Guides
The life of wood & time.
Practical guides for keeping your furniture looking its best between professional restorations — and knowing when it's time to bring a piece in.
Updated July 24, 2026
Florida Humidity and Wood Furniture: What It Does and How to Live With It
Wood moves with the seasons everywhere. On the Gulf coast it moves more, and it moves in both directions — which is what actually damages furniture here.
Read guideUpdated July 24, 2026
How to Remove White Water Rings from Wood Furniture
White rings are usually moisture trapped in the finish, not damage to the wood — which is why they often come out with patience rather than refinishing.
Read guideUpdated July 24, 2026
Is My Furniture Worth Restoring? What to Look At First
Five checks you can do yourself, in about ten minutes, that will tell you most of what a restorer would tell you.
Read guideUpdated July 24, 2026
Lacquer vs. Polyurethane vs. Shellac: Choosing a Wood Finish
The practical differences between the three finishes you're most likely to be offered, and which one suits how a piece will actually be used.
Read guideUpdated July 24, 2026
Refinishing vs. Reupholstering: Which Does Your Piece Need?
The two trades solve different problems and are often confused. A short guide to telling which one your chair or sofa actually needs — or whether it needs both.
Read guideUpdated July 24, 2026
Restore or Replace? How to Decide About a Piece of Furniture
A practical framework for deciding whether a piece is worth restoring, including the cases where the honest answer is that it isn't.
Read guideUpdated July 15, 2026
How to Care for Teak Furniture
A general guide to keeping teak furniture — indoor or outdoor — looking its best between professional refinishing.
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