The Furniture Detective explains how an ornately carved chair could be a one-of-a-kind, partially a product of early 20th century 'carving' shops.
Furniture Detective
Furniture refinishing using guides and experience
Do-it-yourself guides to furniture refinishing are often best paired with your own knowledge gained through your own refinishing experiences.
Furniture Detective: Depression era furniture terms
There is an entire furniture vocabulary related to Depression era furniture, some of which can be applied to items in nearly every American home.
Suite serves as example of Colonial Revival style
After providing valuable historical information about a bedroom suite made by Empire Case Goods, Furniture Detective Fred Taylor suggested the reader visit local auctioneers to get a better idea on value, based on condition.
Dressing table displays classic Art Deco lines
In his latest Furniture Detective column, Fred Taylor explains a bit about the history of Art Deco, while assessing a reader's inquiry about a vanity.
Golden oak server is actually a soap premium
Furniture Detective Fred Taylor provided an interesting 'promotional' history about an oak server, based on ties to Larkin soap products, in response to a reader's recent inquiry.
Reproducing chairs may prove to be lofty goal
As inspired as a recent reader may be to reproduce chairs loosely based on a style of dining chair from the late 18th century, without well-defined skills and a good shop, Furniture Detective Fred Taylor suggests reconsidering.
Durable oak saves the day during the Golden Age
In the most recent Furniture Detective column, Fred tells the story about the rediscovery of something old, in this case: oak, which ended up saving the day.
Baker’s table predates familiar Hoosier cabinets
Furniture Detective Fred Taylor explains a bit of history about a baker's table, which a reader inquired about, thinking it was a Hoosier cabinet.
There’s no such thing as an antique coffee table
In his latest Furniture Detective column, Fred Taylor discusses the benefits that come with understanding “period” furniture and knowing that no matter what anyone tells you, coffee tables are not antiques.