Repairing a Thrift Store Mirror - Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration
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- čas přidán 13. 06. 2019
- Tom Johnson of Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration in Gorham, Maine restores this antique 19th c. ogee mirror of the American Empire period, found for a song at a charity shop here in Maine. Tom has been restoring furniture professionally since 1979. Visit our website at www.thomasjohnsonrestoration.com, or write us at thomasjohnsonrestoration@gmail.com. And for those on the west coast looking for custom framing, be sure to check out Tom's daughter's shop, www.emcollier.com (@emcollierframes on Instagram).
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I love your videos , I really liked how you kept that little bit of writing on the back , it is such a thrill when you buy antique furniture when you find a little something left behind from past owners , I also love the way you keep as much of its originality as possible , your restoration is so gentle to the piece you are working on you are a true master , thanks for sharing and saving these beautiful pieces .
You're welcome! I appreciate your comments
I think I can speak for all of us when I say you are indeed the best at what you do . Superb workmanship and beautifully detailed commentary explaining everything . Thank you so much Tom.
You're welcome!
Your videos are excellent. You make me feel like a kid again watching my father working on different projects. Over 70 years ago and still fresh in my mind, thanks to you. Love your supporting cast of animals. Best wishes.
Thank you! I love it when my videos can evoke these old memories. I'm thinking of my dad often
That mirror could not have fallen into better hands. I love that you put as much care into a modest mirror as into a priceless antique. The result is outstanding… as always.
Thank you! 😊
Great work Tom. Just loved the intro with your fur friends and your dog clearly loves you enough to fall asleep on a cold shed floor. The final shot of you checking your look in the mirror was classic. It's so Lively to see these precious skills of yours being shared with those of us with neither said skills or sheds!! Thankyou.
Emily Liberty.
You're welcome!
This is therapy for me. It’s your demeanor and quality of work that genuinely calm my mind. Thank you Tom.
You're welcome!
I love watching the beginning to see what animals you have to share with us!
Thanks!
It amazes me how easy you make it look. It shows a great deal of knowledge about restoring antiques. It was my favorite pastime
Thanks!
Another wonderful video Thomas, never thought that one day I would so enjoy watching glue dry !!! great job !
Thanks! That's good, you made me realize that's exactly what I do!
I have this exact mirror! Same dimensions, same veneer, everything. Despite my very amateurish attempt to replace some of the veneer about 25 years ago, I still love it and it hangs in my living room.
That's great! They are very handsome frames. I wonder how many of these were produced, and by whom? Could it have been an early 19th century production line operation? That's about the time they started figuring out these production methods
I also have a mirror that looksvery similar to this too. The glass though is bad, with streaks and splotches so that everything looks kind of blurry. I love it
I've seen so many old pieces I thought were unrepairable. It is great to see it is possible for some of these pieces to get new and beautiful life restored! thanks for being one of the soldiers standing against a throw away world!
I like that "soldiers" bit! Thanks!
Fine piece of work Thomas? Cannot understand why you do not have more subscribers. The high grade of perfection you reach in your work, combined with your calm and sympathetic way of presentation, deserves a much larger public. Thanks for downloading this. Rgds from Germany, Robert.
Thank you Robert! Well, I'm getting more all the time. Share!
Well worth the money, Thomas. I love to see items like this restored instead of dumped. Great job as usual. Regards, Solomon
Thanks Solomon! So many things must end up in the dump, it's sad
Just found your channel and now I'm binge-watching on a cold damp day. Whoever does your camera work is to be commended also. Wonderful close-ups, especially that 200-year old nail!
Subscribed and looking forward to watching more. Thanks for taking the time to show us how restoration should be done
You're welcome! And welcome to the channel! I do the photography and Nick Barker does the editing.
The generations that have looked into that mirror.... what a lovely piece to hang on your wall, great work Tom.
Thanks!
Mr. Johnson, you a conservation artist. You inspire us, your followers. Thank you, John.
You’re welcome!
@@johnsonrestoration I envy you living in Ghoram Maine. That is a wonderful area of the country. Please forgive my grammatical error in my first post. I am a terrible typist and an even worse proof reader. Happy Thanksgiving. John
Excellent work Tom! Your attention to detail is incredibly admirable. Thank you for taking my suggestion and telling us how many hours go into each repair. It makes us appreciate your hard work even more.
Thanks! I take people's suggestions to heart, although I often forget to say the hours
I learn something new every time I watch you. Thank you Sir.
You're welcome!
I'm sure the person who made this beautiful piece would be so happy to know it's even more beautiful since you worked your magic on it.
Thanks! I think so! I hope so!
OMGoodness! You meticulous attention to detail and commitment to using as much of the original materials as possible is very impressive.$4.00 + TJAFR= $4,000+! Thank you so very much for saving these masterpieces!
Thank you! 😊
Thomas Thank you so much for posting these vids.. They are a joy to watch... Thank you from the UK
You're welcome!
Incredible job! I really enjoy the longer videos. Thanks, Tom!
You're welcome!
Tom works slowly and carefully . That was a nice ,not too obtrusive, restoration . Sometimes other restorers go too far . I have never seen Tom go overboard .Bravo Tom.
Thank you!
My compliments on your craftsmanship. As well, compliments to whoever is doing the photography! Excellent work both of you.
Thanks! That would be me! I appreciate it
Woooooow this mirror back to life
You always do a stunning work
Thank you!
When you left the finished mirror standing on the table at the end of the video, my anxiety jumped up about 10 levels.
Sorry! It was well supported from behind!
What an artisan you are! When I watch your videos, I have the same reaction I do when I watch an orchestra playing classical music -- as long as people like you exist and create, there is hope for the civilized world.
Thank you! I appreciate your kind words
I almays particularly enjoy and admire Tom's patient custom-making pieces of missing veneer pieces on his antique restroration projects. Thank you.
You're welcome! I appreciate it!
The masking tape hinges for the veneer are genius!
Thanks!
I love the restoration of found pieces like this. Curb finds ect
Yes! I love saving things that were headed to the dump!
@@johnsonrestoration I'd like to see you save one after it's been saved. For instance the beautiful natural wood pieces painted white/pink ect in "recycle/reuse" life. Such a tragedy.
I just came across your videos a little over a week ago. I am hooked! I absolutely love watching restore these pieces of history! I find it fascinating and amazing. Very impressed, very!
Thank you!
Hello Tom. You seemed to do this simply for the pleasure. Someone who does this for a living and still does it just to do it is truly fortunate. Thank you for these videos.
Thanks! This I did just to do. But in all my other videos these are for customers, and I have to make money doing it!
Beautiful work Tom as always,love watching your videos.
Thanks!
I second this! I always chuckle a little when Tom shows these exquisite pieces after they have received the care of his precise, professional, talented hands:
"It looks pretty good."
Tom, it is absolute stunning, truly.
Beautiful job! And funny how you fixed your “hair” at the end.. 😆
Your videos are one of the very few I get excited about appearing in my cue
Thank you! Did you really have to put quotation marks around hair?
@@johnsonrestoration You reminded me of a 15 year old boy getting ready to go out -- and I'm sure you had hair then
@@firecracker4151: Just remember: Grass doesn't grow on a busy street.
He "looks pretty good".
Absolutely beautiful...thanks for your continued videos.
You are very welcome!
What a great find! We don’t have antique finds like this in thrift shops here in Australia. It would be $30 for a plastic second hand one here. I aspire to have some skills like you one day. I could watch the whole 6 hours on video you said you put into it , you are so relaxing to watch plus I always learn something. Thank you for the effort and time you put into your videos.
You're welcome! and thanks for watching!
A true master. Thank you for another video lesson.
You're welcome!
Great work as usual Young Thomas! (Patience of a saint!!) ha ha!
Thanks! I don't know where the patience comes from!
Absolutely beautiful piece! I love seeing your
true artistry with close-ups of your skilled hands
@ work!
Thank you!
You're welcome!
I love it when you do the small thrifted items. That turned out beautiful.
Thanks!
It's interesting that while seeing you repairing wood it's not always what you do, but what you do NOT do, that makes the difference in the finished project.
Thank you! I like that
Tom checking his hair :).
Legend!
Think SNL's Californians
So pleased that this lovely mirror came into your capable hands and you were able to make it glorious again.
Thank you!
Amazing work Tom, your attention to detail & finishing is stunning!
Thanks!
As always, a pretty good reflection on (of) you!
Good one! Thanks!
Thomas Johnson thank you great for Tutorial, admiro art of wood ,create ,restore and reveal beauty old peace ,thank you
You"re welcome!
My admiration for you and the work you do grows every time I see you take on another veneer repair/stain match. Amazing work.
Thanks!
Thank you Thomas for another Master Class in antique furniture restoration.
You're welcome!
It looks amazingly good Tom...four dollars...I must be shopping in all the wrong places and attending the wrong sales!
Dave
Thanks! This one was from the Goodwill warehouse store!
Here in New England you can find many examples of this type of Empire style furniture at flea markets and antique stores. Quite common here in the New England area as opposed to other areas of the US.
very well done!
there's that "historical" sticker on the back with who bought it from whom... just for shits and giggles i'd have added my own sticker "picked up at a thrift store on (date) and restored by thomas johnson. estimated value (however much it's worth now)".
You know, that's a good idea! Why not? I'll ask the owner if it's OK, I think they won't mind a bit!
@@johnsonrestoration and while you do that: tell them to add a sticker of their own. this way some future owner will know at least a bit of the piece's history!
Missed you Tom! Beautiful work, simple but outstanding piece, thanks for posting it! Cheers
Thanks again! I appreciate you watching!
So glad to see your channel up and running again. I have enjoyed your videos for years. It is great to see such a skilled craftsman at work and I appreciate you sharing your work and your animal friends with us.
Thank you! And I appreciate you watching!
Nice work. Some people won't realise the cost of the years of experience that stand behind those six hours of labour and the value of the end product.
Well, when you do the same thing as the original manufacture did & re-use too large nails, that is not experience, that's slop.
Thanks! You're right!
Thanks for watching! Well, I can't think there's anything wrong with putting back a nail that appears to be original. The hole is there, what are you going to do?
Ever the optimist, Tom... You say it's "in really good condition", then immediately list a whole series of problems! Anyway, fine work as always.
Thanks! Well, it was good enough that it could still be used as a mirror! But I can always find problems!
Amazing! Love it. You have such a gift. Reminds me of my Uncle Stan and my Great Uncle Harry. Both got me into woodworking at a young age. 🧡
Thanks! I'm glad you took advantage of the opportunity!
What fantastic work, Tom. That mirror came up beautifully 👍
Thanks! That reminds me I've got to go shave........
Tom, I am continually amazed at how receptive to re-gluing and re-attachment the fragile original veneer is to restoration. I've peeled off loose bubbled veneer and started over thinking the tiny bits and pieces weren't salvagable. You make it look easy. The difference between a amateur and a true pro - heart! I should be braver!
Thanks! Yeah, you have to dive into it! For me, the pressure's on when the camera is rolling!
When you're hammering a nail almost 200 years old back in, do you find yourself imagining who the original man who hammered it in, was like?
Oh Yes! All the time!
Yes and don't forget the person,(probably a child or a woman), who hammered that nail into shape on an anvil.
@@jonka1 And the children who hauled the ore out of the mine in New Hampshire.
It's always a pleasure to watch a true craftsman at work ... thank you.
You're welcome!
It always makes me smile when you say it looks pretty good, well i can tell you it is more like amazing as always with your work. Thank you Tom, the most understated craftsman, well done sir.
Thank you!
"Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the fairest one of all..?"
Yes, if it could only talk. Somehow I don't think it would be me!
you?
I'd be curious to know if the thrift store would still have asked $4 if they saw the finished project.
Extra thumbs up for the puppy at 22:54
Thanks!
The finish work you did really brought it back to life.
Thanks! yes, it did!
I appreciate that you even show the little things that didn't quite go to plan...many thanks for the uploads.
You're welcome!
Thanks as always for your videos! What craftsmanship! 👏👏👏
You’re welcome!
You Sir are an artist, a restorer and a scientist. You certainly have my admiration and respect.
God bless you.
Thank you! So kind! I appreciate it
I jump with joy every time I see a video from you in the queue. It inspires me to carry on with my own wood working, and to be patient with it, to do it right. Thank you for sharing your work!
You're welcome!
Beautiful work and result. Thank you for showing us
You’re welcome!
Thank you Thomas! Another exemple of how you restore antiques with respect and craftsmanship. Cheers from Belgium
You're welcome! And hello to Belgium!
I really enjoyed your video. It's lovely in these days of throw-away to see restoration so conscientiously and patiently done. Gives me some hope for the future.
Thank you!
The work you do is amazing! Absolutely love it!!!
Thanks!
Oh this is just joyous! To watch a true craftsman at work is a wonder. Well done sir!
Thank you!
Really great restoration job. So glad to share this experience
Thank you!
love the creative but simple solutions. Truly an artist.
Thanks!
Very nice work, as always! And thanks for sharing video of your critters, too!
You're welcome!
What a lovely find! So glad it was rescued, and came under your gentle, loving expertise! Restored to its full, original beauty!!
Thanks!
Congratulations on 50K subscribers Thomas! I love your videos, they are so informative and have a peaceful quality as shown from the wildlife around your place there in Maine. It's important to keep the history of a piece of furniture intact by restoration, and your perform that on this channel with your expertise. Thank you for your channel.
You're welcome! I appreciate it!
Loved watching how you tenderly restored this mirror.
It is a very nice piece....1830! Six hous of labor!
Wow!
Thank you very much!
Once again excellent work showing your attention to detail!
Thanks!
Once again a terrific job 👍... keep them coming Tom. 🍀
Thanks! I will!
Love your attention to detail. The mirror looks beautiful
Thanks!
Stunning! Your Deep Appreciation and passion for Antiques shows in every restoration! I have been admiring all you Professional Detail Work. Thank You for posting another fine Video!
You're welcome!
Lovely! What a find, and a great restoration.
Thanks!
You lovingly repaired this mirror. It looked fantastic! I love how you do your best, but don't stress about something that just isn't ever going to be perfect!
Thanks!
A beautiful piece of antique furniture brought back to life by skilled hands .. Thank you Tom.
You're welcome!
Your love and respect for animals, antiques , and history is awesome. Lovely watchdog was a delightful presence. Thank you for sharing skills and knowledge.
You're welcome! And thanks for watching!
Love the beginning of your show. Mirror absolutely beautiful.
Thanks!
Nice work as usual! Thanks for taking the time to show the world these old pieces are worth saving.
You're welcome! I appreciate it!
Thank you for saving this beautiful piece of history. I'm learning so much from you and U also thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills with us all
You're welcome!
Such beautiful work. Found you by chance and can’t stop watching.
Thanks!
Only my 2nd video, but I love your channel. It's a real privilege watching such a skilled person as yourself work. The mirror turned out beautifully. Can't wait to watch more videos!
Thanks! I am a huge fan of Annie Oakley after watching the show about her on PBS American Masters. So I'm wondering why you have adopted that moniker?
Pure genius a pleasure to see a craftsman at work. Thank you Mr Johnson
You're welcome!
Looks spectacular!! Love your doggy.
Thanks! me too!
You did a really beautiful job of this mirror. You are truly a master craftsman.
Thank you!
This mirror looks amazing you do beautiful work .
Thank you so much! 🤗
Restoration .... you are an artist in doing this!
Thank you!
wow! that polish technique brings out the real beauty great job!
Thanks! Yes, I like the polishing too
Very nice mirror. You did a wonderful job cleaning it up and restoring it.
Thanks!
Beautiful!, I've got to visit the local charity shop more often, what a great find!
You should! Thanks!
Quite the difference from start to finish. So nice. Your craftsmanship is exceptional.
Thank you!