826-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 11,2001 Antiques On LINDA WILLIAMS Bedford Co. Correspondent BEDFORD (Bedford Co.) The love of hunting and refinishing antiques led James W. McKenzie of 649 South Juliana Street to write a book. “Antiques on the Cheap,” featured by the Double day Book Club. Retired from Bell Atlantic, McKenzie is an experienced techni cal writer. He and his wife, Wanda, became interested in antiques when residing in Sheperdstown, West Virginia. “Antiques are very expensive,” says McKenzie. “I began buying those that were in bad shape and refinishing them. Then, I could either sell them for a nice profit or keep them for my own collec tion.” The McKenzies found Bedford while attending an Indian Pow Wow at Old Bedford Village. “We drove around the streets and fell in love with the town,” Wanda remembers. “Jim checked out retirement in Pennsylvania and found it to be one of the best.” Jim and Wanda bought a circa 1912 house, which they have been remodeling. Built during the arts and crafts movement, the house had turned dark and dreary. Now, the woodwork is in a lighter hue and blends beautifully with the glistening light fixtures all refinished by Jim. Lovely pieces of Stickley “mission style fur niture” add to the to the timely decor. Chandeliers are in brass and German silver. Both have been polished and lacquered to re tard oxidation. “Some people prefer the dull “patina” look that develops over the years, but we prefer the shine,” Jim says. Some of his secrets for refinishing or restoring are revealed in his book. “I believe in getting supplies where they cost the least,” McKenzie admits. “Wal-Mart probably has everything you will need to refinish an antique.” His formula for cleaning almost any kind of wood is one part white vinegar, one part boiled linseed oil, and one part turpentine. Put it in a jar and shake. The mixture creates a clean smell, not overpowering like many commercial products. Lancaster FjUj^ng The Cheap After going over the furniture with the best steel wool you can find, go over it with the above mixture, let set for five minutes and wipe off. If the wood is not extremely dirty, it may take less time. “I usually don’t completely strip good antiques,” McKenzie says. “Roadshows tell us you can ruin a $lOO,OOO piece of fiirniture. Truth is, there are very few $lOO,OOO pieces of furniture so use your own judgement.” “To bring out the colors in a room, you might want to marbleize,” McKenize continues. “Colors are al ways up to the individual.” In his book, he suggests, acrylic paints use a wet sponge and a dry sponge. “Dry sponge the object first, then wet sponge. You can make an inexpensive item look as though it is solid marble. If it is the look you want to achieve rather then an investment, it can be done with a few dollars. Veining is done with a feather. Turkey feath ers are particularly good for this.” McKenzie also recommends marbleizing for bath rooms, powder rooms, or mantles. “Remember, if you get into antiques to make money,” he adds. “The less you pay, the more prof it!” The same cleaning concoction used on the wood can also be used on most metals. McKenize also restores lighting fixtures, pottery. frames, and paper collectibles.” You might find a chipped piece of Roseville or McCoy pottery and restore for a few pennies a little labor.” He uses epoxy putty and acrylic paints. “You have to mix a lot of paints to get the correct shade, but use your eyes and work in good light,” he said. For those who want to try restoration themselves, Jim suggests haunting yard sales, flea markets, and checking out the trash bar rels at auctions. While showing off a lovely wood frame, he admits, it was a throwaway from an auction. He took the discarded frame home to restore. “The hunt can be the most fun!” Sometimes you have to buy two or three light fixtures in order to get one good one. Look closely at the throwaways, give aways, or inexpensive items. “Is there a part that is usable? A good drawer pull, sturdy legs on an otherwise worn oui table? The hunt is the fun, make the most of it!” “Making an tiques whole again is both a great hobby and good way to make some extra money,” affirms McKenzie. i U,- H M McKenzie pursues his love of antiques by restoring them for dealers or individu als, speaking about them, giv ing demonstrations, or writing. His book, “Antiques on the Cheap,” can be bought at most bookstores. He can be reached at (814) 623-8344 or by e-mail at HY PERLINK mailto:jmcken zie@pennswoods.net jmcken zie@pennswoods.net. The taller piece of pottery that was re stored by McKenzie is a McCoy. The smaller one awaiting a chip repair is Roseville. McKenzie some times buys two fix tures and creates one good one, then polishes and lacquers them to retard oxida tion. At left, two frames, one finished, one un finished. Both bought at an auction for a few dollars. While mi onstration, touches. / rack. , ' w ° *
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers