Gem or Junk - How to pick ‘em: Tips on refabricating furniture projects

I am lucky enough to say I can selectively choose my projects by inspiration now but once upon a time, many factors went into what I would work on.  The stage of discovery was more about finding something lying around and low cost so that I could learn and practice without the guilt of wasting time, energy, or materials. Desperation to inspiration should be the evolution goal of more things in life!

I will never forget the first piece I was commissioned to do. Selling something you have created is awesome but being commissioned and sought after is a whole other experience.  Although I love a good challenge and the complement of someone's trust, commissioned work also presents opportunities of risk.  I had to create a basic checklist to consider when choosing to work on a piece:

• What is it made of?

• What condition is it in?

• Is the juice worth the squeeze?

What is it made of?

I have worked with all sorts of materials but right off the bat, I will tell you that I do not like working with anything made of particle board or MDF.  

Typically by the time MDF needs a makeover, it already has some sort of damage that is unpleasant to work with.  Additionally, moisture, poor build, and poor care are frequent contributors to the short lives of these pieces.  The materials used in these products are not meant to be lifetime pieces but rather temporary and cheap ones under the label of “affordable”.  I have found at least one of those words to be perfectly fitting.

That said, I have been commissioned on more than one occasion to restabilize and revitalize whole sets they still found worthy of new life.  We added in real wood structure as needed and real wood compliments to enrich the quality of what was into what could be.  I would say this is not impossible but often an investment in the desired outcome.  If you love it, something can be done to save some part of it, but you will have to decide if the cost, investment of time, talent, and material is worth it to you!

My preference is real wood all the way.  So many more options are available and typically ones I have not considered continue to open as I work on the piece.  

I have had people ask me to paint things that I felt were perfectly pretty, as well as repair things I thought should hit a dump as they were.  The truth has always been they were the people to best shape their space with their things.  When up to me, I love finding hidden details and highlights - most of all when the piece is lost, abandoned, broken, and overlooked.  These pieces speak to me through potential and I try my hardest to love them back to life.  Finding them great homes is the measure of success to me.  They go from discards to treasures and that is my favorite part. 

What condition is it in? 

While repairing and repurposing are part of the fun there are other factors to consider. It is a priority to identify any necessary repairs. I always look for the funky first. Are there bugs, mold, pest residue, smells, and the like?  These items are tells of a larger problem and not the kind I am willing to take into my household or pass on to yours. Do not be afraid of contact paper, stickers, moisture rings, stains, scratches, etc.. This is all repairable and often hides really good bones of beauty. Does it have major damage like damaged corners, pet chewing and scratches, missing feet, or broken drawers?  All important in deciding if you have the skillset, or patience to learn one while taking on your adventure.  I would advise you not to shy away from this list.  I have learned most of my skills by braving a YouTube video or two and giving a good ol’ college try.  Overcoming these challenges is a victory like no other. The problem is you will not want to sell or give away your new badge of honor so make sure you consider where you will show it off in your house. 

Is the juice worth the squeeze?

If you are trying a project to learn and it's a bonus to create a keeper - go for it!  If you are trying to make a few bucks because money is tight and so is life - go for it with ground rules… set a spending budget, and a realistic sales goal to ensure you recuperate your investment and pay yourself for your time.  My grandma used to say “To thine own self be true”.  This is a fundamental process of knowing your limits.  Every person puts a different value on their time, money, and talents.  I can honestly say even the worst projects turned out to be great lessons.  I did not know how to gauge if it was worth it beyond “Did I leave it better than I found it” and this remains a key goal for me in most aspects of life.  Furniture was my way of learning to see beyond the visible and create a life I enjoy living.  I hope your project teaches you something about YOU, too!