February 19, 2008

Snappy Dresser

The Dutch with the Touch Furniture

When it comes to finger ornaments, you have strong feelings on cut (princess, never pear shaped), color (none; you’re no J-Ho), and conscience (blood free, natch).

But diamonds in the rough? Not your bag.

Which is why you’ll appreciate Holland-born and Greenwood-based furniture refinisher Michel Tegelenbosch, a.k.a. the Dutch with the Touch. (His hilarious nickname, not ours.)

He rescues battered wood furniture from estate and garage sales and transforms it into shabby chic pieces with a little paint and TLC. Because antique stores snap up most of his work, the stuff that sells direct from his workshop is astoundingly reasonable.

We scoped a feminine dresser and graceful cake stand-cum-side table. If you want, he can keep an eye out for specific pieces and call you when he finds them.

All in all, a pretty decent proposal.

Find Tegelenbosch most Sundays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Fremont Market, 600 North 34th Street. For a private appointment, call 206-992-1784.