Hi all, I'm new to the forum and a new Arts & Crafts home owner. I have a bit of a dillema with my dining room. For some reason the original home owners decided to take the built-in buffet/sideboard with them when they moved. While they finished the floor and wall where the buffet would have been, the room just looks incomplete without it. I have been trying to find a salvaged buffet of the same period to fit the space, but they are hard to come by. Are there carpenters who can make a convincing reproduction buffet? Or am I better off waiting for the salvage yard to get that perfect 11.3 ft buffet? I want to preserve the look of the home as much as possible. thanks for any ideas!

Hello and Welcome,

No need to place multiple posts of the same inquiry. The members here check most new posts. I will delete this redundant post shortly.

Please consider becoming a member and best of luck on finding a replacement for your built-in sideboard.

Fred
(Moderator)

i rather doubt that you will find a replacement. go down to the local lumber store and ask if they know of anyone with the skills to build you a reproduction. a skilled cabinet maker will be able to build anything you want.

welcome to the forum, please post some pics.

You will not find a replacement.

Ty to locate someone that repairs or restores antique furniture. They might have some salvaged pieces of wood or old hardware that they can incorporate into the piece. That type of a craftsman may be better at matching the patina of the old workwork than a regular carpenter.

Also, try to find pictures of the old buffet so that the design can be replicated.

I am sorry to hear that previous owners took the buffet out when they left. It was a crime against the integrity of the house. And if was in an historic district, they may have broken some of the convenants.

Bev.

can you shoot a picture? that would give a better idea of what the design may have looked like and the woodwork you have...

thanks.

Rob

I am starting to realize that I will probably never unite my home with its missing buffet. There are still the bookcases around the fireplace that i'm sure matched the missing piece. At least a potential woodworker could copy the bookcases as far as doors, wood, and hardware go. I will try to get a picture of the dining room up. I havent even moved in yet, we close on the house tomorrow.

Hello <mplsgirl>
Email me at Ralj7@AOL.com along with a picture of the table and book shelves.

Respectfully,

Ralph Jones

The old Sears Modern Homes catalogs show detailed pictures of the optional buffets that were offered for the 1920s and 30s dining rooms. Studying these old images might be helpful in re-creating the look you want. The reprinted catalogs can be purchased at online bookstores for a reasonable price.

Rosemary

Built-in cabinets were typically just held together with nails. Someone with intermediate skills could easily make a new one. As you said, just have them copy the style from the others. Also, you can find old doors and hardware quite easily at salvage shops.

Hello <mplsgirl>,
I can reproduce any style of A&C pieces that suddenly walk away, since I work in the restorations of old pieces as well as to make new pieces the will appear to be an aged piece with the circa pulls, hinges,etc.

I am attaching a Greene and Greene Side table or as they were called in some areas sideboard, not counting a buffet.

What I would need from you would be some pictures of what was left.

Respectfully,

Ralph Jones

Hello Rosemary,
Would you by any chance have a link to the catalog as I tried to find it and drew a blank.

I make A&C furniture in the Movement form of hand crafting with the dovetails and all mortises are also done by hand.

Here attached is a picture of a circa 1930 Walking cane showcase that I reproduced from a termite riddled former show case.

Respectfully,

Ralph Jones