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Past Projects

Re-purposing or restoring furniture is not only a USEFUL idea (saving discarded old pieces) but it is a great opportunity to put our creativity to use and come up with something original and artistic.  Special thanks to my wonderful husband who built my workbench, found my lighting and sound and helps me with the heavy stuff!


Past Projects

Repurposed Credenza - This is a repurposed side credenza that has been transformed into a dresser. I professionally restored the wood veneer, added new drawer hardware and then created the original artwork on the top. All has been finished and protected with polyurethane. An beautiful and original piece that you will not find in any furniture store. 
Dimensions: 47.5" x 17.5" x 30Tall
Elegant Coffee Table - Most of my projects are pieces I have purchased but I also do commissioned work to restore pieces for others.  Many of you have inherited pieces from your parents or grandparents and they have some wear.  This little table had so many great features but it was old and had been loved for generations.  All it needed was a little care and some restoration to look beautiful again. Don't get rid of those solid wood pieces, have them restored! 
Boxes for Silver and a Table - These pieces come from the same client above.  More pieces of history passed down through a family that need to be restored so they could continue to be passed down.  
Antique Oak Dresser - I am always excited to find old oak dressers.  This one had been used hard and needed some serious restoration.  Once the old finish was off and the beauty of the wood grain was exposed and the dresser fixed it was ready for a new finish.  
This large Oak dresser is both stunning and functional.  The detail of this design makes it unique and the Oak makes it so durable.  This dresser has been refurbished, stained, period hardware attached and finished with hand rubbed tung oil.  
Treddle Vanity - Picked up this vanity at a second hand store.  The veneer on top was so dry it crumbled in your hands but everything else was their (no machine).  I decided to turn this beauty into a ladies vanity.  I had to remove all the veneer from the top, refinish all the oak and repair the drawers.  I found new hardware for the drawers and there you have it!  Loved this piece!
Antique Smoking Cabinet - Commissioned piece - I have just started to build up a reputation for restoring other peoples treasured pieces.  It is a little more intimidating because you have to please the client versus creating something that you like yourself.  However, it is very rewarding especially when it turns out like this piece did!  Amazing what you find underneath old finish!  
Half Round Desk w/ Original Top - This is a piece that NO one wanted and I picked it up for 5.00.  Yup!  It was missing a leg, the leather top was carved up with letters and scribble and the rest?  Well it was rough.  It had good bones though and it was a challenge.  New legs, new top, new veneer and voila!  Oh and many many layers of urethane!
SOFA TABLE REDESIGNED - I purchased this sofa table "in a box" about 10 years ago.  It served it's purpose and was made of solid wood but it became wobbly and I never liked the location of the shelf.  I decided to take it apart, redesign it and give it a new look to match my current Tuscan decor.  I did abstract art on the top and the result is fabulous.  I may not sell this one for a while.  
LITTLE PINE DRESSER - This is an upcycled and restored little pine dresser. It has been washed with grey paint, stained with dark walnut and finished with urethane. The drawer and the inside of the dresser have been painted white. The drawer knobs are brushed chrome and the legs have new chrome slides on the bottom. The shelves are finished and protected and fitted with new baskets. The perfect little dresser for the hall, bathroom or anyplace in your home. Solid wood - NOT wood solids
WALNUT CABINET - When I saw this piece at auction I immediately wanted it because of the carved handles.  It took a long time to get down to the wood and then to get the wood ready for a new stain and finish.  The handles required much detail work to remove all the paint. It was also unstable, missing a back and a shelf but once it started going back together the original beauty shined through.
This piece has been professionally restored (4 layers of paint removed) but please note that there are nail holes, cracks in the wood (does not affect the use of the piece) and other imperfections that come with antiques. This piece was put together with hand hammered nails so that gives you an idea of the age. The drawer handles are hand carved, the backstop on the top had to be replaced as did the front piece for the legs as both were broken. The drawer bottom and the shelf have been painted and the inside of the cabinet refinished. There is nothing like the beauty of walnut. 

ANTIQUE DRESSER - This dresser was stored in the back of an old garage and was a mess.  I had no idea what kind of wood was under the layers of paint, stains to the top and the dirt.  What a treasure it turned out to be.
Professionally refinished dresser. The rails are washed with olive green paint, the wood grain is incredible and the entire piece has been finished with several layers of tung oil.
The inside of the drawers are all painted and have customized period hardware! We refinished the entire piece but did not remove all the character; you will notice some holes and dings but it is perfect in it's imperfection.
This is a solid wood piece, with beautiful craftsmanship, design features and the original wood wheels.

FRENCH PROVINCIAL DESK - When we found this desk it was sitting to the side of an aisle. cast away, never to be used again.  Although the desk was still sound structurally the finish and designs on the piece were very dated.  I pulled it apart, sanded it down and found a new color for it.  I also took advantage of the structural design and added accents which outlined the edges and curves of the piece.  I gave the hardware a facelift by painting them as well.  All was finished with a couple of coats of good acrylic polyurethane and it looked brand new!  I SOLD it within a week!   


WALNUT DRUM TABLE - We picked this up at auction for a pittance and underneath the gold paint?  Lo and behold I found walnut....beautiful old walnut.  Love this drum table from the early 1900"s.  I finished it with hand rubbed tung oil just like they used to do.  


VINTAGE VANITY AND DRESSER - These pieces had been well used and a little neglected.  The veneer on top of the dresser was so bad you could peal and crumble it with your fingers.  The corners, legs and edges were dinged and damaged and all the drawers needed work.  In spite of all that the unique design and the beautiful wood and veneer had the potential to be exquisite again.   
Oak Hat Box Dresser - This piece began without legs, a back and all the finish was mared and scratched plus the bottom drawer had no support.  After replacing and rebuilding the piece it was once again beautiful.
Antique Quarter Sawn Oak Dresser with a hat box door. This piece has been refurbished, stained, new legs, new back splash and original glass knobs. Hand finished w
ith tung oil. Sturdy, functional and beautiful. 
Antique Setee and Chairs - These beautiful pieces were stored in the back of a basement and the owner wanted me to just get them out of his way.  The fabric was gone and the seets needed restuffed and the wood was dinged, dirty and dingy.  After a little TLC I restored the finishes, fixed the knicks and my sister recovered them in a beautiful Scottish plaid.  What a find!
ANTIQUE WINE CABINET - It is rare that I find a phonograph cabinet without the phonograph so I snatched this one up.  The veneer top was splintered and the whole piece had been severely neglected.  Under the broken veneer top I found poplar wood with the traditional greens, browns and golds.  The veneer on the doors are restored, a new back and birch veneer on the bottom shelf along with the front piece and the legs make this piece truly luxurious.  It has been finished with tung oil and urethane (on the top for protection).  The top lifts and is held in place with the original brass arm.  
The piece comes with the wine rack which you can fill with your favorite wines.  

Dimensions:  25L X 18W X 39H
TIGER OAK PARLOR TABLE - This handcrafted table is one of the most unique pieces I have had the opportunity to restore. Came to me in a pile of dirt and rust. This is TIGER OAK which is a rare find indeed. The claw and ball feet are original to the piece. This table has been refinished, the metal claw and ball feet are handpainted, it has been reassembled, is sturdy after adding some bracing to the legs. One of my favorite pieces.

PEDESTAL DESK - We picked up this desk because no one else wanted to deal with the big black water stain on the top.  The rest of the desk was, dry, dinged and dated.  Now Look!  
This desk has been totally restored, updated and the hardware customized. The trim and unique design features have been trimmed with gold. The top has been restored, restained and finished in urethane. The panels have been restored with tung oil. The perfect size to fit in any room yet a stately furniture piece for your home.
​Solid hardwood (NOT hardwood solids), wood veneer. 1940's vintage piece with 8 drawers (bottom left drawer is very deep for files)

BASSET COFFEE TABLE - This is my latest project.  I found this old Bassett Furniture coffee table with drawers.  Underneath the brown murky stain I could see that there might be some beautiful wood.  As I stripped away the stain that is exactly what I found!  This one is a hidden treasure!
It is finished and  SOLD.  Love the detail of the wood grain and the difference and great character of the piece.  Added glass tile where useless knobs used to be, cleaned the brass beading and new hardware.  Wahlah!  It is ready for your home!

DUNCAN PHYFE STYLE CHAIRS - These chairs, which are part of a Duncan Phyfe style dining set, were in need of repair and restoration in order to be useful again.  I learned many things about the craftsmanship that went into these pieces and I am very thankful that they built things to be useful for a long time.  The craftsmen who built these chairs made it possible for them to be repaired and tightened realizing it would have to be done over the life of the furniture.  They are beautiful once again.

MAHOGANY DINING SET - This Dining Room Set had been used and loved so it needed a refresh.  The tabletop and the chair seats are solid wood mahogany.  I refinished all the wood and then repainted the rest of the set.  A simple, elegant addition to a home. 

PAINTED VANITY - I have many different pieces of furniture for projects.  Some are beautiful pieces of wood crafted together in useful items and some a partially wood, looks like wood and veneer.  Each piece has a hidden beauty and characteristics that serve a purpose.  You just have to take the time to uncover it. 

ANTIQUE BUFFET TURNED ENTERTAINMENT CENTER - This old buffet was worn out from use.  The person we purchased it from had intended to restore it but never did.  Lucky Us!  I stripped and sanded the whole piece except the veneer sides and the veneer on the drawer fronts.  My intention was to save as much of the veneer as I could.  I used tung oil to clean the veneer and pull all the grime and old finish off.  It worked!  The top was severely damaged but turned out beautifully.  I washed the carved trim pieces with stain and gold mineral paint.  I had to find new hardware and then Wallah!  It was an elegant transformation

ANTIQUE BED STEPS/LIBRARY STEPS - This piece is bed/library steps from the early 1800's.
Incredible wood and wood veneers, the top 2 drawers in the steps open and are felt lined, the supports for the steps are brass; there are brass lion heads on the sides to move and carry the steps. The gold trim on the drawers and the side of the piece are actually inlaid wood and the tread of the steps (including the top) are leather with gold leaf. 
In keeping with the recommendation of experts I cleaned and polished this piece without changing a thing. Some pieces are just beautiful...always. 
COUCHMAN DINING SET - I just finished this 1940's Couchman style Dining Set.  My husband picked it up at an estate sale and brought it home covered in heavy red finish, with wobbly chairs and a top that was splitting.  Now look at it!  Some beautiful old oak in these pieces!  SOLD!
TREADLE SIDE TABLE - This treadle table took a while to complete but it was worth it.  Too many other things kept getting in the way but when the details were completed....Beautiful!  Started out as a pile of rubble in the back of a consignment booth.  
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                               Copyright 2012  *   Bonnie Young Designs  *   Pueblo West, CO  81007       bonnyoungdesigns@gmail.com  *  719-492-8886  
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