I'm my fathers daughter, I wish!

I really like old furniture especially when it's made from wood.  I especially like oak in the form of the simple low key pieces. The type that  generally comes covered in a nasty dark varnish.  I recently bought a piece  at our local auction and have been reworking it - I learnt how to do this at my fathers side.  He was a serial furniture restorer /upcycler! and collector of bric a brac .... regularly attending the antique markets and auction rooms in Greenwich.  The best treasures though, came from Club Row market in Londons east end.  That's what he called it, but some of you may know it as Brick lane.   He'd be there at 5am to get his bargains and be back in time for breakfast with a car full of old furniture, fresh beigals (not bagels ...but don't get me started on that!), prawns for us and Jellied eels for himself.

He had the tools to deal with any job and the most amazing shed,  a DIY paradise.  In his time he restored boats, built pony traps, miniature gypsy caravans, kitchens! and this, one of my most treasured possessions.  He used to fire it up when i was a child.  Now it's mine, I  just polish (occasionally!) and admire.

Bits and pieces collected from all over, recycled, reclaimed and one of every size!  apologies for the poor copy, it's an old photo, pre-digital so I had to scan the original.

Anyway, here's what I'm working on.  I'm not sure what it's original purpose was, sewing box maybe.  Once the dark varnish is off it'll have that lovely honey coloured shine of old oak and the new owner will decide what they want it to be.

I've done quite a good job on it but I've a lot to live up to, so not quite my fathers daughter but I'm working on it!