How to Find a Piece Worth Refinishing
Written by Daniel Oldejans
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​There are many things to look for in finding a “diamond in the rough” piece of furniture from an estate sale, garage sale or thrift store. Look for the potential in a piece of furniture. This can be broken down into a few categories.
First is function, will it work for you in the way that you are hoping for? If you need a good writing surface /desk, don’t buy something that is too small or too tall or has a warped top just because it is cool: it is important that it fits you and your needs.
Second thing to think about is size. Is the piece going to fit through doors and up the stairs? Measure, measure, measure: if you go out thrifting, bring a tape measure and a quick drawing of the room you are looking to fill, along with some basic measurements. Sometimes (as in a garage sale situation) you need to be quick on the draw, as most people don’t like holding bargains while you go home to measure.
Make sure the piece has good "bones." Look for good structure, how well it is built, how heavy it is, does it wobble when you touch it? Use a little common sense. If it’s falling over, it might be too big a project (although if one leg is loose, a trip to the hardware store might resolve the problem). Also, reupholstering a basic dining chair can be learned from a book in an afternoon, but doing a whole sofa takes a lot of practice and sewing skills.
Lastly does the piece have good lines? Meaning is it architecturally interesting and does it have proportional qualities from an aesthetic point of view (the bowed legs on our piece caught our eye)? If the piece is “close to cool,” you might be able to alter it into a gem by adding appliques or trim, lengthening or shortening the legs, etc. As a rule, if there isn’t something that initially draws you to the piece, it’s probably not a winner.

Originally written for the DIY Network web page. See picture examples there 
http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-paint-and-stencil-an-old-wood-table/index.html

​RED OAK
The most traditional and commonly used wood species in cabinetry for many years.  It is known for its distinctive open graining and attractive price.  Oak lumber can vary from almost white to brown to gray.  These are normal variations in the color of oak, and are to be expected in cabinetry.  The lighter the stain, the more noticeable the variations.

HICKORY
A very hard, heavy wood known for its extremely bold and distinct open graining and color variations.  A single board of hickory lumber can have several color variations from almost white to dark brown and black.  Dark mineral deposits are common.  Extreme color variation is expected in hickory and that is what gives hickory its charm. 

MAPLE
A hard and heavy wood known for its lighter color and tight graining (less distinct grain).  Maple commonly has mineral streaks, which are dark streaks in random sizes running through the grain of the wood.  These mineral streaks are noticeable markings because they contrast the natural color of maple.  Color varies from creamy white and light blond to medium brown or reddish tones.  It is susceptible to mellowing and darkening with exposure to light.  Maple has become very popular of late due to its tight grain and use with glazed finishes.

KNOTTY ALDER
A medium density hardwood with soft, straight grain, and even texture. Knotty Alders natural color ranges from pale yellow to reddish brown. Knotty Alder is chosen for its rugged appearance. Knots will be random in size and distribution and will range from tight sound knots to very rustic, split, and open knots.

CLEAR ALDER
A medium density hardwood with soft, straight grain, and even texture. Clear Alders natural color ranges from pale yellow to reddish brown. Clear Alder may contain small pin knots. These characteristic markings are blended naturally throughout the cabinetry. Due to the soft nature of Clear Alder it is susceptible to dents more so than other hardwoods.

CHERRY
A slightly hard and relatively light wood known for its tight graining and elegant coloring.  A frequently occurring feature specific to cherry are its gum pockets, otherwise known as pitch pockets.  They are small black flecks or streaks in the wood caused by dried sap pockets.  Color varies from almost white to light brown to pinkish red, giving it a wider variation in color than most people know.  Lighter stains will show this variation, so the buyer should be aware of this characteristic.  Another very important characteristic of cherry is its sensitivity to light.  Cherry will darken over time with exposure to any light, especially the sun.  This darkening will happen with all cherry and even after it has been finished.  Understanding the aging process of cherry is important before purchasing this beautiful wood.

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