Lane Restoration Project is FINALLY Done

I blame Mother Nature for the delay since it has been too damp to finish the lane project I started over a month ago. Right before our last Bay Area storm, however, it was sunny enough for me to put on the finishing touches (aka. Teak Wood Oil) to complete this project once and for all. Although a little harder than that store clerk said I am happy with the results.

The Restoration Continues....

Day three and our little table is starting to show its true colors. After sanding it down last night for what seemed like hours our hearts sank when we discovered several shiny areas where the old varnish remains.

So I have lathered on more stripper to conquer this battle once and for all. My hope is that our naked table will be ready for new coat of stain tomorrow. We'll see.

I am still baffled as to why she said this would be easy.

She Said It Was Easy - Diary of a Restoration Project

The store clerk really did promise that it would be easy. Having found an inexpensive Lane Acclaim tiered table at an antique store in Sacramento I felt it was time to master my skills at learn about refinishing wood furniture. Perhaps it was the eagerness in my eyes but the elderly (yes, she must have been in her mid to late 70s) sales clerk convinced me that the table in front of me was the "one" to practice on. Maybe it was my ego but after hearing that this frail woman found this type of project "easy" I signed up for the challenge.

After a little online research, I ventured off to Cole Hardware today to buy the necessary supplies. Taking advantage of the nice weather outside, I applied my first coat of stripper onto the table outside on our deck.

Then reality set in. After applying the toxic stripping chemicals over and over again I started questioning if the promise of an easy project was just a sales pitch. After three rounds of removal my table looks blistered and sad. Luckily there are some sections where the natural wood is starting to show through so I am encouraged not to abort ship by throwing the table in the dumpster. I am confident that with a few more rounds of stripper and elbow grease, I will win the battle I have waged against the lacquer that has been on this table longer than I have been alive. And hopefully not contract some horrible disease in the process.

But I would not call it easy.

My Buddy Lane

As mentioned in an earlier post I have a fondness for Lane furniture. Launched in the early 1960s, the Acclaim series was America's competition to Danish Modern. I recall a conversation I once had with an older gentleman at an antique mall in the East Bay who mentioned that his first apartment in the late 50s/early 60s was furnished by Lane. I assume Lane's combination of affordability and durability made it the perfect choice for this fellas bachelor pad back in his hay day.

A while back, David & I found this gem at the Alameda Flea Market. With David's gift for haggling, we were able to get the dealer to reduce the price by $50. Not a huge savings but enough to make this purchase a little easier on the wallet. After a weekend spent touching it up, it looks almost new.

Here is what others are saying about my buddy Lane.

Have You Seen Lane?

Without even trying we have started collecting Lane's Acclaim furniture series. Trust me, this was an easy mistake. With its clean lines, creative blend of walnut/oak and durability, we continue to be attracted to this dovetail design over and over again. Launched in 1963, the Acclaim series was the American answer to Danish Modern but at an affordable price. It is hard to believe that the coffee table sitting in my living room right now originally sold for $29.95. But thankfully the affordability of this series increased its popularity and in essence, its availability today.

I am sure the designers never dreamed that their two tiered end table would make a handy place to house a turntable.

Some light reading on the subject.