Ivy Lane Home

Today I am bleaching the entire cabinet. I have some blotchy areas. I use oxalic acid to do this. This is different than using a 2 part wood bleach.

Oxalic acid removes dark water rings and mineral stains with it changing the wood’s natural color.

A 2 part wood bleach is used to chemically strip out the natural wood pigments and tannins for a dramatic blonde or white washed look.

I’m not going for that look. I just want to even out the wood tone.

It can raise the grain because the crystals are mixed with water, so I usually apply it before I sand.

Sanding is next!

Follow along as I take you step by step. You can find the previous episodes on my feed.

Chipped veneer is intimidating, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle you have to solve.

Since this is in a prominent area in one of the front drawers, I decided to do a patch. I picked a piece of veneer that was closest to the coloring and graining of the original.

It won’t be perfect. I’ll likely still have to use a wood fill and then do some blending to make the repair complete but that will come next!

Follow along!

Today we strip the case.

Everyone has their own method that works for them. This is just my method.

Comment “supplies” for a link to all my supplies

Need better paint storage?

These bags from are making a huge difference in my space. The setup is well thought out making it SO easy to transfer my leftover paint from crusty paint cans to the bags for long term storage.

See the comments for the exact ones I got.

Episode 3 - Today I am re-glueing some loose veneer on top.

My method is to score the veneer with a razor, use a putty knife to gently lift the area to get my glue syringe in far enough to dispense the glue. I lift up the opposite side and then use my putty knife to make sure there is plenty of glue. I clean up the excess glue and put a piece of painters tape over the repair. I don’t want the glue that gets squeezed out to stick to the wood I’ll use to clamp the repair. Ask me how I know 🫣

Then I’ll clamp it up trying to create some pressure at the point of the repair. We’ll see.

I’m still workshopping what to do with the hinge mechanism on the left. If you have suggestions, let me know!

Follow along as I refinish this Art deco bar cabinet. ✨

Today we strip. I have a few favorites products I use when I strip a piece. Comment ‘link’ and I’ll send them over.

If you have any ideas on the dual hinge mechanism, let me know. 😉

Tomorrow we’ll glue the loose veneer.

Follow along as I refinish this piece!

Follow along as I refinish this Ronson Art Deco bar cabinet. I bought it for $200. It’s in overall fairly decent condition for its age.

My biggest problem is the dual lid stay is broken. 😞 I’ve been researching a replacement but can’t find anything yet. Suggestions?

My first step will be to strip it.