VINTAGE FURNITURE - THE JOYS AND IMPERFECTIONS OF THE PAST.

28 January 2011

Dear All

My apology for late posting since last. It has been terribly tough two weeks for us preparing for works to be completed before the Chinese New Year. The wet weather really slowed down our work. As you know, we need really hot weather to shellac and lacquer the wooden pieces and for the paint to dry fast. For this reason, our shipment to Singapore that was initially scheduled for 12 Jan was delayed till 18 Jan. God willing, they arrived safely on 19 Jan.

For many of you, who waited patiently, I'm very grateful. And hope you are happy with the restoration works. At least, I know Han She who received delivery of her retro queen size bed, chest of drawers and art deco 2- door wardrobe, is happy, particulary for the bed with its secret compartment and sliding doors to the headboard cabinet. And thanks for taking the high vintage stool, tall enough for her to reach a light bulb and the top shelf of her library, I'm sure.


We had problem with Nancy 2-door vintage glass cabinet which we replaced with wire netting in front. The door was a bit unbalanced inspite restoration. Sometimes, with vintage pieces, it is really difficult to get the perfection of a new piece and require some tolerance and acceptance of these little imperfections, without compromising the functionality of the piece, of course.


Where restoration of vintage furniture is concerned, sometimes there are certain marks and indentions that refuse to go away or certain missing handles and parts that could no longer be replaced like the original. Just as we accept the imperfections of our loved ones, we should be able to accept the imperfections of old pieces. Its part of their character and charm. Still, where Nancy's cupboard was concerned, we tried our best. We took it back and rerepaired for her and told her that we will take it back if she is not happy. We have yet to receive that call.


The tough week, however, was washed away by an email from Aiai Chong from Kuala Lumpur. We delivered over the weekend her retro 60's sofa set comprising of 3-seater, 2 single seaters and a coffee table. Unlike the usual technics of restoration, we just oiled her pieces after stripping the wood bare, as requested by her. I too am surprised by the result. They turned up beautifully. There is a certain rustic natural look to them. On receipt of the furniture, on Sunday afternoon, she instantly called to thank us and coming back past midnight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore that early Monday morning, I was warmly greeted by this email of hers:

dear sharifah

thanks so much!!! the restoration was beautifully done! i am beyond delighted! the finish is perfect!

and thanks dear, for not charging me for the cushion covers. they are gorgeous. i have attached some quick pics of the furniture in the house for you. will mail you higher res ones and pics the coat stand soon!

thank you so much! you have helped brought back many happy memories!

warmest regards
aiai


Below are vintage furniture that came back from restoration in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and also those newly acquired over the the last two and half weeks. Most of the restored ones have been taken up. But we still have some beautifully restored pieces available. As to the newly acquired, we have some interesting, unique retro and midcentury modern pieces.

This is the set we restored and reupholstered for Aiai Chong.
It belongs to her mum in Bishan, Singapore. We sent it to Malacca for restoration. Upholstery was done in Kuala Lumpur. Though her choice of fabric was simple cream colour, they turned out perfect for the set.

Conserving the legacy of her parents, this restored set now seats
warmly in the living room of Aiai Chong in Kuala Lumpur.

A retro single armchair with different upholstery that we normally do. The initiative to do such cover goes to Hsien Foo. He brought a small booklet
with a picture of an armchair and asked us to copy the same design. We
did exactly that. The result is an elegant midcentury piece.
The upholstery work was not cheap, though.

An midcentury armchair, restored and reupholstered for a pleasant,
young entrepreneur, Stanley.

The 3-seater is also part of the set taken up by Stanley.
The retro solid teak coffee table is available, though.

A pair of beautifully restored retro armchairs. One taken up by Jackie. Anotherby Yael Resnick. Yael has been waiting for this for so long that
she bought the fabric even before the chair was available.

A beautifully restored retro coffee table that was quickly snapped up by
Daniel Tan on the very day the piece arrive in Singapore.

This beautiful art deco 1950's round coffee table was also snapped up
by Saifudin on the same day. If you checked our previous posting,
this coffee table was originally in shocking pink.

A unique art deco coffee table. In relatively good original condition.

A rare find last week was a complete bedroom set of the 60's in unique green flower formica. The set comprise a dresser above, a 2-door wardrobe and a Queen sized bed.

A 2-door solid teak formica wardrobe

A rare formica bed with useful compartments on the headboard.
Part of the set above.

A really lovely retro dresser, with a small side table attached.

An elegant half hexagon dresser with 3 panel foldable mirrors. Taken
up by Adeline. This is the second dresser she bought from us.
Previously, she took up similar half hexagon dresser on a
higher pencil legs.

A retro 1960's solid teak Queen sized bed that we restored for Han She.
She simply loves the sliding doors that open to a compartment at the headboard and a pull down drawer at the side that is seamless
with the headboard.

A vintage 1960's-70 sideboard. Taken up by Stanley.

A beautifully restored retro teak writing desk. Taken up by Mr Koh,
a day after its arrival in Singapore. Quite a few were hoping to see it
after restoration over the weekend. I guess Mr Koh is the lucky one.

An art deco 50's solid teak writing desk, taken up by Saifudin

Another similar art deco writing desk. Restored. Available

A beautifully restored solid teak writing table. The many drawers are
certainly useful. Currently my working table after we sold an equally
beautiful art deco writing desk to Cherlyn and Jamin. Hope to keep
this for a long time.

A sturdy art deco writing desk. Taken up by Cherlyn and Jamin

in its original condition with minor touch up by us. Unlike most
art deco tables which have flat base, this piece is interesting in
that it stands on solid teak legs

A beautiful artdeco bedside table in burmese teak.
One piece only.

An art deco bedside cabinet. Taken up by Saifudin

A round 4 ft or 48 inches in diameter. Restored and available .

A rare hexagon 3 ft marble top table. Beautifully carved
solid mahogany leg. Taken up by Mardiana

A rare midcentury drop leaf dining table with 4 peranakan chairs. The
whole set taken up by Saifudin. Inspite of the generation gap, the
chairs and the table blend in beautifully.

A vintage kopitiam table that has been restored.
Original old marble 30 inches in diameter

A much older uncommon piece compared to the kopitiam table
above. Original marble top.

Square mahjong table with yellow formica top. Solid teak wood.
In good original condition.

A unique sideboard with pedestal legs. Big broad brass and copper
hinges. Solid teak. Taken up by frenchman and wine consultant,
Frederic Baratie.


.

A beautiful art deco 1950's wardrobe cum chest of drawers. Ideal for children or guest room, Originally painted white. We stripped the
paint to reveal the beautiful burmese teak, this period piece
was made of.

A single door art deco wardrobe. Also in solid burmese teak Still
in its original condition.

An art deco 2-door glass wardrobe in already mellowed cream and
brown paints. Solid burmese teak wooden frames. Keep it painted
or have it restored to natural teak finish. Either way, it would
be a lovely piece for those who would love to have a
see-through wardrobe.

My favourite find of the month! A rare vintage showcase of the 40's and 50's.
The best thing about it, is that it is not to big or too deep. Perfect for
storing collectibles and books. Had an offer from someone on the very
day we got it. But this piece, I'm reluctant to part with it for now.

A vintage 1960's display glass cabinet that we substituted with wire mesh,
as requested by Nancy. Remind us of the good old meat safe, isnt it.

A 2-seater french sofa that we reupholstered for Christine. Beautiful isnt it? The wooden frame, originally brown was repainted black. When Cristine could find the black and white striped fabric in Ikea Singapore,
we helped her get it from Ikea, KL. We still have the same 3-seater
and single seater, waiting for that someone's creative touch.

A newly upholstered wing chair with matching ottomon in
soothing green upholstery.

A dainty french armchairs set that was immediately taken up
on the day we got them.

A 2-seater french armchairs, part of the set above, to be reupholstered
for Cristina. Cristina got some lovely french armchairs and sofa from us in the past.

Rare 1920's-40's dining chairs that caught the eye of Mardiana.

Another favourite find of mine. Charming tufted chairs with brass studs.
In good condition.

Authentic mid century dining chairs in original vintage PVC.
5 pcs available.

Vintage bent wood chairs, restored and taken up by Saifudin

A pair of Czcheslovakian bent wood chairs, painted black for Cindy.
Originally in teak colour finish. Looks pretty cool in black.

A thonet rocking chair, recaned and restored for an architect, Shah,
who simply loves thonet furniture. This is his second rocking chair
piece from us.

A vintage sewing machine leg with beautifully cut marble top
Taken up by Cristina.

A collection of genuine clear and coloured crystals, brass lamps and silk lampshades. Not all in perfect conditions, but they certainly
add colours to any place.

A rare brass adjustable standing lamp with white glass lampshade.
In good working condition.

A retro table lamp with brilliant orange shade. Taken up.

A rare sturdy side table with decorative pillars.

A really pretty and elegant art deco side table, restored for Irwin Koh.

A vintage piano bench with restored wooden stands. Need only
good simple upholstery to complete it.

Another 50's solid teak side coffee table, restored for Irwin Koh.

A fine contemporary marble table top coffee table with
solid stainless steel legs.

A fine crafted rattan and cane armchair with cushion seat.
Taken up by Saifudin.

A rare vintage cane coat hanger.

A fine bamboo ladder. Taken up.

A beautiful white decorative stand with mirror.

A decorative white wall stand.

Do you collect this vintage glasses of the 70's? Quite a few I know do.
The are really pretty and come in different designs and colours.
We got quite a few sometimes ago from the son of a shopowner who owned a gift shop in the 70's. These old stocks still in their boxes are
real collectibles. Someone bought 10 boxes at one time from us in KL. Few boxes available. But this one, reserved for Karen Hoh.

Quite a few I know collect vintage pyrex. I, too have , some nice vintage
pyrex that we use everyday. This matching set of white and
mauve green is really pretty. Taken up by Peter, who got
some other vintage pyrex from us sometime ago.

Vintage japanese plate of the 50's and 60's. 2 pieces available.

A blue variation of the above vintage plate. I piece only.

A blue and white porcelain milk jug.

An onyx vase

A dragon jar without hole at the base. Ideal for water plants.

So much for today's posting.

Just to let you know that I'll be away for a week from 29 Jan to 5 February and may not be able to respond to your calls or emails. Thanks for understanding. Our Singapore store will be open this Saturday, 29 Jan for those who would like to collect their pieces before Chinese New Year. Will be closed from 30th Jan - 4th Feb and reopen on 5 February. Our KL store will be closed for 2 days only, from 4-5 February.

Till my next posting, Happy Chinese New Year.

Warmest regards
Sharifah

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Write by: Dj Ganden - Saturday, January 22, 2011