RESTORATION OF AN 1880S BEDFRAME
Skills Demonstration:
Restoring the original tiger oak, reinforcing the frame, and breathing new life into a Victorian bed frame.
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When I originally purchased this bed, it was in rough condition from years of storage. The finish was scratched, chipped, and faded. However, I estimated that it was from the 1880s and solid “tiger-oak”.
Although the restoration process would involve layers of finish repairs, reinforcing the structure, and mending chips and scratches, it was clearly a piece worth the effort.
The first step was to restore the color and mask the myriad of scratches with a light coat of stain. Above you can see a side-by-side comparison of the original finish and the finish after the stain was applied.
The second step was sealing in the stain and adding a rich satin finish.
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Finally, I reinforced the sideboards and buffed the finish for a more natural, antique shine. The end result is a beautiful bed frame that showcases a truly extraordinary piece of old-growth oak and detailed craftsmanship. With care and maintenance, this piece will be sure to last another hundred years or more.