How do I clean the brass grilles?

Leave them alone if possible. Old brass develops a dark, mellow surface that collectors prefer. Heavy polishing removes this historic finish and often leaves white residue trapped in the corners of the mesh. If the metal is sticky, wipe it gently with a damp cloth and a mild soap. Dry the grille immediately. Never spray liquid metal polish directly onto the door because it damages the surrounding veneer.

I have inherited a rather large mahogany cabinet from my grandmother and the doors are warped so they do not close properly anymore, can this be fixed?

Timber warps when it absorbs moisture unevenly. A thick mahogany door panel will bow if the room humidity fluctuates too wildly. Moving the piece away from direct heat sources often helps the wood settle back into shape over a few months. Cabinet makers can correct severe warping. They remove the door and apply controlled heat and pressure over several weeks. Sometimes they inset a hidden metal rod or timber batten to pull the frame flat again.

What were the top drawers for?

Shallow frieze drawers sit directly beneath the top surface. Households used them to hold cutlery, napkins or serving tools when the piece stood in a dining room. Sometimes these drawers are fitted with baize-lined compartments. This internal division stops silver from scratching as the drawer opens.

The fabric behind the metal mesh on my antique side cabinet is rotted away and falling to dust, is it difficult to replace it?

Replacing the fabric is a standard maintenance job. The textile panels are not structural and cabinet makers expected them to wear out long before the timber did. You can easily unpick the old material. Look at the inside face of the door. You will usually find the fabric tacked to a removable wooden sub-frame or held in place by simple timber beadings. A restorer can stretch fresh pleated silk over this frame and slot it back behind the grille.

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Victorian Side Cabinets

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Sitting flush against a wall in reception rooms or hallways, an antique side cabinet offers a flat top for display over enclosed cupboard space used to store household goods.