This 12-drawer Alrob lowboy had been painted three times over: white, then blue, then beige. Underneath was the original mid-century timber, with the long, low proportions and recessed drawer pulls that make these Melbourne-made pieces so good.
The restoration was about bringing that back cleanly and respectfully. The painted layers were removed, the drawer fronts and recessed pulls were carefully cleaned back, and the timber was sanded smooth before being finished with a water based teak stain, followed by 3 coats of polyurethane top coat.
It now has a warm, honest timber finish, generous storage, smooth-running drawers and retro wave liners inside. A practical statement piece with all the presence of vintage Alrob, restored for everyday use.
Once the timber was clean, everything I had suspected was confirmed. The grain came up warm and dimensional, full of the kind of character that only decades of age can give a piece of wood. A water based teak stain was applied to warm the timber, then sealed with 3 coats of polyurethane top coat for lasting protection without obscuring it. The goal was always to let the timber be the thing.
There is a moment partway through finishing a piece like this where a haze appears across the surface. It is tempting to intervene. The right call is to leave it completely alone and let the finish cure overnight. It resolved perfectly. That restraint, knowing when not to touch something, is as much a part of this work as knowing what to do.
Gallery
