Knobs, knobs, knobs If you want to give a new look to furniture – old or new – consider changing out the drawer and door pulls. It’s an inexpensive way to express yourself and make a piece more fun, stately, elegant or whimsical. Ellen Brotzman, owner of The Top Drawer in downtown Cary’s Ashworth Village, sells hundreds of knobs starting at just a few bucks a piece. In Brotzman’s showroom you’ll find knobs shaped like fish, sun faces, ducks, stoplights and beach balls. Or stately knobs made of pewter, aged bronze, crystal, hand-blown glass, bamboo and leather. “It’s a feast for the eyes in every imaginable shape and color – a fabulous facelift for furniture,” says Brotzman.
Consider the purpose Ask yourself why you’re considering refinishing an older piece of furniture. Do you want to use the piece or sell it? “I never advise people to restore a piece for sale,” says Torrisi. “A lot of times the piece, as nice as it may be, could wind up selling for as much as or less than they paid to have it restored. The piece is worth restoring if you want to keep it. If you want to get rid of it, get rid of it and let the other guy worry about it.” Next, look at quality Look at your piece. What is it made of? Sure signs of quality include dove-tailed joints, solid wood drawer boxes, and pieces joined by pegs or dowels, all of which indicate furniture that will last. “In upholstered pieces, weight can be an indicator of quality,” Torrisi adds. Not true with furniture, though. Even poor quality pieces can be heavy. Newer pieces are often made with synthetic materials such as particle board, composites and wood veneers. If you’re buying brand-new, inspect the piece before you buy. Where was it made? Look at the undersides of a piece where it’s not finished. “I can be fooled sometimes. It’s really hard to tell,” says Torrisi.
66 | caryliving.com
cl 064-067 old versus new.indd 66
8/24/10 4:09:40 PM