Furniture restoration • Charleston, South Carolina
Good furniture deserves another chapter.
We provide furniture restoration and refinishing throughout the Charleston area, and carefully curate well-made vintage pieces from Lane, Drexel, Baker, Broyhill, Nadeau, and other respected makers.
Sculptural shield-shaped backs, sweeping dark wood frames and softly textured ivory upholstery. Generous seats, padded arms and fully upholstered backs make this matching pair a refined choice for a living room, bedroom or study. Attributed to Barbara Barry for Baker; manufacturer labels are absent.
Designed by Hans J. Wegner for Andreas Tuck and made in Denmark, this circa-1960s serving trolley features a sculpted removable tray, lower shelf and casters.
Broyhill Premier Sculptra Walnut Five-Drawer Chest
Beautifully restored walnut grain, sculptural oval pulls, framed upper drawers, and tapered legs. A labeled Broyhill Premier Sculptra chest with five drawers and very few remaining imperfections.
Sculpted drawer fronts, warm wood grain, curved metal pulls, and tapered legs give this circa-1960s Kent-Coffey chest enduring mid-century character. Sanded and refinished with four new protective topcoats.
Drexel Cabernet French Provincial Nightstands — A Pair
A matching vintage pair with warm brown wood grain, carved floral aprons, two dovetailed drawers each, and two fresh protective topcoats on each nightstand.
Warm wood, beautifully woven cane, and brand-new oatmeal-beige upholstery. The wood and wicker are in pristine condition—a comfortable, refined accent ready for its next home.
Rich wood tones and a graceful serpentine front give this vintage Henredon chest an elegant presence. Carved corner fretwork, decorative escutcheons, shaped bracket feet and a contrasting border around the top reward a closer look. Ornate brass-tone pulls feature stylized pineapple motifs, a traditional symbol of welcome and hospitality. Five drawers—two smaller upper drawers above three full-width drawers—offer generous storage, with dividers in select drawers. A beautiful choice for an entryway, living room or bedroom. Measures 44 inches wide × 19 inches deep × 36 inches high. Retains its Henredon maker’s label; minor age-related marks are consistent with its well-preserved vintage condition.
We’ll preview newly sourced pieces here before restoration is complete. If something catches your eye, contact us to express interest and discuss the direction before it becomes available.
Potential restoration concepts — select the image to view it larger.
Circa 1950s–60s
Vintage Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chair
A beautifully sculpted mid-century lounge chair featuring an open spindle back, graceful wood arms, and traditional rubber-webbed cushion support. This chair will be carefully restored while preserving its original character, with new period-appropriate webbing and custom upholstered seat and back cushions in a warm, neutral textured fabric.
Potential restoration concept — select the image to view it larger.
Drexel • Mid-century modern
Five-Drawer Dresser
This Drexel chest combines a streamlined mid-century profile with generous five-drawer storage and slim tapered legs. The simple case and long horizontal pulls give it a clean, architectural look beneath the current painted finish. That paint will be completely removed, and the dresser will be carefully sanded back to bare wood before receiving a medium-light walnut finish and matching satin-brass pulls. The finished piece is planned to feel refined, versatile, and ready for a modern bedroom.
Potential restoration concept — select the image to view it larger.
Solid oak • Traditional craftsmanship
Carved Oak Dresser
This solid oak dresser has exceptional old-world character, including carved floral details, paneled drawers, and traditional bail pulls. A thin taupe paint wash will first soften the orange cast while allowing the oak grain to remain visible, followed by a deeper walnut-toned finish and protective satin topcoat. Antique-brass hardware will add warmth and a more elevated, collected look. The result will balance its traditional details with a deeper, more current finish.
Potential restoration concept — select the image to view it larger.
Bassett • Vintage American furniture
Campaign-Style Triple Dresser
Made in the USA by Bassett, this substantial triple dresser reflects the campaign-influenced styling popular in the 1970s, with rounded case edges, symmetrical drawer banks, warm wood grain, and distinctive brass drop pulls. Its broad profile and abundant storage make it equally appealing as a bedroom dresser, media console, or statement credenza. The reddish finish will be completely stripped, and the surfaces will be carefully sanded and repaired before receiving a lighter walnut finish. The original brass hardware and trim will be cleaned and preserved to retain the vintage character that makes the piece special.
See furniture selected for its quality, character, and restoration potential.
02
Express interest
Let us know which piece caught your eye before the work is complete.
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Get first notice
We’ll keep you informed as the piece moves toward its finished reveal.
From the workshop
Past projects
A growing collection of furniture we have brought back to life. Each restoration has its own materials, challenges, and finish plan.
Before & after
Solid Oak Coffee & End Table Set
A dated orange-toned oak set was stripped and refreshed for a lighter coastal look. The solid-oak tops retain their natural grain, while the bases were brightened in a warm creamy white and protected for everyday use.
Solid oakThree-piece setCoastal transitional
BeforeOrange finish, staining and surface wearAfterNatural oak tops with warm white bases
This authentic Lane set arrived with a tired, uneven finish, worn edges, and years of surface damage. Careful refinishing revived the walnut color and grain while preserving the strong original lines and solid American construction.
Lane FurnitureAltavista, VirginiaWalnut tonesSatin finish
BeforeWorn finish and damaged edgesBeforeUneven color and surface wearAfterWarm walnut grain restoredAfterSmooth, durable satin finish
Maker unknown, craftsmanship unmistakable. This handsome coffee table was carefully restored to revive its warm wood grain, clean lines, and distinctive mid-century character, then protected for everyday use.
Maker unknownMid-century modernWarm wood finish
Finished room viewRestored wood detail
Sold • Past projectBaker Thomas Pheasant NightstandsMatching pair • fitted glass topsSold • Completed restorationLane Rhythm End TableRevived grain • satin finishSold • Completed restorationLane Oak Parquet End TablesMatching pair • four protective topcoatsPast projectPottery Barn BenchRenewed wood top • durable clear finishCompleted restorationDrexel Cedar TableRenewed wood surface • protected finishCompleted restorationRestoration Hardware DeskNatural character • original iron detailsCompleted restorationWest Elm Coffee TableRefreshed wood top • renewed metal base
More to come
Every piece has a story.
This gallery will grow as new restorations leave the workshop.
We curate well-built, name-brand vintage pieces, preserve their good bones, repair what time has worn, and choose finishes that let each piece feel at home today.
01
Evaluate
Maker, construction, veneer, repairs, and original character all shape the plan.
02
Restore
Clean, repair, strip or scuff, then rebuild the color and finish with care.
03
Protect
Furniture-grade clear coats provide a smooth, durable surface for everyday life.
Before
Worn and overlooked
Faded finish, surface scratches, and years of buildup can hide excellent construction.
After
Warm, useful, and ready again
Repairs disappear, the grain returns, and the piece earns a new place in the home.
Our story
Old skills, fresh perspective.
Old Dogs, New Tricks began with a simple belief: quality furniture should not be disposable.
What started as a hands-on restoration hobby became a growing collection of rescued pieces—each chosen for its craftsmanship, potential, and personality. The goal is never to erase the past. It is to make good furniture useful and beautiful for the next home.
— Randy Zeron, furniture restorer
“Restoring quality. Reviving beauty.”
Personal furniture restoration
A personal piece worth preserving?
Restoring what matters to you.
Some furniture is more than furniture. It may be a family heirloom, a piece passed down through generations, or simply a family favorite woven into the story of your home. We provide thoughtful, complete restoration that respects its history and character—then return it to be a part of your family.
Complete restoration for heirlooms and family favorites
Serving the Charleston area, with pickup and delivery discussed individually