I like restoring old and discarded objects into new and updated designs. Each object has a story about where i found it, the effort to restore it, and what I changed about it.
Lamp - Reclaimed fencpost with radiobulbs, ceramic sockets, fabric chord, and vintage plug.
The post belonged to a fallen fence at my apartment building in San Jose. I found it burried in a tangle of ivy in the patio area behind the building. The post was outdoors for many years, so insects had chewed organic pathways into the wood.
After removing any nails, I used a planar on the sides and milled out the pathways for the chords and sockets. I used hardware found in the fencing aisle for authenticity. It has two loops on each end for hanging over a dining table or in a hallway. Unfortunately, I currently have no such place to hang it in my rented apartment.
Shell Chair - Refurbished fiberglass chair with rocker base.
I spotted this chair was stuck between a dumpster and a fence at a gas station. It was soaked with rain and the legs were starting to rust. The seam on the stiff eather seat was split and would poke me in the back when I tried to sit on it. I pulled and scraped off all the leather and foam before sanding it. I purchased an aftermarket rocker base to replace the old one but when I removed it I didn't realize the bolts went straight through the chair. The left over holes were filled in with epoxy tinted to match color of the fiberglass . The new gloss coat was provided by Penetrol, which is unavailable in California. It now sits in my living room and sees regular use.
Couch - Replaced foam and reupholstered vintage couch.
Craigslist provided this locally crafted mid-century couch for free. I decided I could reupholster it but it was a monumental effort since I had never done upholstry before. The foam was purchased from a place in SF and the fabric was selected from swatches I had ordered online. I unstitched and unstapled the original cover to use as the pattern for the new covers. The removal process was documented with photos so I could reassemble the new covers in the correct order. I had the sewing machine out for a few weeks but eventually everything came together well.
Dresser - Refurbished found dresser with matte finish, white drawer fronts, and aluminum drawer pulls.
I started refinishing this dresser I picked up for free on a corner somewhere in San Jose. I modified the handles on the bottom six drawers by removing them and milling them flat. I covered the top three drawers with a white veneer and sourced the new aluminum drawer pulls from a catalogue. The final finish is matte and I eventually painted the legs to match the top row of drawers.
