Through my children, I have the opportunity to meet many folks, and when the topic comes up about what I do, I love the conversations that follow my “I have a custom woodworking business” comment.  Much as with any “specialist”, I get the “OH!  I have a (insert project here)…can you help me?”

Such was the case when Karl approached me last Fall about a table and chairs in need of some love.  The set had been his parents, and had been used as he was growing up, then in his own home with his children, and then passed to his son and daughter-in-law.  Over the course of time, it had been loved and used, and needed some attention.

Dan and Melissa were in the process of relocating and were storing the set at Karl’s.  Before we quite knew what had happened, we had a dining table, 3 leaves, and 6 chairs in the shop, waiting for Dan and Melissa to give us the go-ahead to start the project.

It soon morphed from “refinish the table” to “and recover the chairs” and then “we’d love a table pad to protect it when we use it”.

As we began the process, we quickly discovered that the chairs all needed rebuilt as well as reupholstered. After cleaning everything, and sanding lightly, we repaired the joints on all 6 chairs. The entire table needed sanding due to some severe water marks.  Sadly, the veneer was not in good shape, and we actually ended up redoing the veneer on the tabletop.  We chose a thicker veneer to last for at least another generation, if not 2.

The entire table was finished with a Dark Walnut stain and finished with a Satin Polycrylic, then waxed and buffed the whole thing.

While the work was going on the shop, an upholstery shop was set up at our kitchen table, and my wife reupholstered the seats.

Once completed and assembled, we loaded up and drove 130 miles to deliver and install.  An invitation to join them at the first meal at the table was extended and spaghetti was enjoyed by all.