Eleanor, a 1960s display cabinet from Lee-on-Solent, discovered its way to my workshop, carrying a storied past and a subtle patina of use. Once an adored display case for a granddaughter's collection of antique cameras, the constraints of time and space prompted its eventual relocation - which marked the beginning of my journey with this cherished piece. This was the first piece I ever purchased, and I knew as soon as I saw her what to do, named Eleanor in memory of my mother, infusing the restoration journey with a profound personal passion and dedication.
As I began the initial cleaning and stripping process, the veneer revealed its history, etched by the hands of time. It offered a unique glimpse into the intricate art of ageing, reminding me that while time bestows 'character' upon us all, we don't all mature quite like a fine wine...sadly. Armed with my sprayer I introduced her to a dashing coat of Valspar true black high gloss, giving her the allure of a timeless beauty. The back panel was decoupaged with Gatsby-inspired wallpaper, adding a touch of glamour and sophistication to her renewed design and providing a beautiful backdrop as you peered through her glass doors. I must include the glass door debacle, during this process one door completely smashed, in that instant you could say the glass was half empty quite literally! After hours of searching online and subsequent trips to Bristol and Maidenhead a pair of vintage glass doors were procured. These door were then cut to size and polished by a local craftsman! You’d never have known there was a problem.
Back to Eleanor, after days of searching, I finally found a brass handle that perfectly mirrored the decoupage, and so this was fitted to the black gloss door. Despite the trials and tribulations of this project, I persevered, approaching each challenge with a positive attitude... well, there may have been a few wobbles.
Today, Eleanor stands as a proud, a stunning testament to the beauty of embracing imperfections of the past and transforming them into timeless beauty. Her journey embodies the spirit of reviving treasured pieces from eras gone by, allowing them to breathe new life into modern spaces. As the finishing touches settle, she now waits patiently for her new forever home, ready to grace any space with a touch of history and timeless beauty.
Vintage Gatsby Glamour: Exquisite Restyled 1960s cocktail cabinet - Li – Reduxed Vintage