Antique Wash Stand Refinish

Wash Stand Before

Long before indoor plumbing was introduced into society, people used a large basin and a wash stand such as this early American style to clean up after a busy day of working in the fields or at a factory.

Wash Stand After

With the ultra-modern technology available to us in this twenty-first century, it's hard to imagine life without a steam shower or a soaker tub, but people made use of what they had. This wash stand restoration was a pleasure because it was made of solid oak and pretty much exactly the same as it was well over a hundred years ago. It had seen some wear, to be sure.

If this wash stand could speak, it would have plenty of stories to share. I wonder how many people used this old beauty to clean up over the years? Did it belong to a man who had seen his
grandchildren grow up? Was it passed down to a family member? Every piece has its own story to tell if we choose to listen. I always prefer working on a solid wood piece such as this wash stand because you simply can't beat working on solid wood. Today's "modern" reproductions don't hold a candle to a solid wood antique because it's true that "they don't make 'em like they used to!" For furniture, that's true.

The best pieces to restore and refinish are solid wood, no doubt the most long lasting pieces that once refinished, will last another century, or longer. They can better endure the rough process of sanding and stripping, which can wear down a veneered piece of furniture.

This one needed a lot of sanding and stripping to remove the stains, likely caused by water that had been left to sit on the surface long after grandpa finished his nightly shave. Over a period of time, that water seeps through the wood causing it to darken. When that happens, unfortunately there's not a lot a restorer can do about it except to sand and stain it a few shades darker and hope for the best. It took to the sanding quite well and after I applied the mahogany stain and semi-gloss polyurethane, it looked as good as new, a stunning transformation!

All in all, this piece turned out very good. But hey, if you were over a century old, you'd have some wear too...and plenty of stories to share with your great-great-grandchildren.