Techniques for repairing veneer, fixing surface damage, and restoring furniture without rebuilding it.
Parquetry is a timeless woodworking technique. It is most commonly known for wood flooring in herringbone and chevron patterns. However, when combined with veneer, it opens up endless design possibilities for furniture. One of the most striking geometric parquetry patterns is the 3D cube. If you know me, you know I am a fan. These…
If you’re drawn to eye-catching designs, then parquetry and Marquetry are like rare art in furniture form. These two woodworking techniques, with their centuries-old history, are not just techniques, but a privilege to understand and appreciate. Once you grasp the difference, you’ll always distinguish the two techniques, just as I did when I first encountered…
Repairing chipped veneer may seem daunting, but it can be an easy fix with some basic tools and techniques. A veneer is a thin layer of wood applied over a substrate. Over the years, the veneer can become damaged on a piece of furniture. The most common problem is chipped or missing veneer from impact…
It’s a common misconception that working with veneers requires specialized tools like an expensive veneer vacuum press. However, you’ll be pleased to know that most essential wood veneer tools are already in your workshop or readily available at the hardware stores. Whether making minor repairs, replacing edge banding, or swapping out old veneer, let’s explore…
Why is everyone so fearful of refinishing veneer furniture? When I first started refinishing, I was determined to work only with solid wood. Veneer? That felt like a cheap workaround. But after a few weeks of hunting for solid walnut mid-century dressers here in the Netherlands, I realised something important: they either don’t exist or…
Part of what kept me from experimenting with large veneer pieces was the cost of a veneer press or the sheer number of clamps required. While you could opt to work with contact cement, I knew my shaky hands would cause an issue and ruin the finished product. You can purchase iron-on veneer edging, so…
Wood veneer is a key element in vintage furniture and an important skill for refinishers to learn. As we know, a veneer is a thin slice of wood adhered to a substrate material. These veneer sheets are usually not incredibly wide, and therefore a single piece of veneer will often not cover the project you are working…
We have all seen videos about the different methods of removing wood veneer. Usually, the substrate is plywood or even a lesser-quality solid wood. But what about particle board? Can you remove the wood veneer from the particle board? Particle board is an incredibly popular substrate for veneer furniture. It’s a cheap material to which…
Wood veneer is a thin layer of wood applied to a substrate such as particle board or plywood. It allows you to use expensive figured wood to create a dramatic look while cutting costs compared to solid wood. Using natural wood veneers improves consistency in colour and grain pattern across a piece of furniture. Furthermore,…
Refinishing wooden furniture involves learning how to make minor and major repairs. It can be daunting to attempt a repair you have never done before. Heck, I once classified dents and deep scratches as major repairs! Wood filler and paint were my go-to recipes! My gosh, I am so embarrassed to admit that! As I…