Sideboard

When we got married in 1984, Mum & Dad offered to buy us a piece of furniture as a wedding present. We chose an oak three-door sideboard made by Royal Oak in Pinetown, just outside Durban. The back is typically made from ply finished with oak veneer, but I asked for a quote on making the back out of solid oak, because I rather liked the conceit rather than the appearance which would typically hidden. The additional cost was so small that there was no contest. The back was made from tongue and groove oak planks so that the back could expand and contract without any fear of damage.

We have enjoyed the sideboard for almost 40 years but it has been looking a little dated. We considered getting rid of it but it is a well-made piece with links back to my Mum and Dad who are no longer alive, so we explored giving it a new lease of life.

The following areas were worked on:

1. The top, with its curved lines, were simplified by planing off the curves. This allowed the beading that was screwed on below to merge seamlessly with the solid top.

2. The top was stripped of its layers of polyurethane and treated with a topping oil.

3. The top moulding of the doors was straightened.

4. The wooden knobs were replaced by gun metal grey metal ones.

5. The doors and carcass were painted using Farrow & Ball's Dix Blue in Valspar Furniture paint.

The inside of the sideboard was left as it had been to preserve some of its history. Thin battens were added to the base in the door frame to make the transition from paint to wood more logical.