Just The Way It Is: 

The Sanctity of Wood

Sanctity: The state or act of being holy, sacred or saintly. 

 Examples of the rare Koa wood. 

 The question of wood and its finishes has for decades been a hot bed for conversations.  Nothing will cause a mild mannered person to roll eyes and gnash teeth over the altering, replacing or restoration of a finish.  Today's decorating trends only add tender to the fire. 

1. The dealer: "Yes, this is the original finish. You'll note the long white streak on the side? Its been proven to be fecal matter from the Carolina Parakeet. The last known, wild citing of the this bird, was in 1910. So that dates it to at least that time.  Couple this with established history and its construction techniques and we think that it will date to the 1840's.  You could wipe it off but why would you?? Its part of the history. "

2.  The decorator:  "Dark wood is so out of style.  Its weighs down a room and just causes it to be transported to the 1970's.  No one in my field would allow a dark piece of furniture in a room.  It simply isn't done. Yes, of course, I know that this is a Koa wood, but its dark and so sad.   It really would "pop" if it were painted lime green.  It'll be fine sweetie darling, I know the best paint experts." 

3. The collector:  "Its and old finish, certainly it is.  But I want to see that beautiful wood grain.  I know that its poplar wood and that it has a grain painted finish. But, I want to see that wood.  Furniture is all about wood and pristine condition.  I want it to look like it just come from the craftsman's shop.  Yeah, go ahead and strip it off so that wood can shine again."

 Three wildly exaggerated scenes, or are they? I've been to many a show that had old bird poop on a piece of furniture.   I've also seem incredible pieces of wood painted with a modern paint. Sadly, I've seen my fair share of old or original finishes scrubbed or belt sanded into oblivion. The following is my opinion and you should always consult an expert first before you make decision that changes a finish. 

A cruddy, old finish is currently in vogue right now.  And rightly so.  An original finish is like a fine wine, once drunk, its gone. There is no refilling that bottle. If you find that you simply can't live with a cruddy finish, then you should find a piece of furniture that you can live with.  Some will say that if a finish clouds a woods grain then it has out lived it purpose.  I disagree.  I think that its simply another layer of patina. Honestly, I have seen furniture that needs to be gently cleaned.  Come on folks, its poop... in your living room. On the flip side, a piece that is 150 or 200 years old, should not look like its show room new.  I can understand removing a modern finish in favor of an period finish.  But to replace an old finish with a modern poly finish is just wrong and is insulting to an antique piece.  Wood, like silver or metal should have a worn, soft glow to it. It should show those tiny scratches, mars, dings and spots where hands have rubbed and burnished a finish down to the bare wood. This can't be duplicated. ANY sandpaper will destroy glowing feel. Move the piece on to another collector, if you must restore the life force out of a piece of furniture. 

Paint.  We're talking about applying modern paint to an old piece here.  First off, NO fine antique, let a lone a masterpiece or a rare wood should ever be painted. Shop around until you find what you need with out committing this travesty.  However,  this opens the field up for the painting of modern reproductions, reproductions that are from the 1930's to the modern days.  EXCEPT for the really fine AND highly collectible manufacturers like Kittinger, Hendendron, Drexel and pieces made for the historic foundations like Williamsburg or Old Sturbridge Village, or the coveted mid century makers like Wright, Nakashima, Eames, Gershun and several others. Probably 90% of common, mass produced, machine made, Victorian furniture could be painted. Its a personal preference on this one. Check with an expert first. At least Google it!   You know, I see this all the time, in the magazines, a walnut Victorian ladies chair painted  white or hot pink with a funky upholstery and placed in a little girls room.  People will say to me, "Jerry, aren't you horrified??" No, not really, this type of furniture brings, little money in todays market. Some pieces actually look good, great in fact. Besides, I'd rather see it painted and used rather than sent to the junk heap. Paint can always be stripped and if sealed with a light spit coat it will come off easier.  This paint topic is hotly debated and I'm sure I'll catch hell for it either way.  But, it is very, very personal. Remember the adage, First do no harm.