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Really? You don't say!

There are so many questions in life and so few answers (good ones anyway!). We hope to make this page a resource center to answer a few of those questions.

Randa's Restoration Remarks

1. Everything you "wood" need to know to restore your floor - part one

Did you know?

1. Did you know that the word "parlor" comes from the Old French word "parler" meaning to talk?
   In Victorian times, parlour was a room used primarily for conversation or the reception of guests. However, during the 13th century, it was a room at the front of a monestary where priests could talk with guests.
   
2. Did you know that the first step to restoration is categorization?
   To begin the process of restoration, an item's historical verses non-historical attributes should be determined. Here are the formal categories of each:

   HISTORICAL CATEGORIES (Items of Museum Value)

   • Master Paintings
   • Furniture more than 200 years old
   • Pre-modern Artifacts
   • Historic Buildings
   • Pottery more than 500 years old
   • Porcelain more than 500 years old
   • Valuable Documentation

   NON-HISTORICAL CATEGORIES (Items of Aesthetic Value)

   • Furniture (less 200 years old)
   • Modern Porcelain
   • Modern Pottery
   • Artwork
   • Modern Buildings
   • Collectibles
   • Reproductions

   Once you've categorized, now you can decided if you want to restore (return it to a former state), or conserve (keep it from decaying), or refurbish (renovate it, make it new).

3. Do you know the ten things your contractor doesn't want you to know?
   See Bob Yapp's 10 things
   
4. Did you that the finest tea in all of China is not green -- but white?
   Produced in the Fujian province, this tea is harvested with the traditional plucking method formerly reserved for the emperor and court dignitaries. This method is known as "imperial plucking" removing only the bud and the first leaf from the bush. The tea is plucked only once a year, during two days selected according to minute botanical observations. Should anything unanticipated occur during those two day which would halt the harvest, the event is simply canceled.
5. Did you know that you can remove wax from candle holders with your hair dryer?
   Warm the dripped wax area with your hairdryer, taking care not to get the object too hot. Wipe clean with paper towels or cotton swabs. Next time, try to use dripless candles or rubbing a little petroleum jelly into the candle cup before inserting your candle (this helps the drips not stick and you can just wipe clean).