Thrift Store Modern - Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration
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- čas přidán 21. 11. 2019
- Tom Johnson of Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration in Gorham, Maine takes midcentury modern pieces found at local thrift stores from trash to treasure: Dansk kitchenware by Jens Quistgaard, and a small Herman Miller table designed by Charles and Ray Eames. 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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My parents bought the Jens Quistgaard cocktail tray in the early 1960s when they were just married. After I saw this video a couple of years ago, I found the tray on the top shelf of the ladderax and asked my Mum about it. She told me to look for the green glass dishes that sit on top with little nodules on the bases to fit into the squares. I found them somewhere else in the kitchen and fitted them all back on, then put it in a safe place again. It was used to present cocktail snacks. They were a glamorous young couple in the 60s. How nice to see you restoring those design classics.
Thanks! That's great! I believe those with the dishes are highly sought after! You're lucky!
Trash to treasure - another Thomas Johnson miracle!
Thanks!
Lobster, fried clams, the Owl's Head Transportation Museum and Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration videos......some of my favorite things from Maine.
Federal Jacks and Shipyard Ales in Kennebunkport are two for me.
@@robertm4050 I live in NH, but about a decade ago I traveled up to Federal Jacks once a week to DJ there.
@@AJsWargaming That place was great. I haven't been there in nearly 2 decades. They had awesome hand pumped beer in the basement that I thought was so cool. Gotta go camping up there with the kids one day and stop there to eat and drink some good beer.
Thanks! You nailed it! I haven't been to Owl's Head for a few years, got to go back
Me too!
I found a large Ethan Allen dining table at the local thrift store recently for $25. Refinished it and sold it for $600. You may have to look frequently but there are many opportunities for extra cash. These videos have helped me fix issues that I encounter on a regular basis where I may have become frustrated and given up.
Justin Loomis though it was going to say,. Ethan Hunt dining table....
Thanks! I'm so glad to have helped!
I found a large Ethan Allen chair and ottoman on FB marketplace last summer for $150! I cleaned it up for myself with a carpet cleaner/extractor and it sits in my living room now. So far I have just been buying and fixing up furniture for my own home because I have expensive taste and can’t actually afford it new but as my home fills up I think I will continue this habit and make a little side hustle out of it
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Awesome job as always - makes me realize I have a long way to go!!! One thing we did in the Army when shining our boots was to put the polish on and gently go over those areas with a heat gun to melt the polish into the pores/scratches. You had to be careful or you could burn the leather. Filled the voids and made the polishing look awesome!
Oh right... would that be why old-time British soldiers used to rub the polish into their boots with the back of a hot spoon?
Thanks! Wow, I wish I could have tried that on this one
@@Charstring Absolutely! Works a treat!
Outstanding results!!..... One of the best channels on CZcams!!...... 👍.
Thanks!
Yeah. Everything he does turns out beautifully. Like all experts he makes it look so easy.
Guitar picks work really well for scraping stickers off, opening tight jewelry, and anything else that I'm tempted to use my fingernails on.
Thanks! That's a good idea!
Dank rainy day outside, but with a Thomas Johnson video! and hot cup of coffee and nice cup of chicken soup! what could be better!. three more items rescued from the foils and fate. Well done. and thank you for sharing.
You're welcome! That does sound good!
What a pleasure to see real restoration instead of spray paint and new tops from Ikea!
Thanks!
They look Great! It's also wonderful to see you preserving things from our generation (the Herman Miller plant is just next door to our town)....You interest shows the true depth of your understanding of historical items.
Thank you!
Beautiful. I never would have guessed that the wood handles would end up matching the glossy brown enamel! Beautiful original design.
Thank you very much! I really want those sauce pans!
Such beautiful designs! I think that Mainiacs don’t appreciate modern design. You are a true conservator.
Thanks! The Mainiacs might surprise you!
Hey, we finally got to see what the owner of the items thought of the work.
Thanks!
Between taking care of my manic Australian Shepherd, looking for Purell and toilet paper, completing my ever long “honey-do list”, and complaining about not being able to get back to the Appalachian Trail because they’ve officially closed it due to Covid19, I’ve rediscovered the simple joy of restoring my old woodworking handtools and my tag sale, thrift store and curb finds....and again, your outstanding videos. I particularly liked that in this one, you’ve seen value in these simple mid-century modern/Danish items. Bravo-Zulu, sir. Wishing you those close to you good health and high happiness!
Thank you! I appreciate it. I don't get shutting down the trail.
@@johnsonrestoration Essentially, the ATC and AMC - and USFS, NPS and NGO partners -- strongly recommended that hikers curtail backpacking the AT due to the fact that it (if it is needed) puts undue stressors on a small town’s rescue and medical services (as they potentially will be focused on responding to Covid), plus hikers naturally congregate at shelter / campsite spots (thus potentially increasing Covid spread), and due to Covid, many small town resupply points (stores, restaurants and hostels) will be closed (again due to Covid).
When I first saw the objects I thought they looked pretty good and that we might not get some oxalic action, but then BAM, right off the bat!
Thanks! Oh yeah!
I love watching you as you explain your thought process in deciding how to approach each unique set of problems. I'm inspired to look for something to practice on next time I'm at my local thrift store.
When I'm removing stickers, I usually use an old credit card or my glass scraper and my hair dryer.
Thanks! Yes, good advice on the stickers
Always impress by how you pull things apart and get them back together
Thanks!
Enjoyed the video Tom. The scenery is beautiful with the wild turkeys and colorful leaves. I really like a good thrift store find too. Thanks for the video. Y'all take care and God bless.
Thanks!
Lighter fluid works wonders for taking off stickers, since it evaporates very quickly. I appreciate you doing this particular video as many people are probably familiar with the mid century modern items more than the antiques. I prefer antiques, but we all grew up with these sort of kitchenware and tables.
Thanks! Yes, I'm lean toward traditional but I have a lot of respect for the Mid Century Modern
Always a pleasure to watch your channel Tom
Thanks!
I just love your videos. There is something about them that is pure Zen. Thank you 💙
You're welcome!
Oh my, I haven’t heard of the shoe polish trick in decades. Great example of how you have to think out of the box when restoring an item!
Thanks!
I knew someone who filled in deep scratches on an old piano with the wax from a couple different brown crayons.
It's really a pleasure to see you fit these beautiful pieces.
Thanks!
Another great lesson from a master craftsman, thank you Thomas for sharing your wealth of knowledge.
You're welcome!
Those were some awesome thrift store finds. Love how the handles looked. That teak tray is really a treasure. Great job, as usual. Thanks. :)
You're welcome!
Very impressed with the little table by Eames. Great find!
Yes! It was Thanks!
Fab as always Tom. I love these curbside or thrift find restore vids the most. what a lucky find. Helps to have the eye to spot the good stuff.
Thanks!
Gee I am so happy I found your channel you're incredible. Thank you for all you do for us.
You're welcome!
I like the way that you treat everything the same, be it a valuable antique or a thrift shop piece. Kudos
Thank you! I do - and I'm glad that people recognize that
Some really great finds you have there and as always, you make them beautiful. I do enjoy the nature and animal parts of the video too. All the best to you!
Thank you!
Nice one Young Thomas. Amazing what you can pick up from these Thrift and second hand furniture stores!
Thanks! I think of all the stuff we miss
I love when you share your dry spell tips with us. Nothing better I'd rather watch right now. Big Thanks.
You're welcome!
Refinishing is so satisfying. Lively work.
Thanks!
You find beautiful stuff at the thrift stores. And yes, I still covet that tray from your previous video.... So pretty. ❤️
Thanks!
Nice to see some diversity in your work. And something I can do at home, too!
Thanks!
As always, great techniques and tips. Thanks, Tom.
You're welcome!
Those are great pieces! So glad you rescued them!
Me too! Thanks!
Work of Art!! So impressed!
Thank you!
Thank you so much!!! Have a Copco skillet with a wood handle. Needs attention. Met Charles and Rae Eames as was invited to lunch at their studio in Venice. Early 70's.
Wow! I didn't know they were in Venice! Good luck with that handle!
I love how the pooch is laying in the sunbeam ❤️
Thanks! We should all do that more often!
Hi Tom; for tricky stickers I always find acetate (nail polish remover) does a great job.
Thanks for another wonderful video!
Thanks! Yes, that's acetone, and will work but you have to be careful of the finish!
Great finds Tom! Of course you did a fantastic job restoring them. Mid century isn’t my style at all but I still have to watch your videos!!!!
Thanks! It's not mine either but I still greatly admire it
Looks like you were having a great deal of fun coming up with solutions. and being mildly stunned by furniture slides... Very nice saucepans. Thanks for making and sharing this video.
You're welcome! Yes, I loved those sauce pans!
Always look forward to you posting new videos! Your experience with restoring and finishing is so valuable and it's not always knowing what to do with a particular job but often times having the knowledge and experience of knowing what not to do!! ✝🕎
Well put!
Really nice restoration and rejuvenation! 👏👏👍
Thanks!
you are definitly " the master " tom of tips / trick of the trade .. great save yet again.. ;];]
Thanks!
Lovely to see the sun in your work space
It really is! I wish I had even more windows!
Always a joy to watch. As far as getting the stickers off, I use lighter fluid. It softens the glue effortlessly. I them left a corner of the sticker up with a razor blade & off they come. Squirt some more in a soft paper towel and quickly swipe the surface to remove any left over residue. I use this process on dust jackets of old or new books with stickers.
Thanks! It sounds crazy but I'll try it!
Love the refinish of the teak items. Learning from you how to care for a few of my teak trays. Great idea with the shoe polish for the small table laminate top. I am keeping notes in a 3 ring binder, this senior wants to learn more on what is of interest at this stage of my life, hope to share with my adult children how to care for their wood furniture. Looking forward to more of your tips.
Thanks! Good idea about the notes, I should do a video about how to care for your furniture
I second that, best wood restoration on any platform!
Thank you! I appreciate it
Really nice work. Whether old antique or modern you do make it look easy. Keep it up.
Thanks! I will
That was a fun video. My father used to travel quite a bit, and he always made a point of stopping in the thrift stores and markets throughout his travels. He never bought just to buy, but from time to time he would come home with some pretty amazing finds. One of those items, which he brought home almost 35 years ago, sits on my desk.
Thanks! That's great! It must be nice to think of your father when seeing the object
Thank you! Beautiful work, and it really does my heart good to see you do your magic in bringing back life to donated items. You also solved a problem for me. I have a step-style end table made of rattan and with Formica tops of the same era. The entire piece is in great condition (considering how rowdy my siblings and I were around the house) except I have the same problem with the tops that you have, scratches in the Formica, and overall loss of luster. Only mine has a wood-grained pattern to it. I am going to try your shoe wax trick.
You're welcome! I hope it works
Wow, that acid treatment and varnish finish makes a really nice restoration. Thanks for sharing this Tom. Scott
You're welcome! I loved your video on vector clamping! Thanks!
@@johnsonrestoration Thanks Tom, I appreciate that! Scott
Tom Johnson-you give me the confidence to take on a restoration project I've been putting off
Didn't think I had it in me
Now I do
Thank you!
You're welcome! Good luck!
You do such fantastic work. I love to watch your videos.
Thanks for watching!
Truly beautiful Tom!!
Thank you!
Mr. Johnson, wonderful video. It is nice to see thrift store finds that are very affordable being brought back to a usable life. I do enjoy your restorations, but its nice to see something done with non-family heirlooms that could be purchased by anyone.. Thank you for sharing!! :)
You're welcome!
I am new to your channel. My father was a master restorationist. Had he lived to these days, I am sure he would enjoy your channel a great deal. I like seeing both the antiques, and the mid century items.
Thanks! I wish my Dad could see these videos too!
Gorgeous pieces..
Thank you!
Your channel makes me happy. I bought some of you beeswax polish and it's fantastic, too!
Great! Thanks for watching!
Bowling alley wax? WOW. I thought I’d seen everything from your bag of tricks....made my day!
Thanks! Good stuff! I always like to use the old fashioned products
Great job, Tom. Thanks.
You're welcome!
Excelente!!!, gracias, sr. Johnson por este video. Las piezas quedaron hermosas. Saludos desde Montreal
¡Gracias! ¡Y hola a Montreal! ¡Me encanta allí!
Greetings from MA. Thanks for the videos and knowledge, have a Happy Thanksgiving!
You're welcome! And you too!
I'm glad you took the sensitive approach to the Eames table. Some not knowing the real value of this could have butchered it. Especially saving the label increases the value of the piece. That little table being an original Eames/Herman Miller could fetch a hefty sum. Glad you found it and another great restoration Thomas! Thank you for sharing.
You're welcome! Yes, the label is everything!
Great video as usual. I'm going to get myself some of that orange oil and wax. I've been restoring teak items with teak oil and yours looks so much better.
Thanks! It's Howard's Feed N Wax www.howardproducts.com/product/feed-n-wax-wood-polish-and-conditioner/
Shows with a bit of elbow work and know how trash can become treasures..I love the tray and table ,those came out amazing ,the handles on the pots probably look better now than they did when they were new 😀
Thanks! It's amazing what you can find at Goodwill!
Thanks for posting.....deeply satisfying!
You're welcome!
Great video! The Herman Miller plant is not far from here. Glad to see some of their smalls. Great job!!
Thanks! I wonder if they do tours, or have a "museum"
As always, a lovely demonstration of bringing something back to life. I wonder who'd be daft enough to put finished wood into a dishwasher in the first place. Ah well. Great to see you were able to restore those pot handles - giving them a wet sanding at the end was an excellent idea. Thank you.
Thanks! Believe it or not, I have come to believe that MOST people put wooden handles in the dishwasher
I love the lattice tray, I must do some searching at car boots and thrift stores to see if I can find a few goodies.
Thanks! They're out there! It's fun just looking for them!
Beautiful!!
Thank you! 😊
Great work and hugely interesting! Thankyou ! XXX
You're welcome!
Hi mr johnson just been looking at some of you repairs i must say i have leaned alot for them iv been doing antique upholstery and repairs to furniture in the uk best regards keith
Thanks for watching!
Nice find wow I've used shoe wax before to works very well as always another great video
Thanks!
I managed to find a tray that is quite similar to yours, but may be slightly smaller. Mine came with small blue glass square bowls. I wonder if they are still in that thift store? They have glass feet that fit into the trellis work. It's stable and very functional. Bought mine as a Christmas gift for my sister. Great inspiration. Thanks Thomas.
Thanks! The bowls sound intriguing! I will look for them
Just stumbled across your channel on my feed. Subbed after the first minute or so in. Nice shop and excellent job on those beautiful but worn out pieces that now have new life. They went to the right person! : )
Thanks!
This is a very cool video, Tom. Practical salvaging skills. I got a chuckle out of the 36 cent can of shoe polish which you produced magically after decades. Most people have a hard time finding stuff they use all the time.
Thanks! Oh yeah, it was a miracle! But I use my shoe shine kit a couple of times a year,As kids we had to polish our shoes every Saturday night for church the next day. Remember when people actually dressed for church! Remember when you got dressed up to go to the airport?
@@johnsonrestoration I sure do! I was surprised there was no dust and not even a hint of rust on that old tin of shoe polish. It still looked brand new. I can't even remember when I last saw a shoe shine kit. Maybe one my dad had fifty years ago.
although just a piece of cake comparing to other Thomas Johnson projects, it's enjoyable to watch. thanks!
You're welcome again! have a great New Year!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Good video.
You're welcome!
They do look good. The end finish on the Dansk container handles was remarkable. In reference to getting off sticky labels, as an Australian my first thought would be eucalyptus oil. I know the State Library of NSW used it for removing sellotape from items in its collection - and I have also see it used to de-rust a portable steam traction engine!
Interesting! I'll have to try that. I think any oil or oily substance would work
thankyou thomas enjoyed your video.
You're welcome!
Thomas- first thanks for a great channel. I’ve done a ton of fabrication with high-pressure laminate (mostly kitchen countertops). Something I learned over 30 yrs ago at a Formica-sponsored clinic, HPL actually is somewhat porous and can be glued (for repair situations) with yellow glue. They recommended something water-resistant so today that means Titebond II or III. In repair situations in a kitchen this is 1000% more convenient than trying to work epoxy or contact adhesives into a loose seam. Secondly if contact adhesives were used initially, they can often be reactivated with gentle heat alone.
Thank you! That's good info. I rarely have to deal with laminates, but it's nice to know they can be repaired
Another great thrift score Thomas! An LTR table is something I've always wanted.
Thanks! What's LTR?
@@johnsonrestoration it's the name of the Eames table. LTR stands for something, 'L' definitely stands for "Low" and guessing 'T' stands for Table, the 'R' I can't remember right now.
Great video - and great eye in picking these for "pink sticker" prices. Thank you, Thomas!
Even though the table is probably the most valuable of the lot, I really don't like the design. The tray, on the other hand, really appeals; Ikea is still making some cheap furniture pieces with the same "trellis" type technique, minus the expensive curved ends; they look lovely once sanded and oiled.
Thanks! I like the tray too, but for me the sauce pans are the most useful, we do a lot of cooking
Great video!!
Thanks!
😂😂 I first learned the shoe polish trick in Navy bootcamp the summer of 67 and have used it ever since. A little shoe polish on minor scratches can cover a multitude of ‘sins’. I’ve seen a number of items in Thrift stores that would clean up quite well. I’m working on one now for my granddaughter. Those turned out pretty good ... 😎
Thanks! I'm glad you're saving stuff too!
They look pretty good!😁
Thanks!
Ah, the trusty Swiss Army Knife - my go-to knife - leaves no scratches!
Yes! The executive model is my favorite - it's the smallest one with a tooth pick and tweezers. I've had one in my pocket for the last 45 years! On my 3rd one!
Great results Tom! The stickers sure can be a pain. I've used a paste of vegetable oil and bicarbonate of soda applied and left for a while (overnight if you have the time, but an hour or so if not) and that brings it all off perfectly.
Thanks! Great tip! I know oil works well on a lot of things but first time I've heard of baking soda - I'll try it!
Dreaming of trift stores. Very nice agian.
Thanks! We're lucky, we have a Goodwill warehouse. It does get wild in there though! Everything is sold by the pound
A little safety tip: When I use a hole saw I always let the drill come to a full stop before I withdraw it from the material. Once I didn't and the plug dropped out and went flying at a high velocity across the shop, hit the wall and split in two. Since I saw the power in that projectile I've always let the drill come to a stop first.
Thanks! Noted!
Great video .
Thanks!
Ah, the smell of burnt MDF at 7:34. Brings back the memories.
Oh yeah!
I like what you are doing sir, keep doing your thing
Thanks! I hope to!
Love that tray but the sauce pots are definitely my favorite of your finds. The video quality is vastly superior to previous older vids of yours I have watched.
Thanks! Yes, those sauce pans are the best! We keep trying to improve
Nice work! Just wanted to suggest that Kampel seamfil color kits you can get for filling in scratches and chips in laminate. It's a type of plastic filler and dries in minutes and cleans up with lacquer thinner. Have used this product for years when we find flaws in countertops. You can buy this where they sell laminate or online. Hope that helps for another project. Thanks for your awesome video!
Wow! Thank you! It never occurred to me to look for something made for this purpose. I'll know next time
@@johnsonrestoration yup and also you can mix colors to achieve the color you need to blend in. If I'm not mistaken there is also a color chart to help with color matching. Good luck!!
For metal or varnished surfaces, WD 40 works great as an adhesive/label remover. Thanks for sharing your fine work!!
Great tip! Thanks! If a sticker is on something that you're going to refinish, you shouldn't use WD
Tom, really nice results. I'm wondering, since the laminate on the table is plastic based, whether some rubbing compound and a buffing wheel would have removed the majority of the scratches? Thanks for the video!
Thanks! I've tried that before, doesn't work. The plastic is too hard