Furniture restorations, refinishing, repairs, gluing, touch-ups.
Email: [email protected]
Here is a little bio of how I got started restoring furniture. In 1922 Howerton Mercantile Company was formed to sell a general dry-good line. It was located in a small Southside Virginia town, Clarksville, in the heart of the tobacco belt. Until after World War II, when mass production revolutionized the tobacco business, the “Golden Leaf” enabled the South to enjoy the 18th Century life style. Hence, it was only natural that in 1926, J.H. Howerton, Sr. recognized the need and demand for quality furniture and Howerton Mercantile began filling that need. Howerton Antique Co., along with three generations of master craftsmen started producing quality, handmade furniture for over 70 years. Techniques and patterns have changed very little over the years. My grandfather “Rommie Franklin Pulliam Sr.”, my uncle “Rommie Franklin Pulliam Jr.” and my father “David Ray Pulliam”, all worked at Howerton Antique Co. My grandfather started working there somewhere around 1930. My uncle and father started in the mid 1970’s. When I was about seven years of age, my father would take me to work with him. At first I would just play with the scrap wood, making small table and chairs or wooden swords. Over the years I began to help out around the shop by sweeping the floors, dumping the saw dust barrels. When I was in middle school I started working during the summers. I began helping craft furniture and restore old wore out pieces. I was able to see the lumber come in on the truck, be hand selected, cut to length and crafted into the most beautiful furniture. I worked at Howerton Antique Co. fulltime for about 3 years. My father had a work shop at our home. This is where he showed me everything he knew about furniture restoration. I worked with him every afternoon and weekend before moving on to start a family. My family used the single piece hand method of furniture making, sanding and finishing. This process gave each inherent peculiarities and individual character that made each different from the other. Most all the pieces my family made, was from solid mahogany with authentic solid brass hardware. True to the 18th Century furniture, Howerton Antique Co. adhered to reproducing many Queen Anne, Hepplewhite, Chippendale and other early American pieces from originals. As the years passed, so did my grandfather, my father and my uncle. Then in the early to mid-2000’s, Howerton Antique Co. closed the doors for the last time. I live in Danville VA now, with a beautiful wife and three amazing daughters. I enjoy restoring furniture. I treat every restoration with the upmost care and put all my heart into it as my father did for so many years. I hand rub all my stains. This gives the finishes a warm look, closely resembling the beautiful antique pieces. After the stain I apply a sealer that protects the wood and gives an even color. Then I apply three coats of statin or semi-gloss lacquer finish. Then I sand with 220 grit sandpaper and apply one last coat of lacquer. Before the furniture leave my shop, every piece is inspected with a complete hand wipe down. I do just about any type of furniture. My “custom restoration” offers one-of-a-kind ownership. Dave’s Furniture Restoration offers the best quality at the most reasonable price. I offer up to date progress of your furniture, posted on my Facebook page, you can see from the beginning to the finished restoration.
