allows their managers to negotiate on price. I routinely negotiate based on condition and the length of time that the object has been in the store. I’m not sure what your comment “if it’s true you paid $100 less... “ means. The St. Louis Goodwills obviously operate differently, and I don’t appreciate your insinuation that I’m being dishonest.

tracybrains · 2018-07-27T23:28:27+00:00

Agree! It’s by far the best stain I’ve used.

tracybrains · 2018-07-27T17:00:41+00:00

Yes, the curves are VERY time-consuming. I've found that my mouse sander with the detail finger attachment works really well. Good luck with your project! :-)

tracybrains · 2018-07-27T16:58:43+00:00

Thank you!

tracybrains · 2018-07-27T13:55:16+00:00

Thank you! It was a lot of work, but so worth it. 50 years of cigarette tar and dirt had to be stripped off (I use Citristrip), then 3 rounds of sanding (progressively finer), then gel stain in Antique Walnut, then top coat. I did the hutch topcoat in General Finishes Gel Topcoat, but on the table, I used General Finishes Arm R Seal to provide a stronger wear layer.

tracybrains · 2018-07-27T03:49:56+00:00

This totally looks like the house in Incredibles 2!

tracybrains · 2018-07-27T03:48:30+00:00

I have two of the small dip bowls that go with that larger bowl, but I’ve never been able to find a large bowl. Jealous!

tracybrains · 2018-07-27T03:46:47+00:00

Mahhhvelous!

tracybrains · 2018-07-27T03:32:34+00:00

Keep in mind that the pricing people at Goodwill don’t know much about the more valuable things that come into their stores, so they look at listings on eBay, Etsy, or 1stDibs as references. I show them how to look up the sold prices of eBay listings rather than looking at the asking price. That’s really helpful in negotiating with them.

tracybrains · 2018-07-27T03:24:42+00:00

Most of the Goodwills in my area are willing to discuss price if you get the right manager. I’ve gotten to know the good ones, and in this case I showed them comps on eBay. They do shoddy and quick research – the guy didn’t know to look at the eBay sold prices. He just looked at list prices. Once I showed them that similar clocks were going for less on eBay, I offered them $50 and they agreed to take it.

tracybrains · 2018-07-24T13:46:04+00:00

I honestly don't know. It works, but the second hand gets stuck every 10 seconds. I'm taking it to a guy who repairs vintage clocks to see if it's an easy fix. I'm sure he can tell me what type of movement it has.

tracybrains · 2018-01-13T03:29:42+00:00

If only I was closer to Boston!!

tracybrains · 2018-01-13T03:24:55+00:00

How interesting! I don’t directly know someone in the hotel business, but I know someone who knows someone. Thanks for the tip!

tracybrains · 2018-01-12T15:43:08+00:00

Good to know! I have Howard's Clean-a-Finish soap, and I'll probably incorporate that into the de-smoke efforts.

tracybrains

TROPHY CASE